Gaming1 becomes sole owner of Circus.nl
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12 Nov 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The Belgian group Gaming1, already a major player in digital entertainment in Europe, now becomes 100% owner of Betca NV, the operator behind Circus.nl. This acquisition marks a strategic step in Gaming1’s expansion on the Dutch market, one of the most regulated and competitive on the continent since its regulation in 2021.
A change in strategic governance
At the heart of the announcement is Betca NV, the company that operates Circus.nl in the Netherlands. Until now, Betca NV was the result of a joint venture between Gaming1, the digital arm of the Belgian group Ardent, and a Dutch partner, linked in particular to the hotel and land-based casino sectors.
This partnership model enabled Circus.nl to quickly benefit from local roots, which will be essential when the Dutch online gaming market opens up in October 2021. From now on, Gaming1 will buy the remaining shares, becoming the sole owner of the brand and the operator.
According to several internal sources mentioned in the official announcement, the group wishes to accelerate the digital development of Circus.nl.
“This milestone marks an important turning point for the Group and allows Gaming1 to fully implement its excellence-focused business model. By moving to a unilateral operation, we are streamlining governance, speeding up decision-making and perfectly aligning our strategic vision.”
The Dutch market, an opportunity under close supervision
While the online gaming market attracts many international players, it is also one of the most strictly regulated in Europe. The Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa) monitors the compliance of operators, imposes stricter control obligations on players, and has recently stepped up sanctions against advertising deemed excessive.
For Gaming1, taking full control of the operator makes it easier to implement a coherent strategy in the face of these constraints. Circus.nl will have to continue to demonstrate its compliance, particularly in terms of the fight against addiction, identity verification and transparency of gaming algorithms.
Martijn Maertens, CEO of Betca:
“This marks the start of an exciting new phase for the business. This step will deliver further efficiencies and allow Betca to take full advantage of Gaming1’s knowledge, technical innovation and data-driven optimisation. I am convinced that this will quickly translate into an even better gaming experience, focused on player protection, and will strengthen Circus.nl as a leading brand in the Dutch market.”
The full acquisition of Betca NV by Gaming1 marks a turning point for Circus.nl in the Dutch market. This consolidation aims to strengthen the platform’s identity, strategic control and innovation. It also reflects a broader trend in the European online gaming sector: fewer fragmented partnerships and more integrated groups, better equipped to meet the dual requirements of economic performance and social responsibility.