Meridian Holdings (NASDAQ: MRDN) marks 25 years, highlights global growth | OneFootball

In 2001, a small team in Europe launched a betting and gaming technology company called Meridianbet. Twenty-five years later, the company operates in more than 25 regulated markets across four continents, and its shares are traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker MRDN.

Brazil

When the regulated sports betting market officially opened in Brazil in January 2025, Meridianbet was among the first operators to receive a definitive federal license granted by the Ministry of Finance — License No. 0086/2024, valid through 2029. Authorized by Ordinance SPA/MF No. 526/2025.

Brazil’s regulatory model is considered one of the strictest in the industry, with a limited number of federal licenses and comprehensive compliance requirements.

Following its long-standing expansion strategy, the company has been building its Brazilian operation gradually and in a structured manner.

The partnership with Dejan Petković, announced in May during a gala event held in Rio de Janeiro, represents an important step in that strategy.

The collaboration includes a content and branding platform backed by one of the most respected figures in Brazilian football, including the launch of Pet TV, a multimedia platform for which Meridianbet will serve as a founding strategic partner.

The connection between the two stories is symbolic: Meridianbet was founded in 2001, the same year Petković’s memorable free kick for Flamengo in the 43rd minute of the second half became part of Brazilian football history. Twenty-five years later, those paths come together through this new partnership.

Built in challenging markets

Meridianbet did not develop in a mature and stable regulatory environment. The company grew across various European markets, where operating legally required navigating constantly evolving regulatory frameworks and different jurisdictions. From the beginning, its strategy was to operate only where it could obtain official licenses and to develop its own technology rather than rely on third-party platforms.

That discipline went beyond regulatory compliance. In the markets where it operates, Meridianbet has actively contributed to the development of legislation aimed at responsible gaming, advocating for mandatory self-exclusion tools and professional training standards for operators. Even when regulation set only minimum requirements, the company voluntarily implemented additional measures, including self-exclusion programs and strict age-verification systems across its online and retail operations.

Today, Meridian Holdings holds licenses in several countries across Europe, Africa, and Latin America and develops its technology in-house through its B2B division, which includes game studio Expanse Studios and the GMAG platform. More than 1,200 professionals work across the group, including more than 100 software engineers. Female representation at the company exceeds 60%, a figure that stands out across many industries.

A different view of player engagement

The company’s leadership defines its commercial philosophy as being focused on long-term customer engagement and responsible participation, rather than simply pursuing high-value bets.

Its approach treats sports and gaming as forms of regulated entertainment, prioritizing a sustainable consumer experience through responsible gaming tools, high compliance standards, and long-term relationships.

This philosophy is reflected in investments in responsible gaming infrastructure that go beyond regulatory requirements, as well as in corporate social responsibility initiatives in the markets where it operates.

These initiatives include programs supporting health, education, and community development, as well as actions that allow eligible players, in certain markets, to direct part of promotional or charitable contributions to organizations of their choice, in compliance with local regulations.

The NASDAQ chapter

In 2024, the company became listed on the NASDAQ, completing a rigorous due diligence process that evaluated areas such as financial statements, corporate governance, and ownership structure.

Since then, Meridian Holdings has taken part in major investor conferences in the United States alongside companies such as Dell, IBM, DraftKings, and FanDuel.

The most recent quarter was the strongest in the company’s history, with revenue of US$50.1 million, representing 17% year-over-year growth, as well as its first profitable quarter under GAAP accounting standards, with Adjusted EBITDA above the projections disclosed to the market.

Thinking long term

The global betting industry continues to undergo consolidation, and the companies that remain competitive generally share a few essential characteristics: proprietary technology, regulatory discipline, and a long-term strategic vision.

Meridian Holdings has spent the last 25 years building those three pillars.

Brazil represents the next chapter of that journey, and the company intends to approach the market in the same way it handled its previous expansions: securing licenses first, building responsibly, and establishing a lasting presence.

About Meridian Holdings Inc.

Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an established gaming and betting technology group operating in the B2B and B2C segments across more than 25 regulated markets worldwide.

Its B2C division is led by the Meridianbet Group, an online sports betting and gaming operator founded in 2001 and licensed in several countries across Europe, Africa, and South America.

The company’s B2B division — consisting of game developer Expanse Studios and the GMAG iGaming platform — develops, licenses, and distributes proprietary technologies to clients on a global scale.

Other subsidiaries include RKings Competitions (prize competitions in the United Kingdom), MexPlay (a regulated online casino in Mexico), and Classics for a Cause (Australia’s leading digital subscriptions and promotional sweepstakes platform).

The company’s software automatically blocks betting or withdrawal requests originating in the United States, in strict compliance with U.S. law.

For more information, visit Meridian Holdings or email ir@meridian-holdings.com

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.