Former Inspired Entertainment CCO Steve Rogers joins list of high-profile backers of UK affiliate marketing product provider 

• 20SHOTS’ unique business model and marketing offering are attracting major investors in both the world of venture capital and the betting and gaming sector
• Steve Rogers joins a prestigious line-up of 20SHOTS investors, bringing with him more than 25 years’ experience in the industry
• Rogers will accelerate 20SHOTS’ growth by bolstering commercial and execution capabilities 

1 February 2024 — Global affiliate marketing product provider 20SHOTS has strengthened its portfolio of industry backers as former Inspired Entertainment CCO – Virtual Sports, Steve Rogers, joins the impressive portfolio of industry investors.

Rogers, who has, during his time in the sector helped broker deals with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Mike Tyson, the NFL and NBA, joins a roster of tech and gaming heavyweight backers. 

Fellow investors include:

• Animal Capital (a VC based in Los Angeles, which has invested in several sports betting businesses, including Underdog Fantasy)
• Jasper White, former CEO of sports betting company Gambit Research, who now runs a hedge fund focused on the betting industry
• John Pettit, previously Group Commercial Director at both Ladbrokes and Gala Coral and now CCO at Playtech BGT Sports
• Alex Donohue, founder and MD of Press Box PR

Speaking about the new partnership, Jacob Kalms, 20SHOTS’ co-founder and CEO, said that Rogers’ industry knowledge and connections were a welcome addition, accelerating expansion plans across multiple markets including LatAM, the USA and UK. 

“Our ambition is to become one of the leading affiliate marketing technology platforms and attracting the right strategic investment from the gaming industry and beyond is a key part of this plan,” he shares.

“Rogers’ investment bolsters our capabilities in terms of not only commercial growth but smooth integration of our increasingly diverse range of products with our partners.”

“He will also play a key role in developing our offering for a range of markets, working in conjunction with our existing team and investors, both in and out of the gaming industry,”

Kalms.

“Over my 25 years in this industry I have seen how innovative technology and product development from specialist marketing platforms have improved commercial capabilities for operators, affiliates and other parties. I believe 20SHOTS has the potential to accelerate how operators recruit and retain customers, particularly in a changing regulatory environment, using the power of fantasy sports to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Steve Rogers

Rogers continues,

“I am looking forward to working with Jacob, the 20SHOTs management team and other investors to accelerate the growth of its product roadmap and expansion into new territories to usher in a new era of growth for the company.”

-ENDS-

About 20SHOTS

20SHOTS is a UK Gambling Commission-licensed company and is the brainchild of former Bookee head of marketing Jacob Kalms and Declan Spiro, who ran the in-play trading models at Football Radar, one of the world’s largest football betting hedge funds.

Its main product is Fantasy5, a unique free-to-play football game that allows customers to win weekly jackpots and prizes. It is available globally on a B2C basis and has more than 180,000 players on its own platform, which also offers fantasy games based on the Champions League and the NBA in the US.

20SHOTS also has B2B partnerships in the UK, Ireland and Brazil, with tier one operators BoyleSports and Grosvenor Casinos currently offering Fantasy5 to their players.