Colossus Bets is a British bookmaker specialising in pools betting. The Colossus Bets is headquartered in London, England, and was founded by former Monsanto PR operative Bernard Marantelli[1] and Zeljko Ranogajec in 2013.[2] The bookmaker currently focuses in pools betting by incorporating modern betting features such as Cash Out and Syndicates, currently holding seven US patents.[3] As well as offering lottery-sized jackpots.
In 2017, Colossus launched Syndicates, a group betting product that would allow its users to share the cost of their bets, and any potential winnings, with fellow players.[7] The introduction of horse racing pools in July 2018 meant that, for the first time, The Tote was no longer the sole horse racing pools operator in the UK market.[8][9] The Place 6 pool was introduced as a direct equivalent to the Placepot. In addition to offering their sports and racing pools on their website, the Colossus Bets pools have also been integrated into a number of partner websites across the world, including Bet365,[10]Betway Africa,[11]Dafabet,[12] Matchbook,[13] Racebets,[14]Mr Green,[11] Nairabet,[15] Football Pools,[12] eStave,[16] and Paf.[17]
In August 2017, Colossus Bets announced that they had entered into a partnership with 54 British racecourses in order to supply betting pools.[18] However, in May 2018 a number of newspaper articles were published revealing that Zeljko Ranogajec was the principal backer of the company using the alias of John Wilson.[19][20][21] Subsequently, the consortium of 54 racecourses (Britbet) cancelled their arrangement with Colossus Bets in favour of The Tote.[22]
In May 2021 Esports Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: EBET) announced an exclusive alliance with Colossus Bets.[23] Under the terms of the agreement Colossus Bets became a shareholder in Esports Technologies Inc.[24]
Conscious Colossus
In 2020, Colossus Bets launched ‘Conscious Colossus',[25][26] a charitable initiative created to “target several areas of responsibility and covering a wide range of causes, including the advancement of sport within communities, responsible gambling education and animal welfare.”[27] Conscious Colossus announced that they would be supporting three charities in their maiden year; Alive and Kicking, The Greyhound Trust and YGAM.[28] In 2021 they announced an updated line up of Alive and Kicking, YGAM and Clime-It Brothers for their second year.[29]
2017 – Colossus Bets announces partnership with consortium of British racecourses.[35]
2018 – Colossus Bets launch horse racing pools.[36]
2018 – 54 British racecourses repudiate Colossus bets as their pools betting partner.[37]
2019 - North Dakota Racing Commission licenses Colossusbets as a service provider.[38]
2019 – Oregon Racing Commission grants Colossusbets a totalizator license.[39]
2019 – Colossus Bets launch greyhound racing pools.[40][41]
2019 – Announces a long-term licensing agreement with Bet365 that will allow the operator access to its cash-out patent portfolio in the US.[42][43]
2020 – Colossus Bets launch ice hockey and darts pools.[44]
2020 – Winner of the ‘Best use of a brand ambassador' award at the EGR Operator Marketing and Innovation Awards for their partnership with Fallon Sherrock.[45]
