iGaming-focused performance marketing specialist Clever Advertising has announced the acquisition of Pickswise, a leading US sports betting picks and analysis brand, from Spotlight Sports Group.
Although the financial terms of the transaction, completed on November 2, 2026, were not disclosed, leadership confirmed that Pickswise will operate with complete continuity, maintaining its brand identity, official website, mobile applications, and social media channels without any alterations for everyday users.
Launched in 2019, Pickswise has established a robust following by covering major American sporting leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college American football and basketball, alongside professional soccer and the UFC. The brand delivers daily predictions, best bets, and real-time odds comparisons across leading US sportsbooks, successfully attracting approximately 1.4 million visits each month.
Clever Advertising is no stranger to the platform, having collaborated closely with Pickswise since 2025 to direct its content strategy, execute a comprehensive app relaunch, expand social engagement, and optimize website performance.
Building an owned US audience
While Clever Advertising has maintained an established US footprint through paid media, search engine marketing, and influencer campaigns managed on behalf of licensed operators, the acquisition marks a pivotal shift by providing the company with a powerful, owned media audience.
Rui Meireles, Chief Publishing Officer at Clever Advertising, underscored the strategic value of the deal and the strong synergy between the two organizations:
“Pickswise readers are fans who want the reasoning behind a pick before they bet, and that’s the audience licensed operators want to reach. Pickswise is now our most important asset in the US market. We’ll keep investing in the brand, starting with new Playzone games for the NBA and MLB, as a key driver of our long-term growth and our expansion in the US.”
For Spotlight Sports Group, which counts prominent racing and sports publications such as the UK and Ireland-focused Racing Post among its portfolio assets, the divestment represents a strategic transition. Mark Renshaw, CEO of Spotlight Sports Group, reflected on the brand’s evolution:
“We launched Pickswise in 2019 and grew it into one of the leading free picks brands in the US. Over the past year, the team at Clever Advertising has advanced it further. They’re the right owner for its next chapter.”
Future roadmap and market positioning
With the acquisition finalized, Clever Advertising plans to deploy targeted product enhancements to accelerate engagement. The integration of upcoming Playzone games tailored for the NBA and MLB highlights the company’s commitment to delivering interactive experiences that appeal to modern sports bettors.
By combining Pickswise’s extensive reach with Clever’s sophisticated performance marketing capabilities, the combined entity is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalize on the rapidly expanding regulated US sports betting landscape.
