Meridian Holdings Announces Dejan Petković as Global Brand Ambassador
Two stories. Same origin. Same year. 25 years later — officially on the same side.
Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), a global operator and technology provider in online sports betting and gaming markets, today announced that Dejan Petković — a Brazilian football legend universally regarded as one of the most beloved and decorated foreign players in the history of the sport in that country — has signed an agreement to become the Global Brand Ambassador of the Company. As part of the partnership, Petković will launch Pet TV, a multimedia content platform focused on sport, culture, and entertainment, with Meridianbet serving as its founding strategic partner.
Dejan Petković — The Legend
Petković arrived in Brazil in 1997 from Real Madrid, in a move that would define his life and career. He spent his prime playing years there, scoring 167 goals across seven clubs including Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense, Vitória, Santos, and Atlético Mineiro. He won three Best Seria A Player awards as arguably the nation’s best midfielder and led Flamengo to the 2009 Brazilian Championship.
His 89th-minute free kick for Flamengo in 2001 remains one of the most celebrated moments in Brazilian club football history. He was inducted into the Maracanã Walk of Fame — one of only three foreigners ever to receive that honor, alongside Eusébio and Franz Beckenbauer — and was named an Honorary Citizen of Rio de Janeiro.
The 2001 Connection
The partnership connects two stories that began in the same place, at the same time: Meridianbet was founded in 2001, the same year Petković’s 89th-minute free kick for Flamengo became part of Brazilian football folklore. Twenty-five years later, two institutions of the same generation are officially on the same side.
“Dejan Petković built his legend in Brazil — and Brazil claimed him as its own. Meridianbet has spent 25 years building its own legacy across some of the world’s most demanding markets, and Brazil is our next chapter. This partnership brings together two stories defined by the same values: earn your place, build trust, and go the distance. By integrating content, culture, and entertainment through Pet TV, we are creating new avenues to connect with our users and support long-term growth across our ecosystem.”
William Scott — Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Holdings Inc.
“What Meridianbet and I have in common goes beyond business — same generation, same drive to prove something on a world stage, same belief that you have to earn your place. I spent 25 years earning the trust of Brazil — its clubs, its people, its passion. Meridianbet is doing the same. I am proud to be the face of that story.”
Dejan Petković — Global Brand Ambassador, Meridianbet
Pet TV, Powered by Meridianbet
As part of the partnership, Petković will launch Pet TV — a multimedia content platform focused on sport, culture, and entertainment — with Meridianbet as its founding strategic partner. The platform represents a new chapter in Petković’s engagement with Brazilian and global audiences and extends the Company’s brand presence beyond traditional sports betting into lifestyle and entertainment content.
Brazil Market Context
Meridianbet has held a definitive federal license (No. 0086/2024) issued by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance to operate fixed-odds betting across the country since January 2025, with validity through December 31, 2029 — making it among the first international operators licensed on day one of Brazil’s full regulatory framework.
Q1 2026 Performance
The announcement follows Meridian Holdings’ strongest quarter on record.
About Dejan Petković
Dejan Petković was born on September 10, 1972 in Majdanpek, Serbia. He began his professional career at Radnički Niš and went on to play for Red Star Belgrade — European champions in 1991 — before moves to Real Madrid, Sevilla, and Racing Santander. In 1997 he joined Vitória in Brazil, beginning a relationship with the country that would define his career and life. Over more than a decade, he played for Vitória, Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense, Santos, Atlético Mineiro, and others, accumulating 167 goals and becoming one of the most decorated and beloved foreign players in Brazilian football history. He retired in 2011, has lived in Brazil ever since, and serves as an Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia in Brazil.
About Meridian Holdings Inc.
Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an established B2B and B2C gaming technology group operating across 25+ international regulated markets. The Company’s B2C division is led by Meridianbet Group, a leading online sports betting and gaming operator founded in 2001 and licensed across Europe, Africa, and South America. Meridian’s B2B division — comprising game developer Expanse Studios and iGaming platform GMAG — develops, licenses, and distributes proprietary gaming technology to a global client base. Additional subsidiaries include RKings Competitions (pay-to-enter prize competitions in the UK), MexPlay (regulated online casino in Mexico), and Classics for a Cause (Australia’s leading subscription-based digital memberships and trade-promotion lottery). The Company’s software automatically declines gaming or redemption requests originating in the United States, in strict compliance with U.S. law.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Meridian Holdings Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Investor & Media Contact
Investors & Press: ir@meridian-holdings.com
Brett Milotte (ICR): Brett.milotte@icrinc.com
