Lottery.com has made a bold move into the Middle East by acquiring a 90% stake in Nook Holdings, a Dubai-based sports and wellness incubator. The $2.5 million deal will see Nook rebranded as part of the Sports.com platform, solidifying the company’s regional presence and setting the stage for global growth.
Founded by Ravi Bhusari, Nook operates out of One JLT in Dubai, offering co-working spaces, licensing support, and tailored services for startups in the sports, fitness, and wellness sectors. With this acquisition, Nook becomes the MENA headquarters for Sports.com, the digital content and business platform powered by Lottery.com.
Why this Acquisition matters
This is more than just a regional play—it’s part of a modular global expansion strategy. Lottery.com is building a network of Sports.com-branded incubators that nurture early-stage, cash-positive businesses in fast-growing industries.
- ✅ $2.5 million investment for a 90% stake in Nook Holdings
- ✅ Net profit of $354,000 in FY2024, with a projected 38% increase in 2025
- ✅ MENA hub established in Dubai, with expansion planned in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, and Greater Miami
- ✅ Next Sports.com hub launching in Q4 2025 in Dubai’s Al Quoz district
The move comes at a pivotal time for Lottery.com, following a cleared legal hurdle in Texas and a fresh wave of investor confidence sparked by an $18 million funding round in late 2023.
Building a global Sports Ecosystem
“This is not a one-off transaction,” said Matthew McGahan, Chairman and CEO of both Lottery.com and Sports.com. “It’s a scalable blueprint. Our modular model allows us to bolt on high-potential, cash-generative businesses to rapidly expand our global footprint.”
- ✅ Each Sports.com hub acts as a launchpad for sports, health, and entertainment ventures
- ✅ Shared infrastructure and operational support across regions
- ✅ Opportunity to scale across multiple verticals quickly and efficiently
Mark Bircham, Head of Acquisitions at Sports.com, emphasized the replicable nature of the strategy:
“We’re building a connected ecosystem. Each acquisition brings value not just locally, but to the wider Sports.com infrastructure.”
A Fresh Chapter for Sports & Wellness Startups in MENA
With the Nook acquisition, Lottery.com is setting the tone for the next wave of sports tech and wellness entrepreneurship in the Middle East. By combining regional expertise with global reach, Sports.com is uniquely positioned to drive innovation and unlock new business models.
This marks a significant milestone in MENA’s startup landscape—especially for founders and investors in the sports, fitness, and digital wellness domains.
