Latest News
Rivalry Reports Strong Q1 2025 KPI Growth, Validating Strategic Pivot Amid Temporary Margin Variance
Rivalry Corp. (TSXV: RVLY) (OTCQB: RVLCF) (“Rivalry” or the “Company”), the leading sportsbook and iGaming operator for digital-first players, today shared preliminary key performance indicators (“KPIs”) and revenue figures for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (“Q1 2025”), underscoring the success of its strategic transformation and path toward sustainable, profitable growth. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars.
Q1 2025 marks the first full quarter under Rivalry’s revamped operating model, following significant changes to product offerings, organizational structure, cost management, and user acquisition strategies. Underlying KPIs show improved unit economics, deeper engagement, and structural momentum toward long-term sustainability.
Revenue in the quarter was lower than prior periods – a result of Rivalry’s deliberate shift to a leaner, more efficient model – creating a stronger foundation that the Company is now building on. The shortfall also reflected temporary variance in sportsbook hold, amplified by a strategic focus on high-value and VIP players. The Company believes that these segments drive significantly greater long-term value but can introduce short-term volatility as they scale.
“Our Q1 KPIs are delivering tangible results that validate our strategic shift,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “The structural changes we implemented over the past six months – from streamlining operations and refocusing the product, to modernizing our platform and concentrating on high-value players – are now clearly reflected in our KPIs. We’re operating more efficiently than ever, generating significantly more revenue per user, and moving closer to achieving sustainable profitability.”
Q1 2025 Highlights1:
- Operational Efficiency Up 400%: In Q1 2025, Rivalry generated over 400% more net revenue per user per dollar of operating expense as compared to its average before the strategic overhaul. This marks a significant leap in cost efficiency and operating leverage, validating the impact of recent changes.
- Shift to High-Value Players Driving 175% Increase in Player Monthly Deposits: Total deposits rose 36% month over month in February 2025 and another 12% in March 2025, despite a smaller active user base than past peaks. In Q1 2025, average monthly deposits per player were just over 175% higher than the periods prior to Rivalry’s October 2024 strategic overhaul – a clear result of the Company’s focus on acquiring and retaining high-value players, while improving unit economics and lowering variable costs.
- 115% Increase in Monthly Deposit Frequency: In Q1 2025, average monthly deposit frequency per player increased by 115% compared to the average prior to Rivalry’s October 2024 rebuild – signaling strong user re-engagement and validating the Company’s refined product experience and more targeted player strategy.
- All-Time High in Monthly Betting Handle per User: Monthly betting handle per active user hit a new all-time high in March 2025, marking the fifth consecutive month of record-breaking engagement and deeper player value.
- Record Revenue per User: In March 2025, monthly Gross and Net Revenue per active user reached all-time highs (normalized for margin variance), extending a four-month streak of consistent revenue per active user growth and player monetization strength.
- Month over Month Active User Growth: Monthly active players grew by 9% in March 2025, following a similar increase in February 2025, despite a significantly reduced global marketing budget compared to the same period last year.
- Ontario Regulated Market Showing Strong, Improving Unit Economics: Since the Company’s operational shift, Rivalry’s Average Revenue Per Playing Account (“ARPPA”) in Ontario – a monthly metric defined by and publicly reported by gaming regulator iGO – has generally trended in line with the market average, and in some months exceeded it by as much as 50%. ARPPA has also nearly doubled compared to pre-overhaul levels at Rivalry, reflecting strengthening unit economics supported by efficient customer acquisition, with customer acquisition cost paybacks consistently within single-digit weeks.
Operational Momentum and Efficiency Gains Reflect Structural Progress
The Company’s Q1 2025 performance reflects the first full quarter operating under a significantly leaner structure, with total monthly run rate operating expenses reduced by approximately 65% as compared to prior peak periods.
Betting handle in Q1 2025 was $58.2 million, and net revenue $1.3 million1, for a net revenue margin of 2.3%. This compares to Rivalry’s full-year 2024 net revenue margin of 4.4%1, with the Q1 2025 margin variance largely attributable to short-term fluctuations in sportsbook hold. This was amplified by the Company’s strategic pivot toward high-value and VIP players – segments that offer significantly greater long-term value but naturally introduce more short-term variability in margin performance as they scale.
On a normalized margin basis, Rivalry’s Q1 2025 net revenue would have covered approximately 75% of current run rate operating expenses, inclusive of additional cost reductions completed in early April that lowered monthly operating expenses by approximately $140,000. Growing user value, rising engagement, and stronger unit economics reflect encouraging momentum toward long-term financial sustainability.
“The KPIs are telling the real story – user value is up, efficiency is up, and player engagement is the strongest we’ve seen in the Company’s history,” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “Even with soft margin outcomes in Q1 2025, the model is showing strong underlying signals. As sportsbook hold normalizes and our cost base becomes leaner, we believe we’re moving in the right direction.”
Over the past six months, Rivalry has reduced monthly run rate operating expenses by approximately $1.7 million per month, inclusive of the recently completed April 2025 reductions. These reductions have been enabled by a fully modernized core product with improved site performance and ongoing development velocity across key revenue-driving features. The Company has also realized efficiencies through vendor rationalization and the rollout of AI-driven tools across departments.
“We’ve built a stronger, leaner, and more focused Rivalry,” Salz added. “Our improved KPIs and disciplined cost management have created a healthier foundation. With continued operational momentum and a re-energized product, we believe we’re on a promising path forward.”
The post Rivalry Reports Strong Q1 2025 KPI Growth, Validating Strategic Pivot Amid Temporary Margin Variance appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
BIG Cyber
BMM INNOVATION GROUP TO SPONSOR AND EXHIBIT AT SBC RIO 2026 MARCH 3–5 AT RIOCENTRO, RIO DE JANEIRO
BMM Innovation Group (BIG) has confirmed its sponsorship and exhibition at SBC Summit Rio, taking place March 3–5, 2026, at Riocentro. Attendees can visit the company at Stand A816 to explore its latest compliance, cybersecurity, and training solutions for the regulated gaming sector.
Headquartered in Las Vegas, BMM Innovation Group continues to expand its presence in Latin America, supporting Brazil’s rapidly growing regulated betting and iGaming market.
Strengthening Compliance in Brazil’s Regulated Market
At SBC Rio 2026, BIG will spotlight BMM Testlabs and its comprehensive product compliance testing and certification services. With an established office in São Paulo and 15 additional global locations, BMM Testlabs works closely with regulators, operators, and suppliers across Brazil and Latin America.
As Brazil’s regulated sports betting and online gaming market accelerates, compliance, responsible gaming, and player protection remain top priorities. BMM Testlabs ensures that fixed-odds betting systems and online gaming platforms meet Brazilian regulatory standards, supporting secure and transparent market growth.
Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity at BMM Testlabs, highlighted Brazil as one of the world’s most dynamic gaming markets, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance and system security in driving sustainable expansion.
Cybersecurity and Responsible Gaming Solutions
In addition to compliance services, BIG will present solutions from:
-
BIG Cyber – Delivering penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, PCI:DSS evaluations, and managed cybersecurity services to protect operators and suppliers from emerging threats.
-
RG24seven Virtual Training – Providing compliance-focused online training programs covering Responsible Gaming and Anti-Money Laundering (AML), with content available in Portuguese and Spanish to support regional operators.
Together, these solutions reinforce BIG’s mission to serve the full gaming ecosystem—from product certification and cybersecurity protection to regulatory training and workforce education.
Meet BMM Innovation Group at SBC Rio
Industry professionals attending SBC Summit Rio 2026 are invited to schedule in-person meetings with BMM Innovation Group representatives to discuss compliance, cybersecurity, and training strategies tailored to Brazil’s evolving regulatory landscape.
More about the event to meet with BMM representatives at https://sbcnews.co.uk/events/2026/02/25/sbc-summit-rio-2026-2/
The post BMM INNOVATION GROUP TO SPONSOR AND EXHIBIT AT SBC RIO 2026 MARCH 3–5 AT RIOCENTRO, RIO DE JANEIRO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Ceuta refuerza su apuesta por el Juego en Interazar, la gran Feria española del Sector
La Ciudad autónoma acudirá de nuevo a Madrid para reforzar su compromiso con la Industria
La próxima edición de Interazar volverá a ser el gran punto de encuentro de la Industria del Juego española y contará, una vez más, con la participación activa del Gobierno de Ceuta, que reafirma así su compromiso firme y continuado con un Sector del todo determinante para su modelo económico.
Ceuta vuelve a la Feria Española del Juego los próximos días 28 y 29 de abril en IFEMA con un mensaje claro: la Ciudad se ha convertido en uno de los grandes polos de atracción para la Industria del Juego y la tecnología, ya no sólo en España, sino en Europa. La presencia institucional ceutí servirá para continuar mostrando las ventajas fiscales únicas de la Ciudad, su seguridad jurídica y un ecosistema cada vez más maduro, que ya alberga a buena parte de las principales compañías del Juego online que operan en España.
La apuesta del Gobierno de Ceuta por el Sector no es coyuntural. Los datos avalan un modelo que ha generado empleo cualificado, incrementando de forma notable la recaudación pública y situando a la Ciudad como un hub tecnológico de referencia. Interazar se presenta así, como el foro natural para reforzar la relación con las empresas ya implantadas y para abrir nuevas vías de colaboración con Operadores y proveedores que buscan un entorno competitivo y estable desde el que crecer.
La combinación entre un certamen con identidad propia como Interazar, y una Administración que ha sabido entender el potencial del Sector, convierte esta participación en una muestra más de una estrategia coherente y sostenida en el tiempo.
The post Ceuta refuerza su apuesta por el Juego en Interazar, la gran Feria española del Sector appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
EMERGENCY HQ
EMERGENCY Developer Sixteen Tons on Record Growth Trajectory: Studio Appoints Creator of Billion-Dollar Hit June’s Journey as Chief Creative Officer
Sixteen Tons Entertainment, the studio behind the award-winning EMERGENCY series, today announced the appointment of Sebastian Nußbaum as Chief Creative Officer. A lifelong fan of the franchise and an accomplished creative leader in the European games industry, Nußbaum joins CEO Jan Richter’s leadership team to guide the next phase of EMERGENCY’s growth.
Nußbaum’s connection to EMERGENCY spans back to the franchise’s earliest titles, drawn to its unique blend of authentic simulation and strategic gameplay. This personal passion, combined with Sixteen Tons’ recent performance, made joining the studio an easy decision.
Over 200% Revenue Growth for EMERGENCY HQ
Since Jan Richter became CEO in mid-2024, EMERGENCY HQ has achieved remarkable growth, with monthly revenue increasing by more than 200% in just 18 months — eight years after its original launch. The growth has been almost entirely organic, fueled by consistent content updates, live events, and expansion into international markets, particularly the United States. The studio now employs approximately 35 team members.
From Niche Franchise to Billion-Dollar Potential
At Wooga, Nußbaum served as Vice President Creative, leading the development of June’s Journey and Pearl’s Peril, turning them into globally successful titles with June’s Journey generating over $1 billion in lifetime revenue. He now brings this expertise to Sixteen Tons, aiming to scale EMERGENCY into its next era.
Leadership Comments
“The growth of EMERGENCY HQ over the past 18 months demonstrates the true potential of this brand — and we are still early,” said Jan Richter, CEO of Sixteen Tons. “Sebastian brings not only creative vision and passion, but also the operational expertise to elevate the franchise and redefine its genre. His decision to join our team validates our ambitions and motivates us to raise the bar even further.”
Nußbaum added:
“What Jan and the team have achieved with EMERGENCY HQ is truly impressive. The dynamic growth, clarity of strategy, and strength of the team made it clear that something special is happening at Sixteen Tons. I’m excited to contribute to the evolution of this brand and help realize its enormous potential.”
Sixteen Tons at GDC 2026
Sixteen Tons Entertainment will showcase its development at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, March 9–13. CEO Jan Richter will present insights into the transformation of EMERGENCY HQ and its record revenue growth, while Sebastian Nußbaum will be available for interviews and media engagements.
The post EMERGENCY Developer Sixteen Tons on Record Growth Trajectory: Studio Appoints Creator of Billion-Dollar Hit June’s Journey as Chief Creative Officer appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Central Europe7 days agoPowering the Next Generation of Online Casinos: Inside DSTGAMING’s Scalable iGaming Ecosystem
-
Adjusted EBITDA6 days agoBragg Gaming Announces Select Preliminary Unaudited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results, and Issues Full Year 2026 Guidance
-
Bagley-Keene Act5 days agoCalifornia Gambling Control Commission Issues Critical Guidance on Stakeholder Communications and Ex Parte Rules
-
Alberta iGaming Corporation7 days agoAlberta iGaming Corporation Partners with Responsible Gambling Council
-
Habanero7 days agoRacing Royalty — Habanero’s High-Speed Hold-and-Ride Thrill
-
BGaming7 days agoBrace for Impact — BGaming’s Rocket Eruption: Triple Blast
-
iGaming4 days agoPRAGMATIC PLAY UNEARTHS PROGRESSIVE MULTIPLIERS IN ROLLING IN TREASURES
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoUK Government to Ban Unlicensed Gambling Firms from Sponsoring British Sports



