Canada
Genius Sports Group to go public through combination with NYSE-listed dMY Technology Group II
- Pro forma enterprise value of the merger of approximately $1.5 billion
- Transaction includes a $330 million fully committed private investment (“PIPE”) anchored by institutional and experienced industry investors
- The combined company is expected to have approximately $150 million of growth capital (assuming no redemptions) and a substantially debt-free balance sheet to accelerate its U.S. and international expansion through organic growth and strategic acquisitions
- dMY II shareholders, GSG shareholders and PIPE investors will hold shares in NYSE-listed combined company
- dMY II’s Chairman and dMY II’s CEO will serve on combined company’s Board of Directors
Genius Sports Group Limited (“GSG” or the “Company”), the leading provider of sports data and technology powering the sports, betting and media ecosystem, and dMY Technology Group, Inc. II (NYSE: DMYD) (“dMY II”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, today announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) pursuant to which GSG and dMY II will combine. As a result of the business combination, GSG and dMY II shareholders will exchange their shares for shares in a new combined company (“NewCo”), which will be publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). The transaction implies a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion. Upon closing, NewCo expects its ordinary shares and warrants to trade on the NYSE under the symbols “GENI” and “GENI WS”, respectively.
In addition to the approximately $276 million held in dMY II’s trust account (assuming no redemptions by dMY’s public stockholders), a group of institutional and experienced industry investors has committed to participate in the transaction through a common stock PIPE of approximately $330 million at $10.00 per share.
Genius Sports Group Highlights
GSG acquires data from sports events around the world and supplies it to sports betting operators, providing them with secure, high-quality, mission critical data and content that helps them better engage with and protect their customers. The Company has a leading portfolio of rights to official data – the feed of live sports statistics that is sanctioned, and otherwise owned, by the relevant governing league. GSG provides data on over 240,000 events each year – effectively every hour of every day. It is the official provider for over 170,000 of these events.
GSG’s scale, access to official data, and innovative technology platform differentiate it within the industry. The Company maintains long-term partnerships with over 500 sports organizations globally, including the NBA, NCAA, FIBA, FIFA, English Premier League and NASCAR. Its proprietary technology and data feeds are mission critical to the success of its sportsbook partners.
Management & Governance
Following the closing of the proposed business combination, Mark Locke will continue to lead the business as Chief Executive Officer of NewCo. Mr. Locke will be supported by a deep bench of talent with substantial experience across finance, technology and the sports betting industry.
NewCo’s Board of Directors will include dMY II’s Chairman Harry You and dMY II’s CEO Niccolo de Masi. Mr. You is the former EVP of EMC and previously served as the CFO of Accenture and Oracle. Mr. de Masi is the current Chairman and former CEO of Glu Mobile (NASDAQ: GLUU), a leading developer and publisher of mobile games for smartphone and tablet devices.
“Genius Sports Group created the market for official data across all tiers of sports, helping fuel our sportsbook partners’ ever-increasing range of products,” said Mr. Locke. “This transaction will help us continue to expand and strengthen our position as a nexus of the global sports, betting and media ecosystem.”
“Elemental data provider Genius Sports Group benefits from the growth of all participants in the global sports betting market. Mark Locke has pioneered the provision of official rights and live data which have been instrumental in building the modern sports betting market,” said Mr. de Masi. “The company has a strong track record of growth and we are very excited by the opportunities for further expansion in this rapidly growing segment.”
Key Transaction Terms
The transaction values NewCo at an anticipated initial enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion, or 8.0x GSG’s currently projected 2021 revenue of $190 million.
The consideration payable to GSG’s existing shareholders will consist of a combination of cash and rollover equity in NewCo. The proceeds of the $330 million PIPE transaction will be used to repay shareholder loans and to redeem and make certain preference share payments on preferred shares held by corporate shareholders.
Assuming no redemptions by dMY II’s public stockholders, it is anticipated that NewCo will have approximately $150 million of unrestricted cash and a substantially debt-free balance sheet at closing.
The Boards of Directors of both dMY II and GSG have unanimously approved the transaction. The transaction will require the approval of dMY II’s stockholders, and is subject to other customary closing conditions, including a minimum cash condition. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2021.
An investor webcast and presentation detailing the transaction will be available at www.geniussports.com and www.dmytechnology.com. The transcript of the investor webcast and the presentation will be filed by dMY II with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as exhibits to a Current Report on Form 8-K, and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, NewCo intends to file a registration statement on Form F-4 with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement/prospectus of dMY II, and will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC.
Advisors
Godman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to dMY II. Oakvale Capital LLP is acting as exclusive financial advisor to GSG. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as lead placement agent for the PIPE transaction. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Oakvale Capital LLP also acted as capital markets advisors and placement agents for the PIPE transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor to GSG. White & Case LLP served as legal advisor to dMY II. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as the sole bookrunner of dMY II’s IPO; Needham & Co. also acted as underwriter.
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Canada
ComeOn Group adds sportsbook to its offering in Ontario
ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.
ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.
ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”
*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)
BCLC
INTRALOT Announces New Project with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for Online Lottery Platform
INTRALOT S.A. has announced the undertaking of a new project between the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), the sole lottery operator for the Government of British Columbia in Canada, and INTRALOT Inc., its US subsidiary, for the provision of an online lottery platform. The project also includes the digitalization of the existing land-based network.
The solution will be based on the Player X platform, part of the Lotos X ecosystem, and adds to the company’s overall partnership with BCLC, which has been extended until 2028.
INTRALOT is a leading player in a changing world of gaming. With significant experience in looking forward and anticipating emerging trends, the company provides future-proof solutions to regulated lottery and gaming operators around the world.
Canada
IAGR announces Toronto as host city for 2025 conference
Hot on the heels of its most attended conference in history, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) is excited to announce that its 2025 conference will take place in Toronto, Canada, from October 20 to 23, 2025.
The event will be held in partnership with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) at the Westin Harbour Castle, offering stunning waterfront views and a premier, downtown Toronto location.
‘Fresh off the success of our Rome conference, we’re thrilled to continue the momentum with next year’s event in Toronto,’ said Ben Haden, IAGR President.
‘The IAGR 2025 conference promises to be another unparalleled opportunity for our global community to come together, collaborate and shape the future of gaming regulation. We’re looking forward to working with AGCO to bring it all together.’
AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr, added, ‘We’re excited to welcome IAGR and its members to Toronto. This partnership provides a great opportunity to share Ontario’s innovative regulatory practices and foster meaningful discussions that drive positive change in the industry.’
Stay tuned for registration details early next year.
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