Canada
Playmaker Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results
Playmaker Capital Inc., the Toronto-based digital sports media company, reports its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.
“We are very excited to share our second quarter results. Our teams are hitting on all cylinders. The organic growth of our Futbol Sites business has been exceptional and in July we added Yardbarker, a company that has experienced very strong year-over-year growth to date. Our pipeline remains robust and we have a strong balance sheet with currently over $13.0 million of cash and zero debt. We remain focused on profitable growth, both organic and through acquisition” said Jordan Gnat, Founder and CEO of Playmaker.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Figures in USD)
- Revenue – Revenue was $3.0 million in Q2 2021, compared to $nil in Q2 2020.
- Operating Income – Operating income was $0.4 million in Q2 2021, compared to operating loss of $0.1 million in Q2 2020.
- Pro Forma Revenue – Pro forma revenue was $4.2 million in Q2 2021, an increase of 244% from $1.2 million in Q2 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, pro forma revenue increased by 152% to $7.6 million from $3.0 million in the same period of 2020.
- Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA – Pro forma adjusted EBITDA was $1.6 million in Q2 2021, an increase from $8,410 in Q2 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, pro forma adjusted EBITDA increased to $2.8 million from $0.3 million in the same period of 2020.
- Trailing 12-Month Metrics – For the 12 months ended June 30, 2021, pro forma revenue was $14.4 million and pro forma adjusted EBITDA was $6.0 million.
- Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents of $23.5 million at June 30, 2021 compared to $6.6 million at December 31, 2020.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- On April 1, 2021, the Company acquired Futbol Sites, a top digital sports media group in the U.S. and Latin America with a portfolio of more than 10 premium sites.
- On July 26, 2021, the Company acquired Yardbarker, a premier U.S. sports and entertainment media company, and the Morning Bark, Yardbarker’s daily email newsletter. As partial consideration in connection with this transaction, the sellers are eligible to receive an aggregate total of $4.0 million, based on Yardbarker’s performance toward an EBITDA target of $2.5 million in each of the two years following closing, as announced in a news release dated July 27, 2021.
- On a pro forma basis, Playmaker achieved record engagement metrics in the quarter across the Futbol Sites and Yardbarker owned and operated properties. Playmaker reaches more than 70 million unique users and in Q2 2021, the user base generated more than 454 million sessions, representing a 65% increase over Q2 2020. Playmaker also reaches more than 360,000 users daily via the Morning Bark.
- During Q2 2021, the Company completed an equity raise for gross proceeds of CAD $24.0 million and completed a reverse takeover of a capital pool company on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company’s shares began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on June 3, 2021.
- On June 11, 2021, Playmaker acquired Fanáticos Por Futebol, one of Brazil’s leading and most engaging soccer news communities.
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Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).
The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.
“Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestone—it’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”
On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”
Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.
The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Alex Malchenko Head of Sales at Evoplay
Evoplay strengthens Ontario presence in partnership with Caesars Entertainment
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has partnered with Caesars Entertainment to expand its footprint in the Canadian market, following its initial entry earlier this year. The partnership integrates 20 of the studio’s top-performing titles onto Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in Ontario, including fan-favourites such as Hot Triple Sevens, Triple Chili, and The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy.
Having announced its official entrance into Ontario in March, the collaboration with Caesars marks a significant step in Evoplay’s local strategy. Further standout releases, such as Inner Fire Bonus Buy and Hot Volcano, also launched as part of the initial package, with additional player favourites, including Fruit Nova and Ice Mania.
The collaboration underlines Evoplay’s commitment to working with leading operators to deliver high-quality content tailored to regional audiences.
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Launching with Caesars in Ontario marks a key milestone in our North American strategy.
“It reflects both the strength of our portfolio and our commitment to providing innovative, high-performing content to operators of the highest caliber.”
Ricardo Cornejo Rivas, Vice President of Online Gaming at Caesars Digital, said: “Evoplay brings a fresh and dynamic approach to online gaming, which we’re excited to offer to our players in Ontario. This portfolio of standout titles adds to our growing content library and furthering our ongoing goal of delivering top-tier entertainment experiences to our players.”
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The iGaming Ontario Board of Directors has announced Joseph Hillier as the organization’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 8, 2025. Joseph’s depth in the Ontario igaming market combined with successful public and private sector careers make him the ideal President and CEO at this critical point in iGaming Ontario’s growth.
Joseph was most recently Chief Strategy Officer and Corporate Secretary at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), where he delivered significant strategic and regulatory initiatives across the province’s alcohol, cannabis, gaming, and horse racing sectors. Prior to the AGCO, he served as Chief of Staff to Ontario Attorney General Hon. Doug Downey and led the development, launch and implementation of Canada’s first private sector-driven igaming market and the creation of iGaming Ontario. Joseph also spent more than a decade working in the financial and legal services sectors.
The Board expressed its sincere thanks to David Smith for serving as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since Martha Otton’s retirement.
The post iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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