Canada

PLAYMAKER REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER 2021 AND FULL YEAR RESULTS HIGHLIGHTED BY EXCEPTIONAL ORGANIC GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY

Published

3 years ago

March 21, 2022

Playmaker Capital Inc. , the digital sports media company that delivers authentic content through its portfolio of sports media and technology brands, is pleased to report its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 (“Q4 2021”) and for the full year of 2021.

“Our pro forma results for Q4 2021 and full year 2021 demonstrate the continued execution of our strategy. We are acquiring great companies and successfully integrating them to leverage the centres of excellence within each business for the benefit of the entire Playmaker ecosystem. Our audience numbers have grown dramatically. We are now generating over 200 million monthly sessions from more than 85 million unique users across Playmaker’s web properties, generating over 50 million monthly YouTube views and 550K monthly podcast streams, and reaching more than 100 million fans across all major social platforms. We have expanded our distribution channels to deliver relevant content to our fans when they want it, how they want it, and where they want it. Our organic growth has been phenomenal, and we have done it while maintaining a focus on profitability with a 119% increase in pro forma adjusted EBITDA year over year,” said Jordan Gnat, Founder and CEO of Playmaker.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Figures in USD)

Revenue – Revenue was $7.0 million in Q4 2021, compared to $nil in Q4 2020.
Operating Income – Operating income was $0.5 million in Q4 2021, compared to an operating loss of less than $0.1 million in Q4 2020.
Pro Forma Revenue (including all acquisitions to date) – Revenue was $7.5M in Q4 2021, an increase of 49% from $5.0M in Q4 2020. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, pro forma revenue was $23.8M, an increase of 91% from $12.5M in the prior year.
Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (including all acquisitions to date) – Adjusted EBITDA was $2.9M in Q4 2021, an increase of 23% from $2.4M in Q4 2020. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, pro forma adjusted EBITDA was $9.3M, an increase of 119% from $4.2M in the prior year.
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents were $7.1 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $6.6 million at December 31, 2020.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Playmaker added to its collection of premier sports media brands through the acquisitions of Futbol Sites, Fanáticos, Yardbarker, Two-Up, SoccerMemes, VarskySports, TNN, Super Poker, Cracks and Futmarketing.
Playmaker achieved its highest rankings by Comscore for total web visits in the month of December 2021, ranking as the #6 digital sports media group across the Americas and the #1 regional sports media group across all of Latin America.
Playmaker achieved record engagement metrics in Q4 2021 across its owned and operated web properties, reaching more than 85 million monthly unique users and generating more than 462 million sessions, representing a 50%+ increase over Q4 2020.
Successful migration of Yardbarker’s web monetization to Playmaker Bench, Playmaker’s in-house monetization tech stack; commenced migration of TNN web properties to Playmaker Bench; Futbol Sites and TNN launched content syndication with major news outlets with support of Playmaker’s syndication centre of excellence.
The Morning Bark, Yardbarker’s daily email newsletter, increased its subscriber base to more than 370K.
TNN’s podcast network achieved a monthly record of 550K streams in Q4 2021.
Playmaker brand Cracks generated more than 600 million views on YouTube in 2021.
Playmaker properties reached more than 100 million social media followers across all major platforms including Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

BCLC

Be #GiftSmart: Scratch the Idea of Gifting Scratch & Win Tickets to Kids

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

be-#giftsmart:-scratch-the-idea-of-gifting-scratch-&-win-tickets-to-kids

BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season

With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.

“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”

While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.

“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”

In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.

“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:

Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.

AGCO

Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

jackpot-digital-receives-approval-from-agco-as-a-registered-gaming-supplier

Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.

This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.

Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.

“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.

Canada

Play’n GO announces partnership with Canadian operator PointsBet

Published

6 days ago

December 13, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

play’n-go-announces-partnership-with-canadian-operator-pointsbet

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has announced further expansion of its Canadian operations via a partnership with leading operator PointsBet in the province of Ontario.

The Swedish-founded gaming giant’s games will now be available to PointsBet players in the Canadian province, meaning classic titles such as Book of Dead, Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness, and Reactoonz will now be available on the PointsBet platform.

The province of Ontario regulated online casino gaming in 2022, which saw Play’n GO enter the Canadian market for the first time. The company expanded into the province of Quebec earlier this year, and, as of June 2024, is also a proud member of the Canadian Gaming Association.

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, commented, “Back in 2022, I said that “North America is right at the top of Play’n GO’s priority list, and Ontario is just the first step we plan to take”. This partnership with PointsBet shows we have yet to take our foot off the gas. We’ve proudly watched our games become instant hits in our two and a half years in the Ontarian region, and we have no plans to slow down any time soon.

“It’s exciting to team up with a fellow Canadian Gaming Association member in PointsBet, and we can confidently say that we are working towards the same goal of a safe, regulated industry that is focused on player entertainment. We’re looking forward to working closely together following this milestone announcement.”

Scott Vanderwel, Chief Executive Officer at PointsBet, shared “Play’n GO has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality game content, and we’re thrilled to bring their titles to our platform. At PointsBet, our focus is on providing a safe and engaging entertainment experience for our players, and it’s clear that Play’n GO aligns with those values. Canadian casino enthusiasts recognize PointsBet as a trusted leader in iGaming, and this collaboration further enhances the exceptional experience we offer.”