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GAMING CORPS CARRIES OUT A DIRECTED SHARE ISSUE OF SEK 10 MILLION TO SVEA BANK

Published

3 years ago

December 14, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Board of Directors of Gaming Corps AB has resolved to carry out a new issue of 4,000,000 shares at a subscription price of SEK 2.50 per share, corresponding to issue proceeds of SEK 10 million, to Svea Bank AB (the “Directed Issue”). The Directed Issue is carried out with a deviation from the shareholders’ preferential right and with the support of the authorization from the annual general meeting on 28 June 2022. The subscription price has been determined by the Board of Directors of the Company and corresponds to a [premium] of approximately 7,8 percent calculated on a volume-weighted average share price (VWAP) during the last 20 trading days, up to and including 12 December 2022.

” I would like to take this opportunity to thank SVEA BANK AB on behalf of the management for this investment, especially when the market situation looks as it does with uncertainties in several areas, not least in the listed environment. We have several ongoing game certifications and game titles in development, in addition to several new approvals in regulated markets where we engage local legal advisors for the processes. Here we are anxiously awaiting the opinion from each market for me to be able to notify you, our shareholders”, says Juha Kauppinen, CEO.

” The Board of Directors has been working for some time to find the most favorable financing solution for the shareholders and the Company. With the current market situation, we have seen that the conditions for raising capital have been very costly and directly harmful to the company and the shareholders. By adding capital through SVEA BANK’s investment, we strengthen our cash position and give the company greater financial flexibility, which gives us a good basis for future investments in the business”, comments Claes Tellman, Chairman of the Board of Gaming Corps.

THE DIRECTED ISSUE
The Board of Directors of Gaming Corps has today, on 13 December 2022, resolved on a new issue of 4,000,000 shares with deviation from the existing shareholders’ preferential rights and with support from the authorization given at the annual general meeting on 28 2022. The subscription price for the shares in the Directed Issue has been determined by the Board of Directors at SEK 2.50 per share and will be paid in cash. The subscription price corresponds to a [premium] of approximately 7,8 percent calculated on the basis of a volume-weighted average price (WVAP) per trading day for the Company’s share on Nasdaq First North Growth Market during the last 20 trading days up to and including 12 December 2022. The Directed Issue has been subscribed by Svea Bank AB and will provide the Company with issue proceeds of SEK 10 million.

CHANGES IN SHARE CAPITAL, SHARES AND VOTES AND DILUTION
The Directed Issue results in an increase of the Company’s share capital by a maximum of SEK 200,000.01, from SEK 2,707,625.06 to SEK 2,907,625.07. The number of shares and votes will increase by a total of 4,000,000, from 54,152,501 to 58,152,501. The execution of the Directed Issue results in a dilution of approximately 6.88 percent for existing shareholders in relation to the total number of outstanding shares and votes in the Company.

DEVIATION FROM SHAREHOLDER PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS
The rationale of the Directed Issue and the reason for the deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights is to carry out a capital raise in a time- and cost-effective manner. The Board of Directors has evaluated the possibility of carrying out a preferential rights issue in first hand. The Company has weighed the advantages and disadvantages of a preferential rights issue in comparison to a directed share issue and concluded that a preferential rights issue (i) would be significantly more time-consuming, which could risk the Company missing out on potential growth opportunities, (ii) would lead to significantly higher costs for the Company, mainly attributable to procurement of a guarantee consortium and legal costs, (iii) would expose the Company to higher market volatility, especially given current market conditions, and (iv) would likely have had to be implemented at a lower subscription price (with a discount instead of a [premium]) and would result in a higher dilution effect, which would have been negative to all shareholders. In addition, the Board of Directors considers it positive that the institutional ownership in the Company is strengthened through the Directed Issue. The Board of Director’s overall assessment is thus that the reasons for carrying out the Directed Issue in this manner, and in this specific situation, outweigh the reasons that justify the main rule of issuing shares with preferential rights for existing shareholders, and that a new share issue with a deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights is thus in the best interest of the Company and all shareholders.

ADVISOR
Baker McKenzie is the Company’s legal advisor in the Directed Issue.

eSports

Esports Awards 2026 Returns for Global Honors

Published

12 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-awards-2026-returns-for-global-honors

The Esports Awards is set to return in 2026, bringing together the global esports community for its annual celebration of excellence.

Scheduled to take place in North America later this year, the awards will honor the top players, teams, creators, and innovators who defined the past year in competitive gaming. Exact dates and venues will be revealed in the coming months.

Last year marked a major milestone for the Esports Awards, celebrating 10 years of esports achievements at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony recognized industry icons such as Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut, iShowSpeed, and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, while inducting six new members into the Lifetime Achievement in Esports: Class of 2025. Earlier in 2025, the Esports Awards hosted the one-off Decade Awards, which drew a global audience of 36.25 million live viewers.

For the 2026 edition, fan-favorite categories such as Esports Game of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, Streamer of the Year, and Esports Team of the Year will return, giving fans a direct voice in recognizing the standout moments and figures in esports over the past year. Winners will be determined through a combination of community voting and input from the Esports Awards Panel, which includes seasoned industry veterans, broadcasters, creators, and professional players, ensuring both credibility and integrity.

In addition to the main ceremony, the Esports Awards Golf Invitational will make a comeback, offering a day of networking and friendly competition for industry leaders, creators, and esports competitors ahead of the awards.

Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards, said: “The Esports Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the very best in esports and gaming, and we’re pleased to return for 2026. Following the success of the Decade Awards and our 10th anniversary celebrations, we look forward to recognizing the individuals, teams, and moments that defined the past year in esports.”

Fans are encouraged to follow the Esports Awards’ official X account for updates on venues, dates, nominees, and voting.

The post Esports Awards 2026 Returns for Global Honors appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Acquisition

Optimove Buys Smartico, Keeps Independence

Published

12 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

optimove-buys-smartico,-keeps-independence

In a strategic move set to reshape the competitive landscape of iGaming marketing technology, Optimove has announced the acquisition of Smartico. Despite the deal, both companies will continue to operate independently—preserving their brands, leadership teams, and product strategies.

This acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the global online gambling industry. According to recent market research, the sector reached an estimated $95.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to nearly double to $185.17 billion by 2033. As the industry scales, so does its complexity, driven by evolving regulations in Europe, fragmentation in the United States, and rapid expansion across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In this environment, robust customer relationship management (CRM) solutions are no longer optional—they are essential.

A Strategic Alliance Without Integration

Unlike traditional acquisitions that lead to integration, Optimove’s approach is notably different. Smartico will remain a fully autonomous business unit, with its founders continuing to lead strategic direction, product development, and day-to-day operations. Clients can expect no disruption in services, pricing, or product offerings.

This independence reflects a deliberate strategy: fostering competition within the same ecosystem. Both companies will continue to innovate separately, pushing each other—and the broader industry—forward.

Two Distinct Visions of iGaming CRM

The deal unites two of the most influential approaches to CRM in iGaming:

Optimove built its reputation on advanced data analytics and AI-driven marketing. As the originator of the “Positionless Marketing” concept, the company enables marketers to orchestrate campaigns using intelligent agents that deliver hyper-personalized experiences at scale. This approach has reportedly improved campaign efficiency by up to 88%.
Smartico, on the other hand, carved out its niche by integrating gamification directly into CRM systems. By embedding game-like mechanics into player engagement strategies, Smartico has helped operators drive deeper interaction and retention. The company is now advancing further by incorporating generative AI across its platform.

Together, these two philosophies—data-centric intelligence and gamified engagement—represent the future of player retention and marketing in iGaming.

Strengthening Market Leadership

According to Pini Yakuel, the decision to acquire Smartico was driven by its originality and execution. He emphasized that Smartico stood out as a competitor due to its pioneering role in combining gamification with CRM—an innovation that has since become a key differentiator in the market.

Similarly, Arman Gal highlighted that the partnership allows Smartico to scale faster while maintaining its identity. With Optimove’s backing, the company gains additional resources to expand its innovation capabilities and global reach.

Competition as a Catalyst for Innovation

Interestingly, both companies will continue to compete in the same market. Optimove will further develop its gamification solution, Optimove Gamify, while Smartico continues executing its independent roadmap. This dual-track strategy is rooted in the belief that competition drives better outcomes for operators.

Rather than consolidating power, the acquisition creates a dynamic ecosystem where two leading platforms evolve side by side—each pushing the boundaries of what CRM can achieve in iGaming.

The Role of AI in the Next Phase of Growth

Artificial intelligence remains at the core of this transformation. Optimove has been embedding AI into its platform since 2012, long before it became industry standard. Today, its AI-powered decisioning agents enable real-time campaign orchestration across multiple channels.

Smartico is following a similar trajectory, integrating generative AI to enhance its gamification-driven engagement model. This convergence signals a broader trend: the fusion of AI, CRM, and user experience design as the next frontier in digital marketing.

A Defining Moment for iGaming Marketing

This acquisition underscores the maturation of the iGaming CRM sector. What began as a niche category has evolved into a critical component of modern marketing infrastructure. With two leading innovators now aligned—yet independent—the industry is poised for accelerated innovation.

For operators navigating an increasingly complex global market, the message is clear: the future belongs to those who can combine data intelligence, personalization, and immersive engagement.

THE ESPORTS AWARDS RETURNS IN 2026 FOR A CELEBRATION OF ESPORTS EXCELLENCE

Published

12 hours ago

April 7, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

the-esports-awards-returns-in-2026-for-a-celebration-of-esports-excellence

The Esports Awards will return later this year for its 2026 edition, taking place in North America and honouring the outstanding players, teams, creators and innovators of the past year in esports
Last year marked a major milestone for the Esports Awards, celebrating 10 years of excellence at the HyperX Arena, alongside the one-off Decade Awards, which reached 36.25M live views globally
The Esports Awards Golf Invitational will also return, bringing together industry leaders, creators and competitors for a day of networking and competition ahead of the main ceremony
Full details on the venue, date, nominees and voting will be revealed in the coming months

The Esports Awards has announced the return of its annual ceremony for 2026. Bringing together the global esports community under one roof, the Esports Awards will once again recognise the players, teams, creators and innovators who have defined the past year. The ceremony will take place in North America later this year, with exact dates and venue to be revealed in the coming months.

Last year’s edition of the Esports Awards marked a significant milestone, celebrating 10 years of esports excellence at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony honoured some of the industry’s most recognised figures, including Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut, iShowSpeed and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, while welcoming six new inductees into the Lifetime Achievement in Esports: Class of 2025 award. Earlier in the year, the Esports Awards also hosted the one-off Decade Awards in August, presented by Trevor “Quickshot” Henry, Jessica “JessGOAT” Bolden and Barney Banks, reaching 36.25M live views globally.

For the 2026 edition, fan-favourite categories including Esports Game of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, Streamer of the Year and Esports Team of the Year will return, giving the community a voice in recognising the moments and individuals that shaped the past year in esports.

Winners will be determined through a combination of community voting and input from the Esports Awards Panel, a group of industry veterans, broadcasters, creators and players, ensuring the integrity and credibility of the awards.

In addition to the main ceremony, the Esports Awards Golf Invitational will return, bringing together industry leaders, creators and competitors for a day of networking and competition ahead of the awards.

“The Esports Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the very best in esports and gaming, and we’re pleased to return for 2026” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “Following the success of the Decade Awards and our 10th anniversary celebrations, we look forward to recognising the individuals, teams and moments that defined the past year in esports.”

Further updates regarding the venue, date, nominees and voting will be announced in the coming months. Fans are encouraged to follow the Esports Awards’ X account for the latest updates.

The post THE ESPORTS AWARDS RETURNS IN 2026 FOR A CELEBRATION OF ESPORTS EXCELLENCE appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.