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Playmaker Announces Completion of Subscription Receipt Financing
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
TORONTO, April 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Playmaker Capital Inc. (“Playmaker” or the “Company”) today announced that, further to Apolo III Acquisition Corp.’s (“Apolo”) March 8, 2021 announcement highlighting that the Company and Apolo entered into a binding letter of intent to consummate a go-public transaction in Canada (the “Transaction”), the Company has completed a concurrent brokered and non-brokered private placement financing of subscription receipts (the “Subscription Receipts”) for aggregate gross proceeds of $24,000,000 (the “Offering”).
The Transaction will be effected through the reverse takeover of Apolo, a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, by the Company, with the resulting issuer (the “Resulting Issuer”) being named “Playmaker Capital Inc.”. The consummation of the Transaction is subject to the approval of applicable director and shareholder approvals, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Completion of the Offering
On April 1, 2021, the Company completed the Offering, pursuant to which it issued 48,000,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $0.50 per Subscription Receipt (the “Issue Price”) for aggregate gross proceeds of $24,000,000. The Offering was comprised of a brokered offering of 32,360,000 Subscription Receipts for gross proceeds of $16,180,000, which was led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the “Lead Agent”), together with Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., Eight Capital, PI Financial Corp. and Scotia Capital Inc. (collectively with the Lead Agent, the “Agents”), and a non-brokered offering of 15,640,000 Subscription Receipts for gross proceeds of $7,820,000. In connection with the Offering, the Company granted to the Agents an option (the “Agents’ Option”) to increase the size of the brokered portion of the Offering by up to an additional 10,000,000 Subscription Receipts at the Issue Price, for additional gross proceeds to the Company of up to $5,000,000. The Agents’ Option was exercised concurrent with closing of the Offering.
The Subscription Receipts will be indirectly and automatically exchanged for common shares of the Resulting Issuer upon satisfaction of the escrow release conditions (the “Escrow Release Conditions”) set out in the subscription receipt agreement entered into among the Company, the Lead Agent and Odyssey Trust Company (“Odyssey”), as subscription receipt agent and escrow agent, dated April 1, 2021. The net proceeds from the Offering, after fees and expenses incurred, including 50% of the Agents’ commission for the Offering, have been deposited with Odyssey. The escrowed proceeds will be held by Odyssey until the Escrow Release Conditions have been satisfied.
Subject to receipt of the required consents and approvals referred to above, it is expected that the Escrow Release Conditions will be satisfied and the Transaction will be completed in May 2021. Additional details regarding the Transaction and the Offering will be provided in Apolo’s listing statement, which is expected to be filed with the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) in April 2021.
Additionally, on April 1, 2021, Playmaker completed the acquisition of the business known as Futbol Sites. Futbol Sites is a top digital sports media group in the United States and Latin America, with one of the largest audiences in its category, reaching more than 50 million unique users every month through a portfolio of more than 10 premium sites and more than 300 million users through a variety of social media channels. Futbol Sites serves up over one billion ad impressions monthly on its owned and operated sites. Futbol Sites is currently licensed in 7 states in the U.S. for sports betting media and has a content team dedicated to curating sports betting specific content on a daily basis.
About Playmaker
Playmaker is a digital sports media company that lives at the intersection of sports, gambling, media and technology. Playmaker is building a collection of premier sports media brands, curated to deliver highly engaged audiences of sports fans to sports betting companies, leagues, teams and advertisers.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current conditions, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “will continue”, “will occur” or “will be achieved”. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but are not limited to, information concerning the Transaction, expectations regarding whether the Transaction will be consummated, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Transaction will be satisfied, expectations for the effects of the Transaction or the ability of the Resulting Issuer to successfully become listed on the TSXV or achieve its business objectives and integrate the operations of the combining companies, expectations regarding financing, and expectations for other economic, business, and competitive factors.
Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward- looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except as may be required in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice regarding forward-looking information and statements.
For further information, please contact:
Jordan Gnat
Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
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Atlaslive, a premier iGaming platform provider, today released a comprehensive analysis of the European gambling market transformation, revealing that the industry’s €123.4 billion revenue base is undergoing unprecedented digital evolution. The analysis, based on latest market intelligence from European Gaming & Betting Association in partnership with H2 Gambling Capital, identifies mobile gaming as the dominant force reshaping player engagement across the continent.
Mobile Revolution Drives Market Transformation
Atlaslive’s analysis reveals that mobile devices now generate 58% of Europe’s online gambling revenue in 2024, with projections indicating this figure will surge to 67% by 2029. This mobile-first transformation represents a fundamental shift in how operators must approach platform development and player acquisition strategies.
“The data unequivocally demonstrates that the future of European gambling is mobile-first,” said Anastasiia Poltavets, CMO at Atlaslive. “Operators who fail to prioritize mobile optimization and user experience will find themselves increasingly marginalized in a market where player expectations have fundamentally evolved.”
Online Gambling Accelerates Toward 45% Market Share
The analysis identifies online gambling as the clear growth engine of the European market, with digital channels expected to command 45% of total gambling revenue by 2029, up from 39% in 2024. This €66.8 billion online market projection represents a 6.9% compound annual growth rate, significantly outpacing the 1.8% growth expected in land-based gambling.
Key growth drivers identified by Atlaslive include:
- Casino games leading digital adoption: €21.5 billion in 2024, growing to €30.8 billion by 2029
- Sports betting momentum: €13.7 billion online revenue with 6.9% annual growth trajectory
- Lottery digital transformation: Strongest growth potential at 7.7% annually, reaching €10.4 billion by 2029
Geographic Disparities Signal Untapped Opportunities
Country-by-country analysis reveals significant market maturity variations across Europe, presenting strategic opportunities for technology providers and operators.
Digital Leaders:
- Sweden: 68.3% online share
- Finland and Denmark: Both at 68.1% online share
- Strong mobile adoption and regulatory frameworks driving digital-first engagement
Growth Markets:
- Italy: Europe’s largest market at €21.0 billion with only 21.7% online penetration
- Germany: €14.4 billion market with 22.6% online share indicating substantial digital expansion potential
- France: €14.0 billion market with significant room for online growth
Strategic Implications for Industry Stakeholders
The Atlaslive analysis identifies several critical success factors for market participants:
For Operators:
- Mobile-native platform architecture becomes non-negotiable
- Omnichannel integration essential for capturing cross-platform player value
- Geographic expansion strategies should prioritize markets with low online penetration
For Technology Providers:
- Platform scalability must accommodate sustained high-growth environments
- Cross-jurisdictional compliance capabilities increasingly valuable
- Mobile-first development methodologies essential for competitive positioning
Market Resilience Demonstrates Industry Maturity
Despite digital transformation, analysis confirms the continued relevance of land-based gambling, which maintains €75.5 billion in 2024 revenue and projects steady 1.8% annual growth. This dual-track evolution demonstrates industry maturity and the enduring appeal of gambling experiences.
“The European gambling market is demonstrating remarkable sophistication in its evolution,” added Anastasiia Poltavets. “Rather than simple digital displacement, we’re witnessing the emergence of a truly integrated ecosystem where online and land-based channels complement and enhance each other.”
To explore the full report, regional breakdowns, and strategic insights for 2025 and beyond, visit: https://atlaslive.tech/blog/the-european-gambling-revolution-euro1234-billion-market-transforms-in-the-digital-age.
This document is provided to you for your information and discussion only. This document was based on public sources of information and was created by the Atlaslive team for marketing usage. It is not a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any gambling-related product. Nothing in this document constitutes legal or business development advice. This document has been prepared from sources Atlaslive believes to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and do not accept liability for any loss arising from its use. Atlaslive reserves the right to remedy any errors that may be present in this document.
About Atlaslive
Atlaslive, formerly known as Atlas-IAC, underwent a rebranding campaign in May 2024. It is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.
The post Atlaslive Analysis: European Gambling Market Enters €123.4 Billion Digital-First Era appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Clarion to introduce ICE Research Institute to industry opinion-formers as part of AI presentation at Gaming In Spain conference
A senior Clarion Gaming team led by Director of Industry Insight and Engagement, Ewa Bakun has been invited to speak at the Gaming in Spain conference, organised by Willem van Oort and taking place in Madrid on 26 June.
The presentation which will also see contributions from Clarion Gaming’s Liliana Costa, has the working title AI on ICE – cooperating with the Spanish and global research institutions to understand the impacts of Artificial Intelligence in the sector.
Looking ahead to the event Ewa Bakun said: “The invitation to speak at Gaming In Spain provides a perfect environment to officially introduce the ICE Research Institute which as part of its remit is funding academic exploration of AI ethics and applications in the gambling sector.
“As part of the relocation of ICE from London to Barcelona, Clarion Gaming together with Fira Barcelona have agreed a programme of collaboration with the objective of building a legacy which goes beyond the very significant economic impact of staging the world’s biggest gambling technology show in the city.
“An annual investment fund has been allocated with the ICE Research Institute (IRI) offering grants to scientific and academic institutions to fund research on prevention and sustainability.
“The IRI is investing in research that generates hard data and provides a robust scientific base to inform decision making. Working closely with institutional stakeholders both in Spain and on the international stage the ICE Research Institute will promote cross-border scientific cooperation to ensure the ethical adoption of AI in the gambling industry.”
Gaming in Spain founder Willem van Oort, creator of the successful Gaming in Holland and Gaming in Germany communities said: “Gaming In Spain provides essential business intelligence on the Spanish iGaming market and I am delighted to be able to include Ewa and colleagues from Clarion Gaming to provide an update on the work that’s being undertaken by the ICE Research Institute.
“The vision is to foster closer cooperation between research institutions and the industry resulting in evidence-based decisions and debates. The ethical adoption of AI in gambling is arguably one of the most contentious and topical debates impacting the industry and I am looking forward to learn more about the pioneering work being supported by the ICE Research Institute as part of the ICE Legacy Project.”
The post Clarion to introduce ICE Research Institute to industry opinion-formers as part of AI presentation at Gaming In Spain conference appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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96% of SPFL players know where to find support for gambling issues after EPIC and William Hill sessions
A survey of SPFL players that attended the competition’s new gambling harm prevention education programme has shown that 96% of players are now confident that they know where to seek support if they are worried about their gambling behaviour, thanks to the knowledge provided to them as part of William Hill’s first season as title sponsors.
With the intention of ensuring that players and staff across all four divisions understand the importance of safer gambling, the programme has reached nearly 800 players and a further 160 staff members, as 37 clubs hosted talks during the 2024/25 season from two former professional footballers with their own past issues of gambling-related harm to share.
The two ex-pros – former Wales U21 and Wrexham striker Marc Williams and Scotland-capped former Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo – were seconded to clubs by EPIC Global Solutions; leaders in gambling harm prevention whose client base includes all 72 EFL clubs, MLB teams and the vast NCAA college sports network.
As a result of the sessions, alongside virtually every player now knowing where to seek support if they are worried about their gambling behaviour, 93% confirmed they now have a good or excellent level of awareness of professional athletes’ vulnerability to harmful gambling – an increase from 70% having that level of knowledge before the session.
The same post-session figure – 93% – also believed they had a good or excellent level of awareness around gambling and professional integrity, which rose from 74% before the session.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, said: “These figures show the real impact that EPIC’s gambling harm awareness programme has had with SPFL clubs and its players, which is great to see.
“We’ve had extremely positive feedback from our members on how informative the sessions have been and it’s excellent it has reached so many players and staff members across our game in its first season.
“We’re proud to continue to support this partnership alongside William Hill and look forward to seeing it develop further in the seasons ahead.”
Among the players to take part in the series of talks was Hibernian’s Kieron Bowie, who made his Scotland debut in Monday’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. Speaking after hearing how Marc Williams’ professional career was affected by issues with problem gambling, he admitted:
“In this industry, obviously you have a lot of free time; you’re in hotels overnight or you’re away on international duty and you’re left to your own devices, doing whatever on your phone. It’s easy to get roped into that, especially in this environment where there’s a lot of gambling, like cards on the buses and all that sort of stuff, so it’s easily done.
“I think seeing what he went through just reassures that that’s not the path you want to go down.”
The education programme will continue for a second season in 2025/26, with a focus on extending the audience to include SPFL clubs’ academies and women’s squads, as well as engaging with community trusts and supporter groups to ensure the message is also accessible to fans of all 42 clubs.
Per Widerstrom, CEO of evoke, the parent group of William Hill, said: “The education programme is a fundamental element of our sponsorship. It’s really important that we balance the passion of players and fans with gambling responsibly, and I am delighted to see such good progress made during our first year of sponsorship.
“We now look forward to next season and extending the programme to academies, women’s squads and supporters”
The post 96% of SPFL players know where to find support for gambling issues after EPIC and William Hill sessions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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