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Rivalry Corp. Satisfies Escrow Release Conditions Ahead of Listing on the TSX Venture Exchange
TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rivalry Corp. (formerly, “PMML Corp.”) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has satisfied the escrow release conditions (the “Escrow Release Conditions”) in connection with its previously announced offering (the “Offering”) of subscription receipts (the “Subscription Receipts”) pursuant to which the Company issued 37,814,655 Subscription Receipts at a price of USD$0.58 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately USD$22,000,000 (the “Subscription Receipt Offering”). The Company delivered an escrow release notice (the “Escrow Release Notice”) to Odyssey Trust Company (the “Subscription Receipt Agent”) pursuant to the terms of a subscription receipt agreement dated June 9, 2021 between the Company, the Subscription Receipt Agent, Eight Capital and Cormark Securities Inc. (the “Subscription Receipt Agreement”) confirming that the Company has satisfied the Escrow Release Conditions, including (i) being issued a receipt for its final (long-form) prospectus dated September 17, 2021 (the “Prospectus”); (ii) obtaining all requisite corporate, shareholder and regulatory approvals in connection with the listing of its subordinate voting shares (the “Subordinate Voting Shares”) on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”); and (iii) obtaining conditional approval from the TSXV for the listing of the Subordinate Voting Shares.
In connection with the delivery of the Escrow Release Notice, the escrowed funds held by the Subscription Receipt Agent, less certain commissions and expenses, have been released from escrow to the Company.
Meeting of Shareholders
On September 20, 2021, the Company held its annual and special meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Shareholders approved (among other matters):
- a change of the Company’s name from “PMML Corp.” to “Rivalry Corp.” (the “Name Change”);
- a consolidation of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares at a ratio to be determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”); and
- a reorganization of the Company’s share capital whereby each common share of the Company was reclassified as a Subordinate Voting Share and each Class A share of the Company was reclassified as a multiple voting share (the “Multiple Voting Shares”) with each Multiple Voting Share carrying 100 votes per share (the “Reorganization”).
Following the Meeting, the Board approved a consolidation ratio of 4.5 pre-consolidation shares for every one post-consolidation share (the “Consolidation”).
On September 21, 2021, the Company filed articles of amendment to give effect to the Name Change, Consolidation and Reorganization. A copy of the articles of amendment are available under the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Conversion of the Subscription Receipts and Compensation Options
In connection with the delivery of the Escrow Release Notice, 37,814,655 Subscription Receipts were automatically converted, without any further consideration or action by the holders thereof, into 8,403,242 Subordinate Voting Shares (after taking into account the Consolidation and the Reorganization). In connection with the Offering, the Company also issued an aggregate of 1,886,566 compensation options (the “Compensation Options”) to the Agents (as defined below), which upon the delivery of the Escrow Release Notice were automatically converted, without any further consideration or action by the holders thereof, into an aggregate of 419,235 compensation warrants (the “Compensation Warrants”) with each Compensation Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Subordinate Voting Share at an exercise price of USD $2.61 until March 23, 2023.
The Subscription Receipt Offering was completed by a syndicate of agents co-led by Eight Capital and Cormark Securities Inc. together with Canaccord Genuity Corp and M Partners Inc. (the “Agents”).
Listing of the Shares on the TSXV
As previously announced, the Company has received conditional approval from the TSXV for the listing of the Subordinate Voting Shares and expects the Subordinate Voting Shares to commence trading on the TSXV under the stock symbol “RVLY” at market open on or about October 5, 2021. Listing is subject to the Company fulfilling all listing requirements of the TSXV.
About Rivalry Corp.
Rivalry Corp. wholly owns and operates Rivalry Limited, a leading sport betting and sports media property offering fully regulated online wagering on esports, traditional sports, and casino for the next generation of bettors. Rivalry Limited currently holds an Isle of Man license, considered one of the premier online gambling jurisdictions. Based in Toronto, Rivalry operates a global team in more than 18 countries and growing. Rivalry Limited was granted its Isle of Man license in early 2018, officially launching in August of that year, and the Company is currently in the process of obtaining additional country licenses. The Company also has a variety of originally developed products, including Quest, a gamified on-site betting experience, and an original casino game called Rushlane that offers both B2C and B2B opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.pmmlcorp.com/.
Company Contact:
Steven Salz, CEO
[email protected]
Media Contact:
Brandstyle Communications
Kell Cholko / [email protected]
484.797.2014
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”, “expect”, “project” and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the listing of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSXV. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of PMML at the date the statements are made based on information then available to the Company. Various factors and assumptions are applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown, variables, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: regulatory and other approvals or consents; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives and political and social uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s business are contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Prospectus filed on its issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
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INTRALOT delivers steady EBITDA performance at €60.2m and strong Operating Cash Flow generation of €72.2m in 1H25
INTRALOT SA (RIC: INLr.AT, Bloomberg: INLOT GA), an international gaming solutions and operations leader, announces its financial results for the six-month period ended June 30 th, 2025, prepared in accordance with IFRS.
| (in € million) | 1H25 | 1H24 %
Change |
2Q25 | 2Q24 % Change |
LTM | ||
| Revenues1 | 168.0 | 165.3 | 1.7% | 79.6 | 83.6 | -4.8% | 358.3 |
| OPEX | (47.6) | (55.1) | -13.6% | (19.7) | (28.2) | -30.1% | (110.0) |
| EBITDA | 60.2 | 59.5 | 1.2% | 30.0 | 29.4 | 2.2% | 125.4 |
| AEBITDA2 | 60.2 | 59.5 | 1.2% | 30.0 | 29.4 | 2.2% | 131.5 |
| AEBITDA Margin (% on Revenue) | 35.8% | 36.0% | -0.1pps | 37.8% | 35.2% | +2.6pps | 36.7% |
| Reorganization expenses | (0.4) | (1.3) | -65.3% | (0.4) | (0.3) | 53.8% | (1.6) |
| D&A | (34.8) | (35.2) | -1.1% | (16.5) | (17.7) | -7.1% | (70.5) |
| EBT | 9.8 | 6.1 | 61.4% | 6.2 | 0.7 | 810.0% | 21.8 |
| EBT Margin (%) | 5.8% | 3.7% | +2.2pps | 7.8% | 0.8% | +7.0pps | 6.1% |
| NIATMI | (0.1) | 4.6 – | 0.5 | 0.7 | -34.0% | 0.2 | |
| Total Assets | 517.2 | 583.2 – | – | – | – | – | |
| Gross Debt | 400.3 | 447.6 – | – | – | – | – | |
| Net Debt | 333.6 | 362.2 – | – | – | – | – | |
| Net Debt (Adjusted)3 | 303.0 | 338.2 – | – | – | – | – | |
| Operating Cash Flow | 72.2 | 45.0 | 60.6% | 23.3 | 17.9 | 30.5% | 114.4 |
| Net CAPEX | (14.2) | (11.7) | 21.7% | (8.6) | (4.8) | 78.0% | (40.0) |
INTRALOT’s Chairman Sokratis P. Kokkalis noted:
1 Revenues are defined as Net Sales after winners’ payouts (GGR). For comparability purposes, 2024 figures have been
adjusted accordingly.
2 Adjusted EBITDA (AEBITDA) is defined as EBITDA excluding the impact from the settlement agreement with the District of Washington DC and all related costs that took place in December 2024.
3 Net Debt (Adjusted) is defined as Net Debt excluding the impact from Restricted cash related to financing activities and Debt repayments.
REVENUES
Reported consolidated revenues posted an increase of 1.7% compared to 1H24, leading to total revenues for the six-month period ended June 30th, 2025, of €168.0m.
- From a contribution perspective, the Lottery Games remain our largest contributor to Group’s revenue with a share of 53.0%, followed by Sports Betting with a share of 22.0%, VLTs monitoring with a share of 12.8% and Technology contracts with a share of 12.2%.
- Reported consolidated revenues for the six-month period is higher by €2.7m year over The main factors that drove top line performance are:
- Higher revenues by €2.9m (+2.4%) from our Technology and Support Services (B2B/B2G) contracts, primarily driven by improved performance in the US. Although service revenue in the US was impacted by lower-scale jackpots compared to prior periods, this was offset by increased equipment sales relatively to 1H24. Additionally, solid results in Argentina and a positive sales trend in Croatia further contributed to the growth.
- Lower revenues by €2.2m (or -5.9%) from our Management (B2B/ B2G) contracts, mainly driven by Turkish Despite the continued growth of the local online Sports Betting market, revenue performance was impacted by adverse accounting effects related to hyperinflation in the Turkish economy, which contrasted with a positive effect in the same period last year. In addition, higher investment in player acquisition and retention activities also weighed on revenues during the period.
- Higher revenues by €2.0m (or +32.0%) from our Licensed Operations (B2C) in Argentina, following the recovery in the economic activity that led to the continued strengthening of the local market. In local currency terms, the results for the current period posted a 91.4% y-o-y increase.
- On a quarterly basis, revenues decreased by 4.8% compared to 2Q24, leading to total revenue for the three-month period that started on April 1st, 2025, and ended on June 30th, 2025, of
€79.6m.
- Total Operating Expenses decreased by €7.5m (or -13.6%) in 1H25 (€47.6m €55.1m in 1H24) mainly due to lower costs in Turkey. On a quarterly basis, Operating Expenses posted a decrease of €8.5m (or -30.1%) in 2Q25 (€19.7m vs. €28.2m in 2Q24).
- Other Operating Income ended at €15.3m, posting an increase of 4% y-o-y (or €+1.4m). On a quarterly basis, Other Operating Income increased by 6.9% or €+0.5m.
- EBITDA amounted to €60.2m in 1H25, reflecting an increase of 1.2% (or €+0.7m) compared to 1H24. The Group’s performance was supported by the sustained organic growth across key markets, despite the negative effect from the local currency fluctuations against the Euro.
- On a yearly basis, EBITDA margin on revenues marginally decreased to 35.8%, from 36.0% in
- On a quarterly basis, EBITDA posted an increase of €0.7m (or +2.2%), while EBITDA margin on revenues increased by 2.6pps.
- LTM AEBITDA stands at €131.5m, higher by 6% vs. FY24.
EBT / NIATMI
- EBT in 1H25 amounted to €9.8m compared to €6.1m in 1H24, with the variance stemming from lower interest expenses, higher EBITDA and lower reorganization costs, partially offset by the loss due to the hyperinflation indexation. On a quarterly basis, EBT settles at €6.2m, higher by
€5.5m vs. 2Q24.
- NIATMI in 1H25 concluded at €-0.1m €4.6m in 1H24.
- Operating Cash-flow in 1H25 substantially improved to €72.2m compared to €45.0m in The positive effect was mainly driven by the favorable working capital movement and the lower taxes paid.
- CAPEX in 1H25 was €14.2m, increased vs. €11.7m in 1H24, mostly due to higher capital expenditures in US.
- Adjusted Net Debt, as of June 30th, 2025, stood at €303.0m, reflecting a reduction of €52.7m, while Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio4 improved to 3x from 2.7x at year-end 2024, underscoring the company’s enhanced credit profile. The solid financial performance in the first half is evidenced by the generation of €43.5m in Free Cash Flow5. During this period, principal repayments on funded debt totaled €19.8m, while net interest payments amounted to €14.6m. Furthermore, other debt movements amounted to €24.1m driven by favorable foreign exchange effects on U.S. dollar-denominated debt.
4 Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio is defined as Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA.
5 Free Cash Flow is defined as “Net Cash from Operating activities” adjusted for “Net Dividends”, “Capex”, “Repayment of leasing obligations”, “Exchange differences” and “Return of Capital to minority shareholders of subsidiary”.
With a relentless focus on technological innovation and strategic partnerships, INTRALOT is well positioned to seize growth opportunities and lead the gaming industry’s evolution. Our global presence in key markets, combined with streamlined operations, enables us to quickly adapt to evolving conditions and unlock new growth avenues. By leveraging cutting-edge gaming technologies, we aim to boost player engagement and deliver long-term value to our partners and shareholders, driving the future of gaming worldwide.
Following the acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive’s online division, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, INTRALOT is expected to enter a new era of strategic transformation. This milestone will position the company as a global leader in the lottery and online gaming sectors, combining Bally’s advanced digital and data-driven capabilities with INTRALOT’s proven technological infrastructure and international lottery expertise. Listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, the newly formed entity will benefit from significantly greater financial scale and operational synergies, enabling it to accelerate innovation, enrich player experiences, and deliver long-term value to stakeholders.
The global macroeconomic environment has entered a period of modest stabilization, though it continues to be marked by elevated volatility driven by shifting trade policies, geopolitical tensions, and tariff uncertainties. For INTRALOT, a company with a broad international footprint in the gaming and lottery sector, these macroeconomic shifts present a range of potential risks. While the industry has historically demonstrated above-average resilience to economic cycles, the resurgence of protectionism could impact operating costs. INTRALOT remains proactive in monitoring these developments, continuously adapting its strategy to navigate this complex environment while safeguarding its global competitiveness and long-term growth potential.
- On April 1, 2025, INTRALOT following its announcement on March 28, 2024, regarding the issuance of a Bond Loan of up to €100 million, with organizers Piraeus Bank and National Bank of Greece, and initial bondholders Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece, Optima Bank, and Attica Bank (and the merged entity with the latter, Pancreta Bank), with Piraeus Bank acting as the representative of the bondholders, announced that on March 31, 2025, it signed an agreement to extend the maturity of the loan from June 30, 2025, to January 30, It is noted that, following the payments already made as provided in the terms of the Bond Loan agreement, the outstanding principal amounts currently to €90 million.
- On April 7, 2025, INTRALOT announced that its subsidiary INTRALOT New Zealand Ltd., has signed with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) of New Zealand a six-year contract extension from 2026 to 2032, with a one-year further extension option, for the provision of Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) solution for Class 4 (non-casino) electronic gaming machines. In parallel, DIA has exercised its right to utilize the one-year extension option in the current EMS Service Agreement with INTRALOT New Zealand for continued supply of the EMS, extending the agreement from 10 May 2025 to 10 May 2026.
- On April 16, 2025, INTRALOT announced that its S. subsidiary INTRALOT, Inc. has extended its gaming systems contract with the New Hampshire Lottery Commission for an additional seven years, ensuring continued cutting-edge technology and high-quality services support through September 2033.
- On June 26, 2025, INTRALOT announced that its U.S. subsidiary INTRALOT, Inc., and the Idaho Lottery have agreed to a 10-year contract extension, which will officially take effect in September
- On July 1, 2025, INTRALOT and Bally’s Corporation announced that their respective Boards of Directors approved their entry into a definitive transaction agreement (“Transaction Agreement”) pursuant to which INTRALOT will acquire Bally’s International Interactive business (the “International Interactive Business”) in a cash-and-shares transaction that values the International Interactive Business at an enterprise value of €2.7 billion (the “Transaction”).
- On July 21, 2025, INTRALOT, further to its announcements dated 1 July 2025 regarding the acquisition of Bally’s International Interactive business and dated 3 and 15 July 2025 regarding the granting of permission for the conclusion of the above related party transaction, announced to the investing public that on 18 July 2025 it has signed the definitive transaction agreement with Bally’s Corporation for the above acquisition.
- On August 6, 2025, INTRALOT posted on ATHEX as so as on its website the Reasoned Opinion
of its BoD regarding the mandatory Tender Offer of the company “PE SUB HOLDINGS, LLC”.
- On August 28, 2025, INTRALOT announced that INTRALOT, Inc., has been awarded a new contract to provide the Montana Lottery with a next-generation lottery operating system and related services including continued support for its Sports Bet Montana wagering The new contract award marks the third contract between INTRALOT and the Montana Lottery, extending a nearly 20-year partnership. The new agreement spans seven years with three one- year extension options.
INTRALOT Parent Company results
- Revenues for the period increased by 4%, from €15.3m in 1H24 to €18.0m, with the increase driven primarily by higher recharges to Group subsidiaries.
- EBITDA shaped at €-0.4m from €-2.0m in 1H24, with the positive variance coming mainly from the increased revenues.
- Earnings after Taxes (EAT) at €-8.0m from €-6.8m in 1H24 triggered by lower income from investing activities and higher interest expenses, in part counterbalanced by higher revenues.
| (in € million) | 1H25 | 1H24 | % Change | LTM |
| Revenues | 18.0 | 15.3 | 17.4% | 47.2 |
| Gross Profit | 4.6 | 2.1 | 120.1% | 16.7 |
| Other Operating Income | 0.3 | 0.2 | 52.4% | 0.5 |
| OPEX | (10.0) | (9.5) | 5.8% | (20.3) |
| EBITDA | (0.4) | (2.0) | -82.3% | 6.6 |
| EAT | (8.0) | (6.8) | 17.8% | (12.4) |
| CAPEX (paid) | (2.2) | (5.2) | -58.2% | (5.4) |
Sokratis Kokkalis, Chairman, Nikolaos Nikolakopoulos, Group CEO, Chrysostomos Sfatos, Group Deputy CEO, Andreas Chrysos, Group CFO, Georgios Xanthos, Group Tax & Accounting Director, Antonis Skiadas, Group Finance, Controlling & Budgeting Director and Michail Tsagalakis, Capital Markets Director, will address INTRALOT’s analysts and institutional investors to present the Company’s First Half 2025 results, as well as to discuss the latest developments at the Company.
The financial results will be released on the ATHEX website (www.athexgroup.gr) and will be posted on the company’s website (www.intralot.com) on Friday, August 29th, 2025 (before the opening of the ATHEX trading session).
AGENDA: Brief Presentation – Question and Answer Session CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
| Date: Friday, August 29th, 2025 Time: Greek time 17:00 – UK time 15:00 – CET 16:00 – USA time 10:00 (East Coast Line) |
|||
| Conference Phone GR | + 30 211 180 2000 | ||
| Conference Phone GR | + 30 213 009 6000 | ||
| Conference Phone GB | + 44 (0) 203 059 5872 | ||
| Conference Phone GB | + 44 (0) 800 368 1063 | ||
| Conference Phone US | + 1 516 447 5632 | ||
| We recommend that you call any of the above numbers 5 to 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to start. | |||
LIVE WEBCAST DETAILS
The conference call will be available via webcast in real time over the Internet and you may join by linking at the internet site:
DIGITAL PLAYBACK
There will be a digital playback on August 29th, 2025, at 19:00 (GR Time).
This Service will be available until the end of the business day September 9th, 2025.
Please dial the following numbers and the PIN CODE: 059 # from a touch-tone telephone: Digital Playback UK: + 44 (0) 203 059 5874
Digital Playback US: + 1 631 257 0626
Digital Playback GR: + 30 210 946 0929
In case you need further information, please contact Intralot, Mr. Antonis Mandilas, at the telephone number:
+30 213 0397000 or Chorus Call Hellas S.A., our Teleconferencing Services Provider, Tel. +30 210 9427300.
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
| (in € million) | 1H25 | 1H24 | %
Change |
2Q25 | 2Q24 | %
Change |
LTM |
| Revenues | 168.0 | 165.3 | 1.7% | 79.6 | 83.6 | -4.8% | 358.3 |
| Gross Profit | 57.7 | 65.6 | -12.0% | 25.6 | 32.7 | -21.7% | 133.5 |
| Other Operating Income | 15.3 | 13.9 | 10.4% | 7.7 | 7.2 | 6.9% | 31.4 |
| OPEX | (47.6) | (55.1) | -13.6% | (19.7) | (28.2) | -30.1% | (110.0) |
| EBITDA | 60.2 | 59.5 | 1.2% | 30.0 | 29.4 | 2.2% | 125.4 |
| AEBITDA | 60.2 | 59.5 | 1.2% | 30.0 | 29.4 | 2.2% | 131.5 |
| AEBITDA Margin % | 35.8% | 36.0% | -0.1pps | 37.8% | 35.2% | +2.6pps | 36.7% |
| Reorganization expenses | (0.4) | (1.3) | -65.3% | (0.4) | (0.3) | 53.8% | (1.6) |
| D&A | (34.8) | (35.2) | -1.1% | (16.5) | (17.7) | -7.1% | (70.5) |
| EBIT | 25.0 | 23.0 | 8.5% | 13.1 | 11.4 | 15.4% | 53.3 |
| Interest and related expenses (net) | (14.4) | (22.0) | -34.6% | (6.6) | (12.9) | -49.3% | (33.5) |
| Exchange differences | 0.0 | 0.5 | -90.1% | (0.4) | 0.4 | – | 0.1 |
| Other | (0.9) | 4.5 | – | 0.1 | 1.8 | -96.5% | 1.8 |
| EBT | 9.8 | 6.1 | 61.4% | 6.2 | 0.7 | 810.0% | 21.8 |
| NIATMI | (0.1) | 4.6 | – | 0.5 | 0.7 | -34.0% | 0.2 |
Group Statement of Financial Position
| (in € million) | 1H25 | FY24 |
| Tangible Assets (incl. investment properties) | 71.6 | 86.8 |
| Intangible Assets | 159.3 | 179.5 |
| Other Non-Current Assets | 59.0 | 62.0 |
| Inventories | 20.8 | 26.4 |
| Trade and Other Short-term Receivables | 139.8 | 155.3 |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 66.7 | 64.3 |
| Total Assets | 517.2 | 574.3 |
| Share Capital | 181.2 | 181.2 |
| Share Premium | 122.4 | 122.4 |
| Other Equity Elements | (278.3) | (274.1) |
| Non-Controlling Interests | 22.3 | 25.9 |
| Total Shareholders’ Equity | 47.6 | 55.4 |
| Long-term Debt | 280.6 | 310.5 |
| Provisions/ Other Long-term Liabilities | 20.4 | 22.3 |
| Short-term Debt | 119.6 | 133.6 |
| Other Short-term Liabilities | 49.0 | 52.5 |
| Total Liabilities | 469.6 | 518.9 |
| Total Equity and Liabilities | 517.2 | 574.3 |
| (in € million) | 1H25 | 1H24 |
| EBT | 9.8 | 6.1 |
| Plus/less adjustments | 49.7 | 54.4 |
| Decrease/(increase) of inventories | 3.0 | (5.6) |
| Decrease/(increase) of receivable accounts | 11.4 | 1.9 |
| (Decrease)/increase of payable accounts | (1.1) | (8.9) |
| Income tax paid | (0.5) | (3.0) |
| Net Cash from Operating Activities | 72.2 | 45.0 |
| CAPEX | (14.2) | (11.7) |
| (Purchases) / Sales of subsidiaries & other investments | – | (3.1) |
| Interest received | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| Dividends received | – | 0.2 |
| Net Cash from Investing Activities | (13.1) | (12.5) |
| Restricted cash related to financing activities | (6.4) | (24.0) |
| Return of Capital to minority shareholders of subsidiary | (0.2) | (0.3) |
| Cash inflows from loans | – | 235.4 |
| Repayment of loans | (19.8) | (235.3) |
| Bond issuance costs | – | (6.2) |
| Repayment of leasing obligations | (3.7) | (3.3) |
| Interest and similar charges paid | (15.7) | (17.8) |
| Dividends paid | (3.9) | (5.9) |
| Reorganization costs paid | (0.2) | (0.6) |
| Net Cash from Financing Activities | (50.0) | (58.0) |
| Net increase / (decrease) in cash for the period | 9.1 | (25.6) |
| Exchange differences | (6.7) | (1.0) |
| Cash at the beginning of the period | 64.3 | 111.9 |
| Cash at the end of the period from total operations | 66.7 | 85.4 |
| Cash at the end of the period from total operations including restricted cash for financing activities and debt repayments | 97.3 | 109.4 |
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National Sports Day: Why it’s time to see esports as a key pillar of India’s new-age sporting identity
On August 21, Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a landmark reform that bans all online money games, whether based on chance, skill, or a combination of both, while promoting esports and safe digital recreation. For the first time, esports has been officially separated from gambling, betting, and fantasy money games and recognised as a legitimate competitive sport. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will set guidelines and standards for tournaments, support training academies and research centres, and integrate esports into broader sporting policies.
The timing could not be better. India recently celebrated its first esports World Champion when Ved Bamb, known as Beelzeboy, defeated Spain’s Leo Marin in the grand final of the Pokémon GO World Championships. Officially recognised as a multi-sport event by the Indian government in 2022, esports is now firmly established as a sporting discipline in major international multi-sport competitions. It made its medal debut at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where India competed in four titles, and the country also secured a historic bronze medal in DOTA 2 at the 2022 Commonwealth Esports Championships.
Esports will return as a medal event at the Asian Games next year and will also feature at the upcoming 3rd Asian Youth Games in October. Adding to the momentum, the Esports World Cup Foundation recently announced the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), where top players will compete not only for professional glory with their clubs but also to represent their countries in both team-based and solo formats.
At home, esports has reached the grassroots level. This year’s Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar included esports as a demonstration sport. Bihar has been a pioneer with state-level championships across schools and colleges, while Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland have also backed esports through their sports ministries. Nationally, the WAVES Esports Championships launched with support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, further embedded esports into India’s sporting culture.
With all these developments, esports now has formal government recognition and stands on par with traditional sports. Like cricket or football, it demands skill, strategy, and discipline, with structured competitions, coaching, and performance analysis.
Similar to mainstream sports, esports tournaments in India have grown in scale and professionalism. NODWIN Gaming, South Asia’s leading gaming and esports company, has been at the forefront of this growth. Its flagship IP, the Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS), India’s most-watched esports tournament, recently returned for its fourth season with a INR 1.5 crore prize pool and will feature female athletes for the first time, setting a new benchmark for inclusivity. These tournaments provide a high-pressure, structured environment for players, reaffirming esports’ status as a legitimate competitive pursuit.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, says, “For us, the recently passed Online Gaming Bill 2025 unlocks opportunities like state and district-level championships, scholarships, and career paths similar to traditional sports. NODWIN Gaming is ready with a Zero-to-Hero roadmap – starting from grassroots tournaments to global stages like EVO, GEF, Esports Nations Cup, EWC, and the Counter-Strike Major. India already has one of the world’s youngest gaming audiences and a fast-growing talent pipeline. This clarity gives the ecosystem the boost it needs to reach global scale and recognition.”
Just like traditional athletes, esports players follow rigorous training routines. Professional gamers practise for hours daily in bootcamps under coaches, analysts, and structured regimens, combining physical and mental preparation. S8UL, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, exemplifies this approach. Their athletes competed at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh this year, where the overall prize pool exceeded INR 600 crore. S8UL also maintains a dedicated bootcamp in Navi Mumbai for both content creators and competitive athletes, reflecting the same discipline and preparation seen in established sports.
“For years, being clubbed with real money gaming meant regulatory risks and made investors overly cautious about esports. The government’s decision firmly establishes that the video games we play competitively are the only ones recognised in India as a sport. It opens the door for greater societal and parental acceptance, encouraging new talent to enter esports as well as gaming content creation. At S8UL, we look forward to working closely with the government and contributing to this process at every step,” comments Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL Esports.
Success in esports depends on multiple factors, with proper infrastructure being critical. While India is predominantly a mobile esports nation due to affordable smartphones and data, PC and console titles will feature at the 2026 Asian Games and potentially the Olympic Esports Games in 2027. High-performance equipment is essential at the competitive level, and companies like CyberPowerPC India are playing a key role in raising awareness and improving accessibility. They have provided PCs worth lakhs at events to support aspiring PC gamers, helping bridge the infrastructure gap and prepare players for international competitions.
Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer of CyberPowerPC India, added, “If cricket, football, or tennis needs courts and grounds to practice and excel, esports also requires high-quality infrastructure and training equipment. With the Bill creating a safe, regulated space for esports to thrive, we at CyberPowerPC India are committed to making world-class technology accessible to Indian players. Whether it is grassroots tournaments, college esports, or professional leagues, we believe the right infrastructure will define India’s journey to becoming globally competitive.”
As India celebrates National Sports Day, esports has emerged as a legitimate sport capable of producing the nation’s next sporting heroes, reflecting the dedication, discipline, and competitive spirit of the nation’s youth.
The post National Sports Day: Why it’s time to see esports as a key pillar of India’s new-age sporting identity appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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