Latest News
PLAYMAKER REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2021 RESULTS HIGHLIGHTED BY STRONG ORGANIC GROWTH
Playmaker Capital Inc. (TSX-V: PMKR) (“Playmaker” or the “Company”), the Toronto-based digital sports media company, today reports its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.
“We are excited to share our results from the third quarter and the continuation of the progress that we have made since our Q2 earnings release in August. In Q3 we have begun to see the results of the execution of our roll up strategy with the acquisitions of Yardbarker and Two-Up. We acquired two companies but at the same time focused on the organic growth of our existing portfolio of companies and on the realizable synergies between them. We are seeing strong momentum from all three levers of our growth engine – organic, acquisition, and synergies – and we will continue our efforts to maximize each one. We continue to build our pipeline, as evidenced by the recently announced acquisitions of VarksySports, SuperPoker and The Nation Network. The integration of these companies is well underway, and we are thrilled with the level of collaboration between our companies and the shared vision of building a market-leading sports media business.” said Jordan Gnat, Founder and CEO of Playmaker.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Figures in USD)
- Revenue – Revenue was $4.8 million in Q3 2021, compared to $nil in Q3 2020.
- Operating Income – Operating income was $1.0 million in Q3 2021, compared to $nil in Q3 2020.
- Pro Forma Revenue (including acquisitions through the end of Q3) – Including the results of Futbol Sites LLC (“Futbol Sites”), YB Media LLC (“Yardbarker”) and Two-Up Agency Ltd. (“Two-Up”) on a pro forma basis, revenue was $5.6M in Q3 2021, an increase of 109% from $2.7M in Q3 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, pro forma revenue was $13.8M, an increase of 130% from $6.0M in the prior year.
- Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (including acquisitions through the end of Q3) – Including the results of Futbol Sites, Yardbarker and Two-Up on a pro forma basis, adjusted EBITDA was $2.5M in Q3 2021, an increase of 153% from $1.0M in Q3 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, pro forma adjusted EBITDA was $5.3M, an increase of 294% from $1.3M in the prior year.
- Pro Forma Revenue (including all acquisitions to date) – Including the results of Futbol Sites, Yardbarker, Two-Up, The Nation Network (“TNN”) and Grupo SuperPoker (“SuperPoker”) on a pro forma basis, revenue was $6.3 million in Q3 2021, an increase of 104% from $3.1 million in Q3 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, pro forma revenue increased by 118% to $15.7 million from $7.2 million in the same period of 2020.
- Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA (including all acquisitions to date) – Including the results of Futbol Sites, Yardbarker, Two-Up, TNN and SuperPoker on a pro forma basis, adjusted EBITDA was $2.6 million in Q3 2021, an increase of 125% from $1.2M in Q3 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, pro forma adjusted EBITDA increased to $5.8 million from $1.7 million in the same period of 2020, an increase of 251%.
- Trailing 12-Month Metrics – Including all acquisitions to date, for the 12 months ended September 30, 2021, pro forma revenue was $20.6 million, representing 85% organic growth over the previous 12-month period, and pro forma adjusted EBITDA was $8.2 million.
- Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents were $13.4 million as at September 30, 2021 compared to $6.6 million at December 31, 2020.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- 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.
- On August 31, 2021, the Company acquired Two-Up Agency, a leading provider of technical solutions to the online gaming industry’s strongest brands.
- On November 2, 2021, the Company significantly strengthened its presence in Canada by acquiring TNN and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Daily Faceoff (“DFO”). TNN is an Edmonton-based, hockey-first digital media group that attracts millions of sports fans annually to its network of fan community sites, podcasts, and rapidly growing hockey reference property, DFO.
- On November 3, 2021, Playmaker acquired leading Brazilian media company SuperPoker.
- On November 1, 2021, the Company announced that it had acquired the domain name, license rights and the rights to the social accounts @VarskySports on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, which have a cumulative global audience of more than two million followers. The purchase price consisted of closing cash payment of $175,000 and the issuance of $25,000 of Playmaker common shares on closing, priced at CAD$0.6819 per share.
- On a pro forma basis, Playmaker achieved record engagement metrics in the quarter across the Futbol Sites, Yardbarker and TNN owned and operated properties. Playmaker reaches more than 75 million unique users monthly and in Q3 2021, the user base generated more than 442 million sessions across its properties, representing a 70%+ increase over Q3 2020. Playmaker also reaches more than 365,000 users via the Morning Bark.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
The Company will host a management conference call to discuss its third quarter 2021 financial results on November 15, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). Hosting the call will be Jordan Gnat, Chief Executive Officer; Jake Cassaday, Chief Operating Officer; and Mike Cooke, Chief Financial Officer.
To participate in the Conference Call, please dial the following number(s) approximately five minutes prior to commencement and ask to join the Playmaker call:
Dial-In Number (Toll Free): 1-866-807-9684
Dial-In Number (International): 1-412-317-5415
A replay of the Conference Call will be available between November 15, 2021, and December 31, 2021, and can be accessed at playmaker.fans/investors.
A Q3 2021 Company Overview presentation can also be accessed at playmaker.fans/investors.
To sign up for Playmaker Investor Alerts, follow this link: PMKR Investor Alerts
Gaming
10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)
Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.
Recognizing Early Signs
“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:
Exhaustion and Irritability
Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.
Gaming Obsession
If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.
Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests
A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.
Emotional Volatility
Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.
Physical Strain
Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.
Neglecting Basic Needs
If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.
Creating a Supportive Environment
While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.
Teamwork and Setting Boundaries
“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.
Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.
Open Communication
Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.
Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
PENN Entertainment Inc. has launched its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app in Pennsylvania. Built on PENN’s proprietary technology platform, Hollywood Casino offers more than 700 iCasino games, a variety of daily promotions, and exciting jackpots.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop, customers in the Keystone State can access Hollywood Casino through either the ESPN BET app or through the new Hollywood Casino app using their same ESPN BET login credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms. PENN plans to launch Hollywood Casino in additional jurisdictions in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Hollywood Casino features a variety of online slots, table games and live dealer content, including bespoke live dealer tables and a dedicated “Casino Floor” lobby that allows users to easily find virtual versions of their favorite slot games from PENN’s retail properties. Hollywood Casino also features original titles from PENN Game Studios, PENN’s in-house casino game development studio that has produced a number of popular online games, including Legendary LarryTM and Wuji MinesTM.
“We’re excited to launch Hollywood Casino as a stand-alone app in Pennsylvania, giving our customers access to their favorite games in a dedicated, casino-first experience. With four Hollywood Casino properties in the state, the app leverages our trusted retail brand and creates a seamless connection between our online and retail gaming experiences. We look forward to bringing this enhanced Hollywood Casino experience to more iCasino markets in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment.
Hollywood Casino is also fully integrated with PENN Play, the Company’s omnichannel loyalty program that allows members to earn and redeem rewards, including PENN Cash, exclusive tier benefits and personalized services.
-
Gambling in the USA4 days agoIndustry veteran joins North American operator as chief interactive gaming officer to drive growth in iCasino states and efficiencies in its online sportsbook
-
Canada6 days agoJackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier
-
awards6 days agoYaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Named #1 Best Overall Casino Outside of Las Vegas and #1 Best Native American Casino in 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards
-
Latest News5 days agoSBC Summit Rio to welcome EDM legend Afrojack as INFINITY headliner, supported by Brazil’s Dubdogz
-
Latest News6 days agoSPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoTaDa Gaming Celebrates Further Brazilian Certification Across its Portfolio
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoDelasport Now GLI-Certified for Sports Betting in Brazil
-
Gaming2 days ago10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)