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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
Central America
21VIRAL Boosts Latin American Reach Through Strategic Partnership with Virtualsoft

21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, has strengthened its expansion by signing an agreement with platform provider Virtualsoft
21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, today announced a strategic agreement with prominent platform provider Virtualsoft, significantly strengthening its expansion across the region.
This collaboration will integrate 21VIRAL’s extensive portfolio of games into Virtualsoft’s platform, providing enhanced content options for operators across key Central and Latin American nations. Virtualsoft is a key supplier with a strong presence in markets including Ecuador and Peru, delivering innovative gaming solutions to a diverse range of operators.
Christoph Härtel, CEO of 21VIRAL, commented: “Partnering with Virtualsoft is a pivotal moment for 21VIRAL as we deepen our engagement with one of the world’s most rapidly advancing online gaming markets. Virtualsoft underpins numerous leading brands in the region, and integrating our GameConnector solution will allow swift access to their operational brands. We look forward to working closely with Virtualsoft’s talented team to deliver innovative and revenue driving gaming experiences.”
Alejandro Velez, General Manager at Virtualsoft, stated: “21VIRAL has a strong reputation for seamless integrations and profound expertise in the Latin American gaming market, making them an ideal partner for us. Together, we are streamlining operations and elevating the gaming experience for players, aiming to set new benchmarks for the industry.”
Compliance Updates
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a “dual currency” model to mimic casino-style wagering.
“Sweepstakes” platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting “No Purchase Necessary” disclaimers, they sidestep California’s regulatory framework and evade the state’s voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these “sweepstakes” operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.
“We cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governments’ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,” said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.
“For over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundation—compromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
“We support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of California’s gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,” said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.
“Tribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to California’s economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,” said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.
AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.
Compliance Updates
New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports

The Division I Council introduced a proposal that, if adopted in October, would change sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports and refocus the Association’s enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity. If adopted, the change will be implemented only if Divisions II and III also vote to allow betting on pro sports.
The council’s introduction of the proposal, which comes after a directive from the Division I Board of Directors in April that the council adopt changes to sports betting rules, is not an endorsement of sports betting behaviors, especially for college athletes. The NCAA’s prohibition against betting on college sports would remain in place, as would the prohibitions against sharing information about college events with bettors. The NCAA also would continue to maintain its prohibition for NCAA championships against advertising and sponsorships associated with betting.
“NCAA rules prohibiting sports betting at all levels were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council. “As betting on sports has become more widely accepted across the country, Division I members have determined that further discussion of these sports betting rules is warranted, particularly as it relates to the potential distinctions between betting on professional versus collegiate sports. Throughout our discussions, the council has remained focused on student-athlete wellness and educating student-athletes about the risks and potentially harmful impacts of betting.”
Current NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes or institutional staff to engage in sports betting at any level (professional, college or amateur) for any sports that have NCAA championships, and NCAA members have continually maintained that any betting by a student-athlete on his or her own team or own sport in college should continue to result in a permanent loss of any remaining collegiate eligibility. However, in 2023, Division I changed the reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who participate in sports betting on professional sports to focus on harm reduction for problematic betting behaviors.
“Deregulating professional sports betting may provide schools an additional opportunity to implement harm-reduction strategies, which can be more effective and have long-term benefits not seen with abstinence-only approaches. Harm-reduction strategies include education, stigma reduction and acknowledging actual behaviors,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “By meeting student-athletes where they are, schools may be more effective at preventing, identifying and supporting student-athletes with problematic gambling behaviors. Regardless of the change, schools are encouraged to use the many sports betting resources already available.”
The recently released Harm Reduction Considerations for Gambling & Sports Betting in Collegiate Sports references available sports betting resources, including the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices. Additionally, more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators have been reached through the NCAA’s education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions, and the NCAA has launched an e-learning module to educate student-athletes on problem gambling harms and the integrity risks associated with sports betting.
Several sports betting-related violations by staff members at NCAA schools have been resolved through the infractions process in recent years, and the enforcement staff is working on issuing Notices of Allegations in several ongoing cases that involve allegations of betting on professional and college sports by student-athletes and/or athletics department staff members at a handful of NCAA schools.
The proposed rule change would not be retroactive. If it is adopted, it would apply only to sports betting activities that occur after the effective date of the proposal.
“The enforcement staff’s sports betting-related caseload has significantly increased in recent years, and our staff — including our new sports betting integrity unit — has been effective in detecting and pursuing violations,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.
The Association prioritizes competition integrity, which is vital to college sports. The NCAA uses a layered strategy to respond responsibly to the rise in sports betting across the United States by monitoring over 22,000 contests per year, advocating for limits on prop bets that pose heightened risks, reducing the potential for student-athlete abuse by aggrieved bettors, and creating greater transparency to assist with the timely investigation and resolution of integrity-related issues.
This layered approach includes the most recent agreement extension with Genius Sports to establish unprecedented betting restrictions on high-risk proposition bets. Sportsbooks licensing NCAA championship data must cooperate fully with NCAA investigations, including providing access to account data, financial history and geolocation records. This will allow the NCAA to work with the sportsbooks to gather detailed account information when harassers are identified to prevent repeat offenders from continuing to place bets across platforms, increasing safeguards to protect student-athlete mental health and well-being.
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