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DraftKings Reports First Quarter 2021 Results and Raises 2021 Revenue Guidance
DraftKings Inc. reported first quarter 2021 financial results.
First Quarter 2021 Highlights
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, DraftKings reported revenue of $312 million, an increase of 253% compared to $89 million during the same period in 2020. After giving pro forma effect to the business combination with SBTech (Global) Limited (“SBTech”) and Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp. which was completed on April 23, 2020, as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019, revenue grew 175% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.
“DraftKings is off to an outstanding start in 2021,” said Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board. “We continued to make progress and remain on track with the migration to our own in-house proprietary sports betting engine, strengthened our content and technology capabilities with the acquisitions of VSiN and BlueRibbon Software, and invested in further differentiating our product offering with the upcoming rollout of social functionality in our DFS and mobile Sportsbook apps.”
Jason Park, DraftKings’ Chief Financial Officer, added, “Our $312 million in first quarter revenue, 114% increase in MUPs and 48% growth in ARPMUP reflect solid customer acquisition and retention as well as successful launches of mobile sports betting and iGaming in new states. We are raising our revenue outlook for 2021 due to the outperformance of our core business in the first quarter and our expectation for continued healthy growth.”
Strong Customer Retention and Acquisition Drove Q1 Results
Monthly Unique Payers (“MUPs”) for our B2C segment increased 114% compared to the first quarter of 2020. On average, 1.5 million monthly unique paying customers engaged with DraftKings each month during the first quarter. The increase reflects strong unique payer retention and acquisition across Daily Fantasy Sports, Online Sports Betting and iGaming.
Average Revenue per MUP (“ARPMUP”) was $61 in the first quarter representing a 48% increase versus the same period in 2020. Our ARPMUP was positively impacted by increased engagement with our iGaming and mobile sports betting product offerings as well as successful cross-selling.
Increasing 2021 Revenue Guidance
DraftKings is raising its fiscal year 2021 revenue guidance from a range of $900 million to $1 billion to a range of $1.05 billion to $1.15 billion, which equates to year-over-year growth of 63% to 79% and a 16% increase compared to the midpoint of our previous guidance.
The increase reflects solid performance in the first quarter of 2021, continued strong user activation due to the effectiveness of our marketing spend, well-executed launches of mobile sports betting and iGaming in Michigan and mobile sports betting in Virginia, and a modest contribution from our recently completed acquisitions. This guidance also assumes that all professional and college sports calendars that have been announced come to fruition and that we continue to operate in states in which we are live today.
Detailed financial data and other information is available in DraftKings’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, being filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as in a slide presentation that can be accessed through the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at investors.draftkings.com.
DraftKings Grows Its Mobile Sports Betting and iGaming Footprint
In the first quarter of 2021, DraftKings launched mobile sports betting and iGaming in Michigan and mobile sports betting in Virginia.
DraftKings is live with online sports betting in 12 states that collectively represent 25% of the U.S. population. DraftKings is live with iGaming in 4 states, representing approximately 10% of the U.S. population.
In 2021, 25 state legislatures have introduced legislation to legalize mobile sports betting, 5 state legislatures have introduced legislation to expand their existing sports wagering frameworks and 1 state legislature has introduced legislation to legalize sports betting limited to retail locations. In addition, 4 states have introduced iGaming legislation and 3 states have introduced online poker legislation.
Three of the states that introduced legislation to legalize mobile sports betting this year – Wyoming, Arizona and New York – have already enacted mobile sports wagering laws. Maryland has made significant progress with a mobile and retail sports wagering bill passing the legislature and now pending action from the Governor. The three states that have enacted mobile sports wagering laws this year represent 8% of the U.S. population and bring the percentage of the population with legalized mobile sports betting to 35%.
Leadership and Board Updates
DraftKings announced the appointment of Gisele Bündchen, environmental activist and philanthropist, as a special advisor to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and board of directors for environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) initiatives.
We expanded our executive team with the addition of Brian Angiolet to oversee and optimize content creation and media strategy as the Company’s first Chief Media Officer.
Environmental, Social and Governance Initiatives Continue to Grow
We undertook a variety of internal and external efforts in honor of International Women’s Day to support women entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout March, while also recognizing the day as an official company holiday for our global employees. Customer participation in the Women’s History Month Sports Popularity Pool, which highlighted the greatest athletes and moments in women’s sports, helped generate $300,000 in total donations to several U.S. and global organizations focused on empowering and aiding women entrepreneurs and women-founded small businesses.
We raised $184,000 through charity DFS contests in support of Feeding Texas’ efforts to provide help to those impacted by the winter storms in Texas.
Product Developments, Content Initiatives and Commercial Agreements
The migration to our proprietary in-house back end and trading technology continues to be on-track for completion by the end of the third quarter of 2021.
We are announcing the upcoming rollout of social functionality to our DFS and mobile Sportsbook apps, marking an industry-first innovation to create an integrated social community across sports betting and daily fantasy sports, as fans can interact with each other within a shared, peer-to-peer environment. The product is particularly unique because it amplifies our ability to create an interconnected ecosystem across our consumer products. Features like universal profiles, friends lists, commenting and loyalty/rewards will allow DraftKings to connect users across products.
We acquired Vegas Sports Information Network, Inc. (VSiN), a multi-platform broadcast and content company delivering trusted sports betting news, analysis and data to U.S. sports bettors since 2017.
We acquired BlueRibbon Software Ltd., a leading global jackpot and gamification company that provides platform-agnostic, real-time gamification tools that allow for fully customizable jackpot promotions.
We announced an agreement with DISH Network to bring DraftKings’ sportsbook and daily fantasy experiences directly to DISH customers nationwide, beginning with a first-of-its-kind and patent-pending DraftKings app integration on the DISH TV Hopper platform. The agreement also provided for the subsequent launch of SLING TV’s new exclusive sports betting information channels in collaboration with DraftKings. SLING TV subscribers and SLING Free users can now view real-time game scores and betting odds on the DraftKings Basketball, Baseball and Hockey channels. SLING TV will continue to bring the DraftKings sports betting experience to customers with more sports and expanded offerings in the future.
DraftKings became UFC’s first-ever “Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Partner” in the United States and Canada and will now be able to offer in-game promotions, activations, in-broadcast odds integrations and UFC branding across its daily fantasy and betting products and will possess rights to use official UFC marks and logos.
Latest News
Endorphina Enters into Partnership with Luckia
Endorphina has entered into a partnership with Luckia, a leading company in the gaming sector. Combining Endorphina’s passion for slots with Luckia’s innovative spirit, this partnership is set to provide incredible gaming experiences to all iGaming enthusiasts.
Endorphina’s Senior Partnership Manager, Zdenek Llosa, shared his excitement about the partnership: “We are thrilled to join forces with Luckia, a respected and influential operator in Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and Portugal. This partnership is a significant step forward in our global expansion strategy, allowing us to reach new players and markets. We are confident that Luckia’s players will appreciate the quality and diversity of our games, and we look forward to a fruitful and enduring collaboration.”
Luckia is a commercial brand of Luckia Gaming Group that combines offline and online gaming, including traditional businesses such as gaming machines in bars and restaurants and gaming arcades, new online gaming activities, and land-based sports betting. By advancing the current concept surrounding gaming, Luckia aims to provide an extensive entertainment experience, democratizing gaming and making it a social, accessible, and trust-inspiring activity.
Eloy Fernandez, Head of Product at Luckia, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Endorphina, with Mexico being the first market to go live with their creative slot content on Luckia’s platform! Endorphina’s distinctive games will not only enhance our offering but also provide a fresh and engaging experience for our Mexican players. Their unique approach aligns with our mission to elevate entertainment and optimize our services in key markets.”
Compliance Updates
eCOGRA Approved to Operate in Arizona, Indiana and Panama
eCOGRA, a leading international authority in Testing, Inspection and Certification services for the iGaming industry, has secured new regulatory approvals across three key jurisdictions: Arizona, Indiana and Panama. With these developments, eCOGRA strengthens its position in the U.S. and Latin American markets, offering excellence in compliance through their Quality, Speed, and Service promise.
This strategic expansion allows eCOGRA to conduct independent compliance audits and certification services in each region, addressing the growing demand for rigorous regulatory oversight in the fast-evolving global iGaming industry.
Securing approval in Arizona, where eCOGRA has now been licensed as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier, enables the International Testing Laboratory (ITL) to audit event wagering licensees in line with Arizona’s expanding regulatory landscape. Indiana, which introduced online sports betting in September 2019, has authorised eCOGRA to perform regulatory compliance audits, providing licensed operators with crucial assurance in meeting the state’s high standards.
In Panama, the Board of Gaming Control officially recognised eCOGRA as an Authorised Entity for Compliance Certification, specifically for slot machines and gaming software. This endorsement reinforces eCOGRA’s role as a trusted partner for operators seeking to meet stringent regulatory requirements in Latin America’s emerging iGaming sector.
“Our recent approvals in Indiana, Arizona, and Panama underline our dedication to continually expand our offering, to support our growing portfolio of clients with their global growth plans. We are committed to ensuring that we bring the same quality, speed and service that marks us out to both our clients and regulators in these dynamic markets,” said Will Shuckburgh, Group CEO of eCOGRA.
Bradley Khoury, Chief Technology Officer at eCOGRA, said: “Securing licensure as an Event Wagering Ancillary Supplier in Arizona and an Authorised Entity in Panama underscores our dedication to supporting responsible and sustainable iGaming operations. We are committed to driving trust and accountability within the industry by providing compliance solutions that uphold the highest standards.”
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Aposta Ganha launches Black Friday promotion with new ambassador Luva de Pedreiro
Aposta Ganha, the fastest growing Brazilian sports betting and casino site in Brazil, has launched its Black Friday promotion with its newest ambassador Luva de Pedreiro, AKA Bricklayer’s Glove.
With over 21 million followers on Instagram, the digital influencer and social media phenomenon will strengthen the brand’s presence in the market and shake up Black Friday with a campaign full of special offers for bettors.
Known for his catchphrase “Receeeeba!” and his irreverent personality, Luva de Pedreiro will be the main face of the campaign, creating a direct connection with the public, football fans and social media enthusiasts. The partnership aims to increase Aposta Ganha’s visibility in the market, attract new bettors and offer an even more dynamic experience.
Aposta Ganha is taking advantage of Black Friday to reinforce its commitment to ethical and transparent operations in the market. The platform complies with the new regulations of the Federal Government and invests in education and awareness initiatives, ensuring a safe experience for its users. Vitor Paulin, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Aposta Ganha, said: “Signing an ambassador like Luva de Pedreiro is a huge milestone for Aposta Ganha. His authenticity and connection with the public make him the ideal partner to boost our brand and make the betting experience even more exciting.”
Aposta Ganha’s Black Friday brings unmissable offers for all types of bettors. One highlight is that bettors will receive 10% cashback on the amount lost in the Aviatrix game and daily offers for sports betting. The promotions will be valid from November 21 to 30, with exclusive advantages in selected games each day.
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