Press Releases
Astralis Capital among second round investors as Sports Gambling Guides receives an additional $2M in funding
Pioneering social media sports marketing company reaches $3.25M in financing following cash injection from gaming industry-focused venture capital firm and other investors
Sports Gambling Guides (SGG), the elite social media sports marketing company that counts FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM among its extensive list of advertising partners, has announced it’s received a $2 million investment from iGaming venture capital firm, Astralis Capital.
Having launched in 2020, SGG was established by a father/son duo and now boasts a young but vastly experienced team of 17 entrepreneurs among its ranks. Offering a bold new tale on conventional affiliate marketing, the company specializes in social media and now represents a network of 800+ Twitter and Instagram content creators / influencers with a combined audience of 22+ million followers.
Astralis Capital, meanwhile, is a venture capital firm dedicated to identifying and investing in transformative businesses in the digital gaming space via its Astralis Fund I LP, an iGaming, Sports Betting and Digital Gaming-focused Venture fund, co managed by Tisno Onggara and Evan Meya. The group’s focus has always been on supporting innovative management teams at compelling early-stage companies while also providing the strategic guidance and industry connectivity required to help them maximize stakeholder value.
Given the profile and trajectory of SGG, it’s not hard to see why they were selected by Astralis and others to receive further funding. In the past two years, the company has established itself as one of the three largest U.S. sports gambling accounts on Instagram as well as one of the top 10 on Twitter.
With daily postings that receive millions of impressions in targeted markets across the U.S., SGG has steadily expanded its client database to include big-name sports betting brands like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, PointsBet and more, as well as leading Daily Fantasy Sports operator, PrizePicks.
With more major partners in the pipeline for 2022, SGG is currently licensed in all legal online betting states in the U.S. and will be looking to expand into more as and when new jurisdictions open up. In addition to its disruptive approach to conventional affiliate marketing, the company has also been praised for the cost-effective nature of its business model and the value it provides to partners.
Troy Paul, Co-Founder and President of Sports Gambling Guides said: “We’re delighted to have been selected for funding by Astralis Capital and many other additional investors. The decision by all of these groups to finance our business is testament to the great work we’ve done so far and the fact that we share a similar vision for growth going forward.
“Over the coming months, we intend to repay the faith investors’ have shown in us by expanding our client database and providing engaging social media content that reaches an even bigger audience. We’re looking forward to running exciting campaigns that return even greater value to our partners.”
Evan Meyer, Managing Director at Astralis Capital Management LP “Since their launch in 2020, SGG has rapidly and judiciously built a significant presence in the affiliate and advertising space. With their expanding product capability set, influencer / follower bases, we believe SGG can be a partner of choice for a wide range of advertisers to reach passionate and loyal sports and gambling enthusiasts”
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INSPIRED APPOINTS SEBASTIAN NOGUES AS HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – BRAZIL INTERACTIVE
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. announced the appointment of Sebastian Nogues as Head of Business Development – Brazil Interactive. In this new role, Mr. Nogues will be responsible for leading Inspired’s business development efforts across Brazil, with a focus on expanding its interactive gaming presence and driving growth in this high-potential market.
Mr. Nogues joins Inspired with a wealth of experience and a distinguished background in the gaming industry, specifically within customer service, marketing, and business management for interactive and casino gaming. He brings a deep understanding of the market, refined through extensive work with operators across various verticals, including affiliate marketing, consultative selling, and strategic partnerships.
Prior to joining Inspired, Mr. Nogues served as Chief Executive Officer of Latin American Gaming Affiliates (LAGA), where he led a major restructuring, rebranding, and expansion of the company. His efforts established LAGA as a prominent affiliate marketing firm in the Latin American iGaming sector.
His previous experience also includes senior affiliate and business development roles with Control+F5 Gaming and ParsePort, where he focused on driving international sales, strategic partnerships, and customer acquisition.
Mr. Nogues has a strong record in fostering impactful business relationships, delivering exceptional results in new business development, market analysis, and customer retention. With multilingual skills in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, he is well-equipped to engage with a broad array of partners and stakeholders in Brazil’s dynamic gaming sector.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sebastian to our team as we continue to expand our digital footprint in Brazil,” said Claire Osborne, Vice President of Interactive at Inspired. “Sebastian’s comprehensive expertise in affiliate marketing and business development, and his profound understanding of the Brazilian and Latin American gaming markets make him an exceptional fit for this role. His strategic insight and extensive industry experience will be invaluable as we advance our growth and innovation strategy in the region.”
“I am honored to join Inspired Entertainment and look forward to contributing to our growth in Brazil’s interactive gaming market,” said Mr Nogues. “Brazil presents a significant opportunity for Inspired, and I am excited to work with our talented team to strengthen our presence, foster strategic partnerships, and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”
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SharpLink Gaming Announces 2024 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders
SharpLink Gaming, Inc., an online performance-based marketing company serving the U.S. sports betting and iGaming industries, today announced that it will host its Annual General Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 4:00 PM Central Time at SharpLink’s corporate headquarters, located at 333 Washington Avenue North, Suite 104, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401, and thereafter as it may be adjourned or postponed from time to time.
At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve the following proposals and adopt the following resolutions in connection with the proposals:
1. | The reelection of Rob Phythian, Obie McKenzie, Robert Gutkowski and Leslie Bernhard as members of the Board of Directors for a term expiring at our 2025 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified; |
2. | The approval of a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), by a ratio of up to and including 6:1, to be effective at the ratio and on a date to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, and amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect such reverse stock split; |
3. | The ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert, LLP, registered public accountants, as our Company’s independent registered public accountants for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the authorization of our Board of Directors to fix such independent public accountants’ compensation in accordance with the volume and nature of their services or to delegate such power to our Audit Committee; |
4. | The approval of a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers (the “Say on Pay Proposal”); and |
5. | To transact any other business properly coming before the Meeting. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on November 12, 2024 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. It is anticipated that on or about November 19, 2024, the Company shall commence mailing to all stockholders of record, as of the Record Date, the proxy notice, the proxy statement that describes the proposals to be considered at the Meeting and a proxy card. The definitive proxy notice, proxy statement and form of proxy card was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, November 18, 2024 on Schedule 14A.
The approval of the election of the directors under Proposal 1 requires the affirmative vote of holders of the plurality of the Common Stock (on an as-converted basis, subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below)), represented at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, entitled to vote and voting on the matter. Proposal 2 requires votes cast for the reverse stock split to exceed the votes cast against such proposal. Proposals 3 and 4 require the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Common Stock (on an as-converted basis, subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below)), represented at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, entitled to vote and voting on the matter presented for passage. The Beneficial Ownership Limitation is defined in our Certificate of Incorporation as 9.99% of the number of our Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Preferred Stock and warrants held by the stockholder that is subject to such Beneficial Ownership Limitation.
Our Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of each director and the other proposals set forth in this proxy statement.
The primary purpose for the proposal for the reverse stock split, should the Board of Directors choose to effect one, would be to increase the per share price of our Common Stock to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). On July 11, 2024, we received a letter from Nasdaq Listing Qualifications (the “Letter”) indicating that the Company is no longer in compliance with the minimum bid price requirements for continued listing set forth in Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), which requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. The rules also provide us a compliance period of 180 calendar days to regain compliance. According to the Letter, we have until January 7, 2025 to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.
SharpLink knows of no other matters to be submitted at the Meeting other than as specified in the press release. If any other business is properly brought before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote in respect thereof in accordance with the recommendation of SharpLink’s Board of Directors.
Stockholders can vote either by mailing in their proxy, by Internet, by phone or in person by attending the Meeting. If voting by mail, the proxy must be received by SharpLink’s voting processing agency at least 48 hours prior to the appointed time of the Meeting or at our registered office in Minneapolis, Minnesota at least four (4) hours prior to the appointed time of the Meeting to be validly included in the tally of Common Stock. If voting by Internet or phone, votes must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, December 5, 2024 to be validly included in the tally of the Common Stock voted at the Meeting. If a stockholder elects to attend the Meeting, he or she may vote in person and your proxy will not be used. Detailed proxy voting instructions are provided both in the proxy statement and on the enclosed proxy card.
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Full House Resorts Announces New Leadership for Rising Star Casino Resort
Full House Resorts, Inc. announced that it has named Jeff Michie as vice president and general manager of its Rising Star Casino Resort in Rising Sun, Indiana, subject to customary gaming approvals. Mr. Michie will replace Angi Truebner-Webb who, as previously reported, will become the general manager of the Company’s Silver Slipper Casino Hotel in Hancock County, Mississippi.
Mr. Michie joins Rising Star from Casino del Sol, a large casino resort in Tucson, Arizona. As the chief financial officer of Casino del Sol, Mr. Michie oversaw the property’s finance, surveillance and golf course departments. Mr. Michie has also served in senior management positions at several casinos that directly compete with Rising Star, including as the senior vice president of operations and finance of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, and as assistant general manager and CFO for Belterra Casino Resort & Spa. During his extensive career, Mr. Michie has also served as general manager for several properties, including the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the Horizon Casino & Hotel in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and public administration from San Diego State University. He has also been a long-time resident of nearby Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
In connection with his hiring, the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Compensation Committee”) approved a grant of an inducement equity award of 19,921 restricted shares to Mr. Michie. Subject to his continuing service through the vesting dates, one-third of the total number of shares granted will vest on each of November 11, 2025, 2026, and 2027, the anniversary dates of Mr. Michie’s commencement of employment and the grant of restricted shares.
Additionally, in connection with their hirings, the Compensation Committee approved grants of inducement equity awards to two additional employees: Kimberly Bender and Katelynn May were each granted 4,107 restricted shares. For both Ms. Bender and Ms. May, one-third of the total number of shares granted will vest on each of November 12, 2025, 2026, and 2027, subject to their continuing service through the vesting dates, which are the anniversary dates of the grants of restricted shares.
The awards were granted outside of the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and were approved by the Compensation Committee in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) as a material inducement to the above individuals’ entry into employment with the Company.
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