Canada
Rivalry Corp Reports Record Third Quarter 2023 Results, Reaffirms H1 2024 Profit Guidance
Company achieves record Q3 against reduced marketing spend and flattened Opex, highlighting operating leverage; strongest customer KPI’s on a year-to-date basis in Rivalry Corp’s history; positioned to accelerate growth with recently announced $14M capital infusion
- Betting handle of $105.7 million, up 50% year-over-year, while reducing marketing spend 13%.
- Revenue of $8.7 million, a 22% increase year-over-year.
- Gross profit of $4.0 million, up 90% year-over-year.
- Casino has grown to approximately half of the company’s betting handle in Q3, demonstrating ability to cross-sell next generation bettors and drive growth against unseasonably low viewership in select Q3 eSports events.
- Year-to-date customer KPI’s the strongest in company history: all-time high average handle per customer, average revenue per user and record low cost of customer acquisition.
- Year-to-date betting handle has increased 127%, revenue by 70% and gross profit up 175% over the first nine months of 2022. Achieved while reducing marketing spend, highlighting the inherent operating leverage in the business.
- Subsequent to the quarter end, Rivalry Corp completed a $14 million capital infusion that strengthens the balance sheet and provides the company with capital to pursue growth and profitability at the same time.
- Company re-affirms guidance, anticipates achieving profitability in H1 2024.
- Announces virtual investor day to be held on January 17, 2024.
Rivalry Corp (TSXV: RVLY) (OTCQX: RVLCF) (FSE: 9VK), the leading sportsbook and iGaming operator for Millennials and Gen Z, today announced its financial results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars.
“We are proud to have delivered a record third quarter while exercising discipline on costs amidst a challenging capital markets environment for growth companies,” the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Rivalry Corp, Steven Salz, said. “Now, with our recently announced capital infusion, we will be able to go back on the offensive, while still maintaining our path to profitability.
“Years of consistent performance, flattened Opex multiple quarters in a row, demonstrated triple-digit growth year-over-year across core metrics year-to-date with all-time high average handle per customer, average revenue per user and record low cost of customer acquisition over that same period gives me high conviction in Rivalry Corp’s future. It is this proven operating leverage, supported by an improving sportsbook margin profile resulting in more revenue per dollar wagered now fuelled by growth capital, that is creating a significant opportunity set for Rivalry Corp. It is that combination which gives us confidence to reaffirm our first half 2024 profitability guidance.”
Third Quarter 2023 Highlights:
- Betting handle for Q3 2023 was $105.7 million, an increase of $35.4 million or 50% from $70.3 million in Q3 2022.
- Revenue was $8.7 million in Q3 2023, a record result for a third quarter, representing an increase of $1.6 million or 22% from $7.1 million of revenue in Q3 2022.
- Gross profit was $4.0 million in Q3 2023, an increase of $1.9 million or 90% from $2.1 million of gross profit in Q3 2022.
- The casino segment generated approximately half of total betting handle ($50.4 million). Recent casino product launches including a custom-branded slots category, a new original game Cash & Dash and the release of Casino.exe on our iOS mobile app in Ontario set the stage for continued growth and increased player wallet share.
- Modest decline in operating expenses sequentially continues the trend of effective cost management while still maintaining significant year-over-year growth rates at the company.
- Net loss was $5.6 million for Q3 2023, a 6% reduction from the net loss of $6.0 million in Q3 2022 and 12% decrease sequentially.
- Rivalry Corp launched an industry-first same-game parlay product for eSports within the quarter, supporting an improved sportsbook product mix and contributing to an enhanced margin profile.
- The company had $7.4 million of cash and no debt as at September 30, 2023.
- On November 15, 2023, Rivalry Corp strengthened its balance sheet with the announcement of a private placement offering of $14 million principal amount senior secured convertible debentures to scale several strategic verticals across marketing, product development and geographic expansion.
Year-to-Date 2023 Highlights:
- Betting handle for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 was $338.1 million, an increase of $189.2 million or 127% from $148.9 million in the comparable period of 2022 while marketing spend decreased by 8%.
- Revenue was $29.2 million in the first nine months of 2023, representing an increase of $12.0 million or 70% from $17.2 million of revenue the previous year.
- Gross profit was $13.2 million in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of $8.4 million or 175% from $4.8 million of gross profit a year earlier.
- Net loss of $15.2 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, a reduction of $3.6 million compared to a net loss of $18.8 million over the same period in 2022.
Investor Day:
Rivalry Corp is pleased to announce a virtual investor day to be held at 10:00am EST on January 17, 2024. The company will discuss its outlook for 2024, growth initiatives, upcoming product innovations and insights into the Gen Z consumer. More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Investor Conference Call:
Management will host a conference call at 10:00am EST on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 to discuss the company’s third quarter 2023 financial results.
- Dial-in: 888-886-7786 (toll free) or (+1) 416-764-8658 (local or international calls).
- Webcast: A live webcast can be accessed from the Events section of the company’s website at www. RivalryCorp .com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company’s website for one year.
Rivalry Corp’s financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the period ended September 30, 2023 are available on SEDAR+ at www. SedarPlus.ca and on the company’s website at www. RivalryCorp .com.
Stock Options:
The company also announces that it has approved a grant of stock options, pursuant to the terms of the company’s equity incentive plan, to an investor relations service provider. A total of 44,444 stock options have been awarded to such investor relations service provider. The stock options will be exercisable at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the subordinate voting shares on the TSX Venture Exchange two trading days following the issuance of this press release, for a period of five years from the date of the grant. The stock options vest in equal quarterly instalments over a period of twelve months, commencing on the three-month anniversary of the date of the grant.
Canada
888 Renews Partnership with CFL
Bettors in Ontario will be able to turn to evoke plc (888) for their sports wagering needs this season. The global betting and gaming company, formerly known as 888 Holdings plc, has re-signed with the Canadian Football League (CFL) as one of its Authorized Gaming Operators, offering fans premiere gaming and betting experiences to further their CFL fandom.
Since 1997, 888 has put fans, gamers, and bettors first through proprietary technology and engaging content across its various Casino, Sports, and Poker products. As part of the partnership, 888 presented Pre-Season Futures on CFL Game Zone in the leadup to the campaign. The fan-favourite free-to-play predictor tested fans’ knowledge of the league and allowed them to forecast how the season will play out.
During the regular season, 888casino will appear on CFL sidelines and broadcasts in contests featuring the three Ontario-based clubs – the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Ottawa REDBLACKS, and the Toronto Argonauts. 888casino will also receive prominent promotional placement during any Ontario-based East Division postseason matchups (the Semi-final on November 2 and the Final on November 9) on the road to the Grey Cup.
“888 has opened the doors to new sports wagering and entertainment opportunities for CFL fans, and we’re thrilled for the possibilities ahead as we build upon this partnership and engage more audiences across Ontario,” said Tyler Keenan, the CFL’s Chief Revenue Officer.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the CFL for a second season, placing 888casino at the forefront of this collaboration. The synergy between the CFL’s dynamic brand and 888casino’s innovative online offering provides fans with unparalleled entertainment. We are committed to enhancing the excitement of the game, ensuring that CFL enthusiasts can enjoy high-quality gaming experiences that keep the thrill alive beyond the field,” said Roi Nadler, Head of Canada at evoke.
Canada
NorthStar Gaming Enhances the Customer Experience with Strategic Product Innovations
NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. announced a series of enhancements to its NorthStar Bets online betting platform. The latest product innovations are crafted to elevate and consistently surpass the expectations of NorthStar Bets customers, reinforcing the Company’s position as the definitive premium choice in the gaming industry.
“We are excited to roll out a broad range of product enhancements to our customers. Innovation has always been a core value for NorthStar as we seek to maintain a best-of-breed platform that evolves alongside changing preferences and emerging technologies. We focus on upgrades that will differentiate us in the marketplace, simplify the customer experience, and reinforce our premium positioning,” said Michael Moskowitz, Chair and CEO of NorthStar.
NorthStar’s product innovation strategy can be summarized by two complementary propositions. “Incrementally Better” refers to ongoing, often small-scale improvements aimed at optimizing such attributes as reliability, trust, speed, simplicity, and performance. “Fundamentally Different” means targeting efforts on features or offerings that are highly valued, drive customer loyalty, and set NorthStar apart from competitors.
Product enhancements recently introduced by NorthStar include the following:
• Strengthened Casino section. A new streamlined navigation simplifies the user experience, while NorthStar’s selection of games and titles has doubled since the start of 2024.
• NorthStar Elite Blackjack. A bespoke branded table crafted to exceed the exacting standards of VIP players, embodying the premium experience that defines NorthStar Bets.
• Sports Insights 2.0. Overhaul of industry-leading sports content vertical with new features, statistics, design, and user experience, launched on NorthStarBets.ca.
• Enhanced Sportsbook.
a. Dynamic Navigation: The latest innovation introduces a feature that streamlines navigation, quickly guiding users to top sports and events, minimizing the steps required to place a bet.
b. Personalized Prop Bets: An advanced AI-driven algorithm analyzes individual betting patterns to generate customized prop bets that are tailored to each customer’s betting history.
c. Intelligent Parlay Suggestions: This intuitive functionality also appears on the bet slip, where companion bets are offered to enhance single bets, enabling customers to effortlessly create logical parlays at the point of the bet decision.
“Today’s announcement offers a preview of the innovation fueling our 2024 strategy. Our product team is executing an ambitious roadmap that balances incremental advancements with groundbreaking features, all meticulously crafted to elevate the attributes our customers value most-reliability, performance, and simplicity,” said Dean MacNeil, VP of Product & Managed Services at NorthStar.
“As a premium brand, we strategically harness innovation to amplify our appeal to high-value customers, solidifying our distinct advantage in the industry. By consistently enhancing the customer experience, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering a premium service that drives strong customer satisfaction and earns their loyalty.”
Canada
IGT Launches its Second Omnichannel Wide Area Progressive Game in Canada, Money Mania Slots
International Game Technology PLC announced that it recently launched its second omnichannel Wide Area Progressive (WAP) game for Canada, Money Mania slots. The game is currently available on British Columbia Lottery Corporation’s (BCLC) PlayNow.com site and at 22 BCLC-governed casinos throughout British Columbia. IGT is the only supplier in the world to offer omnichannel jackpot games with shared jackpot liquidity across the land-based, online and mobile versions of the games.
“We know our players love the excitement that the Powerbucks games offer, so BCLC is thrilled to launch IGT’s Money Mania – another title that draws upon the same opportunity for cross-channel jackpots. Both BCLC and IGT are passionate about bringing innovative games to players and fueling responsible growth in the industry. We also recognize that BCLC is in a unique position with our ability to offer cross-channel experiences for players. Whether players choose to play Money Mania at the casino or online, we’re confident this is another game they’ll love,” said Dan Beebe, BCLC Chief Operating Officer.
IGT’s Money Mania is a proven multi-level progressive (MLP) game that features player-favorite game mechanics and multiple base-game themes. The game includes a $100,000 top-level “Money Jackpot” and a fast-growing, fast-hitting second-level WAP jackpot – “Mania Jackpot”. With a jackpot-reset value of $4000, the game’s “Mania Jackpot” is designed to hit frequently, especially with land-based, online and mobile gameplay all simultaneously feeding the jackpot meter.
“IGT’s Money Mania omnichannel WAP game is designed to frequently deliver mid-to-large-size jackpots, drive cross-channel gameplay and engage BCLC players online and in casinos. Like Powerbucks, IGT’s Money Mania is at the forefront of jackpot innovation and supports IGT’s commitment to and leadership in omnichannel content and innovation,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Sales, Canada, South and Central America.
BCLC was the first gaming operator in the world to offer an omnichannel jackpot game when it partnered with IGT for the 2016 launch of Powerbucks slots. Since then, IGT’s Powerbucks has remained one of the top-performing games in Canada and has minted more than 50 millionaires across the country.
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