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Press Releases

UK betting technology supplier 20SHOTS accelerate funding with £400,000 raise at £5m valuation

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  • 20SHOTS have geared up for the new football season in the UK by securing additional investment in a second funding round, including securing the backing of US VC Animal Capital

  • New season will see new product rollout for popular Fantasy5 free-to-play fantasy football game, covering Champions League, Europa League and other European top flights

  • Current growth trajectory sees Fantasy5 on course to recruit half a million players this season

20SHOTS, the UK technology supplier behind fast-growing free-to-play fantasy football game Fantasy5, have secured an additional £400,000 of investment at a £5 million valuation, with backers including Gen-Z focused US Venture Capital fund Animal Capital.

The American fund that counts social media stars Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson and Noah Beck focus on products that reach a new generation of customers. They have invested an undisclosed sum in 20SHOTS for the new football season, which will see the platform roll out its largest range of products added to its Fantasy5 game to date.

Fantasy5’s Premier League product, which uses a unique points system developed in-house based on fantasy football, offers cash prizes to winners who can successfully predict how well players will perform per gameweek.

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Using their own risk management system and algorithmic trading software, the company will now look to supplement this with additional games covering the Champions League, Europa League and other top European leagues.

The roll out of additional leagues coupled with Fantasy5’s existing growth – bolstered last season by the recruitment of BoyleSports as its first tier one UK & Ireland bookmaker partner – keeps the game on course to break the 500,000 player mark.

Prizes for the additional leagues will remain at the standard £10,000 mark, as offered to Premier League players, and offer partners an increase in engagement and retention. 83% of players who played in the last four rounds last season have made an entry in the first two weeks. The investment in Fantasy5 also comes in advance of the Government’s highly-anticipated White Paper review of the gambling industry, which is likely to see traditional marketing practices come under scrutiny, creating additional need for operators to engage customers beyond traditional channels.

Jacob Kalms, co-founder and CEO of 20SHOTS said: “We’re pleased to welcome Animal Capital as investors as part of our most recent founding round which has raised £400,000 in capital.

“As demand grows in the ultra-competitive free-to-play space, we’re investing in our ability to quickly and seamlessly roll out products and games on a white label basis for a number of different partners across multiple divisions and competitions – with the ultimate objective of using the technology seamlessly across the most popular sports worldwide.

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“Our growth model forecasts we will break the half a million player mark this season, with our scaling driving down the cost of acquisition for partners whilst maintaining our engagement, dwell and retention rates considerably above industry averages.”

He added: “Operators should also be considering how free-to-play and softer marketing funnels like those offered by games like Fantasy5 will help them navigate any changes thrust upon them by the upcoming gambling review. Whilst our audience is ultimately commercially valuable to any operator or affiliate, Fantasy5 remains a sustainable way to build a loyal audience over time.”

Marshall Sandman, Managing Partner of Animal Capital said: “In a crowded market of fantasy, free to play, and pay-to-play sports betting, 20SHOTS distinguishes itself with a best in class team and direction that has allowed the product to stand out distinctly and early.

“Their flagship game Fantasy5 is an early hit, their B2B relationships are uniquely positioned to make this an exciting asset and their ability to resonate and be sticky with a younger audience are all reasons why we were excited to be on the journey.

“Jacob the CEO and his team have conviction and direction, and they will continue to prove why they deserve to be big fish in this pond!”

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EGT to create a sensation at FIJMA 2024 with its new products for the B2 Saloon and casino markets in Spain

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EGT will present its latest developments for the B2 Saloon and casino markets in Spain during FIJMA 2024, which will take place on 07-09 May. Alejandro Mosquera, director of the local office of the company, shared: “We have chosen to show the products that have the greatest potential for the country, and I am confident that our selection can offer something to everyone – to those, who are about to start their gaming business now, and also to those who want to make their business even more successful. We will be waiting for all of them at stand C17-C19.”

Among EGT’s newest proposals, that are expected to generate huge interest among visitors to the exhibition, are the multilevel jackpot Sands Princess AWP and the latest addition to the top-performing jackpot Bell Link AWP – the Bell Link Plus multigame, both of which are designed especially for the B2 Saloon market.

Sands Princess AWP will take players to the kingdom of Egypt, where each of the 5 levels can be won with any bet. The 4 games of the jackpot: Egyptian Tale, Pharaoh’s Desert, Sands Spirit and Mystic Dawn, will present to those eager for adventures and untold riches numerous opportunities for winning, but only the boldest ones will be able to reach the two linked progressive levels and turn sand into gold.

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Bell Link Plus joins Bell Link AWP jackpot to add even more diversity to the choice of the Spanish gaming audience. The multigame’s 5 titles: Book of Realm, Burning Hot, 40 Super Hot, 20 Super Hot and Shining Crown, will dive players into the fascinating world of some of the most popular games of the company, now enriched with more chances for winning and entertainment.

Both Bell Link Plus multigame and Sands Princess jackpot will be housed in the Phoenix AWP cabinet – another product, designed specifically for the B2 Saloon market in Spain, which will make its debut on local level at the exhibition. Featuring 27-inch monitors and multiple ergonomic features, this model offers maximum comfort, while the video and audio capabilities, along with the latest EGT software, guarantee an optimal gaming experience.

The guests at the EGT stand will have the opportunity to see the new Premio Ganador multigame for the B2 Saloon market as well, which is expected to be available in the country in the near future and grab the attention of local players with its attractive features offering a lot of bonuses.

The selection will be complemented by the other well-known B2 Saloon cabinets and games, as well as some of the slot products with greatest potential for the country such as the General cabinets and the bestsellers Bell Link and Gods & Kings Link. The latest jackpot proposals Supreme Combo Link and Sheng Sheng Bu Xi, which were launched just a few months ago and have received very positive feedback, will also be showcased.

EGT Digital will demonstrate its rich portfolio of iGaming solutions as well, including instant and slot games, as well as the in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform X-Nave, which provides operators with a complete solution for building and maintaining a successful online business.

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“We will be delighted to welcome everyone who is interested in our products on our stand at FIJMA,” concluded Mr. Mosquera. “I believe that this year’s participation will be very fruitful just like the previous editions and we will receive many inquiries. We will be happy to continue the conversations with our partners and potential new customers in EGT’s new office in Madrid, which is equipped with a spacious showroom, where they will be able to see and test our developments on site once again. Its official opening will be on May 6 and we will be glad to share this experience with all our friends.”

 

The post EGT to create a sensation at FIJMA 2024 with its new products for the B2 Saloon and casino markets in Spain appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Rivalry Announces 2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders and Filing of 2023 Annual Financial Statements

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Rivalry Corp. (the “Company” or “Rivalry”) (TSXV: RVLY) (OTCQX: RVLCF) (FSE: 9VK), the leading sportsbook and iGaming operator for Gen Z, is pleased to announce its 2023 annual letter to shareholders and the filing of its financial results for the three (3) and 12-month period ended December 31, 2023. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars.

2023 Annual Letter to Shareholders

To our Shareholders,

This time last year I spoke about Rivalry’s evolution from a market leader in esports to a diversified Company setting the standard for Gen Z betting entertainment broadly.

Today, we have a business with revenue distribution across casino, sports, and esports betting, growing market share in new geographies, with increased velocity in core regions, and the strongest customer KPIs in Rivalry’s history.

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In 2023, Rivalry recorded $423.2 million in betting handle1, up 82% from the previous year. Similarly, gross gaming revenue2 and net revenue both saw 34% and 66% respective increases, while the introduction of higher margin products released in H2 such as Same Game Combos and Quick Combos are continuing to improve overall sportsbook hold and guide Rivalry closer to profitability.

Our deepened product suite now includes fantasy, additional sports coverage, and new proprietary casino games. All of which are uniquely driving growth among a targeted customer segment and widening our opportunity set in 2024 and beyond – from a 60% increase in traditional sports betting to a burgeoning B2B game vertical. The potential for how far our brand can go is just beginning to unfold.

The year ahead is rife with new, innovative product releases arriving in Q2 and continuing throughout 2024. We are doubling down on core growth opportunities in sports that resonate with our audience, such as basketball and soccer. Further, we are building on a successful casino segment which already represents 50% of our business, enhancing variety, depth, and accessibility, as well as developing new original games which blur the lines between betting and entertainment. We are in the process of additional geographic expansion, and pursuing new licenses to broaden our total addressable market, positioning Rivalry to own the Gen Z gambling opportunity globally.

While Rivalry’s operations have expanded into new high-growth verticals, our north star has remained the same: to define the future of online gambling for a generation born on the internet.

Online gambling in 2024 is radically different than it was just six years ago when Rivalry launched. In that time we’ve seen gaming and internet culture reshape how consumers engage with technology. That shift is broadening the definition of gambling, where product design is influenced by video games, or it exists fully embedded within social apps like Telegram, where content creators are the new affiliates, and much more.

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Over the same period, the rise of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has introduced a new level of speed, access, and security to web-based consumer experiences. Industry estimates now put crypto wagers at up to one quarter of global betting handle3, with 30% year-over-year growth in 20244, and showing no signs of slowing down.

The development of this ecosystem has commercially unlocked online gambling unlike anything since its first transition from land to online many years ago. It has brought in a new global audience, and enriched the customer experience from end-to-end.

Alongside the growth of this technology has emerged new methods of gambling, taking wallet share from more traditional forms at an accelerated rate. The shift in consumer behavior and the signal from our users is clear – interactive, volatile, and crypto-infused product experiences will set the precedent for how the next generation gambles online.

Rivalry, with a brand steeped in internet culture and living at the intersection of this digital economic renaissance, is well-positioned to access this growth opportunity. There is high overlap between Gen Z, gamers, gamblers, and a fast-growing audience of over 420 million crypto users worldwide5 organically aligned with our audience and brand. And we believe that more than half of this audience globally is already wagering with crypto.

It will be Rivalry’s ability to understand, implement, and adapt to this shift more rapidly than our peers that we expect to create first-mover advantages for us. It is for that reason that our vision is now bolder than ever for what’s possible in the online gambling category.

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Soon, we will reveal plans for a crypto-enabled product set to enhance alignment between Rivalry and its users, increase network effects, and generally deliver a consumer experience that lives on the internet of 2024.

To that effect, the success of our first-party games and their ability to acquire and engage a captive audience of Gen Z bettors online has validated our original game development strategy amongst industry peers. This has unlocked a new commercial opportunity for Rivalry to license its IP, opening up another line of revenue for the business that has great potential for global scale.

The year ahead is poised to be one of our most ground-breaking, with a myriad of innovative product releases across all of Rivalry’s verticals, adding more dimension to our business, operations, and addressable audience, and building on our competitive moat as the market leader in Gen Z betting entertainment.

We look forward to sharing more details about these upcoming initiatives, the opportunities they will unlock for our Company, and delivering on our promise to create long-term shareholder value and reach profitability. Thank you all for your continued support.

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Press Releases

EGT Digital to reveal a captivating product display at FIJMA 2024

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After a series of numerous exhibitions that passed with great success, now EGT Digital is ready to fascinate the visitors of FIJMA as well. The iGaming provider will participate in the show together with EGT and both companies will present their novelties on stand C17-C19.

At visitors’ disposal will be the well-known instant games of EGT Digital, as well as its wide range of slot solutions, currently containing the jackpots Bell Link, Clover Chance, High Cash and Single Progressive Jackpot and more than 100 titles, which will demonstrate why they are players’ preferred choice in over 50 markets worldwide.

Among the main highlights in the casino portfolio will be the brand-new football game Burning Goals, part of the Clover Chance jackpot. On the eve of the European Championship, EGT Digital will give football lovers the opportunity to feel the atmosphere of a real match with just a click on their screen. The gaming thrill will reach new heights with the double chance feature, which provides players with even more opportunities of bringing home one of the big prizes.

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EGT Digital’s in-house developed all-in-one betting platform X-Nave will also be on display to show how it can provide operators with a complete solution, through which they can build and maintain a successful iGaming business.

It includes 4 main modules: Sport product, Casino aggregator, CRM Engine and Payment Gateway. Each of them can be both part of the turnkey product or operate independently, as they allow integration with developments of third-party providers.

Tsvetomira Drumeva, Head of Sales at EGT Digital, commented: “Our games have already made their debut in Spain and we are delighted that their performance has been very good so far. FIJMA as one of the most authoritative exhibitions for Spain and the region will give us the opportunity to meet with many of the local operators and present to them our products in person. This will certainly increase our popularity and help us to close many more deals.”

The post EGT Digital to reveal a captivating product display at FIJMA 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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