Canada
Rivalry Issues 2022 Business Update
Triple-Digit Growth in 2021 and a Fortified Balance Sheet Sets the Stage for Rivalry to Continue Redefining Next Gen Betting and Entertainment in 2022
Rivalry Corp. (the “Company” or “Rivalry”) (TSXV: RVLY) (FSE: 9VK), an internationally regulated sports betting and media company, today issued a letter to shareholders summarizing recent progress and outlining strategic priorities for 2022. The full text of the letter follows. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars.
Rivalry Corp. 2022 Business Update
To our Shareholders,
At Rivalry Corp. (“Rivalry” or the “Company”) we aspire for every year to exceed the last, and in 2021, our third full year of operating, we did just that. We delivered our strongest growth to date.
Since launch, we have demonstrated discipline and execution. Some highlights:
- Created the most engaged esports betting brand globally1;
- Increased revenue more than 600% year-over-year (YoY) to $8.9M as of our most recent reported quarter (Q3 2021) on a year-to-date (YTD) basis;
- Grew betting handle2 over 180% YoY to $66.1M through October 2021 on a YTD basis, with an implied annual run rate as of the last reported quarter (Q3 2021) of nearly $100M;
- Customer registrations increased to approximately 600,000 through October 2021 on a YTD basis, up from 350,000 as at 2020 year-end;
- Customer acquisition costs remain significantly below market and deliver profitable unit economics3;
- Developed all of our technology in house;
- Pioneered a new gaming category of Massive Multiplayer Online Gambling Games (MMOGG) with our proprietary title Rushlane;
- Conditionally granted a sports bookmaker licence in Australia from the Northern Territory Racing Commission (Australia) (the “NTRC”);
- Submitted an application to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (the “AGCO”) to become a fully registered operator of internet gaming and sports betting in Ontario;
- Commenced trading via direct listing on the TSX Venture Exchange on October 5, 2021.
Our ambition does not end there. We are confident 2022 will be another record year of accomplishments. The investment we will be making in all key areas of the business will likely exceed the past three years combined. This sets 2022 up for a multitude of material catalysts:
- Anticipated launch in two new regulated markets, Australia and Ontario;
- Innovative product releases, demonstrating the power and scalability of our proprietary technology;
- New originally developed games to complement Rushlane and our MMOGG category;
- New content and media to continue positioning Rivalry as a market-leading brand at the forefront of internet culture;
- Launch in new geographies under our existing Isle of Man licence to provide continuous user growth and brand reach across the globe; and
- Expand our capital markets presence to increase investor awareness.
Backing this effort is a fortified balance sheet with approximately $41.3 million of cash and no debt as at our most recently reported quarter (Q3 2021), a figure several times the amount we spent to build the entire business.
We are executing against a generational opportunity, and our vision is clear:
- Become the leader in next-gen sports betting and entertainment globally.
- Have the most engaged brand and portfolio of IP (games, content, creators, and more) that is revered and trusted.
We expect that success on these key priorities will make Rivalry transportable into new categories beyond betting. Why? Because we have a loyal user base and a foundation of trust with under 30’s in a regulated framework, fully KYC’d, with funded wallets, who are deeply engaged in our universe.
Rivalry was born through the mutual passion we share with our target audience: gaming and internet culture. At approximately 40% of the global population4, Gen Z and young Millennials, my generation and much of the team represent the largest generational cohort in history. We grew up interfaced with the internet, and view gaming as the sport of the internet. Through that lens, we have shaped Rivalry as a brand that is deeply woven into the fabric of this emerging internet culture that is reshaping multiple consumer industries, in addition to sports betting.
I’m confident Rivalry as a company, and a collection of talented individuals understands better than any of our peers how to navigate and participate in this culture. It is an inevitable generational tidal wave that we are focusing all our efforts on acquiring, retaining, and entertaining.
The growth and market leadership advantages we have created are a product of our disciplined execution on hundreds of large and small details that we deliver as a simple and cohesive user experience. This is how we are building brand equity with long-term sustainable value.
We measure our success on these efforts in revenue growth and margin expansion, healthy customer acquisition metrics, profitable unit economics, and deepening brand engagement.
In 2022 we are committed to expanding our brand leadership not just in next-gen sports betting globally, but in entertainment in this rapidly evolving internet culture that we are part of. It’s my belief that this intersection we live in, and the demographic we are serving, represents one of the biggest opportunities of the coming decade.
I have complete conviction in our team and strategy, which is now underpinned by the strongest balance sheet we have had since the founding. We will continue to deliver, and 2022 will demonstrate to the market what kind of pace we are capable of.
I wish everyone a successful and healthy year.
Steven Salz
Co-Founder & CEO
Rivalry Corp.
________________________
1 Source: Twitonomy, Social Blade, Rival IQ
2 The Company defines “Betting Handle” or “Handle” as the total dollar value accepted in wagers, adjusted for cancellations and corrections.
3 Source: Multiple EU public sportsbook filings
4 Source: United Nations
Canada
mkodo Joins the Canadian Gaming Association in its Commitment to Supporting the Regulated Canadian Gaming Market
mkodo, the leading provider of mobile apps, websites, front-end UX and geolocation technology to the Canadian lotteries, including OLG, BCLC, WCLC, ALC and AGLC for over 13 years, is proud to announce its recent membership to the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA). This strategic partnership demonstrates mkodo’s commitment to supporting and enhancing the digital experience within Canada’s dynamic regulated iGaming sector.
As a member of the CGA, mkodo will collaborate with other industry leaders to drive innovation, advocate for responsible gaming practices, and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of lottery, betting and gaming, both land-based and online, across the Canadian provinces.
Joining the CGA highlights mkodo’s dedication to delivering high-quality, secure, and user-friendly products and services that meet the changing needs of iGaming operators and their players, including their geolocation compliance service, GeoLocs, that is used by lottery operators across Canada, including OLG and WCLC, along with iGaming operators and platforms in Ontario including White Hat Gaming,, Casino Time and Betty.
Stuart Godfree, Managing Director of mkodo, said of the new partnership: “We are thrilled to join the Canadian Gaming Association, an organisation that plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the regulated gaming industry in Canada. This membership aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional user experiences in iGaming and Lottery and reinforces our commitment to supporting responsible gaming initiatives within Canada. We look forward to collaborating with CGA members to drive forward the industry’s standards and innovation.”
Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, welcomed mkodo to the association, saying: “We are delighted to have mkodo join our membership. Their expertise as the leading mobile apps and geolocation supplier to Crown Corporations Lotteries will be a valuable addition to our community.”
GeoLocs by mkodo, proven and trusted provider of geolocation services built exclusively for the iGaming industry, is excited to announce its partnership with casino operator, Casino Time. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in delivering secure and seamless online gaming experiences to Casino Time players in Ontario.
With the legalisation of iGaming in Ontario 2 years ago, regulatory compliance and player safety are top priorities for operators across North America. GeoLocs state-of-the-art geolocation compliance technology, coupled with its dedication to data protection (as seen by the recent ISO certification), provide Casino Time with guaranteed compliance while prioritising player privacy.
Through GeoLocs’ intuitive and easy-to-implement SDK and the highly self-serviceable GeoLocs platform, Casino Time provides its players with a seamless user experience, requiring no additional downloads, resulting in uninterrupted access to their favourite games while maintaining compliance with Ontario’s iGaming regulations.
Jeffrey Holmes, COO at Casino Time said: “Casino Time’s mission is to create the best possible gaming experience for its users and partnering with GeoLocs for our geolocation verification service means that we can provide our players with an online casino experience like no other. An experience that is secure and seamless, whilst also remaining compliant with regulations set out by the province of Ontario. The support provided by the team at GeoLocs has been incredible and their knowledge of geolocation and the Ontario market is second to none. With GeoLocs, we can ensure that our operations meet regulatory requirements while delivering a frictionless experience for our players.”
Stuart Godfree, Managing Director at mkodo, said: “We are excited to partner with Casino Time to support their expansion into the Ontario iGaming market. GeoLocs is designed to prioritise data protection and regulatory compliance while delivering a seamless experience for both operators and players. With GeoLocs technology, Casino Time can operate with confidence, knowing that they are meeting regulatory standards and providing their players with a safe and secure gaming environment.”
The partnership between GeoLocs and Casino Time demonstrates a shared commitment to excellence, compliance, and player experience in the iGaming industry. By leveraging GeoLocs’ advanced geolocation technology, Casino Time aims to enhance its position as a leading provider of online gaming experiences in Ontario.
Canada
Great Canadian Entertainment and Petroglyph Development Group Announce Historic Transaction of Casino Nanaimo
Great Canadian Entertainment, Canada’s leading gaming and hospitality company, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its landmark Vancouver Island property, Casino Nanaimo, to Petroglyph Development Group Ltd (Petroglyph) in a historic transaction for both parties. Petroglyph is a wholly owned corporation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation dedicated to realizing the economic potential of the Nation.
Great Canadian’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by the regulatory authorities. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the Company will provide transition services to Petroglyph for up to two years post-closing.
“We are very pleased to have executed this agreement. As the operator of Casino Nanaimo since its inception in 1986, we believe that under Petroglyph’s steady management, this transaction will provide Casino Nanaimo, its guests and team members with an exciting new chapter. We look forward to the closing and then working with the Petroglyph team during the transition period to ensure an outstanding outcome for all parties,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
“We celebrate our partnership with Great Canadian and our entry into B.C.’s casino industry. We are committed to bringing Snuneymuxw’s local expertise to an established tradition of outstanding guest service and meaningful community contributions. Honouring the decades of work by past Snuneymuxw Chiefs and Councils, we look forward to closing the definitive agreement and realizing our collective vision with the Great Canadian team. This collaboration promises to bring significant benefits and substantial economic growth to our Nation and the local community,” said Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse.
Erralyn Joseph, President of Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), said: “The Snuneymuxw group of companies are profoundly honoured to support Snuneymuxw economic growth in significant and meaningful ways. In addition to our pending acquisition of the business, we are honoured to announce the return of the associated land once closing is completed, a part of the Snuneymuxw xwsol’lexwel village. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to share this news and remain committed to advancing the region’s economic growth in support of all its residents.”
Ian Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of PDG, said: “Acquiring this significant asset will unlock unprecedented economic potential for Snuneymuxw and PDG, paving the way for transformative growth in Snuneymuxw’s economy and the profits that PDG returns to our Nation.”
McMillan is serving as legal counsel to Great Canadian. McCarthy Tétrault is acting as legal counsel and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Petroglyph.
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