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Azerion successfully completes its business combination with EFIC1

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Azerion Holding B.V., a high-growth, profitable, digital entertainment and media company,  and European FinTech IPO Company 1 B.V. (“EFIC1”), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC)  listed on Euronext Amsterdam, have successfully completed their business combination on  1 February 2022.

As part of the completion of the business combination, the legal form of the combined company has  been converted into a limited company (naamloze vennootschap) and it has been renamed Azerion  Group N.V. (“Azerion Group”). The first day of trading on Euronext Amsterdam under the new name  of Azerion Group’s shares and warrants will be on 2 February 2022 (today) under the new ticker  symbols AZRN and AZRNW, respectively.

The business combination received the support of EFIC1’s shareholders, with more than 95% of the  votes cast at EFIC1’s extraordinary general meeting held on 31 January 2022 (the “EGM”) approving  the business combination.

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The completion of the business combination supports Azerion Group in its ambitions to become a global  digital entertainment and media powerhouse. The business combination furthermore provides for a  strong complementary partnership accelerating future value creation for all stakeholders through  continued investments in Azerion Group’s growth, both organically and through M&A. Azerion Group  expects this listing to create a new long-term supportive shareholder base, permit Azerion Group to  incentivise the existing and future management team and senior staff and continue to attract high calibre  individuals.

The business combination resulted in approximately €93 million of gross total primary cash proceeds,  including approximately €70 million of funds from the EFIC1 escrow account (net of negative interest  and after effectuation of the share repurchase arrangement) complemented by a sponsor and co investor commitment of €23.15 million. With the completion of the business combination, Azerion Group  received approximately €56 million of net primary cash proceeds (net of transaction costs and  expenses), which will be used to continue to pursue value-accretive acquisitions (with Azerion having  a strong acquisition track record and a broad pipeline of potential targets), and to further invest in  organic growth initiatives (such as new games and features, platform investments, etc.) as well as  general corporate purposes.

Immediately after completion of the business combination and the related restructuring steps (including  the cancellation of 31,228,299 ordinary shares that were repurchased by EFIC1 from its shareholders),  the issued share capital of Azerion Group is as follows:

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Type of security #¹

Ordinary Shares (excl. treasury) 111,483,296

Ordinary Shares in treasury² 70,078,452

Total Ordinary Shares 181,561,748

Capital Shares 22

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Conditional Special Shares 1,152,886

Warrants³ 12,736,605

Please see section 6.4. “Description of Securities” in the EFIC1 Shareholders Circular dated 13 December 2021  for a description of the classes of securities of Azerion Group.

1. Excluding any conditional and unconditional option rights and Founder Warrants existing at the date of this press  release, which in aggregate entitle the holders to receive up to a maximum of 24,160,245 Ordinary Shares. 2. The Ordinary Shares in treasury can be used for acquisitions, exercise of warrants and option rights and other  general funding purposes.

3. The outstanding Warrants listed on Euronext Amsterdam at the date of this press release entitle the holders to  receive up to 12,736,605 Ordinary Shares.

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Immediately after completion of the business combination, the ownership percentages of Ordinary  Shares are as follows:

Shareholder % Ordinary Shares⁴

Principion Holding B.V.⁵ 74.3%⁶

Azerion former depositary receipt holders 7.5%

Azerion former stock appreciation rights holders 4.0%⁷

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Former EFIC1 converted special shares holders 5.9%

Other Shareholders 8.3%

Total 100.0%

Based on Azerion Group’s information. Actual share ownership percentages and regulatory filings and notifications  of ownership percentages may differ.

4. Excluding treasury shares as well as any conditional and unconditional option rights and Founder Warrants  existing at the date of this press release, which in aggregate entitle the holders to receive up to a maximum of  24,160,245 Ordinary Shares.

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5. An entity controlled by Azerion’s co-founders and co-CEOs.

6. Including shares held for settlement of future acquisition-related earn out and other obligations. 7. Excluding shares held for settlement of future acquisition-related earn out and other obligations.

Atilla Aytekin, co-founder and co-CEO of Azerion says: “Today marks an important step for Azerion,  and we are excited to finally enter the public markets and continue to grow and advance our platform  whilst raising our profile amongst our customer and partner groups and talented workforce globally. We  are proud to achieve this important milestone, and we look forward to our next growth phase and future

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as a public company. I am grateful to the entire Azerion team for all their hard work, which has brought  us to this pivotal moment, and for the dedicated support of our partner EFIC1.”

Martin Blessing, former Chief Executive Officer of EFIC1, adds: “The journey of our SPAC EFIC1 comes  to a successful end while the exciting journey of Azerion as a listed company starts now. The whole  EFIC1 team thanks its shareholders for their support. We look forward to continuing our partnership  with Azerion over the long term and wish the company, its founders, employees and shareholders  success as they continue their impressive growth story.”

To celebrate the completion of the business combination, the management team of Azerion Group will  ring the opening bell at Euronext Amsterdam at 09.00 CET on 2 February 2022. A live stream of the  event and replay can be accessed via this link.

Advisers

Credit Suisse Bank (Europe), S.A. acted as capital markets adviser, Hogan Lovells International LLP  acted as legal adviser and ABN AMRO Bank N.V acted as financial adviser to EFIC1.

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N.M. Rothschild & Sons Limited acted as financial adviser, Stibbe N.V. acted as legal adviser, and  Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG and Jefferies GmbH as capital markets advisers to Azerion.

ABN AMRO (acting in cooperation with ODDO BHF SCA), ING Bank N.V. and Pareto Securities AB  acted as co-capital markets advisers to EFIC1, and Clifford Chance LLP acted as legal adviser to the  capital markets advisers.

Liquidity Provider

As from 2 February 2022, Azerion Group will enter into a liquidity provider agreement pursuant to which ABN AMRO Bank N.V. will act as liquidity provider for the trade in listed shares of Azerion Group.

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10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)

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Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.

Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.

Recognizing Early Signs

“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:

Exhaustion and Irritability

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Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.

Gaming Obsession 

If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.

Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests

A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.

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Emotional Volatility

Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.

Physical Strain

Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.

Neglecting Basic Needs 

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If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.

Creating a Supportive Environment

While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.

Teamwork and Setting Boundaries

“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.

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Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.

Open Communication

Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”

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Compliance Updates

SYNOT Games Officially Certifies Over 140 Games in Brazil

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SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.

“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.

“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.

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gaming

SPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming

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The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.

The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.

Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.
The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure: 
  • Age verification to limit real money play to users 18 and older

  • Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC) 

  • Location verification of customers 

  • AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring

“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA. 
“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”
In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.  
“We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play,” said Wright.      
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