Asia
Nazara Technologies Ltd. – Business Update for the year ended on March 31, 2021
In accordance with SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulation, 2015 and Code of Practices and Procedures for Fair Disclosure of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information in terms of Regulation 8 of SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, the Company would like to update on the following key business parameters on consolidated basis for the Year ended March 31, 2021
Business Overview:
Nazara is an India based, diversified gaming and sports media platform with presence in India and across emerging and developed global markets such as Africa and North America.
As of March 31, 2021, Nazara has diverse business segments with revenue generation happening across gamified learning, Esports, freemium and telco subscription.
S. No. | Business Segment | Business Model | Content IP Ownership | IP Name | % Revenue Contribution FY21 |
1 | Early learning | Gamified App for 2–6 year old kids with subscription paid by parents | Yes | Kiddopia | 39% |
2 | Esports | Premium exclusive content / (Media rights licensing) & brand sponsorships (ads shown on the platform) | Yes | Nodwin, Sportskeeda | 37% |
3 | Freemium | Ads & virtual items purchased within the games | Yes | WCC | 4% |
4 | Telco Subscription Business | Players subscribing to curated game packs and payment collected through telecom operator channel | No | – | 16% |
5 | Skill Based Real Money Gaming | Platform fee collected from the skill games played on the platform | Yes | Halaplay, Qunami | 4% |
Income Statement Performance: Snapshot of FY21 over FY20
Key Highlight of FY21: Delivered 84% YoY revenue growth and 470% YoY EBITDA growth
Revenue Performance: Snapshot – FY21 when compared to FY20
Nazara Technologies delivered consolidated revenue of 4,542 Mn INR (unaudited) in FY21 which is 84% growth over FY20 (2,475 Mn INR). Gamified learning and Esports segments have not only demonstrated strong growth momentum in FY21 but have also laid foundation for predictable growth on account of proven user engagement and retention KPIs in gamified learning and multiyear media licensing and game publisher agreements in case of Esports.
Segment wise revenue breakup is as follows:
Revenue INR Mn | FY21
(unaudited) |
FY20 (audited) |
% Growth |
Gamified Learning | 1,758 | 191* | 820% |
Esports | 1,701 | 842* | 102% |
Freemium | 195 | 198 | (2%) |
Telco Subscription | 749 | 818 | (8%) |
Real Money Gaming | 139 | 426 | (67%) |
Total Revenue | 4,542 | 2,475 | 84% |
*included from date of acquisition in the consolidated financial statement for FY20.
Consolidated EBITDA Performance: Snapshot – FY21 when compared to FY20
EBITDA including share of non-controlling interest for FY21 has witnessed 470% growth over FY20.
Particulars | FY21 (unaudited) |
FY20
(audited) |
EBITDA margin | 12% | 4% |
As Nazara is operating in high growth business segments such as gaming, gamified learning and Esports, we will continue to drive profitable growth while prioritizing growth over profit maximization at this stage so that we can achieve and maintain market leadership in the segments we operate in.
Segment wise commentary on business performance:
- Gamified Learning: Kiddopia had 340,282 paying subscribers as of March 2021 which is a 172% increase in number of paying subscribers as compared to March 2020 (197,522).
LTV (Lifetime Value) – CAC (Consumer Acquisition Cost) Parameters: Cost per trial has stayed range bound between 22 USD to 26 USD in last 12 months and activation ratio from free trial to subscription has also remained around 70%. Monthly ARPU of the user has been around 6.3 – 6.4 USD and monthly churn is range bound between 4% – 6% across the months in FY21.
- Esports: Esports revenues comprise of media rights licensing of own content, brands sponsorships for offline and online events, licensing fee received from game publishers for community activation and programmatic inventory selling on Sportskeeda. Esports is disrupting traditional sports worldwide and is an outcome of sports and gaming intersecting to create fast paced spectator entertainment content.
- Sportskeeda witnessed 487% growth in MAU in FY21. During peak cricket season (October 2020), Sportskeeda recorded 68.44 Mn MAU up from 10.53 Mn MAU in April 2020.Sportskeeda has emerged as a leading Esports news and content destination in India.
- Nodwin continued revenue growth momentum with 75% growth in FY21 over FY20. Media rights contributed to majority of the revenues in FY21 and game publishers formed second largest source of revenue wherein Nodwin partnered with them for grass route community tournaments across India. Nodwin also expanded into South Asia in FY21. Nodwin continues to be the dominant player in Esports in India with its marquee IPs like ESL India premiership, Dew Arena etc.
- Free to Download (Freemium): WCC (World Cricket Championship) is the world’s largest cricket simulation game franchise on mobile and is played for ~46 minutes / day by over 15 Mn monthly active users. The Game has a very strong franchise among the midcore gamers who love virtual sports simulation genre and gets over 100,000 downloads every day organically and without any marketing spends. WCC revenues were flat in FY21 on account of drop in advertising rates in India due to COVID. We expect growth in WCC to come from in app purchases of virtual goods and WCC3 – the latest version of the game launched in July has been designed for enhancing in-app purchase conversion rates.
- Scale of Daily Active Users (DAUs) of world cricket championship (WCC) is stable with few spikes seen during first phase of lockdown in April 20 and during IPL 20.
- Tangible progress has been made on % conversion ratio (daily paying to daily active users (DPU/ DAU)) in FY21 via launch of WCC3. The % conversion in WCC3 has increased multi-fold to 0.08% – 0.10% as compared to 0.01% in WCC2. % Conversion in WCC3 is expected to increase further in FY22 through new product updates.
Once positive LTV/CAC equation is achieved, the company will invest aggressively in user acquisition to scale up its user base on WCC and drive profitable growth.
- Telecom operator driven Subscription business declined by 8% in FY21 over FY20 primarily due to decline in India revenues in H2FY21. Nazara has acquired rights to distribute a library of premium Disney and Star Wars games based on iconic stories and characters including Star Wars, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Cars, Duck Tales, Finding Dory, Toy Story and many others in 100 countries for three years. These premium games will be distributed through Nazara’s network of telecom operators to their customer base. Under this agreement with Disney, Nazara is the only third party distributor that Disney has granted the right to create and operate Disney themed storefronts for premium Disney and Star Wars games on these telco channels.
- Sports Fantasy (Real Money Skill Gaming): Sports fantasy witnessed disruption in FY21 on account of lack of live matches in first half of FY21 and regulatory turbulence triggered by legislative ordinances passed in few of the large states banning real money gaming operations. The lack of stability in the regulatory framework lead to Nazara taking strategically cautious approach in this vertical till further clarity emerges. We have therefore pivoted to a product driven growth strategy versus an aggressive customer acquisition spends led strategy and the team is focused on enhancing existing as well as bringing new product features to differentiate ourselves in this segment.
About Non-Financial GAAP measurement
We use EBITDA as supplemental financial measures. EBITDA is defined by us as net income before interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization, including share of non-controlling interest. EBITDA as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA provide no information regarding a Company’s capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures and working capital movement or tax position.
These numbers have not been subjected to audit or limited review.
Asia
Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform
In a move towards modernising India’s lottery sector, the state of Goa has introduced an entirely online lottery platform, sanctioned by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries. This initiative, known as Great Goa Games, aims to bring transparency and convenience to an industry that has long grappled with allegations of mismanagement and fraud.
Ticket sales commenced Monday, with the inaugural draw set for Sunday. Rhiti Group, led by founder Arun Pandey, was granted the license to operate and market the platform. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey stated, emphasizing the secure and user-friendly nature of the app-based system.
Goa government official Narayan Gad lauded the move as a step forward for the Indian lottery sector. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry,” Gad remarked. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations.”
This development follows new rules governing online lotteries, introduced by the Goa directorate in February 2023. Currently, 13 states in India, including Goa, allow lottery games, though others have banned them due to concerns over gambling addiction and operational irregularities.
The post Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
DigiPlus Interactive Launches “Pusta de Peligro” Campaign
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The Pusta de Peligro campaign aligns DigiPlus Interactive with the efforts of PAGCOR in promoting responsible gaming and playing with a trusted operator, demonstrating a shared commitment to keeping gaming safe and enjoyable. A three-pronged approach to prevention, education and intervention anchors the campaign’s objective to teach Filipinos how to know the risks, set limits and get the right support.
Last November 14, DigiPlus and BingoPlus Foundation held the “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo! Wais Tips for Pusta de Peligro Moments” hybrid talk show in its headquarters in front of over 200 audiences on-site and online.
The show was split into two sessions with the first one being the “Tamang Laro” episode–Teresita Cambe-Castillo, licensed psychologist, chairperson of the board of Seagulls Flock Organisation and International Gambling Certification Board member, discussed how to spot the signs of excessive gaming and provide mental health support for oneself or others.
In the afternoon, proven financial guru Armand Bengco led the conversation in the “Tamang Panalo” episode, teaching the viewers how to continue winning by knowing how to handle money, build an entertainment fund and spend responsibly.
The “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo!” hybrid talk show is proof that DigiPlus, through BingoPlus Foundation, is committed to advancing an education campaign that goes beyond reminders on responsible gaming habits, but also gives actionable, practical tips to better manage their entertainment fund through financial literacy learning sessions, and spot the signs and provide psychological first aid for excessive gaming.
“We’re committed to more than just delivering exciting digital entertainment. With Pusta de Peligro, we’re taking responsibility to help players be mindful, enjoy responsibly, and stay financially aware,” said Rafael Jasper Vicencio, Director of DigiPlus Interactive and President of AB Leisure Exponent and Total GameZone Xtreme, the operator of BingoPlus Stores and developer of its beloved games.
Celeste Jovenir, COO of BingoPlus Foundation and Vice President of DigiPlus Interactive, said: “Pusta de Peligro is just the beginning. We are committed to setting the bar as a responsible industry leader, helping Filipinos navigate gaming wisely, for truly enjoyable and rewarding experiences with us.”
The post DigiPlus Interactive Launches “Pusta de Peligro” Campaign appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
MelBet Appoints Bollywood Actress Sherlyn Chopra as its New Brand Ambassador
International iGaming company MelBet has appointed Sherlyn Chopra, one of India’s famous and glamorous actresses, as its new brand ambassador.
As a brand ambassador, Sherlyn would be involved in creating exclusive content and promoting MelBet in international markets.
Sherlyn Chopra is known for her significant success in the film and television industry. Her work, including her role in the psychological thriller, Red Swastik, made her popular in India. Sherlyn is actively involved in showbiz and continues to expand her horizons by doing popular web-series, music albums, short films, launching glamour and style apps and other creative projects.
“I am incredibly excited to become a part of the MelBet family. Sports are more than just games or competitions as they unequivocally bring people together. I am proud to contribute to its popularisation with such a reliable partner. MelBet is not just about gaming, casinos, or sports. It is about team spirit towards involvement in the games, followed by highs and lows which are inevitable in the pursuit of success and victory. MelBet is an experience that brings us closer as a community and in setting our goals and achieving them. I am looking forward to starting our collaborative journey and the opportunities that we can create and explore for our growing game lovers,” Sherlyn Chopra said.
With this appointment, Sheryln joins other leading names, who represent MelBet in India and globally. MelBet believes that with her fearless approach to pushing boundaries, she embodies the innovative spirit that MelBet values – which led to her appointment. This partnership is expected to strengthen MelBet’s connection with sports enthusiasts, gamers and those passionate about the game, opening up new opportunities for clients and helping to further expand the brand’s reach across South Asia.
The post MelBet Appoints Bollywood Actress Sherlyn Chopra as its New Brand Ambassador appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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