eSports
Luckbox closes oversubscribed $5.0M CAD financing ahead of TSXV listing
Leading esports betting company, Esports Limited confirmed its oversubscribed financing closed at $5.0M CAD ahead of an anticipated TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) listing.
The Company, which provides real-money wagering on competitive video game tournaments to customers in more than 100 countries, anticipates receiving TSXV approval for listing by the fall.
The financing, via a brokered and non-brokered sale of subscription receipts, was closed in connection with a proposed go-public business combination with Elephant Hill Capital Inc.(TSXV:EH.P) (“Elephant Hill”) as capital pool company (CPC) listed on the TSXV, was upsized from the base financing of $2M CAD, despite being conducted during the COVID-enforced lockdown. The subscription receipts sold in the financing will be automatically exchanged for securities in Elephant Hill upon the closing of the proposed go-public business combination with Elephant Hill, which transaction will be the “qualifying transaction” for Elephant Hill pursuant to the policies of the TSXV. Upon the closing of the proposed go-public business combination with Elephant Hill, Elephant Hill will remain listed and all of the security holders of the Company (including those holding subscription receipts sold in the financing) will be exchanged for securities in Elephant Hill, which will retain its listing on the TSXV and will result in the Company being a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elephant Hill.
Among the investors is MLS goalkeeper Luis Robles, who plays for Inter Miami, the franchise co-owned by former Manchester United and Real Madrid star David Beckham.
The brokered portion of the subscription receipt financing was co-led by Gravitas Securities Inc. and Beacon Securities Ltd., along with a syndicate group consisting of Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., Haywood Securities Inc. and Eight Capital Corp.
The esports betting industry has been among those apparently resilient to the economic damage inflicted by the Coronavirus pandemic, with the Company reporting a 500% increase in betting volume and a 10-fold increase in the number of deposits compared with November 2019.
The Company is now recruiting for five key positions, including a senior marketing role, as it aims to maintain the momentum from a very strong first half of 2020. The Company’s growth plans include rapidly scaling up its global marketing campaign, the acquisition of additional gaming licenses to allow access to additional markets, and the acquisition of an odds provider to be able to offer an unparalleled B2B solution.
In an update to shareholders, the Company’s CEO Quentin Martin said: “The management team and board of directors have been working hard to prepare for the public listing. We have enjoyed positive discussions with the TSXV, completed the Business Plan required for filing, draft financials are complete, with final audit sign-off expected by end of July. Ultimately, we anticipate receiving TSXV listing approval by early October 2020.
“Our management team believes that the esports betting market will continue to grow and that the Company is one of the bookmakers that will be leading the way globally.
“In summary, Luckbox is pleased to have completed a $5.0M financing in connection with its go-public transaction by way of a business combination with Elephant Hill during a challenging period while successfully meeting its Q1 and Q2 roadmap targets which included adding additional languages, user acquisition partners and additional esports titles. We have made tremendous progress in 2020 and look forward to becoming only the second listed dedicated esports betting company on a public exchange.”
Asia
Red Bull, Nissin Cup Noodles, and Kreo Join College Rivals Season 2 as Associate Sponsors
India’s premier college esports and gaming talent hunt, College Rivals, has secured three major Associate Sponsors for its highly anticipated Season 2. Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo have all come on board to support the Ampverse DMI-conducted event, each contributing their distinct energy and enthusiasm, as the official Energy Partner, Snacking Partner, and Kreative Partner, respectively.
College Rivals Season 2, featuring participation from over 2,00,000 students across various competitions, offers a prize pool of INR 50,00,000 and a prestigious professional gaming contract. Having kicked off in July 2024, the championship will continue in the following months before culminating with a Grand Finale scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
“We’re thrilled to welcome top brands like Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo to College Rivals Season 2, which has grown exponentially this time around and is bigger and better than ever. These incredible partners will further enhance the student experience with immersive gaming, exciting activities, and creative engagements, adding new energy and thrill as we continue to inspire college-going students to engage with esports and gaming opportunities,” said Ashwin Haryani, Country Head, Ampverse DMI.
Red Bull, returning to College Rivals after a successful first season, brings extra excitement with their racing simulators and product samples in interactive zones, giving students a taste of the fast-paced energy of Esports. Nissin Cup Noodles, the event’s Snacking Partner, is bringing a flavorful twist to the action. With wet product sampling of their instant noodles, Nissin Cup Noodles seamlessly blends snack breaks with gaming.
Meanwhile, with their branded gaming peripherals, Kreative Partner Kreo is hosting interactive activities such as typing tests and giveaways, inviting students to engage with top-tier gaming gear at the country’s biggest collegiate gaming event.
“We’re absolutely fired up to be part of College Rivals Season 2! The energy is electric, with thousands of students from all over the country bringing their A-game. The fast-paced action, intense competition, and pure thrill of gaming make this event a perfect match for Nissin Cup Noodles which is the go-to snacking option for gamers” said Varun Oberoi – Vice President, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Indo Nissin Foods.
Having expanded to 20+ cities and 58+ colleges, College Rivals Season 2 is engaging 11,00,000 students across India, providing the ideal stage to connect with brands that resonate with them. Nissin Cup Noodles satisfies with its instant snacks, Red Bull keeps the energy high with its action-packed drinks, and Kreo connects creative minds with top-tier gaming gear.
eSports
IESF and ITTI Open Applications for Scholarships in Esports Management
The International Esports Federation (IESF) and the International Institute of Technology and Innovation (ITTI) are thrilled to announce the launch of the IESF x ITTI Scholarships, an initiative designed to empower the next generation of Esports leaders. This scholarship program brings together the industry’s best resources to select young talent ready to make their mark in Esports management and gaming.
Four scholarships are available for promising students who will join ITTI’s Master’s in Esports Management and Gaming program. This scholarship opportunity opens on November 4, 2024, and closes on November 20, 2024. The project is also part of IESF and Busan City’s World Esports R&D Center Program, supporting education and development in the Esports industry.
Scholarship Allocation:
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One student who is a Resident of Busan, aged 18 – 24.
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Three international students, aged 18-24.
How to Apply:
Open to applicants aged 18 to 24, the program invites candidates to submit a completed application form and an introduction video addressing specific questions about their goals, interests, and vision for Esports. With support from NASEF, IESF’s educational partner, the selection committee will evaluate each applicant’s creativity, dedication to Esports, and unique ideas to shape the industry.
Applicants can access the Application Form and should complete both the form and video submission by the deadline.
The IESF x ITTI Scholarships offer a great path into Esports management, and recipients will gain access to ITTI’s advanced curriculum designed to equip students for impactful roles in Esports. We invite all eligible young enthusiasts to apply and join this exciting journey with us. Let’s help shape the future of Esports!
eSports
SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Doubles Esports Turnover in Q3 2024
1 November 2024 – Esports has experienced explosive growth in Q3 2024, doubling turnover compared to the previous quarter. The average bet on cybersports increased by 17.6% quarter-on-quarter. SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of experience providing innovative iGaming solutions, shares the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Q3 2024 report.
The top five sports by Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) remain consistent: Football, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis, and eFootball. For the second consecutive quarter, eFootball has outperformed Counter-Strike 2, indicating a shifting interest within the esports sector. Nevertheless, football continues to dominate, contributing nearly half of the total GGR.
The average live bet grew by 10% quarter-on-quarter, a positive development for operators as live bets hold 78.6% of turnover. The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team is actively enhancing the live betting experience, aiming to capitalise on this trend and provide operators with even greater revenue opportunities.
The average bet grew by 9.7% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2024, and the number of bets increased by 18.7%. GGR saw a modest growth of 1.5% quarter-on-quarter.
Despite the large number of projects launched for the UEFA Euro 2024, month-on-month statistics show that with the right promotional strategies, projects continue to operate successfully even after such massive events.
Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, adds: “Aligning a launch with a major sporting event can be a successful strategy, but football is not the only sport that can be leveraged in this way. The growth of cybersports presents new opportunities; for specialised projects targeting specific audiences, esports events can also serve as an effective starting point.
We continuously focus on product growth and development, enhancing features and user experience to drive further engagement and profitability for our partners.”
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is expanding its global presence. The product team is on track to secure certification in Brazil, conducted by an authorised testing laboratory. Furthermore, for the South African market, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook has recently integrated a Horse Racing Module. This addition offers operators new business opportunities by covering over 2,400 international and local races monthly. The solution engages players with race cards, silks, and multiple bet types while providing operators unique skins and configurations to align with various brand identities.
The SOFTSWISS team is working on The iGaming Trends Report 2025, which offers a deep dive into key industry developments based on over 50,000 media headlines and insights from industry experts. Covering areas like regulation, marketing, technology, and business growth, this report provides a data-driven perspective on the trends shaping the upcoming year. The SOFTSWISS team shares the possibility of joining the waiting list.
All SOFTSWISS products will be showcased at the final major industry event, SiGMA Europe, at stand 2145.
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