Latest News

Aspire Global: Interim Report Third Quarter 2021

Published

2 years ago

November 4, 2021

George Miller

Aspire Global: Interim Report Third Quarter 2021

Reading Time: 5 minutes

REVENUE INCREASED 46% AND EBITDA 38% IN Q3 2021

THIRD QUARTER

Revenues increased by 46.0% to €58.6 million (40.1).
EBITDA increased by 38.0 % to €9.1 million (6.6).
The EBITDA margin amounted to 15.5% (16.4%).
EBIT increased by 38.7% to €6.8 million (4.9).
Earnings after tax increased 68.1% to €6.4 million (3.8).
Earnings per share increased 62.5% to €0.13 (0.08).

NINE MONTHS

Revenues increased by 38.2% to €162.4 million (117.5).
EBITDA increased by 46.0% to €27.5 million (18.8).
The EBITDA margin increased to 16.9% (16.0%).
EBIT increased by 45.7% to €21.1 million (14.5).
Earnings after tax increased 79.0% to €19.4 million (10.8).
Earnings per share increased 77.2% to €0.39 (0.22).

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE QUARTER AND AFTER THE END OF THE QUARTER

Revenues increased 46.0% from Q3 2020 driven by strong development in all segments.
Organic growth of 39.0% from Q3 2020.
B2B revenues grew 40.5% from Q3 2020 with organic growth of 31.2%.
Strong performance in sub-segments Aggregation and Games – Pariplay and Sports – BtoBet.
Agreement to sell the B2C segment to Esports Technologies announced 1 October – closing expected by 30 November 2021 upon completion
of certain contingent terms. The total value of the transaction sums up to about €65 million. The transaction also includes a four-year platform and managed services agreement with an estimated gross value of €70 million.
Aspire Global signed a platform deal with Esports Technologies in September for its leading brand Gogawi.
Pariplay further strengthened its position in the Americas – first contract in Brazil signed and granted full supplier license in West Virginia.
Pariplay signed a deal to provide its proprietary games to Holland Casino in the newly regulated Dutch market.
First brand live with BtoBet’s sportsbook on Aspire Global’s platform. To date six brands are already live.
Two deals covering Aspire Global’s complete offering signed.

CEO COMMENTS

“WE CLEARLY EXECUTE OUR GROWTH STRATEGY TO BECOME A WORLD LEADING IGAMING SUPPLIER”

With the sale of the B2C segment, Aspire Global will become a clearly focused B2B company and even stronger and more profitable. The sale will also give us additional resources to further develop and enhance our B2B offering as well as the opportunity to explore new M&A activities. In Q3 2021, we have made key progress towards our objective of establishing strong positions in the US and Brazil. Our success in these markets will be important steps in reaching our goal to become a world leading B2B iGaming supplier.

The sale of the B2C segment – expected to take place at the end of November 2021 – will have a significant positive impact on Aspire Global’s position as a focused B2B company and profitability. Excluding the B2C segment, revenues increased by 36.1% to €118.9 million and EBITDA increased by 54.1% to €22.7 million in the first nine months 2021 with an EBITDA margin of 19.1%. B2B organic growth in the nine-month period amounted to 27.1%.

We initiated the review of our B2C segment in March this year, and on October 1 we announced the agreement with US-based Esports Technologies to acquire the B2C segment. The consideration sums up to about €65 million, consisting of €50 million in cash, €10 million in a promissory note and €5 million in common stock in the listed entity of Esports Technologies. The transaction also includes a four-year platform and managed services agreement with an estimated gross value of €70 million, based on present volumes. The transaction is expected to close by November 30, 2021, pending Esports Technologies receipt of financing, and other closing requirements.

A TRANSFORMATIVE, STRATEGIC MOVE

The divestment of the B2C segment is a transformative, strategic move for Aspire Global. First of all, the change in business mix will affect the revenue so that it will consist only of B2B revenues and, at the same time, the share of managed services will increase. The divestment will also provide Aspire Global with additional resources to further develop the technology platform as well as its offering in casino, sports and managed services. The managed services part of our business is essential to us, not only because it is recurring, but also because it will secure our continued deep knowledge about player behaviour. Furthermore, we expect that Aspire Global will have other peers as a focused B2B company and that investors will find it easier to value the company.

Following the divestment, we will also look into M&A possibilities with the aim to control even more of the value chain. Our successful acquisitions of Pariplay in 2019 and BtoBet in 2020 are proof of our ability to identify and integrate companies that complement our offering in the value chain. In the first nine months of 2021, Pariplay has grown by 79.4% to €21.7 million with an EBITDA margin of 27.9%. BtoBet has also demonstrated strong growth of 68.7% to €7.8 million in the nine-month period with an EBITDA margin of 23.1%.

KEY PROGRESS IN THE US AND BRAZIL

The B2C divestment also provides us with increasing opportunities to continue to invest in establishing a considerable position in above all the big and quickly growing Brazilian and US markets. In Q3 2021, we have made key progress in the US and Brazil. Pariplay signed a deal with FansUnite Entertainment, entailing that Aspire Global enters the Brazilian market for the first time. FansUnite is a Canadian sports and entertainment company, and Pariplay will supply its wide portfolio of proprietary and third-party content, via its Fusion™ aggregation platform, to FansUnite’s B2C brands and B2B solutions in Europe and Americas and thereby allows Pariplay to enter Brazil for the first time.

Pariplay also further strengthened its position in Latin America by a deal with the world-famous land-based and online games provider Ainsworth Game Technology. The deal will see Ainsworth partnering exclusively with Pariplay for all new online releases in Latin America, with making its titles available to players through Pariplay’s Fusion™ aggregation platform.

Pariplay reached another milestone in its US expansion strategy during Q3 2021 after being granted a full iGaming Supplier License in West Virginia. Pariplay made its debut in the fast-growing US market when its content went live in New Jersey in February 2021 and Pariplay has applied for licenses in several states.

DEEPER ESPORTS RELATIONSHIPS

We are also proud and happy with the relationship we have established with Esports Technologies. Esports Technologies is a leading global operator and provider of products and marketing solutions in the quickly growing esports market. Beside the B2C deal, we also signed a strategic license agreement with Esports Technologies in Q3 2021. As part of the deal, Esports Technologies will launch its esports/sportsbook Gogawi.com in certain key markets on our platform and intends to launch an additional brand on the platform in the future. In addition, we will make the Esports Technologies proprietary esports feed available to our partners around the world.

Esports Technologies are at a rapid growth phase and aim to become the world’s number one esports company. As part of the B2C agreement, Karamba and our other B2C brands will join our B2B network, and will become one of our biggest B2B partners. I’m sure that the experience and excellence of our B2C team, together with the ambition and investment of Esports Technologies, will take the brands to new heights.

PROFITABLE GROWTH IN REGULATED MARKETS

In the quarter, Germany introduced a new regulation with higher gaming duties. Despite this regulatory change, the EBITDA margin in the B2B segment increased to 18.7% from 18.0% in Q3 2020. This clearly demonstrates Aspire Global’s ability to manage a profitable operation in regulated markets.

In October, the Netherlands opened for online gaming and Pariplay just a few days ago announced a deal to supply its proprietary games to Holland Casino. Holland Casino has a leading presence within the new regulated digital ecosystem in the Netherlands.

OUTLOOK

Aspire Global has consistently demonstrated its ability to execute its growth strategy, reaching its financial targets and create value. We see great growth opportunities by expanding with existing partners, gaining new partners and entering new markets. With the divestment of the B2C segment we will further enhance investments in our technology and product offering as well as geographic presence with focus on Brazil and the US. We will also put even more energy on increasing the M&A pipeline. We clearly execute our growth strategy to become a world leading iGaming supplier.

Tsachi Maimon, CEO.

Related Topics:Aspire Global Aspire Global CEO Tsachi Maimon

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Everything you need to know ahead of ESL Pro League Season 19

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The ESL Pro League (EPL) returns to St. Julian’s, Malta, for Season 19 on April 23 – May 12, 2024. The world’s biggest Counter-Strike league will see teams from around the world arrive on-site for three weeks of non-stop action, and only one team will emerge victorious as Champions.

Here is all you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 19

The 19th Season of the ESL Pro League will see the 32 best Counter-Strike teams compete for a total prize pool of $750,000, a win in the race to secure Intel® Grand Slam V, and a spot at IEM Cologne 2024. Commencing on April 23, contenders from around the globe will face off in Malta for a spot in the Playoffs. There, the six best teams will compete live in front of an intimate live audience at the InterContinental Malta on May 10 – 12, 2024.

Starting with the upcoming season, EPL will see some improvements to its schedule. While the number of teams and the tournament structure remain the same compared to recent seasons, the duration of the tournament has been adjusted to three weeks instead of five. To accommodate this change, two groups will be played simultaneously during the Group Stage, resulting in a more intense story for fans to follow.

Schedule and Format

Group Stage (April 23 – May 5):

Four groups of eight teams will compete in separate triple-elimination brackets
- All matches are best-of-three
The top four teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs
- Group Stage winners advance to the Quarterfinals
- The Group Stage runner-ups advance to the Round of 12
- The Group Stage third and fourth-place teams advance to the Round of 16

Playoffs (May 7 – 12):

The top sixteen teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket
- All matches will be best-of-three, excluding the Grand Final which will be best-of-five
- The third and fourth Quarterfinals, as well as both Semifinals and the Grand Final will be played out live on stage in front of an audience

Teams Attending

Astralis (Partner Team)
BIG (Partner Team)
Complexity (Partner Team)
ENCE (Partner Team)
FaZe Clan (Partner Team)
Fnatic (Partner Team)
FURIA (Partner Team)
G2 Esports (Partner Team)
HEROIC (Partner Team)
MOUZ (Partner Team)
Natus Vincere (Partner Team)
Ninjas in Pyjamas (Partner Team)
Team Liquid (Partner Team)
Team Vitality (Partner Team)
Monte (ESL Challenger Jönköping winner)
Virtus.pro (ESL Challenger Atlanta winner)
SAW (ESL World Ranking)
Team Falcons (ESL World Ranking)
GamerLegion (ESL World Ranking)
BetBoom Team (ESL World Ranking)
Eternal Fire (ESL World Ranking)
3DMAX (ECL S46 Europe winner)
FORZE (ECL S46 Europe runner-up)
M80 (ECL S46 North America winner)
BOSS (ECL S46 North America runner-up)
The MongolZ (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific winner)
TYLOO (ECL S46 Asia-Pacific runner-up)
Imperial Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
Sharks Esports (South American Qualifier winners)
Pera Esports (European Conference winner)
Bad News Kangaroos (Oceanic Qualifier winner)
FlyQuest (ANZ Champs winner)

Prize Money (USD)

TOTAL	$750,000
1st	$170,000
2nd	$80,000
3rd-4th	$45,000
5th-8th	$32,000
9th-12th	$23,500
13th-16th	$17,500
17th-20th	$12,000
21st-28th	$7,000
29th-32nd	$3,500

Broadcast Talent

Hosts
- “Tres “stunna” Saranthus
- Freya “Freya” Spiers
A Stream
- Jason “moses” O’Toole
- Janko “YNk” Paunović
- Mathieu “Maniac” Quiquerez
- Harry “Harry” Russell
- Hugo “Hugo” Byron
- Henry “Henry” Greer
- Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
- Alex “Machine” Richardson
B Stream
- Neo “Ne0kai” Caine
- Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers
- Lucy “LucyLuce” Eastwood
- Brandon “BDog” Rawlings
- Travis “Trav” Landaw Mott

Where to Watch

The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, ESL FACEIT Group’s premier esports viewing platform created by esports fans for esports fans and open for all.

Featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch their favorite player’s perspective directly next to the main event stream, a live chat, a kill cam, live-generated replays of key moments, a sound mixer, a rewards program, and more, FACEIT Watch revolutionises esports streaming by putting fans in control of their viewing experience.

Fans can also watch the action on the ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand for free via YouTube.

For more information about ESL Pro League Season 19, and the latest updates on the event, please visit the official website, and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Latest News

New Market Alert! Hacksaw Gaming Touch Down in Portugal with Solverde.pt

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Another incredible new market launch for Hacksaw Gaming, this time we’re taking a trip to Portugal with Solverde.pt. Exclusively showcasing our content until the 30th of April, this new partnership looks to be one with an exciting journey ahead.

Fan favourites Wanted Dead or a Wild, 2 Wild 2 Die, R.I.P City, Le Bandit and many more are now featured on the Hacksaw exclusive section of the Solverde.pt platform. At long last, Portuguese players can now immerse themselves in the Hacksaw experience, exploring a large catalogue of our games that demonstrate our creative mechanics and stunning visuals.

“Hacksaw has been a top request from Portuguese casino players and we always aim to know the market preferences and deliver what the customers want” says Américo Loureiro, Solverde.pt Director “We’re very proud to bring this groundbreaking studio to Portugal for the first time and have no doubt it will be a success”

Part of Solverde Group, which boasts more than 50 years of history, Solverde.pt was launched in 2017.

They strive to offer the widest casino portfolio in Portugal, prioritising all the fun of casino games with the top quality and safety that SolverdePT users have come to know them for.

Marcus Cordes, Hacksaw Gaming CEO is certain that Hacksaw enthusiasts in Portugal will be ecstatic with this new launch – “Being able to bring yet another growing market our games is what drives us forward! Saúde to a promising future partnership and to the teams who made this happen.”

With this latest launch marking our third new market entry in the past month alone, Hacksaw Gaming’s quest to introduce our collection to players worldwide is rapidly becoming reality. Are we setting the tone for even more groundbreaking ventures in the months ahead? Stay tuned, as we’re on a mission to grow our Hacksaw Community far and wide.

Latest News

What Types of Resources Help You Find New Online Casinos?

Published

16 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Wladimir P.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As online betting and gambling are increasingly getting popular, more and more gambling portals and online casinos are sprouting up every day on the internet. With so many mobile applications and websites offering lucrative options, it can be quite overwhelming and confusing to find new online casinos which are both legitimate and safe. So, how do you make a decision?

This list of resources will help you clear out that confusion and help you analyse your choices more carefully and choose the right new online gambling site for yourself.

Read Reviews on Reputable Review Sites

Online review websites are one of the most reliable sources to ascertain how good a new online gambling site is. With the drastic increase in the number of online gambling portals and casinos, these review sites have become a frequent visit for many gambling enthusiasts. Such websites usually provide comprehensive reviews of different online casinos along with important information about their games, bonuses, payment methods, and customer support.

One pro tip is to look for reviews from industry experts and popular players to ensure you get a credible report and make a more informed decision accordingly.

Check for Proper Licensing

One of the most critical things before signing up for a new online gambling site is to check its legitimacy and licensing. On the portal, make sure to look for a valid license registered under a proper jurisdiction.

This will ensure that the company is a legally registered operation and that your personal and financial data is safe and secure.

Refer to News Websites and Blogs

Another credible way to find good new online casinos is to look through news websites and blogs that specifically talk about the gambling industry. These sites often publish dedicated articles about the latest trends and developments in the industry, including new site launches and promotions.

Often including reviews from experts, articles and blogs on these platforms is a good way to judge a new online gambling site and make your decision. That’s why it is advisable to keep an eye on such portals and stay updated and informed.

Join Online Forums and Communities

I believe that no one can give a better review of an online gambling website other than someone who has been on the portal and played the game themselves. While there are multiple such forums dedicated to the online gambling industry, some online casinos have their own forums dedicated to their players.

Being on these forums and communities is a good way to get in touch with industry experts and experienced players and personally get their reviews and recommendations on online casinos. You can also learn about new casinos, discuss different aspects of online gambling, and connect with other players who share your interests.

Check Social Media Platforms

It’s 2024 and no community is bigger than social media! Be it Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat or even Reddit, almost every individual and business is present over there including online gambling companies. With the easiest access to a very large number of people, online casinos have to maintain their presence and stay active on these platforms.

That’s why many online casinos have social media accounts across many of these platforms where they regularly post updates about their latest games, promotions, and other news. Thus, social media is one of the best ways to search for new online casinos. In fact, by following these casinos on social media, you can stay updated about their offerings and be among the first to know about any new developments.

Consider Bonuses and Promotions

A lot of new online casinos offer generous bonuses and promotional schemes like welcome bonuses, free spins, no or low deposits, etc., to attract new players. If you ask me, I prefer playing on a portal that asks for the lowest deposits.

For this, I look for a list of low-deposit online casinos and research their bonuses and promotions to make sure they are lofty and worth my time. Do the same while picking out your online gambling website and chances are that you’ll start with a great deal.

Choosing a new gambling site from a pool of hundreds and thousands of casinos can be daunting, especially for beginners. However, using the right resources like review portals, online communities, blogs, etc., can help you indulge in a proper research process. On the other hand, using smart techniques like checking for licenses and promotional offers offered by the company can make the decision-making even smoother.

But at the end of the day, I believe that finding the right new gambling website really depends on how well-informed you are about the industry. Always make sure to stay updated and informed about whatever is happening in the industry and you’ll automatically find it easier to pick your new gambling website.