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Esports Entertainment Group CEO Provides Letter to Shareholders

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Esports Entertainment Group Inc., a leading, global iGaming company and business-to-business (B2B) esports content and solutions provider, provided the following letter to shareholders from the Company’s CEO, Alex Igelman, including an update on its ongoing restructuring plan aimed at driving accelerated growth and increased operational efficiency:

To my fellow shareholders,

Since joining the Company approximately three months ago, I immediately undertook a top-to-bottom review of the entire organization based on where I believe the esports and esports gambling industries are heading, and then tied this into a cohesive vision for the Company. Esports Entertainment already owns several valuable assets that it had previously acquired and, going forward, these assets should serve as the foundation for the Company’s new direction. By concentrating our efforts and streamlining the business, I am extremely confident in our ability to establish a dominant position within this high-growth industry and drive long-term profitability.

Strategic Focus

As a business-to-consumer (B2C) iGaming operator in international markets, operating under our MGA license, we plan to have a renewed focus on esports wagering through new betting content and offerings. Concurrently, the Company is implementing strategies to expand its B2C esports wagering services through its Idefix platform, and we are in the final stages of integrating the Oddin.gg iFrame solution on our platform for esports wagering. Eventually, we plan to offer an “esports-first,” Idefix-based B2B platform for sale and distribution to third parties. Through the Idefix iGaming platform and the MGA-based suite of B2C brands, together with growth opportunities in the B2B platform sector, we anticipate a unique opportunity to bridge the iGaming and esports worlds.

In the US market, we expect to direct our attention toward aggregating and supplying B2B esports solutions and content for the esports and esports gambling industries. The Company also plans to direct significant attention toward bespoke e-simulator tournaments and related e-simulator content. EEG is already well known in the esports community for its highly valuable esports venue management solution through its ggCircuit division, which has an established presence in the US and globally. Among the markets we plan to target, we believe there is a significant near-term opportunity within the education market, where there has been considerable growth across both domestic and international college and university campuses as well as K-12 schools. We also plan to enhance the existing ggCircuit software with unique features that facilitate integration with esports wagering content where it is legally permitted, and incorporate several achievable add-ons to the software, resulting in increased revenue for both clients and the Company.

Operational Efficiency

In addition to our near- and long-term growth strategies, we are divesting or closing non-core business lines to streamline our operations. In January of this year, we completed the sale of our eSports Spanish Gaming license for approximately $1.2 million. On the immediate heels of this transaction, we completed the sale of the Bethard business in February for approximately $1.7 million in cash at closing, and further eliminated debt and liabilities to the Bethard business of approximately $7.5 million. In March, we initiated the liquidation of Argyll Entertainment, an online gambling business in the UK with recurring losses.

We have also reduced headcount from 158 full-time employees at December 31, 2022, to 99 full-time employees, inclusive of planned reductions. As a result, annualized salaries are expected to decline by approximately 36% based on the actions being taken thus far. Although we incurred upfront costs related to the restructuring, over time, these initiatives are expected to lower our operating expenses by over $4.0 million on an annualized basis. In addition, we have pinpointed further opportunities for cost savings.

Balance Sheet Improvement

We have dramatically enhanced our balance sheet. Specifically, we reduced debt and other liabilities by approximately $27.1 million since December 31, 2022. The principal amount of our Senior Convertible Note was reduced by $16.3 million, from $32.2 million at December 31, 2022, to $15.9 million as of March 31, 2023. Other payables to the holder of the Senior Convertible Note were reduced by $2.5 million. Through the sale of the aforementioned Bethard business earlier this year, we eliminated approximately $7.5 million of debt and liabilities. Lastly, we terminated a lease, resulting in a $0.8 million reduction in lease liability. We appreciate the support of our senior lender and are working to convert additional debt to preferred equity, which we believe illustrates their confidence in the long-term outlook for the business.

Management Restructuring

In addition to my own appointment as CEO earlier this year, we recently promoted Michael Villani to interim CFO. Michael brings deep experience in corporate finance and capital markets and has been instrumental in the restructuring of the business and resulting cost reductions. Before joining Esports Entertainment, Michael worked as a Director in the Deal Advisory practice of KPMG supporting clients with technical accounting, buy-side and sell-side transactions, initial public offerings and SEC reporting. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer of a Geneva-based hedge fund and held other senior accounting roles at a number of public companies. Moreover, we eliminated non-core, senior leadership positions that were not aligned with the future direction of the Company.

Summary

The esports betting landscape today lacks uniformity and is often either a by-product of traditional sports betting, or something that conventional US bookmakers struggle to comprehend and integrate seamlessly into their platforms. Esports Entertainment has extremely valuable and differentiated assets, which we believe will be key to the future of this industry. We are executing on our vision with a specific focus on esports betting solutions and esports e-simulator content, targeting both the B2B and B2C markets.

I strongly believe that our achievements over a short three-month span are truly noteworthy. However, this is merely the starting point of our journey. Our team now comprises seasoned gambling executives, former regulators, and video game industry professionals, all of whom are committed to realizing this vision. We are also diversifying our sources of revenue to create a more resilient and sustainable business model. With the right leadership, direction and financial discipline, I am extremely confident we can establish Esports Entertainment as a leader in this rapidly emerging market, while unlocking value for shareholders.

We truly appreciate the support of our shareholders and look forward to providing further updates on our progress in the weeks and months ahead.

Alex Igelman

Chief Executive Officer

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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CGA – Responsible Gaming Policy

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In accordance with Article 12.1(4) of the LOK, the CGA consults with representative organizations when drafting policy. As yet no such organizations have presented themselves and, as a result, has not been designated yet, we are inviting the broader sector—including current and potential license holders—to share their views. Given the urgency and critical importance of this policy to promote responsible gaming practices and protect individuals from gambling-related harm, it is essential to proceed with finalization. This approach of broader consultation ensures that a wide range of stakeholders can contribute meaningfully. If you have feedback for the CGA to consider please respond to this email with RG Policy Feedback in the subject line on or before March 5th 2025.

 

The post CGA – Responsible Gaming Policy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Kambi selected by FDJ Group to take over the role as OLG’s multi-channel sportsbook partner, pending the satisfaction and completion of conditions

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Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the home of premium sports betting solutions, has signed a novation agreement providing for FDJ Group (“FDJ”) to assign and Kambi to assume FDJ’s contract with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (“OLG”), enabling Kambi to replace FDJ as OLG’s long-term sports betting partner, with OLG’s consent pending certain conditions.

FDJ, in line with its strategic refocus on international activities on B2C operations in the lottery, sports betting and online gaming market, has identified Kambi as its preferred assignee under FDJ’s contract with OLG. The three parties have since agreed to a contract novation process which, subject to conditions, is expected to lead to Kambi assuming the contractual responsibilities currently held by FDJ, which are due to run until 2032.

To complete the assignment/assumption of the contract, Kambi must make a material initial investment which, as a non-recurring item affecting comparability, will not form part of Kambi’s full-year 2025 operating expenditure guidance.

OLG is the Ontario government agency that conducts and manages gaming facilities and charitable gaming, the sale of province-wide lottery games, and online sports betting and gaming. OLG offers sports betting through its PROLINE brand online and at approximately 10,000 retailers, with 100% of proceeds reinvested into the province.

OLG was the sole legal provider of online sports betting and gaming in Ontario until regulation of the market in April 2022, which paved the way for approximately 50 operators to enter the province. Kambi believes the combination of OLG’s local market position, the PROLINE brand, and Kambi’s high quality sportsbook will enable OLG to further develop its market position.

The parties aim to have the novation agreement conditions satisfied as soon as possible, with Kambi’s expectation that the multi-channel migration will be completed in H2 2025.

Werner Becher, Kambi Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “The prospect of partnering with an organisation of the size and stature of OLG is an exciting one for Kambi and we are working diligently to complete the novation process with FDJ and launch later this year. Ontario has a competitive online market, but I believe a combination of OLG and Kambi will see PROLINE rightly compete with market leaders while continuing to raise the bar of its retail product.”

Mattias Frithiof
SVP Investor Relations & Sustainability
[email protected]
Mobile: +46 73-599 45 77

Chris Stutzman
Investor Relations Analyst
[email protected]
Office: +1 302 603 5137

 

The post Kambi selected by FDJ Group to take over the role as OLG’s multi-channel sportsbook partner, pending the satisfaction and completion of conditions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SharpLink Gaming Acquires 10% Equity Stake in Armchair Enterprises, Owner of CryptoCasino.com, for $500,000 Cash and Right of First Refusal to Acquire Controlling Interest

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Investment Signals SharpLink’s Strategic Expansion Into High Growth, Global Crypto Gaming Market

SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBET) (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), an online performance-based marketing company serving the U.S. sports betting and iGaming industries, today announced that the Company has acquired a 10% equity stake in U.K.-based Armchair Enterprises Limited (“Armchair”), which owns and operates CryptoCasino.com. The acquisition was made for $500,000 in cash, along with a right of first refusal to acquire a controlling interest in Armchair.

SharpLink’s investment in Armchair demonstrates its strategy to become the first Nasdaq-listed company focused on crypto gaming. Rob Phythian, Chairman and CEO of SharpLink, stated, “Over the past year, our leadership team and highly engaged Board of Directors have dedicated significant resources and time to identify the best growth opportunities for our Company. Our goal is to strategically leverage our existing performance-based marketing platform and industry relationships to achieve deeper and more lucrative penetration into the digital gaming and sports betting markets.

“Throughout this process, we carefully evaluated more than two dozen compelling opportunities and determined that the combination of market expansion, cost efficiency, security and player demand makes crypto gaming one of the most promising growth opportunities in the online gaming industry today. Furthermore, we believe that the steps we have already taken — and will continue to take — to execute a well-defined plan centered on the exponential growth of crypto gaming, positions SharpLink to become a future leader in this space. We aim to deliver strong, positive cash flow and sustainable long-term value for our stockholders.”

Launched in October 2024, CryptoCasino.com is an innovative online gaming platform that partners with some of the world’s leading gaming studios. It utilizes blockchain technology to provide users with a secure, transparent and engaging next-generation gaming experience. The platform plans to offer over 6,000 online slots and table games, a live dealer casino, a premium sportsbook, an eSports betting hub and a racebook, among other features. CryptoCasino.com accepts a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and more, catering to various user preferences globally while ensuring enhanced security, transparency and anonymity for players.

CryptoCasino.com offers both traditional registration and Web3 connectivity. By connecting instantly with wallets like MetaMask and Trust Wallet, players can easily deposit and withdraw funds within seconds. In addition, CryptoCasino.com serves over one billion unique Telegram users by providing a Telegram Casino integration, which allows anyone to join and start playing with just one click.

The global crypto gaming market is expected to grow significantly, fueled by the increasing adoption of blockchain technology and the rising demand for decentralized gaming platforms. A report by Fortune Business Insights predicts that the online gambling market will reach $158.20 billion by 2028, with blockchain-based gaming experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% from 2023 to 2028. Particularly, crypto casinos are gaining popularity due to their enhanced security, privacy, and transparency features. (Source: Fortune Business Insights, “Online Gambling Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis,” 2023)

Phythian continued, “After careful consideration, we identified several key factors that convinced us that expanding into crypto gaming was the right decision for us and our shareholders. Among the factors that informed our decision-making processes were:

  • The crypto gaming industry is rapidly growing, with more players opting for blockchain-based casinos due to their transparency, security, and quick transactions. This positions SharpLink as an early mover, ready to benefit from the expected industry expansion.
  • Cryptocurrency transactions usually have lower fees and faster processing times compared to traditional payment methods, which benefits both the company and its users.
  • As more players and operators move towards decentralized gambling, early pioneers like SharpLink can secure a competitive edge over traditional operators.

“We are actively advancing our efforts to acquire control of Armchair Enterprises and CryptoCasino.com as efficiently and timely as possible, and we are squarely focused on continued execution of our expansion strategy. As we progress through 2025, we look forward to sharing further details about our exciting plans and future goals,” concluded Phythian.

The post SharpLink Gaming Acquires 10% Equity Stake in Armchair Enterprises, Owner of CryptoCasino.com, for $500,000 Cash and Right of First Refusal to Acquire Controlling Interest appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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