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UK betting technology supplier 20SHOTS accelerate funding with £400,000 raise at £5m valuation

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Animal Capital, US Gen-Z focused Venture Capital fund, invest in fantasy sports technology platform

  • 20SHOTS have geared up for the new football season in the UK by securing additional investment in a second funding round, including securing the backing of US VC Animal Capital

  • New season will see new product rollout for popular Fantasy5 free-to-play fantasy football game, covering Champions League, Europa League and other European top flights

  • Current growth trajectory sees Fantasy5 on course to recruit half a million players this season

 

20SHOTS, the UK technology supplier behind fast-growing free-to-play fantasy football game Fantasy5, have secured an additional £400,000 of investment at a £5 million valuation, with backers including Gen-Z focused US Venture Capital fund Animal Capital.

The American fund that counts social media stars Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson and Noah Beck focus on products that reach a new generation of customers. They invested an undisclosed sum in 20SHOTS for the new football season, which will see the platform roll out its largest range of products added to its Fantasy5 game to date.

Fantasy5’s Premier League product will be supplemented with additional games covering the Champions League, Europa League and other European top flights, using the unique points system developed in-house on a proprietary basis by parent company 20SHOTS.

20SHOTS’ own risk management system and algorithmic trading software, anaylses and manages fantasy football-style points predictions for a range of competitions.

The roll out of additional leagues coupled with Fantasy5’s existing growth – bolstered last season by the recruitment of BoyleSports as its first tier one UK & Ireland bookmaker partner – keeps the game on course to break the 500,000 player mark.

Prizes for the additional leagues will remain at the standard £10,000 mark, as offered to Premier League players, and offer partners an increase in engagement and retention. 83% of players who played in the last four rounds last season have made an entry in the first two weeks.

The investment in Fantasy5 also comes in advance of the Government’s highly-anticipated White Paper review of the gambling industry, which is likely to see traditional marketing practices come under scrutiny, creating additional need for operators to

Jacob Kalms, co-founder and CEO of 20SHOTS said: “We’re pleased to welcome Animal Capital as investors as part of our most recent founding round which has raised £400,000 in capital.

“As demand grows in the ultra-competitive free-to-play space, we’re investing our our ability to quickly and seamlessly roll out products and games on a white label basis for a number of different partners across multiple divisions and competitions – with the ultimate objective of using the technology seamlessly across the most popular sports worldwide.

“Our growth model forecasts we will break the half a million player mark this season, with our scaling driving down the cost of acquisition for partners whilst maintaining our engagement, dwell and retention rates considerably above industry averages.

He added: “Operators should also be considering how free-to-play and softer marketing funnels like those offered by games like Fantasy5 will help them navigate any changes thrust upon them by the upcoming gambling review. Whilst our audience is ultimately commercially valuable to any operator or affiliate, Fantasy5 remains a sustainable way to build a loyal audience over time.”

Marshall Sandman, Managing Partner of Animal Capital said: “”In a crowded market of fantasy, free to play, and pay-to-play sports betting, 20Shots distinguishes itself with a best in class team and direction that has allowed the product to stand out distinctly and early.

“Their flagship game Fantasy5 is an early hit, their B2B relationships are uniquely positioned to make this an exciting asset and their ability to resonate and be sticky with a younger audience are all reasons why we were excited to be on the journey.

“Jacob the CEO and his team have conviction and direction, and they will continue to prove why they deserve to be big fish in this pond!” Marshall Sandman, Managing Partner of Animal Capital

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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Meridian Donate: Revolutionizing CSR in the Betting and Gaming Industry

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  • Innovative engagement strategy positions MeridianBet as a leader in CSR within the betting and gaming industry
  • Optimized brand loyalty as active customer participation in CSR strengthens connection and loyalty
  • Scalable impact, as the model is designed for expansion and could be adapted to new markets, indicating potential for widespread adoption and growth

Transforming Customers into Environmentalists and Humanitarians

MeridianBet’s pioneering initiative, Meridian Donate, is transforming the betting industry by engaging customers directly in corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions. This unique platform allows customers to actively participate in and fund various environmental, societal and humanitarian projects, setting a new standard for customer engagement and community impact.

Key Features of Meridian Donate:

  • Direct customer involvement: Customers are not just donors but active participants in CSR decisions
  • Diverse programs: Offers choices from global afforestation to local humanitarian efforts
  • Partnerships with renowned organizations: Collaborates with entities like the Red Cross and UNICEF

Expanding Impact: A Year-by-Year Growth

The Meridian Donate platform has seen substantial growth in its scope and impact:

  • Number of individual campaigns: Grew from 8 in 2021 to 20 in 2023
  • National markets Integrated: Expanded from 3 in 2021 to 8 in 2023
  • Direct Beneficiaries: Increased from 43 NGOs in 2021 to 159 in 2023

In 2023 alone, the platform’s expansion into eight markets facilitated 20 customer-funded campaigns, directly benefiting 159 NGOs, up from 122 the previous year.

Continued Commitment to Innovation and Community Involvement

Meridian Donate not only showcases MeridianBet’s dedication to CSR but also redefines the role of digital marketing within the industry. By converting sports bettors into active CSR participants, Meridian Donate enhances customer loyalty and brand value, making it a critical element of MeridianBet’s market strategy.

Recent Successes and Future Outlook

In its recent operation, Meridian Donate has launched an ambitious global afforestation initiative, committing to plant 20,000 seedlings across various regions. This project not only underscores our environmental commitment but also enhances our brand’s community presence. Already, several hundred contributions have been recorded in the platform’s first month, indicating robust customer engagement and support.

The post Meridian Donate: Revolutionizing CSR in the Betting and Gaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Imagine Live Launches Casino Hold’em

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Imagine Live proudly unveils its latest game addition – Casino Hold’em. This thrilling new game promises to elevate the poker experience for enthusiasts and novices alike, combining the excitement of traditional Texas Hold’em with the thrill of live casino action.

Casino Hold’em offers players a dynamic and immersive gaming experience. With sleek graphics, intuitive gameplay, and live dealers, players will feel seated at a high-stakes table in a world-class casino right from the comfort of their homes.

Key features of Casino Hold’em include:

Neon-lighting Studio: Casino Hold’em has a very inviting atmosphere. It features an elegant, well-designed studio with neon lighting that evokes a sophisticated gaming environment.

Captivating Gameplay: Stunning graphics and seamless gameplay transport players to the heart of the action.

Bonus Bet: In Casino Hold’em, players can place a Bonus bet alongside their initial Ante bet. Even if the Play bet is lost, the Bonus bet remains unaffected and can still be won if the specific hand criteria are met.

Multiplatform Compatibility: Enjoy Casino Hold’em on desktop, tablet, or mobile devices, allowing players to play anytime, anywhere.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Casino Hold’em to our players,” said Mikayel Aznauryan, Chief Product Officer at Imagine Live. “At Imagine Live, we’re committed to delivering premium gaming experiences, and Casino Hold’em is no exception. With its blend of live action, strategic gameplay, and neon design, we believe it will quickly become a favorite among poker enthusiasts worldwide.”

The post Imagine Live Launches Casino Hold’em appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Relax Gaming increases Italian presence via Octavian Lab aggregation deal

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Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has further increased its footprint in the Italian market with Octavian Lab.

Octavian Lab is a software house and service provider for online gaming suppliers. Led by highly specialised technicians, the company is committed to the development of products, protocols and integrated solutions in key regulated iGaming markets.

This partnership will see Octavian Lab’s operator partners in Italy, including leading sportsbook and casino Eurobet, gain access to a host of popular Relax Gaming titles.

Eurobet players are now able to enjoy timeless classics from Relax Gaming including the hugely popular Money Train series, Wild Chapo 2 and Marching Legions.

Gianluca Crimaldi, Director of Italy at Relax Gaming, said: “In order to continue our hugely successful trajectory in key markets such as Italy it is imperative that we continue working alongside some of the industry’s best aggregators.

“We are delighted to partner with the talented team at Octavian Lab who are helping ensure our games reach Italian players via the country’s top operators.”

Emanuele Nocentelli, CEO of Octavian Lab added: “We are proud of our partnership with Relax Gaming, one of the industry’s leading providers of high-quality games. It’s fantastic to be distributing their portfolio via our Gaming and Aggregation platforms and we are confident that Relax content will resonate with a wide audience of players across Italy. We look forward to maintaining and building upon this partnership for a long time to come.”

The post Relax Gaming increases Italian presence via Octavian Lab aggregation deal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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