Esports Entertainment Group Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Esports Entertainment Group (GMBL, GMBLW) reported its F1Q21 financial results, showing revenue of $222,392, a significant increase from $0 in the same quarter last year. This growth is attributed to the acquisition of Argyll Entertainment. The company reported a net loss of $1.8 million, primarily due to reduced revenues stemming from a UK Gambling Commission audit. For fiscal 2021, Esports Entertainment reaffirms its revenue guidance of $13 million, projecting $25 million for fiscal 2022. The company has been active in acquiring related businesses, enhancing its presence in the esports and online gambling sectors.

Positive

• Revenue increased to $222,392 in F1Q21 from $0 year-over-year.
• Acquisition of Argyll Entertainment contributed to revenues.
• October revenues exceeded $600K, reaching pre-COVID levels.
• Positive guidance reaffirmed: $13 million revenue forecast for fiscal 2021.
• Projected pro forma revenue of $42 million for fiscal 2022 with positive EBITDA of $2 million.

Negative

• Net loss of $1.8 million for F1Q21 attributed to reduced revenues from UK audit measures.
• Total operating expenses rose to $3.7 million, up from $0.7 million year-over-year.

NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (NasdaqCM: GMBL, GMBLW) (or the “Company”), an esports and online gambling company, today announced its financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2020, as well as an update on several key business initiatives.

Business Highlights

• Signed agreement to acquire Helix eSports and ggCircuit in deal valued at $43 Million
• Acquired Argyll Entertainment and its SportNation brand, adding Tier 1 gambling license covering UK and Ireland; Malta gaming license secured in May 2020
• Acquired assets of FLIP Sports, providing ownership and control of tech stack
• Acquired Esports Gaming League, with a history of partnerships that include Microsoft, Red Bull Arsenal FC, and Activision; subsequent to acquisition EGL announced first-of-their kind deals with LA Kings, LA Galaxy, and Philadelphia Union to be official esports tournament provider
• Partnered with Allied Esports as title sponsor of the VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series tournament; the two-week competition drew 1.7 million unique viewers and generated 1 million hours watched, making it the most-watched Legend Series event since tournament was created in 2017
• Expanded partnership with Dignitas, an esports asset of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, securing naming rights to famed CS:GO team; partnership includes strategic digital and physical activations in New Jersey marketplace as core focus
• Partnered with Twin Rivers Gaming to launch VIE.gg wagering platform in New Jersey in calendar Q1 2021
• Working with the New Jersey Gaming Commission to launch pilot skill-based player-to-player wagering platform, LANduel
• Opened corporate office at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
  

“We have achieved many significant milestones since uplisting to the NASDAQ in April,” commented Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment Group. “The COVID-19 pandemic has absolutely accelerated the rapid growth of esports leading to mainstream broadcasts to national TV audiences on ESPN and Fox. These trends helped us set new record audience viewing stats with our partner Allied Esports for the globally recognized Legend Series, just one of many accomplishments during the quarter. We believe the successes achieved this year provide an extremely strong foundation for long-term growth while offering investors a true pure play opportunity in the burgeoning world of global esports.”

Johnson continued, “We have structured our business to deliver a diversified esports and online gambling company via three key business pillars and believe this multi-tiered approach provides investors broad exposure to two major trends, the rise of competitive gaming and the legalization of online gambling in the US.”

“As we look ahead, we believe the acquisitions we have made as well as those we plan to make, combined with a growing list of world-class partnerships, Esports Entertainment is in a great position to accelerate the monetization of our robust three pillar strategy,” concluded Johnson.

F1Q21 Financial Results

Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2020 totaled $222,392, an increase of $222,392 over the $0 recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2019 (this includes only 2 months of contribution from Argyll because the deal closed on August 4^th). The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Argyll Entertainment as we are now revenue a generating company.

Post F1Q21, October has seen a significant uptick, with levels of turnover, Gross Gaming Revenue and Net Revenue returning to pre-COVID levels. Total handle was above $16 mil for the month of October and revenues for the month were above $600K.

Total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 totaled $3.7 million, an increase from the $0.7m recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase was primarily attributable to the increased payroll, stock compensation, marketing, legal and professional services fees related to increased business activity.

Total net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $1.8 million, driven principally by reduced revenues related to the measures taken post the regular UK Gambling Commission audit of Argyll Entertainment, partially offset by a change in fair market value of warrant liability of $2.1m.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had total current assets of $10.4 million and total current liabilities of $8.2 million, resulting in working capital of $2.3 million. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $8.9 million and shareholders’ equity was $16.8 million at September 30, 2020.

Guidance

The Company reaffirms its guidance of $13 million in revenue in fiscal 2021 and $25 million in revenue in fiscal 2022 from its core Argyll and VIE platforms. On a proforma basis, including the acquisitions of Helix Esports and ggCircuit, the Company expects to report $42 million in revenue in fiscal 2022 with positive EBITDA of $2 million.

Fiscal First Quarter 2021 Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its F1Q21 financial results. Participants may join the conference call by dialing 1-855-327-6837 (U.S. Toll-Free) or 1-631-891-4304 (International). A live webcast of the conference call will also be available at http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=142485.

For those unable to participate in the conference call, a telephonic replay of the call will also be available shortly after the completion of the call, until 11:59 pm ET on Monday, November 30, 2020, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (United States) or 1-412-317-6671 (International) and entering the replay pin number: 10011948.

About Esports Entertainment Group

Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. is a licensed online gambling company with a specific focus on esports wagering and 18+ gaming. Esports Entertainment offers fixed odds wagering, fantasy and pools on various esports events in a licensed, regulated and secure platform at vie.gg and owns and operates online sports book, SportNation.bet. In addition, Esports Entertainment intends to offer users from around the world the ability to participate in multiplayer mobile and PC video game tournaments for cash prizes. Esports Entertainment is led by a team of industry professionals and technical experts from the online gambling and the video game industries, and esports. The Company holds a license to conduct online gambling and 18+ gaming on a global basis in the UK, Ireland, Malta and Curacao. The Company maintains offices in New Jersey, the UK and Malta. For more information visit www.esportsentertainmentgroup.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Contact:

U.S. Investor Relations
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Dave Gentry
407-491-4498
dave@redchip.com

Media & Investor Relations Inquiries
Jeff@esportsentertainmentgroup.com

FAQ

What were Esports Entertainment Group's revenues for the fiscal first quarter 2021?

Esports Entertainment Group reported revenues of $222,392 for F1Q21, compared to $0 in the same quarter last year.

What is the net loss reported by Esports Entertainment Group for F1Q21?

The net loss for F1Q21 was $1.8 million, primarily due to reduced revenues from measures taken after a UK Gambling Commission audit.

What is Esports Entertainment Group's revenue guidance for fiscal 2021?

The company reaffirms its revenue guidance of $13 million for fiscal 2021.

When is the conference call discussing F1Q21 financial results?

The conference call is scheduled for November 16, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

What acquisitions did Esports Entertainment Group complete recently?

The company acquired Helix eSports, ggCircuit, and Argyll Entertainment among others, expanding its gambling platform and esports presence.