Donaco International sees rise in 1H profit 

The World Series of Poker (WSOP), a prestigious event that has been the pinnacle of the poker world for decades, is set to make a grand return to Northern Europe. This July, the Estonian capital, Tallinn, will play host to this much-anticipated event.

The WSOP event, scheduled to take place from 19 to 28 July, is a collaboration between the OlyBet Group and GGPoker. The venue for this grand event is the Olympic Park Casino and Hilton Hotel, a location that promises to offer an unforgettable experience to all attendees.

The event is expected to draw thousands o, all vying for the coveted WSOP gold ring. The main event tournament boasts a guaranteed prize pool of €1m ($1.07m), making it one of the most lucrative poker tournaments in the world.

In addition to the main event, the WSOP festival will feature 12 ‘ring events.’ Winners of these ring events will not only receive a cash prize but also a guaranteed entry to next year’s tournament and a World Series of Poker gold ring. The festival will also host over 40 side events and round-the-clock Cash Games, ensuring non-stop action for the entire duration of the event.

OlyBet, part of the Olympic Entertainment Group, is a renowned sports and gaming entertainment brand with partners across Europe. It is also a member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and an official sponsor of Spain’s top football league, LaLiga. OlyBet’s commitment to integrity and fair play makes it an ideal host for the WSOP event.

The city of Tallinn is no stranger to hosting major poker events. Earlier this year, it hosted the 10th edition of the Kings of Tallinn festival, which featured over 50 tournaments, including the main event. The success of this event has undoubtedly set the stage for the upcoming WSOP event. The upcoming WSOP event in Tallinn promises to be a thrilling experience for poker enthusiasts worldwide. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant nightlife, Tallinn is all set to become the new poker capital of Northern Europe. So, mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable poker experience this July!

Digital sports and entertainment company DraftKings has delivered a robust performance in Q1 2024, surpassing expectations despite facing headwinds related to sporting outcomes throughout the quarter. The company reported a revenue of $1.18 billion, marking a 53 percent increase from Q1 2023. This growth was fuelled by strong consumer engagement, efficient customer acquisition, and new market launches.

adjusted EBITDA also saw a significant rise to $22.4 million, a stark contrast to the $221.6 million loss reported in the same period last year. In addition the net loss narrowed to $142.6 million, compared to $397.1 million in the prior-year period.

Despite the impact of unfavourable sporting outcomes, the company managed to thrive, thanks to a higher structural hold percentage and increased promotional spending across Online Sports Betting (OSB) and iGaming. Analysts at JMP Securities noted that the scale of the company and its diverse product offering helped smooth out gaming margins during the Super Bowl.

raised the mid-point of its full-year 2024 revenue guidance to $4.9 billion, up from $4.78 billion. The EBITDA guidance was also revised upwards to $500 million, compared to the previous projection of $460 million.

In terms of non-financial metrics, the company reported a 23 percent year-on-year increase in monthly unique payers (MUP) to 3.4 million. This was attributed to strong player acquisition and retention across its products, as well as expansion into new jurisdictions. The average revenue per MUP stood at $114, representing a 25 percent increase compared to Q1 2024.

Looking ahead, CEO Jason Robins outlined the company’s strategic plans for 2024 during the Q1 earnings call. The company aims to foster an entrepreneurial culture, develop the next generation of leaders, and explore ways to optimize its capital structure.

DraftKings also announced the $750 million acquisition of lottery ticket app Jackpocket in February to improve cross-sell opportunities. However, Robins emphasized that the company intends to be “super disciplined” on the M&A front.

The payment structure for the acquisition is as follows: approximately 55 percent of the total consideration, or around $412.5 million, will be paid in cash from DraftKings’ balance sheet, and the remaining 45 percent, or approximately $337.5 million, will be paid in DraftKings’ Class A common stock. The transaction is subject to approval by Jackpocket stockholders, along with receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close before the end of 2024.

This acquisition is expected to bring significant value to DraftKings. It will not only allow DraftKings to access and grow into the massive U.S. lottery industry but also strengthen its position in Sportsbook and iGaming through higher customer lifetime value and an enhanced customer acquisition engine.

Jackpocket is recognized for its proprietary and highly-scalable technology, a strong brand, and an outstanding founder-led management team. The acquisition is expected to drive $260 million to $340 million of incremental revenue and $60 million to $100 million of incremental Adjusted EBITDA in fiscal year 2026.

DraftKings’ Q1 2024 performance demonstrates its resilience and ability to deliver strong results despite challenging market conditions. The company’s strategic initiatives and disciplined approach to growth signal a promising outlook for the rest of the year.

Dutch authorities have apprehended a suspect linked to the ZKasino scam. The arrest was made on 29 April, with the suspect, a 26-year-old man, facing charges of fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering.

The ZKasino platform, which initially presented itself as an innovative gambling platform, has been under scrutiny for its dubious operations. The platform promised investors a return on their investments within 30 days, a promise that was never fulfilled. The smart contract associated with the platform suggested that there was never an intention to return the funds, raising red flags among the investor community.

The Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) seized assets worth over 11.4 million euros ($12.2 million) during the arrest. The seized assets include cryptocurrency, real estate, and luxury cars. This marks the first arrest in the ZKasino fraud case, where investors have reportedly lost at least $33 million in digital assets.

The platform went live on April 20, attracting over 10,515 Ether (ETH) from more than 10,000 investors. However, investor concerns escalated when an on-chain transaction revealed ZKasino moving all 10,515 ETH into the Lido staking protocol. Additionally, the platform altered the wording on its website, removing a statement that assured investors that their ETH “would be returned.”

Adding to the controversy, ZKasino announced in a March post that it had closed a Series A investment round at a $350 million valuation. The platform claimed backing from crypto exchange MEXC and venture firm Big Brain Holdings, among others. However, Big Brain Holdings later clarified that it had not invested in ZKasino, labeling the platform as “fraudulent.”

While the identity of the suspect remains unconfirmed, speculation is rife within the crypto community. The suspect’s detention has been extended by 14 days for further investigation. As the case unfolds, risks and challenges in the rapidly evolving world of need to be continuously evaluated. The ZKasino case is a cautionary tale for investors, highlighting the importance of due diligence and regulatory oversight in the crypto space.

Spain recently saw its Supreme Court several restrictions on gambling ads introduced by a Royal Decree in 2020. This move ended years of strict advertising regulations in the country. However, the new Minister for Social Rights and Consumer Affairs, Pablo Bustinduy, is determined to reinstate these restrictions despite the court's ruling. 

In a recent speech, Bustinduy said he aims to reintroduce similar restrictions on gambling advertising despite the Supreme Court's decision last month. Bustinduy detailed his plans to propose legislation mirroring measures outlined in the annulled Royal Decree, particularly focusing on limiting online ads and those featuring celebrities and influencers. Additionally, he intends to address issues such as loot boxes and ID verification requirements in video games, which were not covered in the original decree. 

In addition to advertising restrictions, Bustinduy aims to strengthen Spain's safer gambling initiatives. Plans include establishing a centralized player registry and monitoring younger players displaying signs of gambling harm. 

The Supreme Court's decision came after the industry union Jdigital challenged the constitutionality of certain restrictions within the Royal Decree. The court found that the Ministry had overstepped constitutional boundaries in implementing the decree, leading to the lifting of some restrictions. This allowed gambling operators to resume advertising their products, including special offers and promotions, and utilize social media and celebrity endorsements for advertising purposes. 

In January 2021, an appeal was lodged by Jdigital, representing online gambling operators, and the Asociación de Medios e Información (AMI), a media group, against Royal Decree 958/202. This decree pertained to the regulation of advertising for gambling activities. 

Both organizations the decree, contending that its restrictions could inadvertently promote the growth of illegal gambling operations. They argued that such measures might hinder efforts aimed at safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Additionally, they maintained that the ban was discriminatory, unjust, and disproportionate, particularly in an environment where online gambling is rigorously regulated.  

Despite the recent relaxation of gambling advertising regulations in Spain, Bustinduy is determined to reintroduce restrictions to address concerns around the promotion of gambling products and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly the youth. His proposed legislation reflects a continued focus on promoting responsible gambling practices and safeguarding consumers in the evolving landscape of online gambling. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .