RT Octo Gaming (@Octo8gaming)Octo Gaming x Starknet 🤝We're officially teaming up with the @Starknet ecosystem with the support of @StarknetFndn 🚀To kick things off, tomorrow we're launching an exclusive game: Bro Jump 🤖🎮╰ Inspired by @StarknetBroTap in. Jump high. Let's play! 📲⚡️ ...

Spotify takes a swing at gaming with a mini golf game ahead of ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ release | TechCrunch https://t.co/SSBjePn0jo ...

AI & Gaming Industry Synergies - Gaming laid the foundational technology for today's AI advancements [1] - In the 1990s, gaming drove the most interesting technical advancements, including AI, graphics, physics engines, and GPUs [1][2] - GPUs were initially designed for gaming [1] Historical Perspective - The 1990s saw gaming at the forefront of research, fusing art, graphics, music, and storytelling [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported all-time record net revenue of $934 million and adjusted EBITDA of $451 million for the second quarter of 2025, marking the fifth consecutive second quarter of record results [8][29] - Adjusted EBITDA for the Live and Historical Racing segment grew by $17 million or 6% compared to the prior year, driven primarily by HRM growth in Kentucky and Virginia [30] - The company generated $455 million or $6.29 per share of free cash flow in the first half of the year, with a reduction in maintenance capital projection by $10 million to $80 million to $90 million [35][36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Churchill Downs Racetrack adjusted EBITDA was down $1 million, less than 1%, due to a high prior year comparison from the 150th Kentucky Derby [30] - All HRM properties in Kentucky delivered growth in the second quarter, with strong performance from Northern Kentucky and Louisville venues [31] - The Exacta business contributed over $3 million to adjusted EBITDA growth from third-party customers and HRM properties [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wagering on the Derby race increased by 11% over last year's all-time high, with Derby Day wagering up 9% and Derby Week wagering rising 6% [15] - Virginia properties collectively delivered over $8 million of growth compared to the prior year, despite a higher handle tax rate [31] - The company expects to close the transaction for the Casino Salem project in New Hampshire in the third quarter, targeting a state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment destination [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow Derby Week through ticketing revenue, broadcast rights, wagering, sponsorships, and selective renovations [10][18] - A new seven-year contract with NBC is expected to provide a $10 million increase in adjusted EBITDA for 2026 [13] - Strategic investments in capital improvements are planned to enhance guest experiences and broaden appeal [19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the growth potential in Virginia and Kentucky, with a strong focus on building customer relationships and brand awareness [21][92] - The company anticipates generating significant growth for Derby Week in 2026 based on various catalysts [20] - Management highlighted the importance of international marketing efforts to enhance the global presence of the Kentucky Derby [50] Other Important Information - The company announced a new common stock repurchase program of up to $500 million, reflecting confidence in future growth [36] - The federal tax bill is expected to reduce cash taxes by $50 million to $60 million in 2025, with similar benefits anticipated for 2026 [37][56] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations around pricing at the Starting Gate Pavilion - Management expects increased demand and pricing for the Starting Gate Pavilion due to positive word-of-mouth from last year's introduction [40] Question: Discussion on the New Hampshire market - Management indicated that the Salem location is strategically positioned to tap into both New Hampshire and Massachusetts markets, with a strong demographic outlook [44] Question: International attendance and marketing for the Derby - Management noted that thoroughbred racing is a global sport, and efforts are underway to build international connections and sponsorships [50] Question: Impact of the federal tax bill on future cash flow - Management expects similar cash tax savings for 2026 as in 2025, with a focus on strategic capital management and shareholder returns [56][58] Question: Growth potential for HRM properties in Kentucky and Virginia - Management believes there is substantial runway for growth in both states, with strong metrics supporting continued expansion [61] Question: Strategies for driving visitation to The Rose - Management emphasized the importance of building brand awareness and customer relationships in the Northern Virginia market [90]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported all-time record net revenue of $934 million and adjusted EBITDA of $451 million for the second quarter of 2025, marking the fifth consecutive second quarter of record results [6][26] - Adjusted EBITDA for the Live and Historical Racing segment grew by $17 million or 6% compared to the prior year quarter, driven primarily by HRM growth in Kentucky and Virginia [27][29] - The company generated $455 million or $6.29 per share of free cash flow in the first half of the year, with a reduction in 2025 maintenance capital projection by $10 million to $80 million to $90 million [32][35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Churchill Downs Racetrack experienced a slight decline in adjusted EBITDA by $1 million, less than 1%, due to a high prior year comparison from the 150th Kentucky Derby [27] - All HRM properties in Kentucky delivered growth in the second quarter, with particularly strong performance from Northern Kentucky and Louisville venues [28] - The Exacta business contributed over $3 million to adjusted EBITDA growth from both third-party customers and HRM properties [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average viewership for the Kentucky Derby broadcast reached nearly 18 million, a 6% increase over 2024, with peak viewership climbing to almost 22 million, up 8% from last year [10] - Social media impressions during Derby Week totaled over 285 million, a 67% increase from 2024 [11] - Wagering on the Derby race was up 11% over last year's all-time high, with Derby Day wagering increasing by 9% [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to grow Derby Week through ticketing revenue, broadcast rights, wagering, sponsorships, and selective renovations [8][15] - A new seven-year contract with NBC will provide a $10 million increase in adjusted EBITDA for 2026, with prime-time coverage for the Kentucky Oaks race expected to enhance visibility and engagement [11][12] - Strategic investments in renovations and expansions at Churchill Downs Racetrack are aimed at elevating guest experiences and broadening appeal [16][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continued growth in Derby Week driven by ticket revenue, strategic investments, and increased wagering [18][24] - The company is focused on building brand awareness and customer relationships in new markets, particularly in Virginia and New Hampshire [19][20] - Management highlighted the importance of capital management and disciplined allocation to support long-term growth [32][35] Other Important Information - The company is targeting to close the acquisition of 90% of the Casino Salem project in New Hampshire in the third quarter, with plans for a state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment destination [21] - The company has retained rights to the associated HRM license in Salem and is evaluating alternative uses for a second HRM license [22] - The company is working on implementing HRM-based electronic table games and has developed a new HRM roulette product [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations around pricing at the Starting Gate Pavilion - Management expects increased demand and pricing for the Starting Gate Pavilion due to positive reviews and word-of-mouth from last year [38] Question: Discussion around the New Hampshire market - Management indicated that further details will be shared post-transaction closure, emphasizing the strong market demographics and location advantages [41][44] Question: International attendance and marketing for the Derby - Management noted that thoroughbred racing is a global game and emphasized ongoing efforts to build international connections and sponsorships [49][50] Question: Federal tax bill impact on cash flow and capital allocation - Management expects similar cash tax savings for 2026 as in 2025, with a focus on strategic investments and share repurchases when stock value is not reflective of long-term potential [55][56] Question: Growth potential in Kentucky and Virginia HRM markets - Management believes there is substantial runway for growth in both states, with strong metrics supporting ongoing optimism [59] Question: Impact of prediction markets on horse racing - Management does not see prediction markets as a significant risk due to the nature of pari-mutuel wagering and existing legal protections [64][66] Question: Future M&A opportunities in New Hampshire - Management is focused on executing the Salem project but is open to evaluating future opportunities in the region [68] Question: Strategic goals for the Oaks schedule change - The change aims to enhance national visibility for the Oaks and drive attendance and wagering leading into the Derby [72][74] Question: Plans for the area between the First Turn and Sky Terrace - Management confirmed that this area will not disrupt the 2026 Derby and will be detailed in future communications [80] Question: Sponsorship relationships and growth - Management emphasized a strategic approach to sponsorships, focusing on building win-win partnerships and increasing international interest [86]

Core Insights - GameSquare Holdings, Inc. has made a strategic investment by purchasing a rare "Cowboy Ape" CryptoPunk NFT from Robert Leshner for $5.15 million in preferred stock, marking its first direct NFT investment [1][2][3] - The acquisition is part of GameSquare's blockchain-native brand and treasury strategy, which aims for annualized stablecoin returns of 6-10% [1][5] - GameSquare's Ethereum treasury holdings have increased to over $52 million, following a recent $10 million purchase of approximately 2,742.75 ETH [1][7] Investment Strategy - The NFT yield program targets an expected annualized return of 6-10% by leveraging digital assets within the Ethereum ecosystem [5] - GameSquare plans to utilize CryptoPunks for marketing, community building, and potential licensing opportunities, enhancing its Web3 strategy [5] - The company has formed strategic partnerships with leaders in the crypto space to manage and optimize its treasury management program [8] Asset Management - GameSquare's ETH-focused yield generation strategy is built on Dialectic's proprietary platform, aiming for onchain yields of 8-14%, significantly higher than current ETH staking benchmarks [9] - The company has authorized $250 million for its crypto treasury management strategy, with $45 million already invested in ETH [7][8] - Once fully implemented, capital generated from the yield strategy is expected to support additional ETH purchases or reinvest in growth initiatives [10] Leadership and Vision - Justin Kenna, CEO of GameSquare, expressed excitement about the NFT investment and the partnership with Robert Leshner, highlighting the company's forward-thinking strategy in onchain finance [2][3] - The acquisition of the CryptoPunk is seen as a strategic investment and a statement of intent regarding the long-term value of digital identity and decentralized ownership [4]

SINGAPORE, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GCL Global Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: GCL) (“GCL” or the “Company”), a leading provider of games and entertainment, today announced it will host a conference call to discuss fiscal year 2025 results on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The earnings release and related investor deck will be available prior to the event in the “Financial Results” section under “Financials”, while the live webcast will be available in the “Events” section under the “News & Eve ...

Core Insights - Sea Limited has successfully rebuilt its business after a significant decline in stock value, dropping 91% from its peak in late 2021 [1][2] - The company is now a more disciplined and profitable enterprise, with all three core segments—Shopee, Monee, and Garena—generating positive operating income [2][14] - The focus for long-term investors is on the next phase of growth, which may be more sustainable than previous growth periods [3] Segment Summaries Shopee: E-commerce Growth - Shopee holds a dominant 48% market share in Southeast Asia's e-commerce sector and is focusing on deepening monetization rather than merely increasing user numbers [5][6] - Strategies for improving take rates include enhanced seller ads, logistics services, financial products, AI-driven personalization, loyalty programs, and category expansion [7][5] - The leadership position of Shopee allows for increased monetization without losing users, potentially making it a reliable source of profit growth [6] Monee: Fintech Expansion - Monee, Sea's fintech arm, is rapidly evolving into a significant profit contributor, offering a range of digital financial services [8] - The digital lending business has grown substantially, with over 28 million active borrowers and $5.8 billion in outstanding loans, generating $787 million in revenue and $241 million in adjusted EBITDA in Q1 2025 [9][10] - Monee is expanding into adjacent verticals such as buy now, pay later, insurance, SME lending, and investments, enhancing its role in Sea's digital ecosystem [10] Garena: Gaming Recovery - Garena, once Sea's flagship business, is showing signs of stability after a decline, with bookings increasing by 51% year over year to $775 million in Q1 2025 [11] - The core title, Free Fire, remains the top mobile battle royale game globally, and the company is investing in content refreshes and esports events to sustain growth [11][12] - Garena is also exploring new game development and potential reentry into the Indian market, which could unlock significant growth opportunities [13] Investor Implications - Despite the previous hype fading, Sea's stock is on a recovery path with improved fundamentals across its multi-engine business [14] - Efficient monetization in Shopee, scaling in Monee, and a rebound in Garena suggest that Sea still has growth potential [14]

vaneck isn't buying tokens. they're building game reward systems.• rwas as in-game rewards• verification services for gaming assets• $11m funding roundold money found their preferred entry point. games first, markets second. ...

分组1 - Churchill Downs reported quarterly earnings of $3.1 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03 per share, and up from $2.89 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +2.31% [1] - The company posted revenues of $934.4 million for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.39%, and an increase from $890.7 million year-over-year [2] - Churchill Downs has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times over the last four quarters and topped consensus revenue estimates twice as well [2] 分组2 - The stock has underperformed, losing about 19.1% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has gained 7.3% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the coming quarter is $1.14 on revenues of $667.29 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $6.30 on revenues of $2.88 billion [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the Gaming industry is currently in the top 26% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for stocks in this sector [8]