Golf's 10 top earners scored $612 million over the past year. (Illustration: Alice Lagarde for Forbes; Photos: Jared C. Tilton, Andrew Redington, Dylan Buell/Stringer via Getty Images) https://t.co/JIe7wKvScd https://t.co/EHUInk5Ppr ...

Core Viewpoint - Lottery.com is acquiring Nook Holdings Limited for approximately $2.5 million, emphasizing its commitment to global growth in sports and wellness [2][6]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is an all-cash deal, allowing Lottery.com to control 90% of Nook upon completion [2]. - The deal is expected to close on or before June 30, 2025 [2]. Group 2: Nook's Background - Nook, founded by Ravi Bhusari, has established itself as a key player in the UAE's sports and wellness ecosystem, supporting startups and small businesses [4]. - Nook has exclusive partnerships and a strategic location that make it a hub for sports entrepreneurs in the region [4]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The acquisition will transform Nook into a gateway for sports innovation and investment, integrating it into the broader Sports.com ecosystem [5][6]. - Lottery.com aims to leverage Nook's community to enhance support for sports and wellness entrepreneurs, facilitating networking, licensing, and potential investments [8].

Team Valuation & Potential - The Golden State Valkyries are projected to be the WNBA's most valuable team next year [1] Source Information - The article includes a photo credit to Jeff Chiu/Associated Press [1]

Optimism around the WNBA's future has sent franchise values skyrocketing, to an average of $272 million, ahead of a critical club sale. (Photos: Alika Jenner, Ezra Shaw, Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images) https://t.co/zbZCGx014m https://t.co/8N8CaxUHCw ...

How Jessica Campbell Became The NHL’s First Female Coach And What It Signals https://t.co/RgIUduk4In https://t.co/IHoYWtKhjD ...

Core Insights - FanDuel is implementing a 50-cent surcharge on all wagers in Illinois to offset the impact of new state taxes, which are particularly burdensome for leading sportsbooks [1][3] - DraftKings is expected to follow FanDuel's lead in response to the new tax structure [2] - The new tax structure includes a progressive tax rate that can reach up to 40% for the most successful sportsbooks, significantly higher than the previous 15% rate [3][4] Company Actions - FanDuel's new surcharge is projected to generate an additional $86 million in revenue for 2026, representing about 2% of its EBITDA [3] - DraftKings anticipates a revenue increase of $79 million from the surcharge, which would account for approximately 5.4% of its projected EBITDA for the same year [3] - Flutter has stated that if the state reverses the tax decision, FanDuel will eliminate the surcharge immediately [2] Industry Context - The Illinois tax is part of a broader trend, with other states like New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Pennsylvania considering similar tax increases [6] - Flutter's CEO expressed concerns that the new tax structure disproportionately affects lower-wagering customers and could drive gamblers to unregulated operators [5][6] - The CEO emphasized the need for an optimal gaming tax rate to enhance customer experience, market growth, and state revenue over time [5][7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for Q1 2025 were $1,350 million, down 0.9% year-over-year, resulting in a negative 3.7% comparable sales (comp) [11][25] - Operating income was $69.3 million, with diluted EPS at $0.68 and adjusted EPS at $0.76 [30] - Gross margin improved to 34%, a 60 basis point increase from the previous year, driven by merchandise margin expansion [28][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Footwear and apparel were the strongest categories, with athletic footwear posting a positive 4.5% comp, driven by brands like Nike and Brooks [26][27] - Outdoor category saw low single-digit declines primarily due to softer sales in ammunition, while fishing and firearms performed well [12][28] - E-commerce channel experienced a positive 10% comp for the quarter, with significant contributions from the Jordan brand [25][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Increased foot traffic from customers with household incomes over $100,000, indicating a shift towards value-seeking behavior [10][37] - The company noted a sequential improvement in sales throughout the quarter, with April finishing positively after a slow February [11][44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing exposure to products made in China, aiming to decrease this from 9% to approximately 6% by year-end [8][10] - New store expansion remains a key growth engine, with plans to open 20 to 25 new stores in 2025 [14][15] - The company is leveraging technology, including RFID and handheld devices, to improve inventory accuracy and customer experience [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about navigating the current tariff environment while maintaining value for customers [5][24] - The company anticipates continued pressure on consumer spending due to inflation but believes its value proposition will attract more customers [24][108] - Guidance for 2025 was updated to reflect a range of sales outcomes based on potential tariff scenarios, with expected sales between $5.97 billion and $6.26 billion [35][36] Other Important Information - The company returned over $100 million of free cash flow to investors in Q1, including share repurchases and dividends [33] - Strategic investments in digital and supply chain technologies are expected to normalize SG&A expenses as the year progresses [30][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Retention of higher-income consumers - Management noted that higher-income consumers are shopping more frequently and are retaining their loyalty, shopping across various product categories [40][41] Question: Performance in May and comp trends - May showed a slight decline in sales, but management remains optimistic about Q2 due to upcoming shopping events like Father's Day [44][45] Question: Impact of weather and consumer health - Management indicated that weather had a significant impact on sales, particularly in basketball and golf, and noted that consumers are cautious in their spending [94][50] Question: Tariff outlook for FY26 - Management emphasized the importance of diversifying sourcing to mitigate future tariff impacts, but specifics on the tariff situation remain uncertain [79][80] Question: Gross margin guidance - Management explained that gross margin guidance remains unchanged due to strategic inventory management and partnerships with suppliers to mitigate cost increases [54][56]

Core Insights - ECGI Holdings Inc. announced a new investment in Payday Fantasy, a next-gen fantasy sports platform that integrates AI and social gameplay to enhance user experience [1][3] - The global fantasy sports market is projected to reach $89.9 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 13% [3][8] - Payday Fantasy aims to transform fantasy sports into a community-driven experience, differentiating itself from traditional betting apps [2][5] Company Overview - Payday Fantasy combines features from popular platforms like DraftKings, Discord, and Twitch to create a more engaging and social betting experience [2][8] - The platform has already seen over 15,000 users test its first version during a limited rollout, indicating strong initial traction [9] Investment Strategy - Uplist Ventures, part of ECGI Holdings, focuses on early-stage companies with innovative technologies and strong market potential, as exemplified by its investment in Payday Fantasy [3][6] - The investment aligns with Uplist's strategy to build a portfolio of high-upside companies in emerging sectors [3][6] Market Context - The fantasy sports and sports betting markets are multi-billion-dollar industries, with DraftKings trading near an $18 billion market cap, highlighting the growth potential for platforms like Payday [4][3] - The investment in Payday Fantasy follows Uplist Ventures' recent backing of TrueToForm, an AI-powered body scanning platform, showcasing a commitment to innovative technologies [5][10]

Core Insights - Rush Street Interactive, Inc. (RSI) has launched its online poker platform, BetRivers Poker, in Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia, following its successful debut in Pennsylvania, marking a significant multi-state expansion [1][2] - The expansion allows for a unified cross-state player pool, enhancing the gaming experience with larger tournament prize pools and deeper cash-game fields [2][5] - BetRivers Poker was developed with input from the poker community, led by industry figures Phil Galfond and Phil Hellmuth, focusing on player experience and engagement [3][4] Company Overview - RSI is a leading online gaming and sports entertainment company operating in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, with real-money operations in fifteen U.S. states and several international markets [9] - The company has received multiple awards for its customer service and operational excellence, including the EGR North America Awards and SBC Latinoamérica Awards [9] Product Features - BetRivers Poker offers various game formats, including cash games, Sit & Go tournaments, and Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs), with innovative features like dynamic avatars and player-driven design [5][7] - The platform aims to expand its digital presence through content initiatives like Poker Night in America and PokerBratTV on YouTube, providing exclusive content and player engagement opportunities [5]

Core Viewpoint - Flutter Entertainment, a leading online sports betting and iGaming operator, is responding to the Illinois State legislature's decision to introduce a betting transaction fee for licensed operators starting July 1, 2025, which will impact the cost structure for operators in the state [1][2]. Group 1: Company Response - FanDuel, Flutter's US market-leading brand, will implement a $0.50 transaction fee on each bet placed on its platform in Illinois starting September 1, 2025, due to increased operational costs from the new Illinois Transaction Fee [2]. - The introduction of the transaction fee follows a significant increase in the betting tax rate in Illinois in 2024, which FanDuel had previously attempted to absorb without passing costs to customers [2]. Group 2: Industry Impact - Flutter's CEO, Peter Jackson, expressed concerns that the Illinois Transaction Fee will disproportionately affect lower wagering recreational customers and may drive some customers to unregulated operators, which do not contribute tax revenue or provide the same level of customer protection [4]. - The company emphasizes the importance of optimal gaming tax rates for maximizing market growth and revenue for states over time [4]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Flutter reported global revenue of $14,048 million for fiscal 2024, representing a 19% year-over-year increase, and $3,665 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 [6].