Core Viewpoint - Allwyn plans to merge with its Greek subsidiary OPAP, creating the world's second-largest listed gambling business through a €16bn (£13.8bn) deal [1][2]. Company Overview - Allwyn took over the licence to run the National Lottery early last year and currently holds a stake of approximately 52% in OPAP, which is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange [2][3]. - The combined entity will be renamed Allwyn and will remain listed in Athens, with plans for a secondary listing in either London or New York [3]. Historical Context - Karel Komárek's holding company KKCG first invested in OPAP in 2013 and took full control in 2019 [3][8]. - The merger builds on an existing partnership between Allwyn and OPAP, both ultimately controlled by Komárek [2]. Strategic Moves - The merger is part of Allwyn's strategy to expand its international operations and tap into the growing US market [6]. - Recently, Allwyn acquired a $1.6bn stake in PrizePicks, a fantasy sports games operator in the US [7]. Challenges and Scrutiny - Allwyn faces scrutiny in the UK regarding its management of the National Lottery, which it took over from Camelot in February 2024 [9]. - The company has encountered issues such as a botched IT upgrade and ongoing lawsuits, which have hindered its performance [9]. - Allwyn is currently lagging behind its sales targets, with the UK Treasury facing a projected shortfall of over £8bn in taxes over the 10-year licence period [10].

Core Insights - ECGI Holdings, Inc. has secured a multi-million-dollar, five-year facility services agreement in Los Angeles, marking a significant transition from restructuring to generating recurring revenue [1][2][3] - The agreement is part of ECGI's strategy to enhance financial strength and support scalable, technology-integrated growth initiatives [2][4] Financial Impact - The long-term contract establishes a stable income stream, contributing to a predictable monthly cash flow that strengthens the company's balance sheet [1][3] - This recurring revenue model aligns with ECGI's goal of building sustainable value across its diversified portfolio [3] Strategic Growth Initiatives - The agreement is viewed as a foundational step for ECGI's next growth phase, emphasizing operational self-sufficiency and the ability to execute multi-year contracts with institutional partners [4] - ECGI plans to unveil additional initiatives this quarter aimed at sustainable growth and technology-focused expansion [2][4] Company Overview - ECGI Holdings is a technology-driven investment and development company focused on creating innovative businesses with sustainable revenue models across high-growth sectors such as AI, fintech, and experiential hospitality [5][6] - The company's current investments include various technology-driven platforms and brands, indicating a diverse portfolio aimed at unlocking new revenue opportunities [6][7]

Fantasy sports platform Sorare is migrating its entire NFT card collection to Solana by the end of October, bringing 5 million users to the blockchain in one of the largest consumer application migrations in Web3 history. The migration is fully automatic. All Sorare cards will be reissued as Solana NFTs, unlocking the ability to trade them on external marketplaces and store them in wallets like Phantom. User ETH balances will simultaneously move from StarkEx to Coinbase’s Base L2. According to Sorare, th ...

Exclusive: Fantasy sports company PrizePicks has agreed to sell a majority stake to international lottery operator Allwyn International for $1.6 billion https://t.co/BlvPd12RJv ...

PRAGUE (Reuters) -Gaming entertainment group Allwyn International will acquire an approximately 62% stake in fantasy sports operator PrizePicks for an initial cash consideration of $1.6 billion, the company said on Monday. Under the deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2026, PrizePicks' implied enterprise value could grow to $4.15 billion from $2.50 billion due to additional cash payable if it reaches certain performance metrics over the next three years. (Reporting by Jason Hovet; Editi ...

Core Insights - ECGI Holdings Inc. is set to enhance its portfolio company, Payday Fantasy, by integrating NFL and NCAA Football data and launching a fantasy sports marketplace, aiming to capitalize on the peak football season for increased user engagement [1][2][3][6] Company Developments - Payday Fantasy will soon go live with NFL and NCAA Football data, allowing users to engage with real-time player and game data [2] - A marketing push is planned to accelerate user growth and enhance market engagement during the football season [4] - The platform aims to combine live data integration with marketplace functionality to attract a growing audience in the fantasy sports sector [5][6] Industry Context - The fantasy sports market in North America has over 60 million participants, with a global market valuation of $24.8 billion in 2024, projected to grow at a 15.2% CAGR, reaching over $56 billion by 2030 [5] - The enhancements to Payday Fantasy's platform are strategically timed to coincide with the NFL preseason and regular season, a period known for increased fantasy sports participation [3][6] Competitive Positioning - Simon Yu, CEO of ECGI Holdings, emphasized that the upcoming enhancements position Payday Fantasy to compete in a multi-billion-dollar industry [6] - The platform aims to transform fantasy sports into a shared experience, leveraging elements from popular platforms like Discord, DraftKings, and Twitch [8]

Core Insights - ECGI Holdings Inc. has announced that its investment arm, Uplist Ventures, has become an affiliate member of TCA Venture Group, enhancing its access to a prominent angel investor network in the U.S. [1][4] - TCA Venture Group has invested over $280 million in 545 companies, which have collectively attracted an additional $2.1 billion in follow-on funding and achieved 126 exits, including 17 public listings [2] - The affiliation allows Uplist Ventures to access a curated pipeline of investment opportunities, focusing on Series A and B startups, which aligns with its strategy for disciplined growth and diversification [3][4] Company Overview - ECGI Holdings, through Uplist Ventures, operates as a diversified holding company that integrates venture capital and private equity, targeting early-stage startups in sectors such as AI, healthcare technology, and blockchain [5] - Current investments include innovative companies like Payday Fantasy, TrueToForm, and Pacific Saddlery, which operate in markets valued at $89.9 billion, $8.2 billion, and $6.5 billion respectively [6][7] Market Focus - Uplist Ventures is particularly interested in sectors driven by innovation, seeking companies with strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential to thrive in public markets [5] - The company is also exploring opportunities in the short-term rental market through its investment in Vintner's Caldera Ranch, which is positioned within a $121 billion market [8]

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]