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Playmaker Capital Inc. Announces Completion of Qualifying Transaction
Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States
TORONTO, May 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Playmaker Capital Inc. (formerly capital pool company Apolo III Acquisition Corp.) (the “Corporation”) (TSXV: PMKR) is pleased to announce that, further to its comprehensive news release dated April 19, 2021, it has completed the acquisition (the “Qualifying Transaction”) of all of the issued and outstanding securities of Playmaker Capital Inc. (“Old Playmaker”) constituting its “Qualifying Transaction” (within the meaning of Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”)). Prior to the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, the Corporation effected a consolidation (the “Consolidation”) of its outstanding common shares (the “Common Shares”) on the basis of one post-Consolidation Common Share for every 4.54 pre-Consolidation Common Shares and changed its name from “Apolo III Acquisition Corp.” to “Playmaker Capital Inc.” (the “Name Change”).
The Qualifying Transaction was completed by way of a three-cornered amalgamation pursuant to which, among other things: (a) Old Playmaker amalgamated (the “First Amalgamation”) with 2830125 Ontario Inc. (“Apolo Subco”), an entity incorporated for the purposes of the First Amalgamation, pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (“OBCA”); (b) all of the common shares of Old Playmaker (each, an “Old Playmaker Share”) outstanding immediately prior to the First Amalgamation were cancelled and, in consideration therefor, the holders thereof received post-Consolidation Common Shares of the Corporation (each, a “Resulting Issuer Share”) on the basis of one (1) Old Playmaker Share for one (1) Resulting Issuer Share (the “Exchange Ratio”); and (c) the entity resulting from the First Amalgamation subsequently amalgamated (the “Second Amalgamation”) with the Corporation under the OBCA. In connection with the completion of the Qualifying Transaction, the Resulting Issuer Shares will be listed on the Exchange under the ticker symbol “PMKR”. It is anticipated that trading of the Resulting Issuer Shares under the new ticker symbol will commence on or about June 3, 2021.
Immediately following completion of the Qualifying Transaction, Michael Galego, Vincent Gasparro and Ryan Roebuck resigned from their positions as officer and directors of the Corporation, as applicable, and the following individuals were appointed as the officers and directors of the Corporation:
- Jordan Gnat, Chief Executive Officer and Director
- John Albright, Director
- Jake Cassaday, Director
- Wayne Purboo, Director
- Sebastian Siseles, Director
- Mark Trachuk, Director
- Maryann Turcke, Director
- Michael Cooke, Chief Financial Officer
- Federico Grinberg, Executive Vice President
Immediately before the completion of the Qualifying Transaction and upon the satisfaction or waiver of certain escrow release conditions, each of the 48,000,000 subscription receipts (the “Subscription Receipts”) issued by Old Playmaker on March 31, 2021, pursuant to a concurrent brokered and non-brokered private placement (the “Subscription Receipt Financing”) completed by Old Playmaker led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., as lead agent, together with Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., Eight Capital, PI Financial Corp. and Scotia Capital Inc. (collectively, the “Underwriters”), were automatically converted, without payment of additional consideration or any further action by the holders thereof, into one Old Playmaker Share in accordance with their terms. In connection with the Subscription Receipt Financing, the Underwriters received commission comprised of $1,100,600 cash and an aggregate of 1,575,600 broker warrants (the “Broker Warrants”) of the Company, each Broker Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Resulting Issuer Share at a price of $0.50 per Resulting Issuer Share for a period of 18 months.
At the effective time of the First Amalgamation, among other things, outstanding Old Playmaker Shares (including those Old Playmaker Shares issued upon the automatic conversion of the Subscription Receipts) were exchanged for Resulting Issuer Shares on the basis of the Exchange Ratio.
No fractional Resulting Issuer Shares were issued pursuant to the Consolidation. If, as a result of the Consolidation, a holder of pre-Consolidation Common Shares was otherwise entitled to a fraction of a Resulting Issuer Share, the number of Resulting Issuer Shares issuable to such holder was rounded down to the nearest whole number. Following the Second Amalgamation, there are 176,576,461 Resulting Issuer Shares outstanding, of which 174,684,461 Resulting Issuer Shares, representing approximately 98.9% of the currently issued and outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares, are held by the former Old Playmaker shareholders. An aggregate of 95,378,412 Resulting Issuer Shares will be subject to value escrow or Seed Share Resale Restrictions pursuant to Exchange Policy 5.4 – Escrow, Vendor Consideration and Resale Restrictions.
For further information regarding the Qualifying Transaction and the Corporation, please see the short form prospectus of Apolo III Acquisition Corp. dated May 21, 2021, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Corporation is also pleased to announce that all matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in detail in the Corporation’s management information circular (“Circular”) dated April 26, 2021 were approved at the annual general and special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation held on May 26, 2021 (the “Meeting”)
At the Meeting the following items were approved by the shareholders of the Corporation:
- re-appointing MNP LLP as auditors of the Corporation;
- electing the incumbent members of the board of directors, being Michael Galego, Vincent Gasparro and Ryan Roebuck to hold office until closing of the Qualifying Transaction;
- electing Jordan Gnat, John Albright, Jake Cassaday, Maryann Turcke, Mark Trachuk, Sebastian Siseles and Wayne Purboo as new directors of the Corporation, conditional upon and effective on the closing of the Qualifying Transaction, to hold office until the close of the next annual general meeting of the shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed;
- re-approving the Corporation’s existing stock option plan and approving the Corporation’s new stock option plan effective upon closing of the Qualifying Transaction;
- amending the Corporation’s articles of incorporation to reflect the Consolidation; and
- adopting an advance notice by-law of the Corporation;
In addition to the above, disinterested shareholders of the Corporation voted in favour of the following resolutions proposed in the Circular, thereby implementing certain changes needed to transition to the Exchange Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies, effective as at January 1, 2021 (“Exchange Policy 2.4”):
- authorizing the Corporation to make certain amendments to the Corporation’s escrow agreement; and
- removing the consequences associated with the Corporation not completing a Qualifying Transaction within 24 months of its listing date.
Further information regarding the resolutions passed at the Meeting can be found in the Circular, which is available on the Corporation’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Corporation is also pleased to announce that it has retained Hybrid Financial Ltd. (“Hybrid”) to provide marketing services to the Corporation in order to heighten its market and brand awareness and to broaden the Corporation’s reach within the investment community. With offices and Toronto and Montreal, Hybrid is a sales and distribution company that uses a data-driven approach to actively connect issuers to the investment community across North America.
Hybrid has agreed to comply with all applicable securities laws and the policies of the Exchange in providing its services to the Corporation and has been engaged for an initial period of six months, beginning June 1, 2021 (the “Initial Term”), renewed automatically for successive six month periods thereafter, unless terminated by the Corporation. The Corporation will pay Hybrid a monthly fee of $15,000, plus applicable taxes, during the Initial Term. The appointment of Hybrid is subject to Exchange approval.
For further information, please contact:
Jordan Gnat
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This news release contains statements which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Corporation.
Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding the commencement of trading of the Resulting Issuer Shares, the appointment of Hybrid, the business plans and expectations of the Corporation and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Corporation including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to them and on assumptions they believe to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to receipt of final listing approval from the Exchange, together with the factors referenced in this news release and the long form prospectus of the Corporation dated May 21, 2021 (the “Prospectus”), including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors”. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Corporation does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Latest News
Playtech: Appointment of Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect

The Board of Directors of Playtech, the leading platform, content and services provider in the online gambling industry, has announced that John Gleasure has been appointed to the Board with a view to his succeeding Brian Mattingley as Non-executive Chairman.
John joins the Board as an independent Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect, and is expected to assume the role of Chairman after Playtech’s annual general meeting in May 2025, at which time Brian will step down as Chairman and from the Board.
John brings 30 years of experience across the sports, media and technology sectors, in addition to relevant Board experience from a range of international companies. He currently serves as a Non-executive Director at DAZN Group, the leading global sports subscription service, and is a Non-executive Director (and previously Executive Chairman) at The Sporting News, a global digital publisher. John was a founder of Perform, a digital sports media business, growing it into a leading provider of live data and content to online betting groups before the business listed in 2011. John previously held leadership roles at Sky Sports, Hutchison 3G and Sony Pictures.
Brian Mattingley, commenting on the changes, said: “We are very pleased to welcome John to our Board as a new Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect. John’s significant experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset for Playtech as it continues its transformation into a predominantly pure-play B2B business. I look forward to giving him every support during this period of transition.”
John Gleasure, commenting on his appointment, said: “I am delighted to be joining Playtech at such a pivotal moment in its history. Playtech is a unique and highly innovative business, underpinned by market-leading technology and relationships with the world’s leading gambling operators. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, and I look forward to working with everyone at Playtech to drive forward its strategy and create further value for our shareholders.”
The post Playtech: Appointment of Non-executive Director and Chairman Elect appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Ladbrokes to sponsor 2025 Thirsk Hunt Cup

Thirsk Racecourse has announced that Ladbrokes will sponsor the 2025 Thirsk Hunt Cup.
First run in 1859, the £50,000 mile handicap is Thirsk’s most prestigious race and highlight of Thirsk Hunt Cup Day on Saturday, May 3.
Ladbrokes is the biggest and best-known betting brand in the UK with over 1500 betting shops, a digital betting business and a long-standing association with horse racing dating back many decades.
The company boasts a strong sponsorship portfolio in horse racing, including Kempton Park’s Ladbrokes Christmas Festival, the Ladbrokes Chester Cup and the Ladbrokes Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Ladbrokes also sponsors leading Jump trainer Dan Skelton, who writes a weekly blog as he bids to win the British Jump trainers’ championship for the first time.
Farhh is the most notable winner of the Thirsk Hunt Cup in recent years, taking the 2012 edition by six lengths before a memorable Group 1 double the following year in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and Ascot’s Champion Stakes.
Simon Clare, PR Director for Ladbrokes, said: “We are excited to sponsor such an iconic and prestigious race as the Thirsk Hunt Cup, and look forward to partnering with Thirsk Racecourse as we seek to strengthen our support and promotion of the sport.”
James Sanderson, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, said: “We are delighted to have Ladbrokes sponsoring the Thirsk Hunt Cup and its supporting programme in 2025. The £50,000 Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup is an early Flat season highlight in the North and we are very grateful for Ladbrokes’ most valued support.
“Over the past 10 years, northern-based trainers have held a vice-like grip on the contest, with the notable exception of Mick Channon (and STORTING) in 2021. Thirsk always welcomes challengers from far and wide but taking the 2025 Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup down south will be no easy task.”
The post Ladbrokes to sponsor 2025 Thirsk Hunt Cup appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Arturs Korolkovs, Media 24: “Radical Transparency Is Our Strategy”

We’ve recently sat down with Arturs Korolkovs, Head of Sales at affiliate marketing company Media 24, to talk about building long-term partnerships in iGaming, his approach to industry events, and key trends of the affiliate sector — from deal structures and listing fees to navigating increased competition.
When did you join Media 24 and how has your role evolved since then?
I joined the company in 2020, right in the middle of COVID. It was a time of big changes for a lot of people, both in work and in life. I was actually the company’s first employee, and together, we worked on launching our first website.
In the beginning, I had little formal experience in sales or partner management, so I was doing a bit of everything. Uploading content, editing videos, handling social media. But as the company grew, so did my role. Over time, I transitioned fully into partner management, starting as an account manager and working my way up to the Head of Sales.
You attend many conferences and industry events throughout the year. What are your main priorities and how do you measure success there?
In the early days, conferences were more like hunting. Pure acquisition mode, trying to get our name out there and sign initial deals. Now, it’s a far more strategic play. Maintaining relationships, gaining new insights, and staying ahead of industry trends. Conferences aren’t just about sales. It’s an opportunity to gather valuable information that helps both the company and my own professional growth.
How we measure success has shifted too. It’s not solely about the number of contracts signed right there and then, though we certainly track leads that convert into long-term partnerships. We evaluate success by asking: Did we meaningfully strengthen ties with our top-tier partners? Did we gain specific, actionable insights – perhaps about competitor moves or regulatory shifts that will impact our strategy? And did we initiate promising conversations that lay the groundwork for valuable, long-term collaborations? That deeper, strategic ROI is what defines a successful conference for us now.
What are the key factors you consider when deciding whether to start a partnership with a specific operator?
Beyond the obvious things like relevant GEOs and a strong product, the initial communication with the affiliate manager is a massive factor. Are they responsive? Do they communicate clearly? This is the person you’ll be working with long-term, so having a good connection is crucial.
And yes, reputation is critical. The industry is smaller than it looks. Over time, you build a network, and there’s always ways to ask around and get feedback about a brand.
What’s your approach to building long-term relationships with partners?
Radical transparency. We’re open about our traffic sources, our methods, and even potential challenges we foresee. And we expect the same from the operator. Hiding bad news does more harm than good in the long run.
Beyond that, it’s important to proactively add value. By sharing market insights, providing constructive feedback, and maintaining regular meaningful contact. It’s about creating a relationship where both sides feel invested in the other’s success. The more open and proactive the communication, the stronger the partnership.
A lot of affiliates are working with the CPA deals, others prefer Rev Share. What’s Media 24’s approach here and why?
Ideally, a hybrid model works best. But if I had to choose between CPA and Rev Share, I’d go with Rev Share. For SEO traffic, it’s the most effective and sustainable model in the long run. And it’s probably the fairest model for both sides of the deal.
CPA can be situationally useful. Maybe for testing a new, unproven GEO, or launching a new project. But if we’re talking about a long-term strategy and good traffic quality, Rev Share wins every time.
There’s a differing opinion about listing fees in the industry. What’s your take on this?
We see listing fees as a mechanism for building strong and sustainable partnerships. In most cases, especially with new partners, we prefer to work with listing fees. Look, when we onboard a new brand, we’re investing significant resources immediately. Creating content, SEO, traffic allocation — all that requires a budget. This happens before we see a single dollar in commission. And without any guarantees on performance, GEO stability, or long-term commitment from the operator.
At the same time, we always take a flexible approach. For trusted, long-term partners with a strong track record, we are open to alternative structures. It’s all about finding a setup that works for both sides and ensures mutual long-term growth.
How can affiliate marketing companies handle increased competition and what are the ways to stand out in the industry?
Quality over quantity. A lot of affiliates still focus on pumping out mass content, but that approach is becoming less effective. Today you seriously have to focus on product improvements and user experience. The best way to stand out is through strong branding, engaging content, and a clear value proposition.
Building long-term relationships with partners also plays a huge role. In a crowded market, reputation and the ability to collaborate strategically become powerful differentiators. At Media 24, we believe in growing together with our partners, and that long-term thinking continues to pay off.
The post Arturs Korolkovs, Media 24: “Radical Transparency Is Our Strategy” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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