Genius Sports acquires free-to-play game provider FanHub
Genius Sports has announced its plans to acquire FanHub, expecting to close in Q2 of 2021.
The announcement:
Genius Sports Limited (NYSE: GENI) (“Genius Sports” or “the Company”), the official data, technology and commercial partner that powers the ecosystem connecting sports, betting and media, announced today that it has agreed to acquire FanHub Media Holdings Pty Ltd (“FanHub”), a leading provider of free-to-play (F2P) games and fan engagement solutions. Deal terms were not disclosed.
FanHub, founded in 2012, provides a suite of technology solutions built around three core service offerings: games, betting and social activation. As a global leader in F2P, collectively the FanHub services have become a core feature for gaming operators to engage and retain customers. FanHub’s operations span Australia, the U.K., U.S., and Ukraine.
As part of the transaction, Genius Sports will also acquire FanHub’s suite of F2P games, including fantasy sports, trivia, bracket challenges, pick ’em, and polling games. These will complement Genius Sports’ established offering to sports leagues and federations, sportsbooks, media companies and broadcasters worldwide. FanHub works in partnership with some of the largest companies across Genius Sports’ ecosystem, including the NFL, MLB, MLS, Betway and PointsBet.
Building on Genius Sports’ official data capabilities, the business will integrate FanHub’s solutions across its media services, delivering proven content solutions that help drive customer activity, fan engagement, sponsor activation, and lower cost per acquisition. The new portfolio of F2P games will also help Genius Sports to deliver tailored marketing campaigns alongside live odds, rich data and statistics, video highlights and messaging.
“The acquisition of FanHub will provide our sports, betting and media partners with exciting new content platforms that entirely complement our established data, video and marketing solutions,” said Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke. “This transaction is expected to expand Genius Sports’ global audience and reach while accelerating the convergence of sports, betting and media to engage the modern fan.”
“We are delighted to join the Genius Sports family and excited about the potential opportunities for our clients and staff,” said Chairman of FanHub, Tim Lamb. CEO and Founder of FanHub, Andrew Cronyn added, “We couldn’t imagine a more complementary partner and together we will offer an even richer fan experience, generate more engagement and offer value to our partners – and fans.”
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.
On April 20, 2021, Genius Sports completed its previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) with dMY Technology Group, Inc. II (“dMY II”). The Business Combination was approved at a special meeting of dMY II’s stockholders held Friday, April 16. Beginning on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Genius Sports’ ordinary shares and warrants began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the ticker symbols “GENI” and “GENI WS”, respectively. With over $145 million in cash and no financial debt on the balance sheet, Genius Sports is poised to continue to capitalize on the considerable growth expected in the global online sports betting market.
Source: Genius Sports media release
