GlobeNewswire Inc | May 12, 2021 04:15PM EDT

May 12, 2021

Revenue growth of 321% vs the same period last yearGross Profit up 80% vs same period last yearDirect sales of $2.2 million vs $60 thousand in the same period last yearSubscription revenue growth of 50% vs same period last year

TORONTO, May 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:EGLX) (TSX:EGLX), (Enthusiast Gaming or the Company), today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Our first quarter results were fueled by our focused acquisition strategy as well as organic growth gains coming from direct sales and premium subscriptions,commented Adrian Montgomery, CEO of Enthusiast Gaming. We have leveraged this momentum in our growth strategy, announcing earlier today our accelerated plans to launch a gaming social network and premium subscription offering with the acquisition of Tabwire, enabling us to evolve further into a technology-driven media, esports and entertainment company.

First Quarter 2021 Highlights:

-- Revenue was $30.0 million, a 321% increase vs Q1 2020 revenue of $7.1 million. -- Gross profit was $5.9 million, an increase of 80% vs Q1 2020 gross profit of $3.3 million. -- Net loss and comprehensive loss was $13.6 million, resulting in a net loss and comprehensive loss per share, basic and diluted, of $0.12. -- Direct advertising sales of $2.2 million, compared to $60 thousand in the same period last year. -- Paid subscribers grew 49% over the past 12 months to 137,000 paid subscribers as of March 31, 2021. -- 9.9 billion total views across written and video content. -- Strengthened balance sheet by approximately $50 million with the combination of a bought deal financing for gross proceeds of $42.5 million and the reduction of indebtedness through the conversion of outstanding debentures of approximately $9 million. -- Announced key partnership deals with Samsung and TikTok. -- Was ranked as a Top 100 Internet Properties in the United States by Comscore, one of only two gaming properties to make the list alongside Amazons TWITCH.TV, and ranked #1 Gaming Information property for unique visitor traffic from mobile devices. -- Announced and closed subsequent to Q1, the acquisition of Vedatis SAS, owners of Icy Veins, one of the largest Activision Blizzard fan communities.

We continue to see the benefits of our investments in key areas that drive long-term revenue and margin growth. For any media company, Q1 is seasonally the lowest quarter, but our results are off to a strong start and point to a promising year ahead. As a result, we will continue to execute our strategy of combining accretive acquisitions with organic growth through our proprietary flywheel.

Significant events subsequent to First Quarter 2021:

-- Signed an integrated and strategic partnership deal with ESPAT TV, a strong producer of gaming and entertainment content across multiple distribution channels, and including ESPAT TVs Creative Collective, which consists of Ridley Scott Creative Group, Petrol, PRG, and Movers & Shakers, has produced work across the globe partnering with publishers, brands, live events, and advertising agencies alike. -- Luminosity Gaming, the Companys esports organization, was ranked by Streams Charts as the most popular esports community on Twitch in March 2021, with 40 million hours watched, outpacing the runner up by more than 15 million hours. -- Filed a Registration Statement on Form 40-F with theUnited States Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) becoming a reporting issuer in the United States. -- Announced that the Companys common shares were approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq) under the trading ticker symbol EGLX and commenced trading on April 21, 2021. -- Appointed NFL superstar, Silicon Valley advisor and community leader, Richard Sherman to its Board of Directors. -- Announced a partnership deal with ExitLag, a Latin American software developer with proprietary technology to improve routing connections for gamers. -- Filed a short form base shelf prospectus in Canada and the US up to an aggregate total of $250 million. -- Announced plans to create a subscription-based gaming social network, Project GG, facilitated by entering into a definitive agreement to acquire Tabwire LLC, a technology and data platform that gives gamers the ability to login directly to view their game data in real time with 13 billion gamer profiles, for US$11 million in cash and stock.

Certain information provided in this news release is extracted from the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements (the Financial Statements) and Managements Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and should be read in conjunction with them. It is only in the context of the fulsome information and disclosures contained in the Financial Statements and MD&A that an investor can properly analyze this information. The Financial Statements and MD&A can be found under the Companys profile on SEDAR and EDGAR.

Earnings Announcement and Supplemental Information

Management will host a conference call and webcast on May 12, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. EDT to review and discuss the first quarter 2021 results.

Conference call dial-in details:North America (toll-free):+1 877-407-9039International:+1 201-689-8470Conference ID: 13718919

A live webcast can be accessed at https://www.enthusiastgaming.com/investors/.

If you are unable to join live, an archived recording of the webcast will be available on the investor relations section of the Enthusiast Gaming website.

About Enthusiast Gaming

Enthusiast Gaming is building the largest media platform for video game and esports fans to connect and engage worldwide. Combining the elements of its four core pillars; Media, Talent, Esports and Experiences, Enthusiast Gaming provides a unique opportunity and integrated approach to reach and connect with its coveted GenZ and Millennial audience. Through its proprietary mix of digital media and entertainment assets, Enthusiast Gaming has built a vast network of like-minded communities to deliver the ultimate fan experience.

Contacts

Enthusiast Gaming Investor Relations:Eric Bernofsky, Chief Corporate Officerinvestor@enthusiastgaming.com

Media Relations:Carmela Antolino, Provident Communicationscarmela@providentcomms.com647-287-2286

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results, developments, performance or achievements that Enthusiast anticipates or expects may or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking information. Such information may involve, but is not limited to, comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations and future actions of the Company. 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 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 Enthusiast 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 Enthusiast, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs regarding future growth, results of operations, future capital (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof) and expenditures. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. Consolidated Statements of Financial PositionAs at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020(Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian Dollars) March 31, December 31, 2021 2020 ASSETS Current Cash $ 24,400,296 $ 4,323,823 Investments 124,997 124,998 Trade and other receivables 18,123,771 22,424,596 Loans receivable 179,391 194,389 Income tax receivable 290,077 290,077 Prepaid expenses 539,770 576,802 Total current assets 43,658,302 27,934,685 Non-current Property and equipment 325,885 354,850 Right-of-use asset - lease 2,648,341 2,848,400 contracts Long-term investment 2,577,922 2,606,100 Investment in associates 948,492 1,026,910 Long-term portion of prepaid 259,794 263,196 expenses Intangible assets 79,672,394 81,106,007 Goodwill 106,181,086 106,181,086 Total Assets $ 236,272,216 $ 222,321,234 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Accounts payable and accrued $ 17,610,564 $ 23,602,547 liabilities Contract liabilities 1,865,475 1,625,594 Current portion of long-term debt 2,000,000 1,250,000 Current portion of deferred payment - 636,600 liability Current portion of convertible - 7,546,453 debentures Current portion of lease contract 540,020 578,330 liabilitiesTotal current liabilities 22,016,059 35,239,524 Non-current Long-term debt 8,026,237 21,651,956 Long-term lease contract 2,113,162 2,308,336 liabilities Vendor-take-back loan 5,711,756 5,559,250 Long-term portion of deferred payment 539,730 529,124 liability Deferred tax liability 15,082,200 15,161,987 Total liabilities $ 53,489,144 $ 80,450,177 Shareholders' Equity Share capital 281,716,168 232,616,997 Contributed surplus 12,872,136 7,494,164 Accumulated other comprehensive income (2,274 ) 45,428 (loss) Deficit (111,802,958 ) (98,285,532 )Total shareholders' equity 182,783,072 141,871,057 Total liabilities and shareholders' $ 236,272,216 $ 222,321,234 equity

Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive LossFor the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020(Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian Dollars) Three months Three months ended ended March 31, March 31, 2021 2020 Revenue Revenue $ 30,022,335 $ 6,929,572 Gain on player buyout - 204,764 Total revenue 30,022,335 7,134,336 Cost of sales 24,091,327 3,841,107 Gross margin 5,931,008 3,293,229 Operating expenses Professional fees 737,496 286,242 Consulting fees 1,310,627 1,207,650 Advertising and promotion 1,042,354 273,886 Office and general 706,945 986,468 Salaries and wages 4,628,275 1,240,484 Technology support, web 1,394,883 934,894 development and content Esports player, team and game 1,528,605 865,109 expenses Foreign exchange gain (10,133 ) (156,517 ) Share-based compensation 5,760,036 390,373 Amortization and depreciation 1,635,854 1,297,140 Total operating expenses 18,734,942 7,325,729 Other expenses (income) Share of loss from investment in 78,418 95,829 associates Interest and accretion 791,314 1,325,261 Change in fair value of investment (3,984 ) 174,616 Gain on repayment of long-term (39,502 ) - debt Interest income (18,320 ) (61,523 )Net loss before income taxes (13,611,860 ) (5,566,683 ) Income taxes Current tax recovery (14,655 ) - Deferred tax recovery (79,779 ) - Net loss for the period (13,517,426 ) (5,566,683 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss Foreign currency translation (47,702 ) 202,371 adjustmentNet loss and comprehensive loss for $ (13,565,128 ) $ (5,364,312 )the periodNet loss and comprehensive loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.12 ) $ (0.07 )Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 111,462,147 72,524,137

Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020(Unaudited - Expressed in Canadian Dollars) Three months Three months ended ended March 31, March 31, 2021 2020 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss for the period $ (13,517,426 ) $ (5,566,683 )Items not affecting cash: Amortization and depreciation 1,635,854 1,297,140 Share-based compensation 5,760,036 390,373 Interest and accretion 274,083 438,989 Deferred tax recovery (79,779 ) - Gain on player buyout - (204,764 )Foreign exchange gain (696 ) (69,000 )Gain on repayment of long-term debt (39,502 ) - Capitalized interest and success fee - 683,595 Shares for services 93,553 46,058 Change in fair value of investment (3,984 ) 174,616 Share of loss from investment in 78,418 95,829 associatesChanges in working capital Changes in trade and other receivables 4,300,825 (717,375 )Changes in prepaid expenses (5,623 ) (2,012 )Changes in loans receivable 12,500 - Changes in accounts payable and (6,035,820 ) (1,021,719 )accrued liabilitiesChanges in contract liabilities 239,881 (480,454 )Changes in income tax receivable - 4,762 Net cash used in operating activities (7,287,680 ) (4,930,645 ) Cash flows from investing activities Proceeds from disposal of investment - 680,000 Proceeds from disposal of intangible - 204,764 assetsAcquisition of property and equipment (3,398 ) (4,871 )Net cash (used in) provided by (3,398 ) 879,893 investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from the issuance of shares for 39,862,514 - the Offering, net oftransaction costs Proceeds from long-term debt 944,787 - Repayment of long-term debt (13,773,470 ) - Proceeds from exercise of warrants - 2,160,342 Proceeds from exercise of options 594,836 49,367 Lease payments (236,614 ) (60,252 )Net cash provided by financing 27,392,053 2,149,457 activities Foreign exchange effect on cash (24,502 ) 177,776 Net change in cash 20,076,473 (1,723,519 )Cash, beginning of period 4,323,823 13,211,722 Cash, end of period $ 24,400,296 $ 11,488,203