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INTRALOT Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

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INTRALOT Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
INTRALOT Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial ResultsReading Time: 14 minutes

INTRALOT SA (RIC: INLr.AT, Bloomberg: INLOT GA), an international gaming solutions and operations leader, announces its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31st, 2021, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Group Revenue at €102.0m in 1Q21 (+9.3% y-o-y).

 

EBITDA in 1Q21 at €24.4m (+55.4% y-o-y), while Adjusted EBITDA at €20.8m (+56.4% y-o-y).

 

NIATMI (Net Income After Tax and Minority Interest) from continuing operations at €-7.3m, improved by 57.8% compared to a year ago.

 

North America operations, under Intralot Inc., achieved significant y-o-y growth (Revenue +21.8%, EBITDA +81.8%).

Group OPEX in 1Q21 is better by 8.3% y-o-y, with Greek entities OPEX lower by 25.7% y-o-y, without taking into consideration the capital structure optimization expenses.

 

Operating Cash Flow at €21.6m in 1Q21 (+127.4% y-o-y).

 

Group Net CAPEX in 1Q21 was €2.9m, lower by 48.2% compared to a year ago.

 

Group Cash at the end of 1Q21 at €90.6m.

 

Net Debt at €643.7m at the end of 1Q21.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic impact for 1Q21 has been restrained in the vicinity of €1.5m at Group’s EBITDA level.

In May 2021, INTRALOT announced the sale of its 80% stake in “Intralot do Brasil”, to SAGA, the only other shareholder of Intralot do Brasil, holding 20% of the company, for a total cash consideration of €0.7m. INTRALOT will continue to provide its gaming technology to Intralot do Brasil following closing of the transaction.

 

Also in May 2021, INTRALOT announced that its subsidiary in The Netherlands INTRALOT BENELUX BV, in co-operation with the Nederlandse Loterij, completed the transition of the operator’s full gaming portfolio enabled by the innovative LotosX platform, and rolled out 4,300 Photon terminals along with its robust signage solution empowering further the retail channel of Nederlandse Loterij’s Lottery games and Sports Betting offering.

 

Group Headline Figures

 

  (in € million) 1Q21 1Q20 % LTM  
  Change  
           
  Revenue (Turnover) 102.0 93.3 9.3% 373.5  
  GGR 80.5 74.3 8.3% 299.1  
  OPEX1 -23.2 -25.3 -8.3% -93.1  
  EBITDA2 24.4 15.7 55.4% 74.9  
  EBITDA Margin (% on 23.9% 16.8% +7.1pps 20.1%  
  Revenue)  
           
  EBITDA Margin (% on GGR) 30.3% 21.1% +9.2pps 25.0%  
  Adjusted EBITDA3 20.8 13.3 56.4% 63.3  
  Capital Structure -5.0 -0.3 -11.5  
  Optimization expenses  
           
  D&A -16.0 -18.2 -12.1% -66.3  
  EBT -3.4 -14.9 77.2% -82.6  
  EBT Margin (%) -3.3% -16.0% +12.7pps -22.1%  
  NIATMI from continuing -7.3 -17.3 57.8% -94.1  
  operations  
           
  Total Assets 612.1 755.3  
  Gross Debt 734.3 753.1  
  Net Debt 643.7 611.1  
  Operating Cash Flow from 21.6 9.5 127.4% 49.8  
  total operations  
           
  Net CAPEX -2.9 -5.6 -48.2% -33.3  
             

 

INTRALOT Chairman & CEO Sokratis P. Kokkalis noted:

“First quarter results show strong Revenue and EBITDA growth, driven by robust operational performance and successful implementation of cost containment measures, while maintaining a strong cash position. At the same time, we continue to sharpen our focus on strategic markets with higher margins, launch new operations, such as Croatia, and roll out our new product portfolio, overall pointing to a very healthy operational performance for 2021.”

 

  • OPEX presented exclude the capital structure optimization expenses.

 

  • The Group defines “EBITDA” as “Operating Profit/(Loss) before tax” adjusted for the figures “Profit/(loss) from equity method consolidations”, “Profit/(loss) to net monetary position”, “Exchange Differences”, “Interest and related income”, “Interest and similar expenses”, “Income/(expenses) from participations and investments”, “Write-off and impairment loss of assets”, “Gain/(loss) from assets disposal”, “Reorganization costs” and “Assets’ depreciation and amortization”.

 

  • Calculated as Proportionate EBITDA of fully consolidated entities including EBITDA from equity investment in Taiwan.

 

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

 

REVENUE

Reported consolidated revenue posted an increase compared to 1Q20, leading to total revenue for the three-month period ended March 31st, 2021, of €102.0m (+9.3%).

 

  • Lottery Games was the largest contributor to our top line, comprising 63.0% of our revenue, followed by Sports Betting contributing 19.1% to Group turnover. VLTs represented 8.7% and Technology contracts accounted as well for 8.7% of Group turnover, while Racing constituted the 0.5% of total revenue of 1Q21.

 

  • Reported consolidated revenue for the three-month period is higher by €8.7m year over year. The main factors that drove top line performance per Business Activity are:

 

  • €+1.3m (+3.9%) from our Licensed Operations (B2C) activity line, with the increase attributed mainly to higher revenue in:

 

  • Malta (€+2.8m),  with  the  variance attributable mainly to the COVID-19 impact at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

 

The increase in our Licensed Operations activity line was partially mitigated by the lower performance in:

 

  • other Licensed Operations (referring to Brazil and Argentina), which dropped by €-1.5m, impacted mainly by the FX currency translation.

 

  • €+5.3m (+65.4%) from our Management (B2B/ B2G) contracts activity line with the variance driven by:
  • the surplus from our Turkish operations (€+3.1m), driven by Bilyoner’s improved top line performance, favored by the strong growth of the online market. In 1Q21, the local Sports Betting market expanded close to 2.0 times y-o-y, with the online segment representing close to 92% of the market at the end of 1Q21. Performance in Euro terms was partially mitigated by the headwinds in Turkish lira (32.3% Euro appreciation versus a year ago – in YTD average terms),

 

  • the launch of US Sports Betting in Montana and Washington, D.C. in late 2020 (€+1.3m), and

 

  • Morocco’s (€+0.9m or +31.2% y-o-y) improved performance, due to the COVID-19 impact in late 1Q20.

 

  • €+2.1m (+4.0%) from our Technology and Support Services (B2B/ B2G) activity line, with the increase attributed mainly to:

 

  • our US operations’ increased revenue (€+5.5m), mainly driven by the strong growth in our Lottery operations, while further boosted by a significant jackpot in January 2021, despite the effect from the adverse USD movement (9.1% Euro appreciation versus a year ago — in YTD average terms) and the lower merchandise sales in the current period.

 

The increase in our Technology and Support Services activity line was partially mitigated by the lower performance in:

 

  • The Netherlands (€-1.2m), impacted by the revised commercial terms which affected half of the first quarter of 2020 vs. full quarter effect in 2021,

 

  • Australia (€-1.1m), driven mainly by one-off merchandise sales in 1Q20, as well as the phasing-out of COVID-19 impact, while partially offset by the favorable currency movement, and

 

  • sales from other jurisdictions (€-1.1m), impacted mainly by lower merchandise sales in the current period and the COVID-19 impact.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, revenue — net of the negative FX impact of €13.2m — reached €115.2m (+23.5% y-o-y).

 

GROSS GAMING REVENUE & Payout

  • Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from continuing operations concluded at €80.5m in 1Q21, posting an increase of 8.3% (or €+6.2m) year over year, attributable to:

 

  • the increase in the non-payout related GGR (€+7.7m vs. 1Q20), driven mainly by the increased top line contribution of our US operations, as well as the improved performance of Bilyoner in the current period.

 

The GGR increase was partially counterbalanced by:

–     the drop in our payout related GGR (-10.9% y-o-y or €-1.5m), driven mainly by the higher average payout ratio across all licensed operations in 1Q21 and especially in Malta, combined with the adverse FX impact from our licensed operations in Latin America (+2.8% y-o-y on wagers from licensed operations4). 1Q21 Average Payout Ratio5 increased by 5.5pps vs. LY (64.0% vs. 58.5%), affected mainly by the higher weighted contribution from our operations in Malta.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, GGR — net of the negative FX impact of €10.1m — reached €90.6m (+21.9% y-o-y).

 

OPERATING EXPENSES6 & EBITDA7

  • Total Operating Expenses decreased by €2.1m (or 8.3%) in 1Q21 (€23.2m vs. €25.3m in 1Q20). The variance is largely driven by the lower operating expenses across many key regions, such as the US and Morocco, and especially in the HQ, following cost savings and COVID-19 mitigation actions. The decrease was further supported by lower D&A in the current period, while it was only partially offset by the higher advertising costs in Bilyoner.

 

  • Other Operating Income from continuing operations concluded at €5.5m, presenting an increase of 52.8% y-o-y (or €+1.9m), driven by higher equipment lease income in the USA.

 

  • EBITDA, from continuing operations, amounted to €24.4m in 1Q21, posting an increase of 4% (or €+8.7m) compared to the 1Q20 results from continuing operations. 1Q21 Organic performance8 was boosted by the significant growth of our US operations in both Lottery and the new Sports Betting stream, Bilyoner’s improved performance and the operating expenses containments across many jurisdictions. The EBITDA increase was partially counterbalanced by Malta’s higher average payout ratio in 1Q21, a one-off revenue recognition in Australia in 1Q20, the revised commercial terms in Netherlands, as well as the adverse FX impact8 of currencies movement across many key markets (mainly US and Turkey).

 

  • Licensed Operations Revenue also include a small portion of non-Payout related revenue, i.e., value-added services, which totaled €0.8m and €0.4m for 1Q21 and 1Q20, respectively.
  • Payout ratio calculation excludes the IFRS 15 impact for payments to customers.

 

  • Operating Expenses analysis excludes expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

  • EBITDA analysis excludes Depreciation & Amortization, and expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

  • CPI adjusted for Turkey and Argentina (proxy).

 

  • On a yearly basis, EBITDA margin on sales improved to 23.9%, compared to 16.8% in 1Q20 (+7.1pps), as a result of revenue growth (mainly in the US and Turkey), combined with operating expenses containments across many key regions (mainly in HQ, US and Morocco).

 

  • LTM EBITDA rose to €74.9m, up by 13.1% vs. FY20.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, EBITDA, net of the negative FX impact of €3.9m, reached €28.3m (+80.3% y-o-y).

 

EBT / NIATMI

 

  • EBT in 1Q21 totaled €-3.4m, compared to €-14.9m in 1Q20, with the key drivers of the improvement being:

 

  • the impact of the increased EBITDA (€+8.7m vs. 1Q20), as described above,

 

  • the better FX results (€+4.2m vs. 1Q20), as a result of the USD and other currencies movement against Euro, as well as the positive effect from the reclassification of FX reserves to Income Statement applying IFRS 10, and

 

  • the decreased D&A (€+2.2m), due to increased impairments in the previous periods.

 

With the increase at EBT level being partially offset by:

 

–  the higher capital structure optimization expenses in 1Q21 (€-4.7m).

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21 EBΤ, adjusted for the FX impact, reached €+1.0m, from €-14.1m in 1Q20.

 

  • NIATMI from continuing operations in 1Q21 concluded at €-7.3m compared to €-17.3m in NIATMI from total operations in 1Q21 amounted to €-8.2m (improved by €9.4m vs. a year ago), including the performance of the discontinued operations in Bulgaria and Peru.

 

  • Constant currency basis: NIATMI (total operations) in 1Q21, on a constant currency basis, reached €-10.3m from €-17.4m in 1Q20.

 

CASH-FLOW

 

  • Operating Cash-flow in 1Q21 amounted to €21.6m, increased by €12.1m, compared to 1Q20. Excluding the operating cash-flow contribution of our discontinued operations (mainly Bulgaria) and the capital structure optimization expenses paid, the cash-flow from operating activities is higher by €15.9m vs. a year ago and is largely driven by the positive variance in Income Taxes paid (€+12.2m), attributed to Income Tax returns during the current period vs. payments in 1Q20, and the higher recorded EBITDA y-o-y from continuing operations (€+8.7m), while partially offset by the adverse working capital movement of €-5.5m (€-7.3m in 1Q21, vs. €-1.8m in 1Q20).

 

  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow9 in 1Q21 increased by €24.4m to €4.1m, compared to €-20.3m a year The main contributors to this variance were the positive swing in the Income Taxes Paid (€+12.2m), following an income tax return in 1Q21, the higher recorded EBITDA (€+8.7m y-o-y), and the lower Net Dividends paid (€+2.5m), driven mainly by Inteltek’s dividend paid in 1Q20 as part of settlement procedures after its contract discontinuation. Excluding Parent company tax audit payments and returns, as well as Inteltek’s contract discontinuation impact in the previous period, 1Q21 Adjusted Free Cash Flow stands at €-1.1m, or €+8.3m above 1Q20 levels.
  • Calculated as EBITDA – Maintenance CAPEX – Cash Taxes – Net Cash Finance Charges (excluding refinancing charges – Net Dividends Paid; all finance metrics exclude the impact of discontinued operations.

 

  • Net CAPEX in 1Q21 was €2.9m, compared to €5.6m in 1Q20, significantly decreased following the completion of prior years’ investments and projects. Headline CAPEX items in 1Q21 include €0.9m towards R&D and project pipeline delivery, and €0.9m in the US. All other net additions amount to €1.1m for 1Q21. Maintenance CAPEX accounted for €0.8m, or 28.0% of the overall capital expenditure in 1Q21, from €1.6m or 28.1% in 1Q20.

 

  • Net Debt, as of March 31st, 2021, stood at €643.7m, decreased by €7.4m compared to December 31st, 2020. The Net Debt movement was impacted primarily by the Net Investments (€-13.3m, referring mainly to Intralot de Peru sale impact), the bonds IFRS treatment positive effect (€-9.3m), as well as an income tax return in the first quarter of 2021 related to the Parent Company tax audit payments of the previous periods (€-5.2m). The Net Debt decrease was only partially offset by the Restricted Bank Deposits for the period (€+3.2m), the payments towards Capital Structure Optimization (€+3.1m), and the investments towards the growth of our business, mainly for our projects in the US and Croatia (€+1.9m). Normal course of business in the Net Debt movement reflects March coupon payments and the adverse Working Capital, that fully offset the positive Operating Cash Flows.

 

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IMPACT UPDATE

The economic fallout from COVID-19 continued to affect business activities in the beginning of 2021, and restrictions in most of the regions across the world were still enforced to cope with the spread of the pandemic. However, as vaccinations are progressing, governments have loosened COVID-19 measures after months of lockdowns, and gradually re-opened economic activities.

 

Gaming market in most of the regions where we operate has started to improve, while US Lottery market shows high degree of resilience. Based on the current performance of our operations in the first months of 2021 and the actions undertaken by most of our subsidiaries, no significant EBITDA impact is expected post 1Q21 from the pandemic. In any case, the scale and magnitude of COVID-19 impact for 2021 is continuously assessed and all containment measures assumed in 2020 remain intact and have been enhanced in order to absorb the potential impact in the financial results of 2021. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the financial performance in 2021 will depend on future development of the pandemic and the efficiency of the actions taken by the governments. This uncertainty will require us to continually adapt our strategy and initiatives and continuously assess the situation.

 

The health and safety of our team remains our top priority. With this in mind, we have immediately complied with all measures imposed by local governments and used technology in order to immediately enable a substantive majority of our personnel to work and collaborate remotely, without affecting the performance and quality standards of the Group.

9

 

RECENT/ SIGNIFICANT COMPANY DEVELOPMENTS

 

 

  • On January 14th, 2021, the Company announced that OPAP exercised its two-year extension option of the contract with INTRALOT for the continuation of the collaboration of the two companies in the field of numerical lotteries and services from August 2021 to July 2023.

 

  • On February 8th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that it has reached a binding agreement with Nexus Group in Peru to sell its entire stake of 20% in Intralot de Peru SA, an associate of INTRALOT Group, which was consolidated through the Equity method, for a cash consideration of USD 21.0m. In addition, the Company signed a three-year extension of its current contract with Intralot de Peru SA through 2024, to continue to provide its gaming technology and support services. The transaction was completed on February 24th, 2021, with the net cash consideration, after taxes and transaction expenses, amounting to USD 16.2m.

 

  • On March 23rd, 2021, INTRALOT announced the amendment of the contract of INTRALOT Maroc, a subsidiary of the INTRALOT Group acting as games operator in Morocco, with La Marocaine Des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS), a state lottery offering sports betting and other games of chance in Morocco, which was signed in June 2019. According to this amendment, counterparties agree to reduce the duration of the contract, which was initially effective for an 8-year term, ending 31/12/2022.

 

  • On May 14th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that it has reached a binding agreement with “SAGA CONSULTORIA E REPRESENTAÇÕES COMERCIAIS E EMPRESARIAIS” (“SAGA”) in Brazil to sell its entire stake in “Intralot do Brasil Comércio de Equipamentos e Programas de Computador LTDA” (“Intralot do Brasil”), representing 80% of the company’s voting capital. SAGA is the only other shareholder of Intralot do Brasil holding 20% of the company. INTRALOT will continue to provide its gaming technology to Intralot do Brasil following closing of the transaction. The total cash consideration for the stake sale amounts to €0.7m.

 

  • On May 26th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that its subsidiary in The Netherlands INTRALOT BENELUX BV, in co-operation with the Nederlandse Loterij, completed the transition of the operator’s full gaming portfolio enabled by the innovative LotosX platform. Additionally,

INTRALOT has rolled out 4,300 Photon terminals along with its robust signage solution empowering further the retail channel of Nederlandse Loterij’s Lottery games and Sports Betting offering.

10

 

APPENDIX

 

Performance per Business Segment10

 

YTD Performance

 

Performance per Geography

 

Revenue Breakdown

 

(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %
    Change
         
Europe   34.4   39.0 -11.8%
Americas   55.0   49.7 10.7%
Other   16.8   14.0 20.0%
Eliminations   -4.2   -9.4
Total Consolidated Sales   102.0   93.3 9.3%

 

 

Gross Profit Breakdown

 

(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %
    Change
         
Europe   -1.8   2.5
Americas   14.4   9.1 58.2%
Other   14.2   9.8 44.9%
Eliminations   -0.7   -2.3
Total Consolidated Gross Profit   26.1   19.1 36.6%

 

  • Part of the US revenue that concerns SB management, has been included under the category “Game Management”. The rest of the US revenue is included under the “Technology” business segment.

 

11

 

Gross Margin Breakdown          
            %
      1Q21   1Q20
        Change
           
  Europe   -5.2%   6.4% -11.6pps
  Americas   26.2%   18.3% +7.9pps
  Other   84.5%   70.0% +14.5pps
  Total Consolidated Gross Margin   25.6%   20.5% +5.1pps

 

INTRALOT Parent Company results

 

  • Revenue for the period decreased by 55.3%, to €4.6m, with the decrease attributable mainly to one-off equipment sales in 1Q20, as well as lower rendering of services towards the Group’s subsidiaries in the current period.

 

  • EBITDA shaped at €-4.5m from €-2.4m in 1Q20, variance affected mainly by the revenue decrease, while partially offset by the containments in the Company’s operating expenses.

 

  • Earnings after Taxes (EAT) at €-0.1m from €-10.2m in 1Q20.

 

 

(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %   LTM  
    Change    
               
Revenue   4.6   10.3 -55.3%   42.0  
Gross Profit   -3.1   0.1   12.3  
Other Operating Income       0.2  
OPEX11   -5.1   -6.9 -26.1%   -25.7  
EBITDA11   -4.5   -2.4 -87.5%   0.7  
EAT   -0.1   -10.2 99.0%   -30.5  
CAPEX (paid)   -0.5   -1.9 -73.7%   -6.4  

 

  • Operating Expenses and EBITDA presented exclude the expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

12

 

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

(in € million)   1Q21     1Q20 %       LTM    
        Change      
                     
Revenue   102.0     93.3 9.3%       373.5    
Gross Profit   26.1     19.1 36.6%       82.3    
Other Operating Income   5.5     3.6 52.8%       19.5    
OPEX   -23.2     -25.3 -8.3%       -93.1    
EBITDA   24.4     15.7 55.4%       74.9    
Margin   23.9%     16.8%   +7.1pps   20.1%    
Capital Structure Optimization   -5.0     -0.3       -11.5    
expenses                
                         
D&A   -16.0     -18.2 -12.1%       -66.3    
EBIT   3.4     -2.9       -2.8    
Interest expense (net)   -11.8     -12.0 1.7%       -48.2    
Exchange differences   3.7     -0.5       -5.4    
Other   1.3     0.5 160.0%       -26.2    
EBT   -3.4     -14.9 77.2%       -82.6    
NIATMI   -8.2     -17.6 53.4%       -96.8    
NIATMI continuing   -7.3     -17.3 57.8%       -94.1    
NIATMI discontinued   -0.9     -0.3 -200.0%       -2.7    
Group Statement of Financial Position                  
                     
(in € million)           1Q21       FY20  
                           
Tangible Assets           138.9     134.3    
Intangible Assets           200.7     202.0    
Other Non-Current Assets           19.4     19.2    
Inventories           24.2     25.7    
Trade and Other Short-term Receivables     138.3     151.5    
Cash and Cash Equivalents           90.6     100.0    
Assets Held for Sale               16.2    
Total Assets           612.1     648.9    
Share Capital           47.1     47.1    
Other Equity Elements           -270.6     -269.3    
Reserves from profit / (loss) recognized directly in other         -0.6    
comprehensive income and are related to assets held for sale          
               
Non-Controlling Interests           1.5     3.7    
Total Shareholders’ Equity           -222.0     -219.1    
Long-term Debt           480.5     476.2    
Provisions/ Other Long-term Liabilities           20.8     21.5    
Short-term Debt           253.8     274.9    
Other Short-term Liabilities           79.0     95.4    
Total Liabilities           834.1     868.0    
Total Equity and Liabilities           612.1     648.9    

 

13

 

Group Statement of Cash Flows

 

  (in € million) 1Q21 1Q20
       
  EBT from continuing operations -3.4 -14.9
  EBT from discontinued operations 0.5
  Plus/less Adjustments 23.3 31.1
  Decrease/(increase) of Inventories -1.3 1.0
  Decrease/(increase) of Receivable Accounts 13.5 -0.2
  (Decrease)/increase of Payable Accounts -17.6 -2.0
  Income Tax Paid 6.6 -5.5
  Net Cash from Operating Activities 21.6 9.5
  Net CAPEX -2.9 -5.6
  (Purchases) / Sales of subsidiaries & other investments 13.3 -0.5
  Restricted bank deposits -3.2 -0.7
  Interest received 0.3 0.6
  Dividends received 1.0
  Net Cash from Investing Activities 7.5 -5.2
  Cash inflows from loans 27.5
  Repayment of loans -11.2 -27.2
  Repayment of Leasing Obligations -1.4 -1.8
  Interest and similar charges paid -21.4 -22.1
  Dividends paid -5.1 -7.9
  Net Cash from Financing Activities -39.1 -31.5
  Net increase / (decrease) in cash for the period -10.0 -27.2
  Exchange differences 0.6 -1.9
  Cash at the beginning of the period 100.0 171.1
  Cash at the end of the period from total operations 90.6 142.0
       

 

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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One of the most exciting additions is the introduction of Prize Multipliers – magical glowing bands that appear on the board and double the value of any ball that lands within them. These appear in one zone in the 8-line mode and two zones in the 16-line setup. Each winning drop is accompanied by bespoke visual and audio effects that scale with the prize’s value, creating a celebratory atmosphere that mirrors the game’s festive theme.

To support long-term engagement, a live results tracker has been integrated into the interface, sitting discreetly in the top-left corner. This feature allows players to monitor their recent outcomes and keep track of lucky streaks without disrupting the rhythm of play.

Beyond mechanics, Pinky Plinko Deluxe delivers a complete sensory upgrade. The background art and game board have been redesigned with intricate detail, enhancing the depth and richness of the game’s world. Every element has been refined to evoke the spirit of the festival and elevate the player experience.

The sound design also adapts dynamically, with subtle sparkles for small wins and full-scale fireworks when larger prizes are secured.
The result is an atmospheric and polished experience designed to delight players and perform strongly across a wide range of markets.

The post Spinmatic launches Pinky Plinko Deluxe appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Boomerang Partners and AC Milan summarize the results of the first year of strategic partnership

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Boomerang Partners, an affiliate marketing agency, is proud to announce that Boomerang and the legendary AC Milan celebrated the first anniversary of their strategic partnership. This collaboration has redefined how brands and clubs engage with fans, partners, and global sports audiences.

Over the past 12 months, this alliance has made significant strides both on and off the field. From global exposure to affiliate program growth, this partnership has become the benchmark for what a meaningful brand-club partnership in iGaming can look like.

During the year of Boomerang’s partnership with AC Milan, Boomerang Partners became one of the best sports affiliate marketing programs in the industry:

  • +194% growth in sports traffic across Boomerang’s affiliate ecosystem
  • +81% increase in audience interest in sports
  • +23% boost in Boomerang brand loyalty
  • 30+ exclusive partner campaigns were powered
  • 1,000+ media mentions with a total global reach of 320M+
  • 1M+ impressions on Boomerang’s platforms from AC Milan-related content

The Boomerang’s partnership with AC Milan has also influenced the brand recognition and prestige of Boomerang Partners. Some of the most prominent achievements and news were:

  • Hosting the ceremony of the second annual Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 global affiliate tournament at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium;
  • Participation in Boomerang Partners events by AC Milan Legends such as Andrea Pirlo, Serginho, and Massimo Ambrosini;
  • More than 200 Boomerang’s partners visited San Siro during the season (the most attended match was the derby between AC Milan and Inter FC on February 2, 2025);
  • Over 500 merchandising items were donated to guests and brand partners.

Anton Eshtokin, Chief Marketing Officer at Boomerang Partners, said: “For Boomerang, the collaboration with AC Milan is a top-level achievement. During the year of our partnership, we won three prestigious industry awards: ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator) at the SBC Awards 2024, ‘Best Player Engagement’ at the SiGMA Europe Awards 2024, and ‘Unique Gaming Company of the Year’ at the International Gaming Awards 2025. The Club has shown itself to be an ideal partner, ready to meet our needs in joint projects. We are grateful to AC Milan and its representatives for their professionalism. I’m sure that there are many more bright activities ahead of us that will surprise the sports world and the affiliate marketing industry.”

Boomerang’s partners have also greatly benefited from the brand’s strategic partnership with AC Milan. These include unique promotional and engagement opportunities, cool campaigns and creatives, and, of course, the chance to visit the legendary San Siro stadium in Milan.

For AC Milan, the collaboration with Boomerang is an opportunity to enhance fan engagement across Europe, offering unique experiences that celebrate their shared passion for sports. Fans from all over the world were given access to special giveaways, allowing them to attend the football Club’s matches and meet its legends.

Boomerang and AC Milan have entered their second year of strategic partnership. The parties are confident that their alliance will enable them to achieve numerous successes and solidify their status as one of the most effective partnerships in the industry. Stay tuned.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Boomerang launched six new products in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.

Boomerang’s portfolio contains 17+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

The post Boomerang Partners and AC Milan summarize the results of the first year of strategic partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story

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InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, is announcing Cozy Coast, an adventure game that combines an emotional storyline, richly developed characters, and engaging puzzle mechanics based on the popular Merge-2 system. The game will launch later this year on iOS and Android. Pre-registration is already available in selected regions.

With Cozy Coast, the studio highlights its versatility by introducing a new genre to its portfolio, which includes internationally acclaimed strategy games like Forge of EmpiresTribal Wars, and Heroes of History. The game combines a sunny, feel-good atmosphere with diverse entertainment, targeting discerning casual gamers who appreciate relaxing gameplay just as much as an engaging story.

Adventures Featuring Building Mechanics and Puzzle Challenges

In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island holds treasured memories of a carefree childhood, yet the once idyllic place has somehow lost its charm. Together, the two young women set out on a mission to restore the original beauty of Calista.

Merging items is the central gameplay mechanic in Cozy Coast. By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents while gathering resources to repair buildings and unlock new areas. Along the way, Mia and Elara encounter other characters and gradually uncover the island’s secrets. With its lovingly crafted environments, Cozy Coast invites players to explore every hidden corner of Calista.

“With Cozy Coast, we’re creating an inviting game world that offers players a break from everyday life while delivering challenging gameplay. For the first time in InnoGames’ history, we’re introducing a title that combines emotional storytelling with strategic merge mechanics. We look forward to welcoming players from around the world to Cozy Coast very soon,” says Christian Reshöft, Chief Product Officer at InnoGames.

Key Features of Cozy Coast

  • Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
  • Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
  • Adventure in paradise: Discover hidden places together with your best friend and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
  • Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
  • Fresh challenges every day: Participate in daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
  • Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
  • Free to play without restrictions: Launching soon worldwide on iOS and Android

Cozy Coast was already launched in selected regions on iOS and Android, with players giving it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play is now available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More regions to follow soon.

The post InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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