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LeoVegas AB Q2: Quarterly report 1 April – 30 June 2021

Published

4 years ago

August 12, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“All-time-high in Sweden and a strong start for Expekt” – Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO

SECOND QUARTER 2021: 1 APRIL – 30 JUNE

Revenue decreased by 13% to EUR 96.8 m (110.7).
Excluding Germany, growth was positive 3%.
Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 10.6 m (23.0), corresponding to a margin of 10.9% (20.8%). Reported EBITDA was EUR 9.8 m (23.0).
The number of depositing customers was 460,697 (434,453), an increase of 6%.
Adjusted earnings per share were EUR 0.06 (0.19).

EVENTS DURING THE QUARTER

The acquisition of Expekt was completed and integrated on 19 May 2021. The start has been a success, and Expekt’s revenue and market share have nearly doubled in Sweden since the acquisition was carried out.
LeoVegas’ forthcoming expansion to the USA, starting in the state of New Jersey, is on track.
LeoVegas carried out share repurchases for EUR 4.9 m and paid out of the first out of four quarterly dividends to the Parent Company’s shareholders. The second quarterly dividend payment was made after the end of the period.
LeoVegas’ framework and routines for ensuring responsible gaming have been assessed by the independent agency eCOGRA. The external assessment shows that LeoVegas is in conformity with all relevant recommendations and requirements for responsible gaming published by the European commission.

EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE QUARTER

Preliminary revenue in July amounted to EUR 32.8 m (30.7), corresponding to growth of 7%. Excluding Germany, revenue grew 23%.

COMMENT FROM GUSTAF HAGMAN – GROUP CEO

SECOND QUARTER
Most of our markets have continued to develop well, with high, double-digit growth in key markets like Italy and Spain. The development in Sweden is encouraging, with record-high revenue during the quarter. We are also growing rapidly in North America, which now accounts for 10% of consolidated revenue. However, re-regulation in Germany continued to negatively impact figures during the period. Excluding Germany, Group revenue increased by 3% to a new record level despite tough comparison figures from the start of the pandemic during the second quarter of 2020 and greater competition from other entertainment activities as societies are now opening up again. We expect to see positive growth for the Group on a yearly basis during the third quarter.

Our operating profit decreased compared with the same period a year ago, while we achieved stable earnings compared with the preceding quarter. This is despite a high level of investments and a number of important, strategic ventures, including our forthcoming launch in the USA, a stronger focus on sports with the acquisition of Expekt, and our new game studio. Marketing costs in relation to revenue were higher than the historic average, coupled among other things to the relaunch of Expekt and investments in a number of key markets in which we see high customer growth. Investments in marketing during the quarter weighed down earnings short-term but are driving value long-term and will also enable us to accelerate out of the revenue drop in Germany. As revenues increase, the share of marketing investment will decrease. At the same time, we have maintained good cost control, and our operating expenses have more or less been unchanged over the last three-year period.

THE NEW EXPEKT
In mid-May we consolidated the acquisition of Expekt, and shortly thereafter “the New Expekt” was launched with a large and attention-grabbing marketing campaign ahead of the Euro 2020 football championship. It was a successful start, and in a short time we nearly doubled Expekt’s revenue and market share in Sweden since completion of the acquisition.

GERMANY
The situation in Germany coupled to re-regulation, with strict product limitations, an extremely high gaming tax and a skewed competitive situation, is having a negative effect on the Group. Revenue in Germany decreased by 81% compared with a year ago and accounted for only 4% of Group revenue during the quarter. We believe it will take time to create a balanced and fair market climate and have therefore chosen to shift our investments to other, more profitable markets. Over the long term we still believe that Germany, with Europe’s largest population, offers great opportunities for the Group.

NORTH AMERICA
Our forthcoming expansion to the USA, starting with the state of New Jersey, is on track. We are currently working on adapting and certifying our technical platform, and during the autumn we will also begin establishing a local organisation. We expect to accept our first American customers during the first half of 2022.

The Canadian province of Ontario, which is home to roughly 40% of Canada’s population, is conducting preparations to introduce a local licence system for online gaming. LeoVegas has built up a strong brand along with a large and loyal customer base in Ontario and the rest of Canada, among other things with help from former hockey legend Mats Sundin. According to our assessment LeoVegas is one of the larger and most well-known casino actors in the Canadian market.

During the second quarter, North America accounted for 10% of the Group’s total revenue and grew 33%. In pace with our continued expansion in Canada and forthcoming launch in the USA, revenue from North America will increase. This is in line with the Group’s strategy to diversify our revenues.

COMMENTS ON THE THIRD QUARTER
Revenue for the month of July amounted to EUR 32.8 m (30.7), corresponding to positive growth of 7%. Adjusted for Germany, the Group’s growth in July was 23%.

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Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.

The Full Story

Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.

The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.

Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.

By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.

Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.

Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.

The post Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand

Published

20 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.

The Full Story

LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.

The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.

Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.

Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:

“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”

Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.

The post LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona

Published

20 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).

The Full Story

Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.

Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.

Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.

Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.

Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.

Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.

Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.

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