• Revenue increases by 32 percent to € 101.5 million
• EBITDA rises by 76 percent to € 35.4 million
• Number of monthly active customers for lotteries grows by 12 percent to 1.515 thousand
• Gross margin from lotteries improves to 17.3 percent

ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s leading online provider of lottery products, recorded substantial and sustainable growth in key performance indicators in the first half of 2025. Group revenue increased by 32 percent to € 101.5 million in the first six months of the year (2024: € 76.8 million). EBITDA rose by 76 percent to € 35.4 million (2024: € 20.1 million).

“We once again achieved strong results in the first half of 2025. ZEAL’s continued growth path proves that our business model is highly robust and scalable over the long term,” commented Helmut Becker, CEO of ZEAL. “We are in an excellent position to further expand our market leadership in a growing industry.”

Andrea Behrendt, CFO of ZEAL, added: “Our half-year results are a true team success – especially given that the jackpot situation was rather weak compared to the previous year. Challenging market conditions particularly underscore our operational excellence. The significant increases in revenue and EBITDA were driven by further expansion of our customer base and profitability.”

Lottery Business Revenue Grows by 34 Percent

The strong performance of the lottery business was the key driver of ZEAL’s significant revenue growth in the first half of the year. Despite lower average jackpot levels for LOTTO 6aus49 and Eurojackpot compared to the prior-year period, lottery billings increased by 4 percent to € 527.3 million (2024: € 507.1 million).

Thanks to continued successful marketing initiatives, the average number of active customers per month (MAU) rose by 12 percent to 1,515 thousand (2024: 1,353 thousand).

Additionally, ZEAL was able to improve the gross margin by 3.8 percentage points to 17.3 percent (2024: 13.4 percent), driven by a price increase implemented in the previous year and a changed product mix.

The simultaneous increase in billings and gross margin resulted in a significant 34 percent rise in lottery business revenue to € 91.0 million (2024: € 68.0 million).

Games Segment Grows by 49 Percent

The Games segment also continued its strong development in the first half of the year. ZEAL expanded its B2C games portfolio to more than 480 titles and increased revenue in the Games segment by 49 percent to € 6.7 million (2024: € 4.5 million).

Significant Increases in EBITDA and EBIT

Challenging jackpot conditions in the first half of 2025 made new customer acquisition more difficult. Nonetheless, ZEAL continued to invest heavily in sustained growth, acquiring 499 thousand new customers (2024: 592 thousand).

Intensive marketing efforts led to an increase in acquisition costs per new customer (Cost per Lead, CPL) by 41 percent to € 46.93 (2024: € 33.20).

Other operating expenses rose by 15 percent to € 49.4 million (2024: € 42.8 million).

In addition to strategic marketing spend—which increased by 14 percent to € 29.1 million (2024: € 25.5 million)—this was primarily due to higher direct and indirect operating costs. The ongoing development of the product mix led to an increase in direct operating costs by 14 percent to € 9.8 million (2024: € 8.6 million). Indirect operating costs increased by 20 percent to € 10.4 million (2024: € 8.7 million), driven in particular by external consulting services, freelance personnel, and software expenses.

Through efficiency gains and the scalability of its business model, ZEAL was able to increase EBITDA disproportionately to revenue—by 76 percent to € 35.4 million (2024: € 20.1 million). EBIT nearly doubled year-on-year, reaching € 31.1 million (2024: € 16.1 million).

Based on the strong results of the first half of 2025, ZEAL confirms the forecast published on March 26, 2025.

Industry veteran brings extensive experience to key leadership role at Relax Gaming

Relax Gaming, the renowned iGaming aggregator and supplier, has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of Tony O’Mahony as Chief Product Officer (CPO).

O’Mahony brings a wealth of experience to the role, having most recently served as a Product Strategy Consultant within the iGaming space. His career highlights include senior leadership positions, including Chief Product Officer, at Casumo, A5 Labs, and Gaming Innovation Group, as well as Vice President of Product at Lottoland.

With a proven track record of building and scaling product teams, O’Mahony’s arrival marks a new chapter in Relax Gaming’s product journey, following the departure of former CPO Shelley Hannah.

In his new role, Tony will lead the company’s product division, working cross-functionally with technical, commercial, and operational teams to further elevate Relax’s product strategy and execution.

Commenting on the appointment, Martin Stålros, CEO at Relax Gaming, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tony to Relax Gaming. His deep product knowledge, coupled with extensive industry experience, make him an ideal fit for the next phase of our growth.

“Tony’s collaborative approach and strategic mindset align perfectly with our culture, and I’m confident he’ll have a major impact as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation.”

Tony O’Mahony, Chief Product Officer at Relax Gaming, added: “I’ve long admired Relax Gaming for its product-led ethos, strong values, and standout reputation in the industry. I’m genuinely excited to be joining such a talented and passionate team, and I’m looking forward to helping build on the foundations already in place. Product success is always a team effort, and I can’t wait to get started, meet the wider team, and play my part in what’s next for Relax.”

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, is heading to SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 — and it’s bringing more than just its award-winning games.

Visitors to Stand B523 will be treated to an unforgettable experience inspired by Blast the Bass, Belatra’s smash-hit slot that exploded onto the market with massive success. Belatra’s expert team will be laying on a themed bar built around the game’s legendary energy, giving guests a taste of the excitement through a special menu, immersive design, and vibrant conversation.

This unique activation sets the tone for Belatra’s SBC presence, where the fusion of entertainment, innovation, and bold design is front and centre.

On top of that, Belatra will be dropping exclusive merch that is as bold and fun as its games. Guests to the stand will be able to get their hands on fantastic designs, top-tier quality, and 100% Belatra vibes.

The biggest catch of the day will be for the quickest winners during Lisbon’s show. Belatra is launching something totally new, breathtaking, and — most importantly — unforgettable, but only for the champions.

Kateryna Goi, Belatra Games’ CMO, said: “SBC Summit Lisbon is one of the standout events on the iGaming event tour. As ever, Belatra is not just rolling up, we’re showcasing what drives our success – creativity, energy, and unforgettable experiences.”