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BETSSON AB (PUBL) INTERIM REPORT APRIL – JUNE 2022

Published

2 years ago

July 22, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

All-time high revenue driven by sportsbook performance and growth in Latin America and the CEECA region

QUARTER APRIL – JUNE 2022
• Group revenue was EUR 186.3 (172.8) million, an increase of 8%. Organic increase of 13%.

• Casino revenue increased by 1%. Sportsbook revenue increased by 22% and the sportsbook margin was 8.3% (8.5%).

• EBITDA was EUR 39.3 (46.6) million, a decrease of 16%. The EBITDA margin was 21.1% (27.0%).

• Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 29.2 (37.8) million, a decrease of 23%. The EBIT margin was 15.7% (21.9%).

• Net income was EUR 28.6 (33.3) million, corresponding to EUR 0.21 (0.24) per share.

• Operating cash flow was EUR 37.8 (56.3) million.

• Net debt was EUR -19.8 (14.6) million.

• Active customers increased by 21% to 1,246,719 (1,027,635).

CEO COMMENT

“All-time high revenue driven by sportsbook performance and growth in Latin America and the CEECA region”

Betsson’s second quarter featured continued good growth with all-time high revenue and further investments to support our expansion. The Group’s organic growth was 13 percent, mainly driven by Latin America and the CEECA region (Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia), where we see long-term growth potential as these markets still have a low share of online gaming.

The sportsbook business showed a strong development in the quarter – gross turnover increased by 20 percent and the margin was 8.3 (8.5) percent – leading to all-time high revenue. Some of the football World Cup qualifiers in June ended in particularly favourable outcomes for Betsson and contributed positively to the margin in the quarter. Casino gross turnover also reached a new quarterly all-time high, while revenue came in at the second-best level ever.

Betsson’s strategy is based on diversified revenues from existing and new markets, and in June Betsson became majority owner of the local gaming operator Betbonanza in Nigeria. Since last year, the regulated market in Germany is marked by a low level of channelisation, due to extensive restrictions, high taxes, and an unclear licensing process. During the quarter, a decision was taken to only apply for one online casino license in Germany. On the sports side, Betsson continues to offer betting on horses through the Racebets brand and has a sportsbook license which is currently not operated.

The B2B initiatives continue according to plan, and discussions are currently being held with several potential sportsbook customers in both North America and other parts of the world. The Group’s ownership in the technology platform provider Strive, focused on North America, increased from 35 to 40 percent during the quarter. Strive provides a new, purpose-built and modern US iGaming platform, i.e. Player Account Management system (PAM), which supports Betsson’s US strategy.

Operating income (EBIT) amounted to 29.2 (37.8) MEUR, corresponding to an EBIT margin of 15.7 (21.9) percent. The cost increase compared to last year was driven by the general expansion while the change in geographic mix, with a higher revenue share from Latin America and no revenue from the Netherlands, led to a lower realised margin. We continue to invest in product and tech development to secure that we have a competitive product for all our markets. Our sportsbook offering was strengthened in motor sports, table tennis and esports, resulting in a significant increase in the number of live events offered for betting. In Sweden, a new native app was developed for the brand Jalla Casino, and our live casino offering was broadened in Italy. On top of the positive financial development in the second quarter, we also won six industry awards in different categories related to an attractive customer offering and a sustainable business model for gaming.

Betsson’s commitment to football continues. After eleven years of waiting, AC Milan once again were crowned Italian champions and we share the fans’ great joy in recapturing the scudetto. In May, the sponsorship with AC Milan was renewed, which means that Betsson now also becomes exclusive sponsor for the club in Latin America. The region is important for the club with millions of fans and the history of stars like Kaká and Ronaldinho. Further, similarly to last summer Betsson is a proud sponsor of Copa America Femenina 2022, which is the Latin American equivalent of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and takes place during July. The interest in women’s football is growing strongly and the previous championship had more than 20 million TV viewers.

In conclusion, we see that macro and geopolitical factors continue to dominate the world around us, with great uncertainty and concerns around war, inflation, higher interest rates and potentially a coming recession. Despite uncertain capital markets, we recently refinanced our bond until 2025, which gives us financial flexibility to continue investing in both organic growth and selective acquisitions. We continuously monitor the macroeconomic trends but also note that historically Betsson’s business has been relatively unaffected by the general business cycle. The first weeks of July are off to a good start and despite the macro factors, we are rather optimistic as we look ahead to the rest of 2022, which has many planned activities for Betsson, including market launches in Mexico and Ontario, as well as the football World Cup during the seasonally strongest fourth quarter.

Latest News

BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25

BLAST to start hosting regular Dota 2 tournaments in 2024/25
First studio event to take place in November 2024
BLAST.tv will become new home of Dota 2 esports, platform will allow fans to tailor their viewing experience, get closer to the action and impact the entertainment unfolding before their eyes

Esports entertainment company BLAST has revealed plans to enter Dota 2 with a full schedule of events to be rolled out in 2024/25. BLAST will become the new home of Dota 2 esports through arranging a tournament series focused on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments.

The tournament organiser will host a first Dota 2 studio event in November, ahead of four events taking place in 2025. The full extent of the new Dota 2 tournament series will be revealed in the summer, where further information on format, prize pool and locations will be shared.

Andrew Haworth, VP of Ecosystems, Valve & Riot Games, said: “We are delighted to be entering Dota 2 and have plans for BLAST to bring a new level of production and excitement that Dota fans haven’t seen before. It’s a game we love as fans and players, we’ve been following closely as an interested tournament organiser for the last few years. As we’ve grown as a business and expand into further titles, Dota has always been on our wish list.

With the recent changes to the Dota ecosystem we feel it’s the perfect opportunity for BLAST to come in, provide the community with the next level of tournaments and become the new home of Dota 2.

“BLAST prides itself on unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments while bringing together the very best teams and biggest superstars to fight it out for glory on the server. We look forward to bringing this approach to the world of Dota 2 and providing fans with the best esports entertainment on offer.”

This strategic move marks a significant expansion of BLAST’s tournament portfolio, further diversifying its offerings beyond its successful ventures in Fortnite (FNCS), Rocket League (RLCS), Counter-Strike, and Rainbow Six Siege.

BLAST.tv, a custom made esports live viewing platform, will add Dota 2 to its offering meaning fans will be able to enjoy a tailor made competitive esports viewing experience and platform. Fans will never miss a key moment of the action with the BLAST.tv interactive timeline feature, which catalogues standout highlights to be replayed instantly on the playback timeline.

The platform has a custom built video player with 4K capabilities and a moderated live chat feature that will enable fans to connect with a like-minded community, where fans will be able to impact the events unfolding before their eyes through interactive polls.

Outside of the live experience, BLAST.tv will be a one-stop-shop for Dota 2 esports fans. Providing them with the latest player stats, team standings, mini-games, news and exclusive content and experiences.

The post BLAST expands into Dota 2 with five events set to be rolled out in 2024/25 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SolutionsHub’s Head of Compliance, Emma Shilling, has been recognised at the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards, winning the prestigious Visionary Compliance Leader Award. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence within the compliance landscape.

The 2024 Women in Leadership Awards celebrate excellence in leadership by meticulously evaluating outstanding individuals and organisations. Through a rigorous selection process based on comprehensive standards, these awards recognise impactful contributions.

This award is a testament to Emma’s remarkable achievements and her leadership excellence, specifically in eGaming compliance. As a compliance leader, she has consistently demonstrated visionary thinking, dedication to sustainability, and a passion for responsible gambling practices within the online gambling industry.

SolutionsHub Director Nick Wright, said “We are very proud of Emma. Her strategic vision, dedication to pragmatic and ethical compliance, and pursuit of excellence underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and innovation.

“This award reinforces Emma’s reputation as a compliance leader and enhances her credibility within our industry and beyond.”

In response to receiving this award Emma said “I would like to thank those that nominated me and the judges for this honor. To be recognised with this award is immensely satisfying for me personally and a testiment to our teams collective commitment to innovation while furthering responsible gambling practices and maintaining the highest standards of compliance.”

SolutionsHub, a leading compliance consultancy, specialises in tailoring comprehensive solutions for Isle of Man-licensed eGaming businesses. With a seasoned team of industry veterans and former regulators at the helm, SolutionsHub ensures that businesses maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in the often challenging online gambling sector.

Emma Shilling is Head of Compliance at SolutionsHub, where she leads the compliance team in delivering bespoke compliance solutions for Isle of Man licensed eGaming businesses.

Note: The Women in Leadership Awards are organized by EMG Publishing Group and recognise exceptional female leaders across various sectors.

The post Emma Shilling Receives Visionary Compliance Leader Award in the 2024 Women in Leadership Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Legendary Counter-Strike Star’s Educational Program Will Offer 60+ Tutorials and Exclusive FACEIT Features To Help Players Up Their Game.

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and renowned Counter-Strike player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev today announced a partnership with Play Like s1mple Project – an educational video series designed to change how players approach mastering Counter-Strike 2.

The program will include more than 60 interactive sessions, with a focus on in-game skill development and strategy as well as out-of-game topics such as career advancement. The program aims to empower gamers of all levels to unlock their full potential in Counter-Strike 2.

“We’re thrilled to launch the Play Like s1mple Project and provide gamers with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business,” said s1mple. “Whether you’re a casual player looking to improve your skills, better understand the game, and achieve a champion mindset or a great pro aiming to take your game to the next level, this program has something for everyone. I wish someone could have shared these skills with me when I just started my journey in CS.”

Play Like s1mple Project will bring the comprehensive educational program to the global gaming audience in partnership with FACEIT, the leading community platform for online PvP play. FACEIT has been the home of competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade and will now offer a suite of educational programming that supports the in-game learning experience it offers for casual players and aspiring pros alike. Through this collaboration, Play Like s1mple Project participants will gain exclusive access to FACEIT’s premium features and exclusive on-platform content.

“s1mple’s success, longevity in Counter-Strike and legacy with FACEIT, makes him uniquely qualified to help our global community learn and master their game at the highest level of competition. ” said Fabio Floris, President, Digital Platforms, ESL FACEIT Group. “Viewers will not only pick up the intricacies of top-tier CS, but also insights on what it takes to break into the industry in other ways, including as caster, talent manager, and more.”

Key features of the Play Like s1mple Project include:

Unmatched Talent: s1mple, possibly the greatest player in Counter-Strike history, will share his expertise and practical knowledge.
Legendary Experience: Comparable to legends like Jordan or Messi, s1mple will share secrets and best practices developed over more than a decade of play.
Career Development Resources: Gain insights into the esports industry and learn how to turn your passion for gaming into a successful career with guidance from industry experts.

FACEIT Community Support:

Join a community of gamers and CS enthusiasts.
Get tips and strategies directly from s1mple
Connect with like-minded individuals worldwide.

Exclusive Content and Competitions:

Access premium content.
Participate in tournaments for the community.
Have personal communication with s1mple and other top players, providing unparalleled insights into the world of professional gaming.

Registration for the Play Like s1mple Project will open May13 with limited spots available. Visit playlikes1mple.com for more information, and follow All Stars Promo on Twitter or Instagram. For more information on the FACEIT platform, check out eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.

The post ESL FACEIT Group Partners with s1mple for Launch of Play Like s1mple Project appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.