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ZEAL starts with 35 percent revenue growth into the year 2024
ZEAL Network SE, the leading German online provider of lottery products, has started the new financial year with a strong growth spurt. In the first quarter of 2024, billings from lotteries climbed by 22% to € 246.3 million. Group revenue increased by 35.0% to € 36.1 million (2023: € 26.7 million). EBITDA at Group level increased slightly by 1% to € 9.4 million due to one-off effects and the almost doubling of marketing expenses compared to the previous year.
“We made a very strong start to 2024 and were able to significantly accelerate our revenue growth, particularly in our core business of lottery brokerage. We are also particularly proud of the fact that we were able to achieve EBITDA slightly above the previous year’s level in the past quarter despite almost doubling our marketing expenses and a negative one-off effect from a major win in our charity lottery Deutsche Traumhauslotterie amounting to € 0.8 million. This shows that our measures to acquire new customers are paying off very quickly and that we are generating income across the entire breadth of our customer base,” says Sebastian Bielski, CFO of ZEAL. “With the announced squeeze-out at LOTTO24, we are also putting ZEAL in the best possible position for the future and are leveraging further efficiency potential.”
Revenue in core business grows by 28 percent
ZEAL’s significant revenue growth in the first quarter is primarily due to the strong performance of the lottery business. Billings increased by 22% to € 246.3 million, while revenue from lotteries rose by as much as 28% to € 32.0 million (2023: € 24.9 million). The growth in billings is primarily due to the 21% increase in the average number of active customers per month (MAU). ZEAL was also able to improve the gross margin in the lottery business to 13.0% (2023: 12.4%) thanks to a change in the product mix and further margin optimizations. Excluding the one-off effect from the distribution of a major prize in the company’s charity lottery Deutsche Traumhauslotterie, the gross margin would have been as high as 13.3%.
Games business with significant revenue growth compared to Q4 2023
The games business, which was launched last year, also developed very positively in the first three months of the year. Compared to the fourth quarter of last year, ZEAL was able to increase revenue from games by around 20% from € 1.8 million to € 2.2 million. At 7.0%, the gross margin was stable compared to the previous quarters.
ZEAL was also able to further expand its games portfolio at the end of the quarter. The subsidiary LOTTO24 AG received permission to offer a further 64 games.
Stable result thanks to efficient expansion of future earnings base
ZEAL invested heavily in future growth in the past quarter, acquiring more than twice as many new customers (320 thousand) as in the same period of the previous year (2023: 143 thousand). The company achieved this customer growth much more efficiently than in the same period of the previous year. At € 33.04, the acquisition costs per registered new customer (cost per lead, CPL) were noticeably lower than in the previous year (2023: € 36.77). Due to the company’s strategic decision to use the exceptionally good jackpot situation in January 2024 for efficient new customer growth, marketing expenses of € 13.4 million were 91% higher than in the same period of the previous year (2023: € 7.0 million). As a result, other operating expenses rose to € 21.0 million (2023: € 12.5 million). As a result of the increased number of new customers and the growth of the games business, the direct costs of business operations also rose to € 4.0 million (2023: € 2.7 million).
At € 9.4 million, EBITDA was slightly higher than in the first quarter of the previous year (2023: € 9.3 million). At € 7.5 million, EBIT was 6% higher than in the same period of the previous year (2023: € 7.1 million) due to lower depreciation and amortization recognized in profit or loss. Net income for the period rose to € 21.1 million (2023: € 4.7 million) due to the first-time recognition of expected tax benefits from the utilization of existing tax loss carryforwards in connection with the LOTTO24 squeeze-out.
Due to the good results of the first quarter of 2024, ZEAL confirms the forecast published on March 20, 2024.
The post ZEAL starts with 35 percent revenue growth into the year 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ACR POKER IS AWARDING 100 FREE SEATS TO FINAL WSOP QUALIFIER, WITH FIVE GUARANTEED $30K PACKAGES TO PARADISE
Join ACR Poker’s Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers this Sunday and secure your chance to win a free ticket to the $50 Million GTD WSOP Super Main Event in the Bahamas
The countdown to the $50 Million GTD WSOP Super Main Event in the Bahamas is on, and ACR Poker is offering players a chance to win their way to this monumental event for free. On Sunday, December 1st, players can join the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers and claim one of 100 free $95 satellite tickets, putting them one step closer to winning a coveted $30K WSOP Paradise Package.
Starting this Sunday at 9:00am ET, the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers offers players the ultimate opportunity to compete for a free seat in the largest guaranteed live poker tournament in history. The top 100 finishers of the freeroll will advance to the final $95 Mega Satellite via ‘The Beast’ tourney at 2:05pm ET that same day, where at least five winners will receive an incredible $30K package.
“The Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers is your chance to turn a $0 investment into a $30K package in paradise and a poker journey of a lifetime,” said 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion and ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “Every poker player dreams of moments like this, and with just one freeroll and one $95 Satellite, you could be heading to the Bahamas to compete for huge stakes in poker’s biggest live tournament ever.”
Winners of the premium $30,000 package will receive a luxurious 14-night stay at the 5-Star Atlantis Paradise Island Resort (December 6th-19th) with complimentary lunch and dinner, a $26,000 buy-in to the WSOP Super Main Event, access to an exclusive players’ lounge and entry to the $1 Million Super Save Gold Bracelet Freeroll.
For those looking to increase their chances of earning their $95 Beast ticket, Daily Super Satellites will continue through this Saturday, with five daily freerolls awarding $11 Super Satellite tickets and five $11 Turbo tournaments guaranteeing five $95 seats. This Sunday will also feature two freerolls leading to $11 Super Satellites, plus a Mega Super Satellite at 10:10am ET with 30 guaranteed $95 tickets.
For more details on the Freeroll to WSOP Qualifiers, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER IS AWARDING 100 FREE SEATS TO FINAL WSOP QUALIFIER, WITH FIVE GUARANTEED $30K PACKAGES TO PARADISE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Stretch Network Unveils MEGA FREEBUY Tournaments in World Poker League Season 3
Stretch Network announces the continuation of the MEGA FREEBUY tournaments in the third season of the World Poker League. Designed to captivate players and showcase the power of our online poker platform, these events deliver high stakes, excitement, and player engagement.
The MEGA FREEBUY tournaments feature a €5,000 prize pool guarantee, with a €0 buy-in and rebuys available for just €1. Taking place on 30 November, 7, 14, and 21 December at 16:00 (UTC+0), each tournament accommodates up to 4,000 players.
For media partners, these tournaments highlight the capabilities of Stretch Network’s industry-leading online poker software and its ability to drive player retention and acquisition. By offering such tournaments, poker platforms powered by Stretch Network can set themselves apart in the competitive online gaming market.
Our solutions are designed for B2B poker providers seeking innovative tools to deliver exceptional gaming experiences. The World Poker League and the MEGA FREEBUY tournaments serve as a testament to the scalability, reliability, and engagement opportunities our platform provides.
We welcome our media partners to collaborate with us in promoting this exciting series, further establishing Stretch Network as a trusted name in online poker solutions.
The post Stretch Network Unveils MEGA FREEBUY Tournaments in World Poker League Season 3 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SuperGaming’s Indus Battle Royale surpasses 5 million downloads; concludes first international playtest in Manila
SuperGaming’s highly anticipated Indo-futuristic Battle Royale game, Indus, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store and over 100,000 installs on the iOS App Store. This remarkable feat solidifies its position as one of India’s fastest-growing games. The title has also been recognized as the Best Made in India Game by Google Play in their prestigious Best of 2024 awards.
Indus has captivated players with its distinctive Indo-futuristic world setting that seamlessly blends Indian culture with futuristic aesthetics, immersive gameplay, and community-driven innovation. Key gameplay features like the Cosmium Clutch, Grudge Mechanic, and culturally inspired avatars and weapons have particularly resonated with players, offering strategic depth and adrenaline-filled matches.
Building upon this momentum, SuperGaming recently hosted its first international community playtest at the YGG Play Summit in Manila, Philippines. The event featured some of the region’s top esports talent, with Kadiliman Esports emerging victorious. This successful international debut aligns with SuperGaming’s vision to expand its player base while maintaining a deep-rooted connection to its community.
“Surpassing 5 million downloads is more than a milestone—it’s a reflection of the enthusiasm our players have for Indus,” said Roby John, Co-Founder and CEO of SuperGaming. “Hosting our first international playtest at the YGG Play Summit was another defining moment for us, and a reminder of what gaming can achieve—bridging cultures and bringing people together. We’re driven to keep breaking new ground and taking Indus to even greater heights, reaching newer players across the world,” he adds.
Furthermore, in a move to strengthen India’s esports ecosystem, SuperGaming has also announced its year-long Clutch India Movement. The initiative kicks off with the Indus International Tournament, running from October 2024 to February 2025, featuring a massive prize pool of INR 2.5 crores. The tournament will bring together top Indian and international teams across four competitive phases.
SuperGaming remains committed to keeping Indus fresh with regular updates based on player feedback, ensuring the game continually improves. These efforts demonstrate the studio’s commitment to creating a gaming experience that reflects its players’ needs and aspirations while redefining the global perception of Indian gaming.
The post SuperGaming’s Indus Battle Royale surpasses 5 million downloads; concludes first international playtest in Manila appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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