Industry News
Evolution Gaming’s Year-end Report 2019
Fourth quarter of 2019 (Q4 2018)
Operating revenues increased by 51% to EUR 106.0 million (70.2)
EBITDA increased by 77% to EUR 55.8 million (31.6), corresponding to a margin of 52.7% (45.0)
Profit for the period amounted to EUR 46.8 million (25.5)
Earnings per share before dilution amounted to EUR 0.26 (0.14)
Full-year 2019 (2018)
Operating revenues increased by 49% to EUR 365.8 million (245.4)
EBITDA increased by 70% to EUR 182.9 million (107.7), corresponding to a margin of 50.0% (43.9)
Profit for the period amounted to EUR 149.7 million (83.5)
Earnings per share before dilution amounted to EUR 0.83 (0.46)
The Board proposes a dividend of EUR 0.42 per share (0.24)
Events during the fourth quarter of 2019
Good leverage from investments made in 2019 has contributed to a continued high growth
Several new customers signed – Flutter Entertainment with brands Paddy Power and Betfair, Parx Casino and Penn National Gaming
Continued expansion in North America
Comments from CEO Martin Carlesund: “I am very satisfied to be able to present yet another strong quarter which summarises a successful 2019 for Evolution. The products we launched during the year – including new titles in the Game Show category – in combination with a continued strong market development and global demand, have contributed to a very high growth rate. Furthermore, we also experienced strong results from the investments in increased studio capacity we have made in recent years. Those factors, in combination with a constant pursuit of cost efficiency, has had a positive effect on our margin.
This year’s result trend has continued in the fourth quarter. Revenue in the fourth quarter amounted to EUR 106.0 million, an increase of 51 percent compared with the corresponding period last year. EBITDA amounted to EUR 55.8 million corresponding to a margin of 52.7 percent. The EBITDA margin for the full year reached 50 percent, the highest full-year margin in the company’s history and slightly surpassed our expectations from this summer which was 47–49 percent. For 2020, we expect to be able to maintain or slightly improve the margin level compared to 2019.
At the end of the fourth quarter, Evolution had more than 700 tables serving over 200 customers. During the quarter, we further strengthened our customer portfolio, including an agreement with Flutter Entertainment and its brands Paddy Power and Betfair. Our presence in the United States was also strengthened in the quarter through agreements with new operators in Pennsylvania and the process to build a studio in Pennsylvania is ongoing.
We see good opportunities for continued positive development in the US. In the quarter we have made additional investments in the studio in New Jersey to expand its capacity, our game portfolio and to meet the demand. It is also positive to note that during the quarter Michigan has taken important steps toward becoming a regulated casino market.
When you are reading this, we have recently finished this year’s edition of ICE London Gaming Fair – where we showcased 12 fantastic new titles. With ground-breaking games like ‘Crazy Time’ and ‘Mega Ball’, we will continue to expand the Game Show category and aim to attract new player groups to Live. Examples of innovations on show in table games are Instant Roulette, Power Blackjack and Speed Blackjack. The dice game Craps, an important strategic release primarily for the US market, will also be interesting to follow. These are some examples of how we through innovative product launches continue to drive the entire industry forward and confirms our position as the leading innovator in the gaming industry. I am convinced that the new game titles will be received well by both players and operators and contribute to further growth in 2020.
To summarise, I am proud of what we have achieved in 2019, which has been an outstanding year from both a financial and operational perspective. I am very impressed with what our employees achieve every day – we are now approximately 8,000 employees working together with our eternal mission; to increase the gap to the competitors by offering the market’s best solutions. 2020 has started well and I look forward to another exciting year!”
Expanse Studios
Expanse Studios Launches Proprietary Jackpot and Tournament System
Expanse Studios, a subsidiary of Meridian Holdings Inc., announced the deployment of proprietary jackpot and tournament mechanics across its portfolio, providing B2B operator partners with engagement tools designed to enhance player entertainment value.
The system introduces two jackpot formats—Happy Hour Jackpot and Mystery Jackpot—alongside four tournament competition variants. Operators can control prize structures, scheduling parameters and promotional configurations through platform interfaces.
Happy Hour Jackpot provides scheduled jackpot events aligned with operator promotional strategies, enabling coordinated marketing campaigns and player communication around jackpot opportunities.
Mystery Jackpot delivers multi-tier progressive prize mechanics integrated into gameplay, with operator-configurable prize values and event parameters that support diverse promotional objectives.
Tournament mechanics include four competition formats:
• Bonus Buy tournaments create competitive environments for players who choose to engage with bonus purchase features, with scoring designed to reward strategic gameplay decisions.
• Spin Count tournaments track player activity across gameplay sessions, offering multiple entry opportunities and achievement-based progression that accommodates different play styles.
• Combo tournaments combine multiple competition elements, enabling operators to design promotional events that appeal to diverse player preferences and gaming behaviours.
• Time-based tournaments operate within defined promotional windows, allowing players to participate according to their own schedules while competing for tournament prizes.
“Content providers increasingly compete on operational capabilities, not just game quality. This positions our portfolio as solutions-oriented infrastructure that helps operators execute diverse promotional strategies while maintaining control over player engagement parameters,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios.
Tournament formats integrate with game interfaces through standardised promotional systems designed to enhance entertainment value while providing operators with promotional flexibility.
For Expanse Studios, the deployment strengthens competitive positioning in B2B partnerships where operators increasingly evaluate content providers based on promotional feature capabilities in addition to game performance metrics.
The post Expanse Studios Launches Proprietary Jackpot and Tournament System appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams
Nils Ristau and Daniel Schmitz debut a work enablement platform aimed at day-to-day execution across product, retention and AI adoption.
Sparky Space, a new AI-powered work enablement platform founded by former German Air Force officer Nils Ristau and tech leader Daniel Schmitz, has launched and is now available globally for iGaming operators and suppliers.
The founders are positioning the product around execution support inside daily workflows as teams face tighter regulatory demands, faster product cycles and higher player expectations. The company cited industry research suggesting only 10-20% of learning is consistently applied in day-to-day work, creating a gap between training and on-the-job outcomes.
“In military operations, performance depends on clarity, structure, and disciplined execution in changing environments,” said Ristau. “The iGaming industry operates under similar pressure.
“Competitive advantage does not come from knowledge alone – it comes from how effectively teams apply it every day.”
Sparky Space said its platform supports areas including product development, player retention and AI adoption, with use cases spanning customer-centric experimentation, agile product and game development, decision-making and prioritisation, practical generative AI prompting, and cross-functional collaboration. The company said the tools are intended to help teams launch features, respond to regulatory change, and optimise marketing and support processes.
While initially focused on iGaming, Sparky Space said it has been built for broader use in other fast-moving, technology-driven industries.
Relevant data as follows:
- Sparky Space: https://www.sparkyspace.com Official company site for product and launch details.
- UK Gambling Commission: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk Regulatory context referenced in the article’s discussion of increasing compliance pressure.
- Malta Gaming Authority: https://www.mga.org.mt Key European regulator relevant to operators and suppliers navigating shifting regulation.
The post Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Belatra
Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign
The slots supplier says its portfolio now exceeds 150 games and highlights recent LatAm expansion from its Buenos Aires base.
Belatra is marking its 33rd birthday with an anniversary campaign running throughout April, the iGaming slots developer said.
The company said it was founded in 1993 and has since transitioned from building gaming machines for land-based casinos to producing digital content. Belatra added that its portfolio has grown to more than 150 games.
Belatra also pointed to its strategic Latin American headquarters in Buenos Aires as a key base for regional partnerships and growth.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “We’re only just getting started, but birthdays provide the perfect chance to reflect on our successes and the path that’s brought us here. From launching our innovative ‘multi-universe’ content strategy to our rapid expansion in Latin America, the successful launch of our first Crash game, and multiple high-profile industry award wins — we are always developing, creating, and evolving. 33 years of innovation, dedication, and gaming excellence — and the best is yet to come.”
Belatra did not provide additional detail on upcoming releases or the timing of any new product announcements beyond saying updates will land during April.
The post Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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