Industry News
Betsson Publishes Interim Report for Q2 2023
Betsson AB has published its interim report for the second quarter of 2023.
Highlights
- Group revenue was EUR 236.8 (186.3) million, an increase of 27%. Organic increase of 43%.
- Casino revenue increased by 35%. Sportsbook revenue increased by 13% and the sportsbook margin was 8.2% (8.3%).
- EBITDA was EUR 67.6 (39.3) million, an increase of 72%. The EBITDA margin was 28.5% (21.1%).
- Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 54.5 (29.2) million, an increase of 87%. The EBIT margin was 23.0% (15.7%).
- Net income was EUR 46.9 (28.6) million, corresponding to EUR 0.37 (0.21) per share.
- Operating cash flow was EUR 89.2 (37.8) million.
- Net debt was EUR -138.8 (-19.8) million.
- Active customers decreased by 10% to 1,119,803 (1,246,719).
- Acquisition of the Belgian B2C operator betFIRST.
CEO Comments
“I am pleased to look back at another record quarter for Betsson with continued high customer activity and strong financial performance. During the second quarter of 2023, revenue increased by 27 percent and operating profit (EBIT) by 87 percent, compared to the corresponding quarter last year. New revenue records were set in both B2C and B2B. The EBIT margin increased to 23.0 (15.7) percent.
“Betsson’s long history of profitable growth is based on diversified revenues, both in terms of products and geographic markets. As before, the business generates strong cash flows, and the robust balance sheet constantly facilitates new growth initiatives. It is the mix of investments in new markets, organically and via acquisitions, that has contributed to the good financial performance over time. The geographical diversification continues to serve Betsson well and revenues increased in all regions during the quarter. In particular, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA) continued to show high growth.
“In June, the leading Belgian sports betting operator betFIRST was acquired and at the same time a new strategic partnership was entered into with the publicly listed French casino operator Groupe Partouche to offer online casino games in some regulated markets, with Belgium being the first country for this collaboration. These strategic initiatives together enable a competitive offering in sports betting and casino for the Belgian market. The investment in Belgium resonates well with Betsson’s ambition to deliver long-term profitable growth.
“In June, an important sponsorship was entered into with the long-standing Argentinian football club Boca Juniors, previously home to perhaps the greatest player ever in football history, Diego Armando Maradona. The sponsorship, one of the largest ever for Betsson, means that the club’s iconic match shirt will feature the Betsson logo during local and international matches until the end of 2024. The collaboration with Boca Juniors strengthens Betsson’s brand and rapid expansion in Argentina and throughout Latin America, and we will be following the team’s development with excitement together with fans and customers.
“We look forward with confidence to the second half of the year, with continued investments into geographic expansion and constant further development of Betsson’s offering to future-proof our competitiveness.”
Industry News
LiveScore Group Announces Internal Restructuring as Part of Sustainable Growth Strategy
LiveScore Group has announced an internal restructuring process, expected to impact more than 100 existing roles across multiple business locations, including London.
The changes are seen as a difficult yet important step for LiveScore Group, streamlining the business to create improved structures and a pathway to long-term sustainable growth. All impacted employees have been informed and are now subject to a confidential consultation process.
Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore Group, said: “On behalf of all Directors of LiveScore Group, and the relevant subsidiary companies, we are saddened by the difficult decision to commence an internal restructure of the business, a process which impacts a significant number of our people.
“Whilst we celebrate our recent period of significant and exciting growth, we must now future-proof the organisation and ensure our internal structures allow us to achieve long-term and sustainable success.
“This is a hard time for all our people, as we say goodbye to colleagues who have played an important role in our journey across recent years.”
The announcement follows on from the recent news that LiveScore Malta Limited (part of LiveScore Group) is to withdraw its LiveScore Bet brand from the Netherlands following recent government tax increases in the market. The announcement includes those impacted by this. There will be no other customer impact in respect of any of the remaining LiveScore, LiveScore Bet or Virgin Bet sites globally.
The post LiveScore Group Announces Internal Restructuring as Part of Sustainable Growth Strategy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Pronet Gaming Appoints Alex Karaoulis as its New Commercial & Product Strategy Lead
Pronet Gaming, an award-winning platform provider of full turnkey solutions, announced the appointment of Alexandros Karaoulis as its new Commercial & Product Strategy Lead.
With over 14 years of experience in the iGaming industry, Karaoulis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be instrumental in driving the company’s strategic initiatives forward.
Throughout his iGaming career, Karaoulis has held various senior roles with B2B sportsbook and casino providers, as well as with B2C operators. His extensive background in marketing and sales within the iGaming sector positions him as a true industry expert, ensuring that Pronet Gaming remains at the forefront of innovation in a rapidly evolving market.
“I am thrilled to join Pronet Gaming and excited to fulfill my role in developing and executing sales strategies to drive the company’s revenue growth in key markets,” Karaoulis said.
With a track record in commercial strategies and driving product excellence, Karaoulis’ appointment is invaluable as Pronet Gaming now seeks to expand its footprint to Asia. His vision and deep understanding of the iGaming landscape equip him to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that the dynamic region presents.
“I want Pronet Gaming to lead the iGaming revolution by providing innovative, culturally tailored solutions that cater to the diverse and rapidly growing demands of the region. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of local markets, we aim to empower operators to offer world-class gaming experiences that engage players and drive sustainable growth,” he added.
According to Karaoulis, Pronet Gaming is poised to make a splash in Asia by leveraging its advanced technology, flexible platform solutions and deep market expertise while adapting to the unique characteristics of the region.
“The key differentiation point of Pronet Gaming is that we have B2C experience, which greatly aids in understanding the needs of operators and helping them to improve and execute their strategy according to the market. I have worked in B2C roles for more than seven years in my iGaming Career and managed campaigns across various channels, optimised conversion funnels, and learned to use data to improve player acquisition and retention,” said Karaoulis.
Karaoulis acknowledges that the marketing skills he has acquired from B2C experience are valuable in every B2B environment. As he dives into his new role at Pronet Gaming, Karaoulis aims to guide his operator clients on how to better market their own sites, including providing them with advice on effective acquisition strategies, content marketing and campaign structures that appeal to iGaming audiences.
“I also focus heavily on engagement strategies, loyalty programs, bonuses, and personalised offers to keep players active and returning. In my new B2B role, I will advise clients on best practices for player engagement, helping them adopt effective loyalty programs, personalised marketing, and retention tactics that drive player lifetime value to improve the end-player experience for our clients’ sites,” Karaoulis added.
The post Pronet Gaming Appoints Alex Karaoulis as its New Commercial & Product Strategy Lead appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
Vbet Wins Best Online Casino Operator 2024 at SiGMA Europe 2024
Vbet has been crowned the Best Online Casino Operator 2024 at the highly coveted SiGMA Europe event, cementing its position as a leader in the online gaming industry.
This achievement highlights Vbet’s commitment to providing an exceptional user experience by combining cutting-edge technology with a vast range of options and a secure process. The dedication to creating a responsible, enjoyable environment for players was recognised with this award, making this accolade even more significant. As Vbet continue to expand into new markets, the list of strategic partnerships grows alongside our constant drive to expand its offering. This award serves as a stepping stone on its path to reach more players and set new standards in the industry.
Arman Khachatryan, VBET’s Managing Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the Best Online Casino Operator award at SiGMA Europe 2024. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion, and effort of our entire team. Our mission has always been to deliver the highest quality experience in the safest environment possible to our users. This award not only recognizes our dedication to this mission but also motivates us to continue expanding into new markets and territories.”
The post Vbet Wins Best Online Casino Operator 2024 at SiGMA Europe 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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