Industry News
NetEnt: Year-end report 2019 and quarterly report October – December 2019
Quote from Therese Hillman, Group CEO
“Since December, we have seen all-time highs in the number of players for our Live Casino, which supports our belief in growing revenues from this segment. Since the acquisition, Red Tiger has exceeded our expectations and now forms a vital part of our ongoing improvement efforts within the NetEnt Group. We see good conditions for NetEnt to deliver growth in 2020, supported by our combined game portfolio and Live Casino.”
Fourth quarter 2019
- Revenues for the fourth quarter amounted to 512 (465) SEKm
- EBITDA of 261 (204) SEKm, corresponding to a margin of 51.0 (43.9)%
- EBIT of 161 (146) SEKm, corresponding to a margin of 31.4 (31.4)%
- Earnings after tax of 113 (137) SEKm. Earnings per share of SEK 0.47 (0.57) before and after dilution
- Red Tiger contributed 96 SEKm to revenues and 70 SEKm to EBITDA
Full year 2019
- Revenues for the full year amounted to 1,793 (1,782) SEKm
- EBITDA of 855 (816) SEKm, corresponding to a margin of 47.7 (45.8)%
- EBIT of 529 (601) SEKm, a margin of 29.5 (33.7)%
- Earnings after tax of 429 (577) SEKm. Earnings per share of SEK 1.79 (2.40) before and after dilution
- The results include SEK 59 million of acquisition-related transaction costs and amortization, and SEK 29 million of acquisition-related financing costs
- Red Tiger was consolidated in September and contributed 126 SEKm to revenues and 93 SEKm to EBITDA
- Proposed ordinary cash return to shareholders of SEK 1.00 (2.25) per share
Important events in the fourth quarter
- NetEnt released 13 (6) slot games, of which Ozzy Osbourne was the most successful
- Red Tiger released 9 (6) slot games, of which Dynamite Riches was the most successful
- The platform service NetEnt Connect was introduced in December, with Red Tiger as first supplier
- Within Live Casino, a new Auto-Roulette studio was launched
Growth through acquisition
Revenues for the last quarter of the year increased by 10.0 percent to the highest level ever, SEK 512 million (465 SEKm), of which SEK 96 million came from Red Tiger, which was acquired in September. Pro forma(1) in euro terms, our total revenues including Red Tiger decreased by 4.8 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2018. Growth was held back by continued weakness in mainly Sweden and Norway, while our revenues in the US continued to grow significantly. During the period January 1 to February 10, 2020, total gamewin proforma(1) in euro terms for the NetEnt Group including Red Tiger increased by 4.9 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
Operating income and cash flow in the fourth quarter
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to SEK 261 (204) million in the quarter, of which SEK 70 million was contributed by Red Tiger. The EBITDA margin was 51.0 (43.9) percent. Red Tiger was acquired with the objective to create shareholder value through increased growth and profitability for the new group. The transaction was enabled by NetEnt’s strong balance sheet, which went from a net cash to net debt position, and our long-term goal is to deliver enhanced shareholder returns with a balanced capital structure. Hence, the proposed cash return to shareholders for 2019 is SEK 1.00 (2.25) per share, which supports the company’s cash flow generation and allows for debt to be reduced. This payout level is in line with the company’s dividend policy.
High level of activity and deeper integration with Red Tiger
We released more games than ever in the fourth quarter – 13 (6) from NetEnt and 9 (6) from Red Tiger – and continued to sign deals with and launch customers at a high pace. In addition, the quarter was marked by deepening integration with Red Tiger to realize both revenue- and cost synergies. Red Tiger adds complementary competence to the NetEnt group and we are running a number of common projects at full speed to deliver a significantly enhanced customer offering and player experience. Our first combined game with jackpot mechanics, Piggy Riches, was released in January and has so far been the best release ever for Red Tiger. During 2020, we will be releasing several new jointly developed games. In December, we launched our content aggregation service, NetEnt Connect, with Red Tiger as the first supplier. In 2019, we reduced the number of employees at NetEnt (excluding Red Tiger) while at the same time we stepped up our game production and efforts to develop our Live Casino offering. We continue to focus on cost control and efficiency throughout the NetEnt Group and the integration of Red Tiger forms a vital part of this process.
All-time high in player numbers for Live Casino
We continue according to plan to improve our product and organization within Live Casino, and in December we launched a new Auto-Roulette studio. Feedback on the product enhancements made during 2019 has generally been positive and since December, we have seen all-time highs in player numbers for our Live Casino. We are now expanding the studio in Malta and will soon be offering physical tables to our customers for the first time, as an alternative to our tables with blue screen technology, which should contribute to increased revenues from Live Casino in 2020.
Future outlook
We recently unveiled a number of product news at the ICE exhibition in London, such as a new jackpot concept called Starburst Power Pots, as well as branded games in collaboration with Gordon Ramsay, Street Fighter and Fashion TV – again showing our commitment to creating a world-class player experience.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to our employees, customers and shareholders for their support during 2019. Backed by our ongoing focus on efficiency and the acquisition of Red Tiger, we are entering the new year in a stronger position. Our global distribution and two strong brands give us the right basis to increase our market shares in online casino. We see good conditions for NetEnt to deliver growth in 2020, supported by our combined game portfolio and Live Casino.
(1) Comparable figures from the previous year include Red Tiger.
About NetEnt:
NetEnt AB (publ) is a global gaming company, providing premium gaming solutions to the world’s most successful online casino operators. In addition to the company’s NetEnt brand, our portfolio also includes Red Tiger Gaming. Since our start in 1996, we have been a true pioneer in driving the market with innovative games powered by a cutting-edge platform. NetEnt is committed to creating the future of gaming, is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (NET–B) and employs around 1 100 people in Malta, Stockholm, Sofia, Kiev, Krakow, Gothenburg, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, London and New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.netent.com.
Media Troopers has added a new artificial intelligence feature to its proprietary media buying platform, Media Cruiser DSP, introducing an automation layer called Automation Rules.
The company said Automation Rules is a rules-based automation engine designed to optimise campaigns using real-time data. Media Troopers said the tool can support actions including setting price ranges, highlighting and pausing underperforming metrics, creating exclusion filters, and adjusting bids without prior manual intervention.
Media Troopers positioned the release as a way to increase output while reducing operational costs, describing the workflow as “a single click” to apply automation.
Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive of Media Troopers, said, “Media Troopers is always looking to improve its systems to ensure that clients have the best technology available to help enhance their campaigns while also saving them time. This new AI feature is sure to be a game-changer among customers when it comes to increasing marketing output by taking on board and managing client data around the clock.”
The post Media Troopers adds AI automation tool to Media Cruiser DSP appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
DeGaming has launched a Web3 iGaming platform and appointed Ulle Skottling as CEO, with the company positioning on-chain operations as a way to improve transparency across operators, affiliates and players.
The platform’s core product pitch is its proprietary “Glass Vault” technology, which DeGaming says provides real-time proof of funds and independently verifiable visibility of balances, transactions, and payouts.
DeGaming is also offering “Bankroll as a service,” routing transactions through its on-chain transaction engine to provide operators access to scalable liquidity for withdrawals and platform stability. The company said this is designed to reduce friction for operators trying to scale, while giving players visibility into the funds available on the platform.
The supplier said its unified platform combines game access, player account management (PAM) and reporting in a single blockchain-native operational engine. DeGaming added that operators can launch a customisable casino or sportsbook in “as little as two weeks,” including crypto and fiat deposits, automated payouts and a back-office.
Skottling joins as CEO to lead what DeGaming called its next phase. He has held senior roles at RAW iGaming, Videoslots and NetEnt. Skottling said: “The industry has evolved rapidly, but transparency and trust have not kept pace. It runs on what you can’t see, whereas we have built a platform that you can. We are challenging the model and defining the new standard for gaming infrastructure.
“Our Glass Vault technology gives operators, affiliates and players independently verifiable visibility into platform activity and funds in real time. The future of gaming will be built on openness, accountability and infrastructure that all participants genuinely trust.”
Emil Ahmed, co-founder of DeGaming, added: “Appointing Ulle as CEO is an important step in DeGaming’s next phase. We have built the platform around a clear belief that gaming needs more transparency, stronger infrastructure, and greater operational trust. Ulle brings the industry experience, commercial understanding, and leadership needed to take that vision to market and help operators launch with confidence.”
The post DeGaming launches Web3 iGaming platform, names Ulle Skottling CEO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Century Casinos Inc. announced that Lyle Randolph, a long-term regional Vice President and General Manager of the Company, will take over as Executive Vice President of Operations for the US.
Mr. Randolph will be appointed to this new role effective May 15, 2026. As Executive Vice President of Operations for the US, Mr. Randolph will oversee the Company’s seven U.S. properties. These casinos comprise a combined 4701 slot machines, 93 table games, 2127 hotel rooms, and over 20 food and beverage venues.
Mr. Randolph is a veteran gaming and hospitality executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in casino operations, hotel and food & beverage management, capital development, and multi-property strategic oversight. He began his gaming career in 1995 at Casino Aztar in Missouri. When Isle of Capri Casinos acquired the property, he became General Manager of both Caruthersville and Cape Girardeau. Throughout his leadership tenure, he successfully navigated the properties through multiple ownership transitions involving Isle of Capri Casinos and Eldorado Resorts while operating under the leadership and mentorship of notable gaming industry executives including James Perry, Virginia McDowell, Eric Hausler, Gary Carano, and Tom Reeg. These experiences provided exposure to a broad spectrum of leadership philosophies ranging from entrepreneurial founder-led management and family-driven regional gaming growth to highly analytical, public-company expansion strategies. During his tenure with Isle of Capri Casinos, Mr. Randolph received the company’s Jack Galloway Award recognizing leadership and operational achievement.
Since Century Casinos’ acquisition of the Missouri properties in 2019, Mr. Randolph has served as Vice President of Operations for both Missouri casino properties. Mr. Randolph has overseen more than $80 million in combined capital development projects, which has resulted in Adjusted EBITDAR growing over 70% under his leadership.
In addition to his operational responsibilities, Mr. Randolph has remained active in civic, charitable, and industry leadership initiatives throughout his career, including statewide advisory appointments and leadership roles with regional business, tourism, humanitarian, and gaming organizations, underscoring his understanding of the value of responsible corporate citizenship. Mr. Randolph’s established track record as a results-oriented and effective leader will continue to drive the Company’s growth within the gaming and hospitality industry.
The post Century Casinos Announces Appointment to Top Leadership Role in the US appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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