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NetEnt: Year-end report 2019 and quarterly report October – December 2019

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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.

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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

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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.

 

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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.

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Raketech Announces Divestment of Casumba Assets

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Raketech Group Holding Plc announced an agreement to sell the Casumba assets due to regulatory developments affecting its markets.

The transaction, valued at a fixed consideration of EUR 12 million, will be paid in monthly instalments through December 2029, with no upfront cash payment. Under IFRS 9 accounting standards, the deferred consideration has been measured at the fair value of approximately EUR 7 million at closing. The EUR 5 million difference between the fixed consideration and the fair value reflects an element of ongoing credit risk and the extended payment schedule. Any further adjustments will be recognised through the profit and loss account over the payment period, in accordance with IFRS 9 requirements.

The consideration carries an 8% interest rate and will be paid in variable monthly instalments through December 2029.

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The sale supports Raketech’s platform-first strategy, focusing on core markets and sustainable growth in iGaming affiliation. The decision to divest Casumba stems from recent regulatory shifts in its markets. This move aims to remove regulatory risks, and redirect capital to Raketech’s leading iGaming affiliation platform, AffiliationCloud.

The Casumba assets generated annualised revenues of approximately EUR 4.0 million with an EBITDA of EUR 2.9 million, based on the Q2 2025 run rate.

Raketech will record a non-cash loss on disposal of approximately EUR 10 million in Q3 2025. This loss primarily arises from the difference between the book value of the Casumba assets and the IFRS 9 fair value of the consideration. The loss on disposal is a one-off, non-recurring loss and will not impact Raketech’s cash flow or operational performance.

The transaction has been signed and closed on 24 September 2025.

Johan Svensson, CEO of Raketech, said: “This sale marks another step in refining our portfolio and concentrating on our core goal of creating the top commercial platform for iGaming affiliation. By divesting Casumba, we eliminate regulatory exposure and unlock resources for growth opportunities. This transaction reflects our dedication to sustainable shareholder value and financial discipline.”

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SlotsUp 2.0 Launch: Transformed into a User-Centric Product

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Ten years after its quiet debut as a casino listing site, SlotsUp has reintroduced itself with a complete rebuild. What started in 2015 as a basic catalogue of online casinos has evolved into a structured, data-driven product designed around user needs and practical tools that actually help make smarter choices.

For years, SlotsUp relied on the industry-standard model. That formula worked, until it didn’t. So in 2025, the team behind SlotsUp tore it all down.

“We spent years chasing SEO. At some point, it became clear that the balance was off — too much energy went into ranking, and not enough into what players truly needed. That had to change. We shifted toward building a product where clarity, trust, and the user’s perspective always come first,” said a team lead at SlotsUp.

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Not Just a Redesign — A New Product

SlotsUp 2.0 introduces a new brand identity, an updated interface and a new core principle: act like a correspondent, not a catalogue. That shift is reflected in a complete rethink of how casinos are added, rated and shown to users. Entry is no longer automatic — each listing must pass through a rigorous system of over 100 internal rules governing data quality, compliance, layout and trustworthiness.

The platform now filters and presents only what matters. Each casino is reviewed through 12 custom-built metrics, including:

Safety Index: Built on 4 criteria, from licensing transparency to user complaint volume.

SlotsUp Rating: A detailed breakdown of license, bonuses, payments, support and responsible gambling tools

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Casino Match: A personalised alignment tool based on the user’s region, currency and language.

Radar: A visual chart comparing a game’s win potential against industry averages.

And now there’s Multi Game Mode — a new way to test and compare slots side by side. Players can launch up to four games in demo mode simultaneously, making it easy to spot differences in features, pace and style. It’s a faster, smarter way to find the game that truly fits your preferences.

The result is a real product, not just a database — with tools that respond to where the player is, what they value, and how they play.

From a List to a Real Product

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The company’s team of 28+ experts includes writers, developers, designers and gambling professionals. Every review is written or reviewed by individuals who are well-versed in the industry.

Now, every rating is based on a clear system. Information is sorted by what matters to players: safety, fairness, relevance and quality.

SlotsUp 2.0 is built to guide users, not push them. It focuses on clarity, responsibility and smarter choices — one player at a time.

The post SlotsUp 2.0 Launch: Transformed into a User-Centric Product appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BetVictor

Vyking Appoints João Soares as CTO

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Vyking, the next-generation iGaming platform provider, has announced the appointment of João Soares as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

João, a Portuguese native, is a highly accomplished engineering leader with more than a decade of senior experience in the iGaming sector, having held leadership roles at William Hill, BetVictor and White Hat Gaming. In a previous role, João served as Head of Engineering at White Hat Gaming, where he managed 120+ people and spearheaded the transformation of the company’s engineering function. He introduced scalable team structures, mentored managers and technical leads, and embedded Agile methodologies across the business. His leadership was pivotal in turning a flat engineering setup into a high-performing, resilient and delivery-focused organisation.

Prior to that, João spent over five years at BetVictor, where he held senior engineering roles and led the launch of eight native mobile apps across iOS and Android, supporting 60% of the company’s business in the UK, Germany and Asia. He also worked as Development Manager at William Hill, contributing to product and platform initiatives across multiple teams.

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Beyond iGaming, João also gained senior leadership exposure in other technology sectors, including roles as Head of Engineering at Vision-Box and as Director of Engineering at Easyship, where he focused on digital transformation, QA implementation and leadership coaching.

João Soares, incoming CTO of Vyking, said: “I am thrilled to be joining Vyking at such an exciting time. The company’s platform vision, which combines flexibility, scalability and true product ownership for operators, is exactly the type of challenge I’m passionate about. My goal is to help accelerate innovation, build high-performing teams and ensure Vyking continues to set new standards for iGaming technology.”

Franz Gerhart, CEO of Vyking, said: “João brings the perfect blend of technical expertise, leadership capability, and proven industry experience. His track record of scaling engineering teams and driving transformation at leading operators will be invaluable as Vyking enters its next phase of growth. I also want to acknowledge Helmut Kleinhans, who has excelled in leading our technology function and is now stepping into a new senior role as Chief Software Architect. This transition reflects his passion for deep technology and innovation, enabling him to focus on advanced engineering across the wider business. Helmut’s impact has been pivotal in positioning Vyking for success, and we are thrilled he will continue to shape our technology future.”

The post Vyking Appoints João Soares as CTO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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