Central Europe
SAZKA Group H1 and Q2 2020 Results and Update on Current Trading
SAZKA Group a.s. (“SAZKA Group” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries and associates the “Group”) announces its financial results for the six months to 30 June 2020 and provides an update on current trading.
H1 2020 Financial highlights
- Consolidated gross gaming revenues decreased by 28% to €652 million (H1 2019: €909 million), primarily as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on land-based sales.
- Consolidated Operating EBITDA[1] decreased by 42% to €167 million (H1 2019: €287 million).
- Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes certain one-off items, decreased by 41% to €168 million (H1 2019: €286 million).
- Consolidated profit after tax from continuing operations decreased by 90% to €42 million (H1 2019: €145 million).
Pro-rata LTM H1 2020 highlights[2]
- Pro-rata LTM Adjusted EBITDA was €379 million.
- Pro-rata net debt / Adjusted EBITDA was 3.2x and Pro-rata priority net debt / Adjusted EBITDA was 0.5x at 30 June 2020.
Key strategic initiatives
- In June, we acquired the 17.19% stake in CASAG previously held by Novomatic. As a result, SAZKA Group’s shareholding is now 55.48% and CASAG has been fully consolidated as a subsidiary from 26 June.
- In July, the Supervisory Board of CASAG approved a plan to optimise the cost structure of the casino business in Austria.
- In July, OPAP acquired an additional 51% stake in Stoiximan Group’s Greek and Cypriot business, as a result of which it now holds a 69% stake.
Trading update
- Most restrictions to which our businesses were subject as a result of COVID-19 were lifted by June and the businesses which were impacted by COVID-19 have recovered well.
- Land-based sales of most products in most geographies are approaching, or in some cases exceeding, sales during the same period last year.
- Online sales, which increased significantly in the Czech Republic, Austria and Greece during the period most directly impacted by COVID-19, have continued to perform strongly.
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Central Europe
Relax Gaming partners with Grand Casino Luzern to launch in Switzerland
Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has enhanced its European presence by making its debut in Switzerland with leading operator Grand Casino Luzern and its online platform, mycasino.
This partnership with Relax will see the supplier’s award-winning portfolio of games including Banana Town, Money Train and Wild Chapo now available to Swiss players with more titles to follow.
Founded in 2019, mycasino is operated by Grand Casino Luzern, a renowned casino operator in the heart of Switzerland.
The country’s leading online casino boasts a cutting-edge offering with exclusive titles regularly being added, as well as seamless deposit and withdrawal functionality. With its commitment to safety, innovation, and superior customer experience, mycasino offers a secure and enjoyable online gaming experiences for Swiss players.
The Swiss market marks the twenty-third global jurisdiction that Relax Gaming now operates in after passing the stringent regulatory processes and obtaining approval from Federal Gaming Board (FGB).
This is Relax’s latest step in extending its reach across Europe with further plans to increase its footprint with additional partnerships planned over the continent in the near future.
Martin Stålros, CEO of Relax Gaming, said: “Our continued growth across the globe is something we are all incredibly proud of. The Swiss market presents many interesting opportunities and I believe we have the right content to appeal to the passionate audience.”
Alexia Smilovic Rønde, Chief Regulatory Officer at Relax Gaming, said: “Entering the Swiss market through our prime partnership with Grand Casino Luzern marks another significant step in expanding our presence in high-profile regulated markets.
“Switzerland is truly a staple of European jurisdictions and is known for its high regulatory standards, which we are pleased to have successfully met. We will be looking forward expanding our presence in the coming months.”
Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern, said: “The partnership with Relax Gaming marks an important step for mycasino.
“Their innovative approach and diverse game portfolio perfectly align with our commitment to maintaining our leadership in the market. We’re thrilled to be the first online casino in the Swiss market to partner with Relax Gaming and continue providing top-tier entertainment to our players.”
Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.
Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.
The post Relax Gaming partners with Grand Casino Luzern to launch in Switzerland appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
Thunderkick enters Hungary with LVC Diamond brand Vegas.hu
Partnership marks studio’s first foray into Hungarian market
Independent slots studio Thunderkick has launched its games with Vegas.hu, an online casino operated by Las Vegas Casino (LVC) Diamond, marking its debut in the Hungarian iGaming market.
Hungary is the third new market entered by Thunderkick in 2024 – following the announcement that its games would go live in Canada and Colombia – highlighting the provider’s commitment to targeted global expansion.
Vegas.hu is a pioneering platform having become the first legal online casino established in the country in 2017 and has since established itself as one of the most successful and highest-grossing brands in Hungary.
The partnership, which commenced in early August, saw a collection of Thunderkick’s games integrated onto Vegas.hu, including fan-favourites Midas Golden Touch 2, Beat the Beast: Dragon’s Wrath, and Gods of Rock! Reborn.
The game developer has already reported early success among its titles, with this strong performance emphasising the quality of Thunderkick’s product portfolio, which continues to resonate with players across the globe.
Fredrik Ekholm, Head of Sales at Thunderkick, said: “We are dedicated to enhancing Thunderkick’s presence on our home continent, and the debut of our slots in Hungary reaffirms this.
“Since becoming the nation’s first regulated online casino, Vegas.hu has built a reputation as an industry leader, and we are excited to partner with the prestigious brand as we look to expand our European player base.”
Brigitta Szenczy, Head of Gaming and Studio at Vegas.hu, added: “At Vegas.hu, we have a history of providing exciting gaming experiences to Hungarian players through a portfolio of best-in-class titles.
“Thunderkick’s cutting-edge slots are sure to resonate with Vegas.hu players as we continue diversifying our content offering.”
The post Thunderkick enters Hungary with LVC Diamond brand Vegas.hu appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
Octoplay goes live in Slovakia with an exclusive partnership with Nike
Octoplay continues its expansion in Europe by going live in Slovakia with a strategic partnership with Nike, the largest betting company in the country. This move marks Octoplay’s third major market milestone in the last four weeks, following its entry into Denmark and obtaining a license in Greece.
Octoplay will launch a portfolio of 10 games, including the title Eggsponential, exclusively on Nike’s platform in Slovakia. The partnership goes beyond game integration, with Octoplay set to deliver a bespoke version of its opt-in jackpot solution, Jackpot Hunt. This collaboration demonstrates both companies’ commitment to long-term market growth and innovation.
Nick Vuchev, Commercial Director at Octoplay, stated: “Our partnership with Nike marks a significant step in Octoplay’s expansion into regulated European markets. We’re excited to introduce our games exclusively in Slovakia through the country’s largest operator.”
Robert Vizvari, Chief Revenue Officer at Niké, commented: “We’re thrilled to be the first to bring Octoplay’s premium products to players in Slovakia. Through this collaboration, we’re offering the high-quality, engaging content Octoplay is known for, exclusively on our platform. This partnership not only enhances our portfolio but also reinforces our commitment to providing our players with the best gaming experiences in the market.”
This partnership highlights Octoplay’s rapid expansion across Europe’s regulated markets. Already holding licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Ontario, Greece, and Romania, Octoplay continues to strengthen its position in the iGaming industry through strategic partnerships and market entries. This latest collaboration with Nike, a major operator in Slovakia, further exemplifies Octoplay’s commitment to growth in key regulated markets.
The post Octoplay goes live in Slovakia with an exclusive partnership with Nike appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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