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LeoVegas AB Q4: Year-end report 2020
“Yet another record year for LeoVegas with a strong close” – Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO
fourth quarter 2020: 1 october–31 december
- Revenue increased by 13% to EUR 98.4 m (87.1). Organic growth in local currencies was 14%.
- Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 11.5 m (9.2), corresponding to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 11.7% (10.6%). Reported EBITDA includes EUR -3.5 m (5.3) in items affecting comparability.
- The number of depositing customers was 461,983 (372,032), an increase of 24%.
- Adjusted earnings per share were EUR 0.08 (0.06).
Events during the quarter
- LeoVegas was the first company in the gaming industry to offer payments via Open Banking.
- During the quarter the Group’s unique and record-large jackpot was launched under the name LeoJackPot.
- LeoVegas secured long-term and diversified financing through a combination of a bank credit facility (RCF of EUR 40 m) and a bond issue of SEK 500 m under a total framework of SEK 800 m.
- During the quarter, LeoVegas repurchased its own shares for approximately EUR 5 million.
- Ahead of the forthcoming regulation in Germany, a number of changes were implemented. This led to lower revenue during the quarter, with the greatest effect during the month of December.
- LeoVegas has changed its interpretation of the calculation of gaming taxes in Denmark for earlier periods. This resulted in a self-correction, and a one-off cost of EUR 3.5 m has been charged against EBITDA.
- Decision has been taken to migrate the Royal Panda brand to the Group’s proprietary technical platform.
Events after the end of the quarter
- Preliminary revenue in January amounted to EUR 32.5 m (29.9), representing growth of 9%.
- The Board of Directors proposes a raised dividend totalling SEK 1.60 per share (1.40), an increase of 14%, to be paid out on four occasions during the year.
COMMENT FROM GUSTAF HAGMAN – GROUP CEO
STRONG CLOSE TO 2020
LeoVegas concluded the record year 2020 with its strongest fourth quarter ever. And we did this despite frequent changes to the gaming requirements in our markets in addition to finding ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic. I am proud of our ability to quickly adapt to changed conditions through a high capacity for innovation at the same time as we are building an increasingly solid and diversified business. It is a demonstration of strength that LeoVegas delivered adjusted EBITDA growth of 25% for the full year while the operating cash flow increased almost 90 %. This was achieved despite maintaining a high investment pace with launches of new brands, new markets and product improvements.
During the fourth quarter we increased our revenue organically by 14%. Growth was mainly driven by a continued rise in depositing customers, which grew 24% to a new record level. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 25% during the quarter to EUR 11.5 m. Reported EBITDA was charged with a one-off provision of EUR 3.5 m related to a changed interpretation of the calculation of gaming taxes in Denmark for earlier periods.
MarkETS
With the exceptions of Sweden and the UK, our core markets showed high double-digit growth during the quarter. Above all I want to highlight Italy, which has now become one of our five biggest markets. During the quarter we launched the Pink Casino brand in Canada. The launch is part of our multibrand strategy, where we are utilising existing resources and our technical platform to expand through scale.
In the German market, LeoVegas has implemented a number of changes ahead of the forthcoming licence system in July 2021. As expected, this affected revenue during the period. Operators in the market are acting differently with respect to the new restrictions, and at present necessary clarity is lacking in the ongoing transitional period, which unfortunately has led to a skewed competitive situation until the licence system has been fully implemented.
TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS
During the quarter we carried out and launched several major projects and innovations. In particular I want to highlight our new exclusive jackpot – LeoJackpot – where our customers can win over SEK 50 m directly from their smartphones. We were also first in the industry to offer payments via Open Banking. This will benefit LeoVegas and our customers in many ways, including through more secure and faster payments and lower transaction costs.
During the quarter we began the migration of Royal Panda to our joint technical platform. As a result, in 2021 all brands will be operated on the same platform. The migration will lead to cost synergies such as lower platform and product costs and a more efficient organisation. The decision has also resulted in impairment of intangible assets attributable to Royal Panda’s platform, which was charged against EBIT in the amount of EUR 1.9 m.
FINANCING AND INVESTMENTS
At the end of the year we secured the Group’s long-term financing needs through the combination of a renewed bank credit facility of EUR 40 m and a newly issued corporate bond of SEK 500 m.
Stable financing combined with a strong balance sheet gives us a solid base for continued expansion, both through organic initiatives and potential acquisitions. During the fourth quarter we carried out share repurchases for approximately EUR 5 m. In addition, the Board of Directors proposes an increase in the dividend to SEK 1.60 per share.
COMMENTS ON FOURTH QUARTER
Revenue for the month of January amounted to EUR 32.5 m (29.9), corresponding to annual growth of 9%. In January revenue was fully impacted by the changes carried out in Germany ahead of the forthcoming regulation.
On the tailwinds of a strong 2020 we are now looking forward to a year with many exciting growth initiatives and an even stronger customer offering.
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Casino-Groups
Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups
Sebastian Jarosch is no longer solely the founder and managing director of Casino Groups as he is also taking on the role of Head of AI, at least on an interim basis. This personnel decision marks a conscious step towards closer integration of corporate management and technological responsibility.
In future, Jarosch will not only be responsible for the strategic direction of the company, but also for the further development of the AI systems that already form a central part of the product landscape. Casino Groups is one of the best-known platforms, which has been using and continuously developing an AI-supported rating system for online casinos for some time.
The decision to anchor the role of Head of AI directly at management level was a conscious one. Artificial intelligence now influences almost all areas of the affiliate business, from content structures and data analysis to regulatory documentation and product logic. Such a development requires decisions that bring together economic objectives, technological possibilities and legal frameworks.
Sebastian Jarosch brings this perspective from years of experience in the iGaming sector. As an entrepreneur, he is familiar with economic dependencies as well as the challenges of increasing regulation. The additional responsibility in the AI area makes it possible to set technological courses more quickly, define priorities more clearly and establish innovation as an integral part of corporate management.
The new role of Head of AI fits in perfectly with current developments in the iGaming market. Increasing regulatory requirements, rising acquisition and content costs, and the growing influence of AI-powered search systems are changing the economic fundamentals of the affiliate business. Visibility is no longer achieved solely through reach, but through authority, consistency and verifiable quality.
With this appointment, Casino Groups is sending a clear signal to the outside world. Affiliate companies are increasingly being valued like media or technology companies. Partners and investors are placing greater emphasis on compliance, data competence and sustainable product development. The bundling of management and AI responsibility strengthens the company’s credibility in these areas.
At the same time, Casinos Groups is positioning itself as a player that does not delegate innovation, but actively drives it forward. The interim nature of the role creates space for further development and adaptation without diluting the strategic ambition. For the industry as a whole, this step underlines that AI expertise has arrived at the management level.
The role of Head of AI forms the organisational foundation for this development. It ensures that technological innovation, editorial standards and economic objectives are interlinked. Casino Groups is thus pursuing a clear line: technology as a tool, people as an authority and quality as a connecting element.
The post Sebastian Jarosch Becomes Head of AI at Casinos Groups appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
CONOR DURNIN
THE UNIT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CO-FOUNDER CONOR DURNIN TO LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Unit, the leader in product design and development for iGaming and sports betting, has announced the appointment of Conor Durnin to its leadership team.
Durnin, who co-founded The Unit in 2018, played a foundational role in the company’s early vision and direction. His appointment marks the first time he has taken on an active position within the business, as The Unit continues to scale its work with operators, platforms, and suppliers in the global iGaming and betting sector.
In his role, Durnin will focus on strengthening The Unit’s product strategy expertise, supporting complex client engagements, and helping guide the company’s next phase of growth as demand increases for outsourced development of differentiated and innovative betting and gaming products.
“From the outset, The Unit has set out to raise the standard for outsourced product development in betting,” said Durnin. “Stepping into this role allows me to focus on supporting the team as we help our partners build scalable, world-class products.”
Having previously held senior roles at brands including Boylesports, Grand Parade and SportCaller, Durnin brings extensive experience in product leadership, engineering, and delivery, with a reputation for bridging commercial objectives and technical execution. His approach aligns closely with The Unit’s focus on building world-class products that prioritise user experience and long-term sustainability.
“The Unit was founded to challenge conventional thinking around betting and gaming product design, and Conor will play a pivotal part in this going forward,” said Paddy Casey, Co-founder at The Unit. “As the business continues to flourish, adding Conor is a natural step and reflects the ongoing pace of expansion at The Unit.”
Durnin’s arrival comes as The Unit continues to expand its footprint across sports betting and iGaming, working with clients on outsourcing options, product development, UX/UI, platform architecture, and industry-leading technical design.
With offices in Ireland, Moldova, Gibraltar, and a US hub in New York, The Unit has an unflinching commitment to becoming the partner of choice throughout the industry. In addition to its broad-ranging nearshore product development, the team now boasts a strong track record of building world-class products for the sports betting and iGaming sector over the last decade.
The post THE UNIT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CO-FOUNDER CONOR DURNIN TO LEADERSHIP TEAM appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
St8 Secures Sweden B2B Licence, Adding Another Regulated Market
Casino games aggregator St8 is poised to expand into another significant regulated market following the receipt of a B2B supplier license from Sweden’s Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen.
This indicates that St8 can now offer its aggregator technology to operators licensed in Sweden for the first time.
These operators obtain access to an advanced platform renowned for achieving seamless integrations within days through a single API.
Vladimir Negine, founder and CEO at St8, said: “Being awarded a B2B licence by Spelinspektionen underlines the strength of St8’s technology and compliance-first approach. Sweden is one of Europe’s most respected regulated iGaming markets, and we are excited to now be able to support licensed operators there with our next-generation aggregation platform.
“Our focus remains firmly on expanding in regulated jurisdictions, and adding Sweden further strengthens St8’s position as a trusted supplier to operators in leading global markets.”
Spelinspektionen is recognized for upholding some of the strictest player protection standards in iGaming,
St8 has quickly grown into several prominent regulated markets in recent months. In October, it received a supplier license in Ontario, and in July it obtained a B2B license in the United Kingdom.
The post St8 Secures Sweden B2B Licence, Adding Another Regulated Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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