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Aspire Global Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2020 Results
RECORD HIGH REVENUES AND EBITDA IN Q4 AND FULL YEAR 2020
FOURTH QUARTER
- Revenues increased by 37.6% to €44.4 million (32.2).
- EBITDA increased by 89.9% to €8.3 million (4.4).
- The EBITDA margin increased to 18.6% (13.5%).
- EBIT increased by 100.4% to €6.3 million (3.1).
- Earnings after tax increased to €4.2 million (-11.6).
- Earnings per share, basic and diluted, amounted to €0.07 (-0.26).
- First time depositors (FTDs) increased by 0.3% to 105.9 thousand (105.6).
FULL YEAR
- Revenues increased by 23.2% to €161.9 million (131.4).
- EBITDA increased by 24.8% to €27.1 million (21.7).
- The EBITDA margin increased to 16.7% (16.5%).
- EBIT increased by 17.3% to €20.8 million (17.7).
- Earnings after tax increased to €15.0 million (1.9).
- Earnings per share, basic and diluted, amounted to €0.28 (0.01).
- First time depositors (FTDs) increased by 16.9% to 519.9 thousand (444.5).
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE QUARTER AND AFTER THE END OF THE QUARTER
- Revenues increased 37.6% from Q4 2019 driven by strong development in the B2B segment and acquisition of leading sportsbook provider BtoBet in September 2020.
- Organic growth of 30.8% from Q4 2019.
- B2B revenues grew 44.7% from Q4 2019 with an organic growth of 35.1%.
- Record high revenues and EBITDA in Q4 and full year 2020 driven by organic growth and acquisitions.
- In January total trading volumes increased to approximately €15.0 million, which is about 34% higher than the average monthly trading volume in Q1 2020.
- New markets entered – Spain, Russia and West Virginia.
- Pariplay’s games launched by Rush Street Interactive (RSI) in New Jersey.
- Partnerships in Latin America with William Hill and Betfair.
- Pay N Play solution launched and live with five operators.
- Repayment of bond due in April 2021 is secured. As a consequence of the repayment, the Board proposes to the AGM that no dividend is paid out for the financial year 2020. The Board is committed to the long-term dividend policy to distribute dividends annually in an amount of at least 50% of the Company’s net profits after taxes and expects to be able to propose a dividend for the financial year 2021.
| KEY FIGURES | ||||
| € million, unless other stated | FOURTH QUARTER | FULL YEAR | ||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| Revenues | 44.4 | 32.2 | 161.9 | 131.4 |
| EBITDA | 8.3 | 4.4 | 27.1 | 21.7 |
| EBITDA margin, % | 18.6 | 13.5 | 16.7 | 16.5 |
| EBIT | 6.3 | 3.1 | 20.8 | 17.7 |
| EBIT margin, % | 14.2 | 9.8 | 12.9 | 13.5 |
| EPS, basic and diluted, € | 0.07 | -0.26 | 0.28 | 0.01 |
| Operating cash flow | 11.5 | -11.5 | 27.7 | 2.5 |
| Company hold, % | 46.6 | 49.6 | 48.1 | 52.0 |
| FTDs, thousand | 105.9 | 105.6 | 519.9 | 444.5 |
CEO COMMENTS
“OUR POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER GROWTH IS HUGE”
We have succeeded in establishing Aspire Global as a powerhouse for iGaming operators and see great opportunities for continued profitable growth. Our recent wins with tier 1 operators, our broad geographic footprint in four continents and outstanding offering provide us with a solid base for further expansion. In 2021, our top priorities are to roll out our sports offering in Europe, Africa and Latin America, and to certify the sports platform for future US deals. This will enable us to continue to grow our customer base with tier 1 operators and to build a strong market presence in the US.
Revenues were record high in the fourth quarter and increased by 37.6% to €44.4 million from Q4 2019 with good growth across all segments. The organic growth in the quarter amounted to 30.8% from Q4 2019. It’s promising to see the strong development for our games and sports offerings. Our subsidiaries for games and sports – Pariplay and BtoBet – both reported all time high revenues in the quarter. The B2C segment also reported a strong quarter with record high revenues, up 29.0% from Q4 2019.
IMPROVED PROFITABILITY
Profitability continued to improve steadily which demonstrates our ability to grow in locally regulated markets while maintaining good margins. EBITDA increased by 89.9% to €8.3 million from Q4 2019 and the EBITDA margin raised from 13.5% to 18.6%. This is a solid performance taking into account that the revenue share from taxed and locally regulated markets increased from 66% in Q4 2019 to 70% in Q4 2020.
BIG POTENTIAL IN SPORTS
The acquisition of the leading B2B sportsbook provider BtoBet in September has already turned out to be a strategic strength to us. Prior to the acquisition sports represented a minor part of Aspire Global’s revenues. With our new proprietary sportsbook we see fantastic growth opportunities in European markets such as Germany and the UK along with the US and Latin America. We have license application processes going on and we aim to introduce our proprietary sports offering in time for the European Championship in key markets.
During the quarter BtoBet has shown great success in signing tier 1 operators such as Betfair in Colombia and William Hill, also in Colombia. These partnerships in Latin America significantly strengthen our position in this big continent.
BREAKTHROUGHS IN THE US
The US market represents another important growth potential for Aspire Global. Pariplay – our leading game studio and games aggregator – recently announced its partnership for games with Rush Street Interactive (RSI), a market leader in online casino and sports betting in the US. RSI has already launched a selection of Pariplay’s high-quality online casino games in New Jersey which is a breakthrough for us into the regulated US market. In January, Pariplay received an interim iGaming supplier license for West Virginia, which marks another significant progress in the US.
We have high expectations for the US market and are building an organisation in the US to support Aspire Global’s expansion in this big market. As a first step, we are recruiting a managing director and a sales director for Aspire US. Aspire Global has also filed applications in Pennsylvania and Michigan with the objective to file in all accessible states. It’s an important advantage when we now address US operators that our complete iGaming offering includes the new sports platform.
ENTERING NEW MARKETS
In the quarter, Pariplay also made significant progress in Europe by entering new regulated markets. I’m happy to see Pariplay’s new partnership with 888casino in Portugal and Spain and how Pariplay further cemented its leading position in Switzerland by a deal with the market leader Swiss Casinos.
LEADING TECHNOLOGY
The Aspire Global technology has been developed throughout the years and we have gained deep knowledge of the complexities in the iGaming industry. We are not only technology experts; we are mastering the whole iGaming value chain. At Aspire Global, we combine broad industry experience with leading technology and knowledge in marketing as well as gaming behaviour and player protection.
In the quarter we launched our first Pay N Play operators in Finland which became an immediate success. We are already live with five operators and with the Pay N Play solution they now provide quicker registration, login and instant deposits and withdrawals.
We have also introduced Aspire Engage, the most advanced CRM tool in the market. In addition, our organisation has secured the needed adjustments in Germany, following the new regulations.
TIER 1 OPERATOR WINS
When summarizing the quarter, I would like to single out the tier 1 global operator wins as the most significant from a growth perspective. These deals prove that Aspire Global’s offering is competitive and best-in-class. I’m convinced that the significant partnerships with Rush Street Interactive (RSI), Betfair, William Hill and 888casino among all will open up for new opportunities on many other playing fields.
I’m also happy to see the energy and focus in the management team. In the quarter we have strengthened the team with top talents from the iGaming industry, namely Antoine Bonello from William Hill as COO and Paul Myatt as Chief Business Development Officer. Paul joined us from QuickSpin and has previous experience from among all NetEnt. Aspire Global’s previous COO Dima Reiderman has been appointed COO at BtoBet.
OUTLOOK
Over the past twelve months we have created a new Aspire Global and established the company as a powerhouse for iGaming operators. I dare to be bold and say that Aspire Global has unique assets that give the company a strong position with huge growth potential.
Prior to the acquisitions of BtoBet and Pariplay, Aspire Global was a European focused company with revenues mainly from casino. Today Aspire Global is present in four continents and we provide a complete, leading iGaming offering with proprietary games and games aggregation along with a sportsbook, gaming platform and managed services. This is key to our partners when they develop their expansion plans and provides us with competitive advantages.
The year 2021 has started in a good way and in January total trading volumes increased to approximately €15.0 million, which is about 34% higher than the average monthly trading volume in Q1 2020.
Finally, I would like to thank all my co-workers for the energy, passion and professionalism you have demonstrated during the challenging year with the pandemic. I look forward to continuing our inspiring work in realizing our vision to become the world’s leading iGaming supplier.
Tsachi Maimon
CEO
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The slow death of grey markets in Europe and the increasingly clear line between regulated spaces and the black market is set to divide the entire industry in two, including suppliers.
With almost all major European markets having adopted or being well on their way to enacting a full licensing regime for online gambling, the battle lines between what is on- and off-shore are clearer than ever.
For those nations that persist with restrictions on some sectors, like the continued monopoly in Norway or France’s ban on online casinos, it’s becoming nearly impossible to justify doing business in spite of these prohibitions – even for suppliers.
Regulators in the rest of Europe increasingly expect their licensees to follow not just their rules, but those of their fellow authorities across the continent.
Where once expectations of good behaviour were reserved exclusively for operators, B2B companies are now subject to the same scrutiny.
For the past few years, there has been a general building of pressure on suppliers, but this year B2B compliance has moved from a growing trend to become the status quo for the sector.
Where do you stand?
The industry is being asked to pick a side and even to play the role of regulator itself, in some cases.
“We understand that at least one piece of recent B2B regulatory enforcement [in the UK] may have come as a result of a B2C operator effectively reporting one of its suppliers,” said Andy Danson, the head of Bird & Bird’s international gambling practice.
It’s becoming clear that a meaningful percentage of operators have fully bought into the idea that those who continue to exist in European black or grey are threats to their bottom line.
Speaking on a recent webinar organised by his firm, Danson added: “There is an increasing use of commercial pressure and accountability alongside regulatory enforcement, and there is this growing expectation that licensed businesses consider who they support.”
Danson notes that, in his view, the burden on operators to self-police their industry is probably becoming too large.
“How much can a regulator really expect B2C licensees to regulate their suppliers? It is ultimately the regulator’s job to do that, and B2C really should be able to rely on their suppliers having a local license.”
This backwards pressure is also being exerted on suppliers in jurisdictions where they are required to obtain their own licenses.
Regulators expect suppliers not to sell their content to operators who service their local black market and look dimly on supplying companies active in illegal markets in any part of the world.
Gone are the days when these authorities would accept the excuse that aggregators are ultimately responsible for providing game content to these offshore operators. Instead, suppliers risk enforcement if they do not have oversight of the entire supply chain their products exist in.
Dealmakers
This pressure coming in from every angle leads to only one inevitable conclusion: M&A activity.
As suppliers are forced to choose either to abandon their high profit margin offshore clients or their reliable onshore customers, the possibility of dividing into two parts becomes more and more compelling.
“I think businesses will very likely look to separate and restructure, particularly where they currently have a real mix of regulated and unregulated market activities,” said Danson.
“We certainly saw similar trends five to ten years ago when the regulatory focus on this sort of issue was more on the B2B side,” he added.
This move would be driven partly by modern regulatory complexities, but also the impact of US investors entering the gambling market more prominently over the past five years.
US-based capital tends to be more skittish about any activity with uncertain regulatory backing and its law enforcement authorities are not shy about exerting their authority extraterritorially.
“International market exposure is becoming more and more relevant in an investment and M&A context,” Danson confirmed.
A dilemma
Those gambling businesses choosing the regulated environment are at least finding their authorities more willing than in previous years to take proactive action against the black market.
In the UK, the Gambling Commission has received a grant of £26m from the government to step up its work against illegal online gambling, for example.
Regulators are also understood to be sharing more information than ever before about the main bad actors afflicting their markets, through organizations like the Gambling Regulators Europe Forum (GREF).
Although it’s worth noting that officials also say they are swapping notes on the activities of their licence-holders as well, in yet a further example of international compliance becoming a local issue.
This, along with an atmosphere of zero compromise when it comes to tightening regulations, has created a situation where the choice between on- and off-shore is not a simple one.
Andy Danson summed up the problem: “By creating an environment which has become so burdensome and challenging for regulated markets to operate, and then challenging operators and suppliers to pick a side, regulators perhaps shouldn’t be all that surprised when some operators out there might not necessarily choose the side that they want them to.”
The post European Online Gambling Industry Faces Tough Offshore Choice appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brazil
EGB Group launches institutional portal to strengthen corporate presence in iGaming in Brazil
EGB Group (Esportes Gaming Brasil), owner of Esportes da Sorte, Onabet and Lottu, has launched its new institutional portal, bringing governance, strategy and corporate operations together in a single digital environment.
The initiative aims to structure the group’s institutional presence and increase transparency across its processes, operational pillars and expansion projects.
The portal features dedicated sections such as Compliance, ESG, Ecosystem and a fully structured Press Room, improving access for partners, media and regulatory authorities to compliance information and strategic initiatives.
According to Iury Tavares, Media Relations Manager at EGB Group, the launch reflects an already consolidated internal evolution.
“The launch of our institutional website materializes EGB Group as an ecosystem.
We are no longer seen only as isolated consumer brands, but as an integrated structure with different business fronts connected by a common purpose of innovation and market leadership.”
Camyla Lima, Branding and Creative Manager, added that the new platform also improves how this structure is communicated.
“The new corporate identity balances the energy of entertainment with the rigor of a structured operation.
We developed an interface that prioritizes institutional storytelling and ecosystem navigation, making it easier to understand how the brands are integrated.”
The more sober visual identity reinforces the group’s institutional positioning in a regulated market and reflects its organizational culture, recognized by its Great Place to Work certification and a workforce of around 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
With employees placed at the center of the communication strategy, the launch was also supported by internal activations across offices in São Paulo and Recife and corporate channels.
Beyond governance, the portal highlights the group’s broader social impact initiatives.
It showcases support for street carnival blocks and official sponsorships of major Carnival celebrations across Brazil, including traditional hubs such as Recife and Olinda.
Social responsibility projects such as Costura Cidadã, support for waste pickers during major events, and partnerships with NGOs focused on river cleaning are also featured.
In sports, the group maintains sponsorships with clubs including Corinthians, Náutico, Ferroviária and Ceará, as well as support for inclusive sports initiatives.
A key highlight of the portal is the company’s investment in Brazilian technology development that underpins its operations.
The group details its use of proprietary platforms to ensure technical autonomy and compliance with requirements set by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF).
This structure also includes the use of artificial intelligence for personalization and security, contributing to formal job creation and revenue generation across digital advertising and sports-related sectors.
Esportes Gaming Brasil
Esportes Gaming Brasil is one of the leading betting groups in the country, operating under a fully Brazilian structure with an official licence granted by the Ministry of Finance through SPA/MF. The authorisation covers its three brands: Esportes da Sorte, Onabet and Lottu, with nationwide operations across Brazil.
A benchmark in innovation and a strong advocate of market regulation, the group is committed to responsible gaming and continuous investment in user protection technologies, while generating hundreds of jobs.
Beyond sports betting, Esportes Gaming Brasil invests consistently in sports, culture and social projects. It is a master sponsor of clubs such as Corinthians, Ceará, Ferroviária and Náutico, and supports major cultural initiatives.
This include Galo da Madrugada and Carnival celebrations across Recife, Olinda, Salvador, Maceió, Natal, Caicó, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, as well as the Parintins Festival. The brand also expands its digital presence through creative campaigns and influencer partnerships, strengthening its connection with audiences across online platforms.
The post EGB Group launches institutional portal to strengthen corporate presence in iGaming in Brazil appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Media Troopers brings its sports betting expertise to Peru ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Media Troopers, the leading digital and customer acquisition group, has announced it will enter Peru’s regulated market to offer its sports betting and prediction market services ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played from 11 June to 19 July across the US, Canada, and Mexico, is a defining moment for the global online wagering industry, and one that Media Troopers aims to help operators capitalize on.
Peru is one of LatAm’s newest regulated markets, launching in 2024.
It’s home to more than 60 online operators, with its gaming regulator having granted 120 licenses since the launch.
In 2024, Peru’s regulated market was valued at $2.7 billion, with analysts expecting projected growth to reach $7.6 billion by 2033.
Media Troopers CEO Shmulik Segal says that Peru’s current regulated market represents the early stages of regulated sports betting in the US, noting that it currently boasts strong consumer demand and rapid operator expansion.
“Media Troopers is bringing mature-market expertise into Peru at precisely the moment the market is ready to scale,” Segal said.
By entering Peru, Media Troopers can offer its wide range of marketing and acquisition tools to operators in the region.
That includes providing operators with soccer-focused marketing channels, access to a variety of existing publishers and affiliates, and localized features that help operators scale their platforms to reach a more tailored audience, increase engagement, and build a trusting brand presence in the area.
Media Troopers has positioned itself as the gateway between exporting North American betting infrastructure into new, emerging markets, as it prepares for the next evolution of online wagering.
MediaTroopers was founded in 2019 with the vision of providing legal, safe, and responsible gambling alternatives to sports bettors and casino players.
Since then, the company has grown to operate in over 40 jurisdictions across North America.
MediaTroopers leverages decades of digital marketing experience, extensive in-house media buying knowledge, mobile advertising expertise, a robust technical infrastructure, and an extensive network of in-house and affiliated publishers to acquire paying customers for the world’s top gambling operators, including BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers and more.
The post Media Troopers brings its sports betting expertise to Peru ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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