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INTRALOT Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

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INTRALOT SA (RIC: INLr.AT, Bloomberg: INLOT GA), an international gaming solutions and operations leader, announces its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31st, 2021, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Group Revenue at €102.0m in 1Q21 (+9.3% y-o-y).

 

EBITDA in 1Q21 at €24.4m (+55.4% y-o-y), while Adjusted EBITDA at €20.8m (+56.4% y-o-y).

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NIATMI (Net Income After Tax and Minority Interest) from continuing operations at €-7.3m, improved by 57.8% compared to a year ago.

 

North America operations, under Intralot Inc., achieved significant y-o-y growth (Revenue +21.8%, EBITDA +81.8%).

Group OPEX in 1Q21 is better by 8.3% y-o-y, with Greek entities OPEX lower by 25.7% y-o-y, without taking into consideration the capital structure optimization expenses.

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Operating Cash Flow at €21.6m in 1Q21 (+127.4% y-o-y).

 

Group Net CAPEX in 1Q21 was €2.9m, lower by 48.2% compared to a year ago.

 

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Group Cash at the end of 1Q21 at €90.6m.

 

Net Debt at €643.7m at the end of 1Q21.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic impact for 1Q21 has been restrained in the vicinity of €1.5m at Group’s EBITDA level.

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In May 2021, INTRALOT announced the sale of its 80% stake in “Intralot do Brasil”, to SAGA, the only other shareholder of Intralot do Brasil, holding 20% of the company, for a total cash consideration of €0.7m. INTRALOT will continue to provide its gaming technology to Intralot do Brasil following closing of the transaction.

 

Also in May 2021, INTRALOT announced that its subsidiary in The Netherlands INTRALOT BENELUX BV, in co-operation with the Nederlandse Loterij, completed the transition of the operator’s full gaming portfolio enabled by the innovative LotosX platform, and rolled out 4,300 Photon terminals along with its robust signage solution empowering further the retail channel of Nederlandse Loterij’s Lottery games and Sports Betting offering.

 

Group Headline Figures

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  (in € million) 1Q21 1Q20 % LTM  
  Change  
           
  Revenue (Turnover) 102.0 93.3 9.3% 373.5  
  GGR 80.5 74.3 8.3% 299.1  
  OPEX1 -23.2 -25.3 -8.3% -93.1  
  EBITDA2 24.4 15.7 55.4% 74.9  
  EBITDA Margin (% on 23.9% 16.8% +7.1pps 20.1%  
  Revenue)  
           
  EBITDA Margin (% on GGR) 30.3% 21.1% +9.2pps 25.0%  
  Adjusted EBITDA3 20.8 13.3 56.4% 63.3  
  Capital Structure -5.0 -0.3 -11.5  
  Optimization expenses  
           
  D&A -16.0 -18.2 -12.1% -66.3  
  EBT -3.4 -14.9 77.2% -82.6  
  EBT Margin (%) -3.3% -16.0% +12.7pps -22.1%  
  NIATMI from continuing -7.3 -17.3 57.8% -94.1  
  operations  
           
  Total Assets 612.1 755.3  
  Gross Debt 734.3 753.1  
  Net Debt 643.7 611.1  
  Operating Cash Flow from 21.6 9.5 127.4% 49.8  
  total operations  
           
  Net CAPEX -2.9 -5.6 -48.2% -33.3  
             

 

INTRALOT Chairman & CEO Sokratis P. Kokkalis noted:

“First quarter results show strong Revenue and EBITDA growth, driven by robust operational performance and successful implementation of cost containment measures, while maintaining a strong cash position. At the same time, we continue to sharpen our focus on strategic markets with higher margins, launch new operations, such as Croatia, and roll out our new product portfolio, overall pointing to a very healthy operational performance for 2021.”

 

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  • OPEX presented exclude the capital structure optimization expenses.

 

  • The Group defines “EBITDA” as “Operating Profit/(Loss) before tax” adjusted for the figures “Profit/(loss) from equity method consolidations”, “Profit/(loss) to net monetary position”, “Exchange Differences”, “Interest and related income”, “Interest and similar expenses”, “Income/(expenses) from participations and investments”, “Write-off and impairment loss of assets”, “Gain/(loss) from assets disposal”, “Reorganization costs” and “Assets’ depreciation and amortization”.

 

  • Calculated as Proportionate EBITDA of fully consolidated entities including EBITDA from equity investment in Taiwan.

 

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

 

REVENUE

Reported consolidated revenue posted an increase compared to 1Q20, leading to total revenue for the three-month period ended March 31st, 2021, of €102.0m (+9.3%).

 

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  • Lottery Games was the largest contributor to our top line, comprising 63.0% of our revenue, followed by Sports Betting contributing 19.1% to Group turnover. VLTs represented 8.7% and Technology contracts accounted as well for 8.7% of Group turnover, while Racing constituted the 0.5% of total revenue of 1Q21.

 

  • Reported consolidated revenue for the three-month period is higher by €8.7m year over year. The main factors that drove top line performance per Business Activity are:

 

  • €+1.3m (+3.9%) from our Licensed Operations (B2C) activity line, with the increase attributed mainly to higher revenue in:

 

  • Malta (€+2.8m),  with  the  variance attributable mainly to the COVID-19 impact at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

 

The increase in our Licensed Operations activity line was partially mitigated by the lower performance in:

 

  • other Licensed Operations (referring to Brazil and Argentina), which dropped by €-1.5m, impacted mainly by the FX currency translation.

 

  • €+5.3m (+65.4%) from our Management (B2B/ B2G) contracts activity line with the variance driven by:
  • the surplus from our Turkish operations (€+3.1m), driven by Bilyoner’s improved top line performance, favored by the strong growth of the online market. In 1Q21, the local Sports Betting market expanded close to 2.0 times y-o-y, with the online segment representing close to 92% of the market at the end of 1Q21. Performance in Euro terms was partially mitigated by the headwinds in Turkish lira (32.3% Euro appreciation versus a year ago – in YTD average terms),

 

  • the launch of US Sports Betting in Montana and Washington, D.C. in late 2020 (€+1.3m), and

 

  • Morocco’s (€+0.9m or +31.2% y-o-y) improved performance, due to the COVID-19 impact in late 1Q20.

 

  • €+2.1m (+4.0%) from our Technology and Support Services (B2B/ B2G) activity line, with the increase attributed mainly to:

 

  • our US operations’ increased revenue (€+5.5m), mainly driven by the strong growth in our Lottery operations, while further boosted by a significant jackpot in January 2021, despite the effect from the adverse USD movement (9.1% Euro appreciation versus a year ago — in YTD average terms) and the lower merchandise sales in the current period.

 

The increase in our Technology and Support Services activity line was partially mitigated by the lower performance in:

 

  • The Netherlands (€-1.2m), impacted by the revised commercial terms which affected half of the first quarter of 2020 vs. full quarter effect in 2021,

 

  • Australia (€-1.1m), driven mainly by one-off merchandise sales in 1Q20, as well as the phasing-out of COVID-19 impact, while partially offset by the favorable currency movement, and

 

  • sales from other jurisdictions (€-1.1m), impacted mainly by lower merchandise sales in the current period and the COVID-19 impact.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, revenue — net of the negative FX impact of €13.2m — reached €115.2m (+23.5% y-o-y).

 

GROSS GAMING REVENUE & Payout

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  • Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from continuing operations concluded at €80.5m in 1Q21, posting an increase of 8.3% (or €+6.2m) year over year, attributable to:

 

  • the increase in the non-payout related GGR (€+7.7m vs. 1Q20), driven mainly by the increased top line contribution of our US operations, as well as the improved performance of Bilyoner in the current period.

 

The GGR increase was partially counterbalanced by:

–     the drop in our payout related GGR (-10.9% y-o-y or €-1.5m), driven mainly by the higher average payout ratio across all licensed operations in 1Q21 and especially in Malta, combined with the adverse FX impact from our licensed operations in Latin America (+2.8% y-o-y on wagers from licensed operations4). 1Q21 Average Payout Ratio5 increased by 5.5pps vs. LY (64.0% vs. 58.5%), affected mainly by the higher weighted contribution from our operations in Malta.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, GGR — net of the negative FX impact of €10.1m — reached €90.6m (+21.9% y-o-y).

 

OPERATING EXPENSES6 & EBITDA7

  • Total Operating Expenses decreased by €2.1m (or 8.3%) in 1Q21 (€23.2m vs. €25.3m in 1Q20). The variance is largely driven by the lower operating expenses across many key regions, such as the US and Morocco, and especially in the HQ, following cost savings and COVID-19 mitigation actions. The decrease was further supported by lower D&A in the current period, while it was only partially offset by the higher advertising costs in Bilyoner.

 

  • Other Operating Income from continuing operations concluded at €5.5m, presenting an increase of 52.8% y-o-y (or €+1.9m), driven by higher equipment lease income in the USA.

 

  • EBITDA, from continuing operations, amounted to €24.4m in 1Q21, posting an increase of 4% (or €+8.7m) compared to the 1Q20 results from continuing operations. 1Q21 Organic performance8 was boosted by the significant growth of our US operations in both Lottery and the new Sports Betting stream, Bilyoner’s improved performance and the operating expenses containments across many jurisdictions. The EBITDA increase was partially counterbalanced by Malta’s higher average payout ratio in 1Q21, a one-off revenue recognition in Australia in 1Q20, the revised commercial terms in Netherlands, as well as the adverse FX impact8 of currencies movement across many key markets (mainly US and Turkey).

 

  • Licensed Operations Revenue also include a small portion of non-Payout related revenue, i.e., value-added services, which totaled €0.8m and €0.4m for 1Q21 and 1Q20, respectively.
  • Payout ratio calculation excludes the IFRS 15 impact for payments to customers.

 

  • Operating Expenses analysis excludes expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

  • EBITDA analysis excludes Depreciation & Amortization, and expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

  • CPI adjusted for Turkey and Argentina (proxy).

 

  • On a yearly basis, EBITDA margin on sales improved to 23.9%, compared to 16.8% in 1Q20 (+7.1pps), as a result of revenue growth (mainly in the US and Turkey), combined with operating expenses containments across many key regions (mainly in HQ, US and Morocco).

 

  • LTM EBITDA rose to €74.9m, up by 13.1% vs. FY20.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, EBITDA, net of the negative FX impact of €3.9m, reached €28.3m (+80.3% y-o-y).

 

EBT / NIATMI

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  • EBT in 1Q21 totaled €-3.4m, compared to €-14.9m in 1Q20, with the key drivers of the improvement being:

 

  • the impact of the increased EBITDA (€+8.7m vs. 1Q20), as described above,

 

  • the better FX results (€+4.2m vs. 1Q20), as a result of the USD and other currencies movement against Euro, as well as the positive effect from the reclassification of FX reserves to Income Statement applying IFRS 10, and

 

  • the decreased D&A (€+2.2m), due to increased impairments in the previous periods.

 

With the increase at EBT level being partially offset by:

 

–  the higher capital structure optimization expenses in 1Q21 (€-4.7m).

 

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  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21 EBΤ, adjusted for the FX impact, reached €+1.0m, from €-14.1m in 1Q20.

 

  • NIATMI from continuing operations in 1Q21 concluded at €-7.3m compared to €-17.3m in NIATMI from total operations in 1Q21 amounted to €-8.2m (improved by €9.4m vs. a year ago), including the performance of the discontinued operations in Bulgaria and Peru.

 

  • Constant currency basis: NIATMI (total operations) in 1Q21, on a constant currency basis, reached €-10.3m from €-17.4m in 1Q20.

 

CASH-FLOW

 

  • Operating Cash-flow in 1Q21 amounted to €21.6m, increased by €12.1m, compared to 1Q20. Excluding the operating cash-flow contribution of our discontinued operations (mainly Bulgaria) and the capital structure optimization expenses paid, the cash-flow from operating activities is higher by €15.9m vs. a year ago and is largely driven by the positive variance in Income Taxes paid (€+12.2m), attributed to Income Tax returns during the current period vs. payments in 1Q20, and the higher recorded EBITDA y-o-y from continuing operations (€+8.7m), while partially offset by the adverse working capital movement of €-5.5m (€-7.3m in 1Q21, vs. €-1.8m in 1Q20).

 

  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow9 in 1Q21 increased by €24.4m to €4.1m, compared to €-20.3m a year The main contributors to this variance were the positive swing in the Income Taxes Paid (€+12.2m), following an income tax return in 1Q21, the higher recorded EBITDA (€+8.7m y-o-y), and the lower Net Dividends paid (€+2.5m), driven mainly by Inteltek’s dividend paid in 1Q20 as part of settlement procedures after its contract discontinuation. Excluding Parent company tax audit payments and returns, as well as Inteltek’s contract discontinuation impact in the previous period, 1Q21 Adjusted Free Cash Flow stands at €-1.1m, or €+8.3m above 1Q20 levels.
  • Calculated as EBITDA – Maintenance CAPEX – Cash Taxes – Net Cash Finance Charges (excluding refinancing charges – Net Dividends Paid; all finance metrics exclude the impact of discontinued operations.

 

  • Net CAPEX in 1Q21 was €2.9m, compared to €5.6m in 1Q20, significantly decreased following the completion of prior years’ investments and projects. Headline CAPEX items in 1Q21 include €0.9m towards R&D and project pipeline delivery, and €0.9m in the US. All other net additions amount to €1.1m for 1Q21. Maintenance CAPEX accounted for €0.8m, or 28.0% of the overall capital expenditure in 1Q21, from €1.6m or 28.1% in 1Q20.

 

  • Net Debt, as of March 31st, 2021, stood at €643.7m, decreased by €7.4m compared to December 31st, 2020. The Net Debt movement was impacted primarily by the Net Investments (€-13.3m, referring mainly to Intralot de Peru sale impact), the bonds IFRS treatment positive effect (€-9.3m), as well as an income tax return in the first quarter of 2021 related to the Parent Company tax audit payments of the previous periods (€-5.2m). The Net Debt decrease was only partially offset by the Restricted Bank Deposits for the period (€+3.2m), the payments towards Capital Structure Optimization (€+3.1m), and the investments towards the growth of our business, mainly for our projects in the US and Croatia (€+1.9m). Normal course of business in the Net Debt movement reflects March coupon payments and the adverse Working Capital, that fully offset the positive Operating Cash Flows.

 

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IMPACT UPDATE

The economic fallout from COVID-19 continued to affect business activities in the beginning of 2021, and restrictions in most of the regions across the world were still enforced to cope with the spread of the pandemic. However, as vaccinations are progressing, governments have loosened COVID-19 measures after months of lockdowns, and gradually re-opened economic activities.

 

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Gaming market in most of the regions where we operate has started to improve, while US Lottery market shows high degree of resilience. Based on the current performance of our operations in the first months of 2021 and the actions undertaken by most of our subsidiaries, no significant EBITDA impact is expected post 1Q21 from the pandemic. In any case, the scale and magnitude of COVID-19 impact for 2021 is continuously assessed and all containment measures assumed in 2020 remain intact and have been enhanced in order to absorb the potential impact in the financial results of 2021. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the financial performance in 2021 will depend on future development of the pandemic and the efficiency of the actions taken by the governments. This uncertainty will require us to continually adapt our strategy and initiatives and continuously assess the situation.

 

The health and safety of our team remains our top priority. With this in mind, we have immediately complied with all measures imposed by local governments and used technology in order to immediately enable a substantive majority of our personnel to work and collaborate remotely, without affecting the performance and quality standards of the Group.

9

 

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RECENT/ SIGNIFICANT COMPANY DEVELOPMENTS

 

 

  • On January 14th, 2021, the Company announced that OPAP exercised its two-year extension option of the contract with INTRALOT for the continuation of the collaboration of the two companies in the field of numerical lotteries and services from August 2021 to July 2023.

 

  • On February 8th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that it has reached a binding agreement with Nexus Group in Peru to sell its entire stake of 20% in Intralot de Peru SA, an associate of INTRALOT Group, which was consolidated through the Equity method, for a cash consideration of USD 21.0m. In addition, the Company signed a three-year extension of its current contract with Intralot de Peru SA through 2024, to continue to provide its gaming technology and support services. The transaction was completed on February 24th, 2021, with the net cash consideration, after taxes and transaction expenses, amounting to USD 16.2m.

 

  • On March 23rd, 2021, INTRALOT announced the amendment of the contract of INTRALOT Maroc, a subsidiary of the INTRALOT Group acting as games operator in Morocco, with La Marocaine Des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS), a state lottery offering sports betting and other games of chance in Morocco, which was signed in June 2019. According to this amendment, counterparties agree to reduce the duration of the contract, which was initially effective for an 8-year term, ending 31/12/2022.

 

  • On May 14th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that it has reached a binding agreement with “SAGA CONSULTORIA E REPRESENTAÇÕES COMERCIAIS E EMPRESARIAIS” (“SAGA”) in Brazil to sell its entire stake in “Intralot do Brasil Comércio de Equipamentos e Programas de Computador LTDA” (“Intralot do Brasil”), representing 80% of the company’s voting capital. SAGA is the only other shareholder of Intralot do Brasil holding 20% of the company. INTRALOT will continue to provide its gaming technology to Intralot do Brasil following closing of the transaction. The total cash consideration for the stake sale amounts to €0.7m.

 

  • On May 26th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that its subsidiary in The Netherlands INTRALOT BENELUX BV, in co-operation with the Nederlandse Loterij, completed the transition of the operator’s full gaming portfolio enabled by the innovative LotosX platform. Additionally,

INTRALOT has rolled out 4,300 Photon terminals along with its robust signage solution empowering further the retail channel of Nederlandse Loterij’s Lottery games and Sports Betting offering.

10

 

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APPENDIX

 

Performance per Business Segment10

 

YTD Performance

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Performance per Geography

 

Revenue Breakdown

 

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(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %
    Change
         
Europe   34.4   39.0 -11.8%
Americas   55.0   49.7 10.7%
Other   16.8   14.0 20.0%
Eliminations   -4.2   -9.4
Total Consolidated Sales   102.0   93.3 9.3%

 

 

Gross Profit Breakdown

 

(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %
    Change
         
Europe   -1.8   2.5
Americas   14.4   9.1 58.2%
Other   14.2   9.8 44.9%
Eliminations   -0.7   -2.3
Total Consolidated Gross Profit   26.1   19.1 36.6%

 

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  • Part of the US revenue that concerns SB management, has been included under the category “Game Management”. The rest of the US revenue is included under the “Technology” business segment.

 

11

 

Gross Margin Breakdown          
            %
      1Q21   1Q20
        Change
           
  Europe   -5.2%   6.4% -11.6pps
  Americas   26.2%   18.3% +7.9pps
  Other   84.5%   70.0% +14.5pps
  Total Consolidated Gross Margin   25.6%   20.5% +5.1pps

 

INTRALOT Parent Company results

 

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  • Revenue for the period decreased by 55.3%, to €4.6m, with the decrease attributable mainly to one-off equipment sales in 1Q20, as well as lower rendering of services towards the Group’s subsidiaries in the current period.

 

  • EBITDA shaped at €-4.5m from €-2.4m in 1Q20, variance affected mainly by the revenue decrease, while partially offset by the containments in the Company’s operating expenses.

 

  • Earnings after Taxes (EAT) at €-0.1m from €-10.2m in 1Q20.

 

 

(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %   LTM  
    Change    
               
Revenue   4.6   10.3 -55.3%   42.0  
Gross Profit   -3.1   0.1   12.3  
Other Operating Income       0.2  
OPEX11   -5.1   -6.9 -26.1%   -25.7  
EBITDA11   -4.5   -2.4 -87.5%   0.7  
EAT   -0.1   -10.2 99.0%   -30.5  
CAPEX (paid)   -0.5   -1.9 -73.7%   -6.4  

 

  • Operating Expenses and EBITDA presented exclude the expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

12

 

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

(in € million)   1Q21     1Q20 %       LTM    
        Change      
                     
Revenue   102.0     93.3 9.3%       373.5    
Gross Profit   26.1     19.1 36.6%       82.3    
Other Operating Income   5.5     3.6 52.8%       19.5    
OPEX   -23.2     -25.3 -8.3%       -93.1    
EBITDA   24.4     15.7 55.4%       74.9    
Margin   23.9%     16.8%   +7.1pps   20.1%    
Capital Structure Optimization   -5.0     -0.3       -11.5    
expenses                
                         
D&A   -16.0     -18.2 -12.1%       -66.3    
EBIT   3.4     -2.9       -2.8    
Interest expense (net)   -11.8     -12.0 1.7%       -48.2    
Exchange differences   3.7     -0.5       -5.4    
Other   1.3     0.5 160.0%       -26.2    
EBT   -3.4     -14.9 77.2%       -82.6    
NIATMI   -8.2     -17.6 53.4%       -96.8    
NIATMI continuing   -7.3     -17.3 57.8%       -94.1    
NIATMI discontinued   -0.9     -0.3 -200.0%       -2.7    
Group Statement of Financial Position                  
                     
(in € million)           1Q21       FY20  
                           
Tangible Assets           138.9     134.3    
Intangible Assets           200.7     202.0    
Other Non-Current Assets           19.4     19.2    
Inventories           24.2     25.7    
Trade and Other Short-term Receivables     138.3     151.5    
Cash and Cash Equivalents           90.6     100.0    
Assets Held for Sale               16.2    
Total Assets           612.1     648.9    
Share Capital           47.1     47.1    
Other Equity Elements           -270.6     -269.3    
Reserves from profit / (loss) recognized directly in other         -0.6    
comprehensive income and are related to assets held for sale          
               
Non-Controlling Interests           1.5     3.7    
Total Shareholders’ Equity           -222.0     -219.1    
Long-term Debt           480.5     476.2    
Provisions/ Other Long-term Liabilities           20.8     21.5    
Short-term Debt           253.8     274.9    
Other Short-term Liabilities           79.0     95.4    
Total Liabilities           834.1     868.0    
Total Equity and Liabilities           612.1     648.9    

 

13

 

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Group Statement of Cash Flows

 

  (in € million) 1Q21 1Q20
       
  EBT from continuing operations -3.4 -14.9
  EBT from discontinued operations 0.5
  Plus/less Adjustments 23.3 31.1
  Decrease/(increase) of Inventories -1.3 1.0
  Decrease/(increase) of Receivable Accounts 13.5 -0.2
  (Decrease)/increase of Payable Accounts -17.6 -2.0
  Income Tax Paid 6.6 -5.5
  Net Cash from Operating Activities 21.6 9.5
  Net CAPEX -2.9 -5.6
  (Purchases) / Sales of subsidiaries & other investments 13.3 -0.5
  Restricted bank deposits -3.2 -0.7
  Interest received 0.3 0.6
  Dividends received 1.0
  Net Cash from Investing Activities 7.5 -5.2
  Cash inflows from loans 27.5
  Repayment of loans -11.2 -27.2
  Repayment of Leasing Obligations -1.4 -1.8
  Interest and similar charges paid -21.4 -22.1
  Dividends paid -5.1 -7.9
  Net Cash from Financing Activities -39.1 -31.5
  Net increase / (decrease) in cash for the period -10.0 -27.2
  Exchange differences 0.6 -1.9
  Cash at the beginning of the period 100.0 171.1
  Cash at the end of the period from total operations 90.6 142.0
       

 

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BETesporte Reinforces Commitment to Sports with Major Investments Across Brazil

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Investment in championships, clubs, and national teams expands media assets and positions BETesporte as a key player in Brazil’s sports market.

BETesporte, a betting platform that proudly carries “sports” in its name, is reaffirming its leadership in the industry by reporting consistent investment results over the past four months. While most betting platforms generate the majority of their revenue from online games (virtual casinos), BETesporte stands out as one of the few where sports betting leads the way — accounting for 65% of its total revenue, compared to 35% from online games. This figure directly reflects its brand strategy and commitment to strengthening Brazilian sports.

Over the last four months, we’ve consolidated our presence on multiple fronts, focusing on strategic returns and high-quality visibility. We’ve sponsored several state championships in all regions of the country, including the Paulista, Paranaense, Carioca, Alagoano, Gaúcho, Pernambucano, Cearense, Catarinense, Baiano, and Mineiro tournaments, as well as the highly engaging Copa do Nordeste. We’ve also invested in Series A and B of the Brasileirão, placing our brand on Brazil’s biggest football stages and ensuring mass exposure with a high value per impression. It’s a strategic allocation of resources designed to generate brand impact and strengthen the Brazilian sports ecosystem,” said Thiago Carvalho, CFO at BETesporte.

Among the platform’s most notable recent acquisitions is brand exposure during Brazil’s national team matches in the World Cup Qualifiers — a move that reinforces BETesporte’s presence on the global football stage and strengthens its connection with fans during highly visible moments.

We truly believe in the power of sports as a driver of connection and engagement. At BETesporte, we’re constantly investing in improving our platform with new features and more real-time betting options. Our marketing plan is performance-oriented: we aim to energize Brazil’s sports scene through active sponsorships in Series A and B of the national league — with master sponsorships, LED field displays, and direct club support. We bet on sports both as a passion and a business,” added Danylo Campos, CTO of BETesporte.

Beyond football, BETesporte is expanding its social impact by supporting up-and-coming athletes, providing financial assistance to help them compete and grow in sports like kickboxing, table tennis, and jiu-jitsu — an initiative that helps uncover new talent and democratize access to high-performance sports.

The company also maintains partnerships with traditional clubs like CRB, CSA, and Volta Redonda, reinforcing its regional presence and boosting local fanbases with strong community ties.

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BETesporte’s credibility is further strengthened by the presence of legendary Brazilian football figures as brand ambassadors, including Zico, Vampeta, Diego Souza, and Macaé — personalities who bring even more legitimacy to the company’s presence in the sports world.

The post BETesporte Reinforces Commitment to Sports with Major Investments Across Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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California Gambling Control Commission

California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

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Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

  • 500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.

  • Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.

  • Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

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  • Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.

  • Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

  • HCAL, LLC

  • JCM Global

  • Konami Gaming, Inc.

  • PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.

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A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

The post California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Trends in affiliate marketing in 2025 from Boomerang Partners: AI, Personalized Engagement, Crypto, Betting, and Tournaments

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Affiliate marketing in 2025 has evolved far beyond just boosting traffic or generating clicks — it’s now all about building value-rich ecosystems and partnerships where each user interaction is fine-tuned for maximum relevance and effectiveness.

Boomerang Partners, a rapidly growing global brand behind the annual Golden Boomerang Awards for affiliate teams around the world, shares insights about the key trends of 2025 in the affiliate marketing industry. These trends are driven by advancements in AI, blockchain, and personalization technologies.

AI-powered optimization

Advanced AI tools empower affiliates to launch highly personalized campaigns on a large scale. By analyzing user behavior in real time, these tools help marketers anticipate user intent and deliver customized content that speaks directly to distinct audience needs.

With AI-powered tools, affiliate managers can plan, execute, and evaluate campaigns with minimal human intervention. This saves time when adjusting strategies and making data-driven decisions.

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Personalized engagement

Using data on user behavior and preferences, affiliate managers tailor content, advertising campaigns, and product recommendations. This leads to increased engagement and conversions.

AI-powered personalization relies heavily on real-time insights into user behavior. Key elements include maintaining contextual relevance, steering clear of excessive segmentation, and optimizing content dynamically. Instead of relying on fixed strategies, marketers now continuously refine campaigns using live data. To maximize impact, marketers should combine AI solutions with A/B testing processes, forming a feedback loop that enhances content effectiveness with each iteration.

Crypto betting boom

In 2025, integrating cryptocurrencies into iGaming affiliate marketing will become increasingly prominent. This trend is fueled by industry growth and the increasing adoption of blockchain technology. Using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum increases the security of transactions and provides exposure to an international audience. Cryptocurrencies also open up new revenue streams and foster innovation in the field.

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Affiliates integrating cryptocurrency into their platforms have seen advantages like quicker payment processing, reduced transaction costs, and enhanced security. Built on decentralized technology, crypto promotes greater transparency, helping to foster trust compared to conventional centralized financial systems.

Affiliate tournaments

Industry tournaments boost brand visibility and help build strong affiliate communities. Affiliate tournaments have become a trend in the industry. They are mainly organized by affiliate programs and feature valuable prizes — from iPhones and MacBooks to luxury cars and cash rewards. Boomerang Partners took it a step further by launching the annual Global Boomerang Partners Awards.

This year, Boomerang Partners is hosting its second annual tournament for affiliates worldwide, the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025it runs through May 11. More than 400 teams are participating.  Monthly prizes are given out for completing intermediate tasks. The top 30 contestants will reach the finals and compete for 11 awards, including the Grand Prix. They will also be able to attend the global networking event in Milan at San Siro. Registration for the tournament is open until May 5. There’s still time to register before the final prize drawing on May 3. The organizer will ensure the fulfillment of dreams. The winner will choose how to use the prize – for travel, education, or a top device.

Join Boomerang Partners and the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025.

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About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan and collaborates with women’s football star and influencer Alisha Lehmann. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards 2024, the first annual global affiliate tournament. Boomerang Partners’ betting segment surged 5x, and gambling — 2x in 2024. Its affiliate program demonstrated a 120% increase in partners, and the number of sports betting offers surged more than 6 times. Six new products were launched by Boomerang in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.

Boomerang’s portfolio contains 15+ gambling brands, including sportsbooks. They cover over 35 GEOs and offer a wide range of betting options with favorable odds. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

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