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Evolution – INTERIM REPORT FOR JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2021

Published

4 years ago

October 28, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Evolution released today its Interim Report for January-September 2021.

Third quarter of 2021 (Q3 2020)

Operating revenues increased by 97% to EUR 276.0 million (140.0)
EBITDA increased by 113% to EUR 192.9 million (90.7), corresponding to a margin of 69.9% (64.8)
Profit for the period amounted to EUR 157.4 million (79.4)
Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.73 (0.44)

January-September 2021 (9M 2020)

Operating revenues increased by 100% to EUR 768.5 million (383.5)
EBITDA increased by 124% to EUR 527.7 million (236.0), corresponding to a margin of 68.7% (61.5)
Profit for the period amounted to EUR 433.9 million (204.0)
Earnings per share amounted to EUR 2.03 (1.12)

Events during the third quarter of 2021

High demand for Live Casino generates a +53% growth YoY
RNG revenue growth 7.9% compared to pro-forma Q3 2020
Continued expansion in the US with opening of a new live casino studio in Michigan. After the end of the period launch of RNG-games in Connecticut with live games to follow.

Summary of the third quarter and the first nine months of 2021

CEO’s comments

The third quarter this year has been another quarter of extremely high activity within Evolution. The expansion of our business at the current speed is simply put – hard work – and I want to start these comments by thanking everyone in Evolution for great work during this period, without your effort and commitment the achieved financial results would not be possible.

The result for the third quarter 2021 has once again proven that our strategy to focus on the entertainment of the end-users and seamless and flawless experience is successful. Revenues in the third quarter increased by 97 percent to EUR 276 million, while the EBITDA increased to EUR 192.9 million. The EBITDA corresponds to a margin of 69.9 percent, exceeding our guidance for 2021.

Top-line growth is driven by very strong global demand for Live Casino but also impacted positively from our increased RNG business. Live Casino revenue growth was 53.2 percent compared to Q3 2020, which is higher than the pre-pandemic growth rate levels, showing that many of our newer players are staying in the network. RNG growth was 7.9 percent compared to pro-forma figures of Q3 2020 for NetEnt and BTG. Big Time Gaming, which was fully consolidated into our results in the third quarter, contributed with EUR 10.6 million in revenue. BTG stand-alone is growing at a rate of over 30 percent in the quarter, compared to their corresponding quarter in 2020. Our NetEnt and Red Tiger brands show growth of about 3 percent compared to the same quarter 2020 and while this development is in line with our expectations, our ambition for our NetEnt and Red Tiger brands is to deliver stronger growth moving into 2022.

As I have mentioned earlier this year, we are in the process of reshaping our RNG business. This year we have both re-structured the product roadmap and also re-built the complete technical platform for NetEnt. We are right now rolling out our updated integration for casino, One Stop Shop (OSS), towards customers which enables operators to reach all our existing content from one single integration and ensures that access to future Evolution content will go seamless and fast world-wide. This is a major step for both us and our customers but even more so for all our end users who will get more fantastic Evolution content. One side effect of this total technical make-over has been fewer new game releases in 2021.

As always, we continue to develop our portfolio of games. While our game shows, including successful wheel based games such as Monopoly Live and Crazy Time, continue to attract players, we continue to broaden the audience for the game show category. Our new bouncing ball game – Cash or Crash – adds strategic and decision-making features in a game show style game. This game is all about player choice and the ability for the player to control the outcome. We also launched Fan Tan – a fresh twist on the beautiful traditional Asian bead game.

Besides adding new unique games, it’s absolutely crucial to constantly enhance the end-user experience and entertainment value through enhanced and innovative user interfaces. Reduce all small bottlenecks and make it seamless. During the quarter, we launched an improved user interface to our traditional Blackjack game, through a new zooming feature in portrait mode. This clearly improves the gaming experience further.

The aim with all our offerings is to excite and entertain players with the best possible choice of world-class gaming. We are committed to creating the most immersive and exciting gaming experiences available.

The North American online casino market continues to develop rapidly in both US and Canada. In Michigan, where we introduced our portfolio of NetEnt games in the beginning of the year, we launched our live casino in the beginning of the quarter. The studio is off to a very good start and this best-in-class offering is yet another enabler of growth in the US market. After the end of the period we were first to the market with our slot games in Connecticut. We expect Live games to follow soon, Connecticut will be the 4th studio we operate in the US. Also after the end of the period we launched our live and RNG games with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, it will be the 4th province in Canada to go live from our Canadian studio.

Ongoing studio projects include new studios in Madrid and Yerevan. This quarter, a lot of business focus has been centred around investing and establishing new studios. As always, expansion potential lies in existing markets, as well as new geographies and we will, as a natural part of our business, continue to expand and invest in existing studios both in North America and other regions at the same level as earlier.

Also, during the past quarter, we signed an agreement to acquire DigiWheel in an all-cash deal. DigiWheel’s technology is exciting, innovative and unique and will be blended into our online Live Casino games and game shows. The ambition is to launch new games in 2022 using this technology.

As stated, our ambition is to continue to strengthen our leading position in the online casino market. One of the corner stones which allows us to increase the gap to our competitors even further is through product innovation. In February, as things are getting back to normal, it is once again time for ICE in London. I am already now very excited about presenting our 2022 road-map.

We are now well on our way into an exciting and very hectic last quarter and we have had strong start to the fourth quarter so far. New games to release, new studios to build, OSS to be rolled out and great new Evolutioneers to recruit at the same time as all of us already here need to focus hard on what we can do better, what we can do to make Evolution a little bit better every day.

Belatra Games

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

from-‘mummyverse’-to-crash-games:-belatra-reviews-a-landmark-2025

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

BMM Testlabs

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

‘chaos-and-soul’:-ebaka-games-plots-global-expansion-after-viral-launch

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

ARC

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

Wladimir P.

racing-meets-nightlife:-sbk-backs-arc’s-new-‘friday-night-live’-series

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: