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LeoVegas AB Q4: Quarterly report 1 October–31 December 2021
“Strong end to the year with many growth initiatives” – Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO
FOURTH QUARTER 2021: 1 OCTOBER – 31 DECEMBER
- Revenue amounted to EUR 98.2 m (98.4). Revenues were unchanged compared with the same period last year. Excluding Germany and the Netherlands, revenues increased by 26%.
- Organic growth in local currencies was -4%.
- Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) from regulated markets and markets in which the company pays local gaming taxes was 74% (67) of total NGR.
- EBITDA was EUR 11.6 m (11.5), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 11.8% (11.7).
- The number of depositing customers was 456,063 (461,983), a decrease of 1%.
- Adjusted earnings per share were EUR 0.07 (0.08).
EVENTS DURING THE QUARTER
- LeoVegas repurchased shares for EUR 2.1 m and distributed the third quarter dividend (EUR 3.9 m).
- Following policy changes in the Netherlands, LeoVegas decided to stop providing its services in the country as from 30 September 2021. As such, the company had no revenue from the Netherlands in the fourth quarter (compared with 6% of the Group’s total revenue during the third quarter). The company will apply for a licence during the first quarter.
- LeoVegas was granted renewed gaming licences by the Danish Gambling Authority.
EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE QUARTER
- Preliminary revenue in January amounted to EUR 35.5 m (32.5), corresponding to growth of 9%. Excluding Germany and the Netherlands, revenue increased by 24%.
- The Board of Directors proposes an increased dividend of 5 percent to SEK 1.68 per share (1.60), to be distributed on four occasions over the course of the next 12 months.
- LeoVegas applied for a gaming licence for the Canadian province of Ontario.
- The establishment in New Jersey in the US is proceeding according to plan and the recruitment of a local team has begun.
- In January, LeoVegas distributed the fourth dividend (EUR 3.8 m) of a total of four to the Parent Company’s shareholders.
COMMENT FROM GUSTAF HAGMAN – GROUP CEO
FOURTH QUARTER
I am proud of how we concluded 2021 and how we offset the revenue loss related to the ongoing regulatory changes in Germany and the Netherlands. In the fourth quarter, sales were unchanged compared with the preceding year. However, excluding the two abovementioned markets, growth was some 26%, which demonstrates our strong underlying growth.
Adjusted EBITDA improved somewhat year-on-year, despite ceasing to provide our services in the Netherlands while waiting for a gaming licence, which was previously one of our most profitable markets. At the same time, we have paid more gaming taxes than ever before during the quarter. The improved profit was achieved through good cost control and higher marketing efficiency.
During the quarter and the full-year 2021, we took several important steps as a company, which we expect to drive growth for many years to come. We increased our strategic focus on sport with the acquisition of the brand Expekt. The new launch of Expekt has been a major success, with sales increasing almost fourfold since the acquisition. We are now planning to expand into more markets. We have also commenced establishing operations in the US, where the online gaming market is still in its infancy. We are seeing significant potential for a smartphone-oriented casino expert like LeoVegas in North America, where we already hold a leading position in Canada. We also invested in our own gaming studio during the year. The first games are expected to be launched shortly and over 15 titles are planned for 2022. Our own contents provide us with a more unique gaming experience, greater customer loyalty and lower costs.
We demonstrate a high ability to adapt and continue to drive innovation even when faced with turbulent times. An increasing number of European countries are becoming regulated and some 74% of our revenue is currently regulated and/or taxed. The external market environment will remain erratic and turbulent in places, but we are well-positioned to manage this. Armed with all of our ongoing growth initiatives, I feel optimistic ahead of 2022.
MARKETS
Our underlying customer activity and growth remain favourable. In general, we are growing faster than our competitors in the markets that are not affected by major external events and where equal conditions apply for all operators. A good example of this is Sweden, where we reached a new record level during the quarter. LeoVegas is currently the largest private operator in the Swedish market, something we have accomplished with strong brands, the best product and data-driven marketing. We continue to see favourable growth prospects in Sweden.
As previously mentioned, a re-regulation period is ongoing in the Netherlands and in the Canadian province of Ontario. In the Netherlands, we decided to stop providing services to gamers from 30 September 2021 pursuant to the latest regulations. At the start of 2022, we have applied for licenses in the Netherlands and Ontario we applied for a license in Ontario and will apply for a license in the Netherlands during the first quarter. Our ongoing expansion in the US, with New Jersey as the first state, is proceeding according to plan. We have commenced recruitment of a local team and completed much of the technical development as well as initiated the certification process of LeoVegas’ proprietary technical platform (PAM, Player Account Management). We also began efforts for the expansion into additional US states.
TEN YEARS
At the beginning of 2022, LeoVegas turned ten years old. The company, our product and the entire industry has developed enormously since my co-founder, Robin Ramm-Ericson, and I, started LeoVegas. Today, the industry is much more complex with more stringent requirements and tougher competition. At the same time, LeoVegas has taken tremendous strides and matured in many areas, making us stronger than ever before. We always aim to be at the forefront of customer focus, technology and data-driveness, but also continue to continually challenge ourselves to be better in all areas. I can affirm that LeoVegas with all its employees will continue to drive the industry forward with the mobile gaming experience in the spotlight. We are continually making progress as we stand on the starting line of ten more intense and exciting years!
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SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator: Largest Content Hub Certified in Brazil
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, the largest content hub in the iGaming industry, has secured Brazilian certification, becoming one of the first in the market to achieve this milestone.
Regulatory rules for iGaming come into effect in Brazil on 1 January 2025. According to them, platforms, aggregators, sportsbooks, and providers must undergo certification. Companies aiming to provide their services in Brazil in 2025 and beyond have been preparing for this transition throughout the year.
The SOFTSWISS team announces that its Game Aggregator is the first to fully comply with regulations, completing all necessary preparations and receiving the certificate to ensure smooth and efficient operations for its clients.
SOFTSWISS has also obtained certification for integration with the world’s largest game providers – Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Playtech. These providers offer a diverse range of games tailored to suit the preferences of Brazilian players, from immersive live dealer experiences to engaging slots and table games, ensuring entertainment for every type of player.
According to recent Kantar research conducted in November 2024, the overall satisfaction index for the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is 8.1 out of 10. Remarkably, half of the respondents rated the product a 10 or 9. Customer support service satisfaction scored even higher, at 8.4 out of 10.
The Game Aggregator also boasts a key advantage: consistent 99.999% uptime, which is crucial for the iGaming business.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, notes: “According to our information, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is the first aggregator fully prepared, both technically and legally, to work in Brazil when the new regulations take effect. This is a significant achievement that the team has worked on diligently and systematically. Our work doesn’t stop here – we are actively adding new providers to help our clients expand their presence in this promising Brazilian market, which is no longer ‘the sleeping giant’. It has awakened, and SOFTSWISS is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.”
To support this high level of performance, earlier this year SOFTSWISS appointed Rubens Barrichello, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend, as a Non-Executive Director, demonstrating its strong commitment to the local market. To ensure efficient operations and promptly address ongoing matters, SOFTSWISS also has a dedicated team of local business development managers in Brazil.
SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss partnership in Brazil and other markets at the first major iGaming event of 2025 – ICE Barcelona, taking place on 20–22 January, at stand 2G42.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator: Largest Content Hub Certified in Brazil appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Digitain has promoted Group Chief Strategy Officer to CEO of Relum
Digitain, the leading provider of sportsbook and casino platform solutions, announced today that Edmond Ghulyan, the Group Chief Strategy Officer, has been promoted to CEO of Relum, the casino engine solution provider that is part of the Digitain Group of Companies.
Edmond has held several key leadership positions within the Digitain Group over the past seven years, including Chief of Centrivo Products and Group Chief Strategy Officer. He brings extensive experience in the iGaming industry, along with expertise in digital strategy, product innovation, operations, and market-product fit strategies. His comprehensive understanding of both B2B and B2C iGaming supply chains will be invaluable in further scaling Relum’s product offerings, including casino aggregation services and market expansion.
Digitain’s Group Founder, Mr. Vardges Vardanyan, commented on the promotion: “I am delighted to have Edmond lead the Relum team. With his extensive experience in product and commercial development at Digitain over the years, Edmond will support and facilitate comprehensive solutions as Relum expands its services to B2C partner operators in high-growth markets.”
Edmond Ghulyan, CEO of Relum, expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “I am truly excited to have played my part of Digitain’s growth journey, and now Relum, a company that has consistently expanded its business solutions within the global regulated iGaming supply chain. The company’s customer-centric approach and commitment to its people in delivering complex solutions for today’s multi-jurisdictional regulated operators have always impressed me. I eagerly look forward to scaling the Relum business with new and existing partners and leading the product and sales team in the coming months.”
The post Digitain has promoted Group Chief Strategy Officer to CEO of Relum appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ZITRO CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF ITS FIRST WAP IN ARGENTINA AT THE HIPÓDROMO DE PALERMO
Zitro, a leading global gaming company, has announced the successful launch of its first Wide Area Progressive (WAP) in Argentina, with over 45 slot cabinets initially installed in five gaming halls located at the Hipódromo de Palermo. The product selected for this project is the successful game “Mighty Hammer Ultimate” on Zitro’s premium cabinet, “Altius Glare.”
This system represents the first WAP in South America. A shared jackpot called “Mega Pozo Mighty Hammer” starts at 50 million Pesos and grows progressively, making it the largest accumulated prize in the region. The official inauguration was held on December 19th during the exclusive “Noche de Palermo” event, including a live performance by the renowned Argentinian band Los Totora.
Company Directors commented: “We are very pleased to introduce Argentina’s first WAP at the Hipódromo de Palermo. This project – for which we partnered with Zitro – reiterates Casino Club’s commitment to innovation, always under the premise of offering our customers an entertainment experience that exceeds all their expectations.”
For her part, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director of Zitro for LatAm, commented: “The launch of our first WAP in Argentina is a very important milestone for Zitro, as it confirms our company as a supplier of machines for WAPs. Attending the inauguration event and seeing firsthand how our products connect with players has been a pleasure, providing a unique and different entertainment experience in the region. Additionally, I want to highlight the excellent marketing surrounding the launch, contributing to its success. Finally, I would like to thank Casino Club for their trust and collaboration, which has allowed us to present this innovative proposal in such a renowned and emblematic place as the Hipódromo de Palermo.”
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