Latest News
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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Compliance Updates
Kambi Group plc secures licensing approval in Nevada
Approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission paves the way for Kambi to provide its premium sports betting solutions in Las Vegas and across the Silver State
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”), the home of premium sports betting solutions, has received approval for its Nevada gaming licence applications, marking a significant step towards launching in one of the world’s most iconic betting markets. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved Kambi’s application for Manufacturer & Distributor Licenses and an Information Services License, following a unanimous recommendation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (“NGCB”) earlier this month.
The licences will enable Kambi to provide its industry-leading sportsbook technology and services to nonrestricted gaming establishments in Las Vegas and across the state of Nevada for the first time. With limited B2B competition in the state due to the high regulatory requirements, Nevada presents Kambi with future growth opportunities in line with its strategy to expand its footprint across the Americas.
Kambi has been at the forefront of the regulated US sports betting industry since 2018, processing the first legal online wager outside of Nevada following the repeal of PASPA. This latest achievement underscores the company’s dedication to delivering world-class sportsbook solutions while adhering to the highest standards of regulatory compliance and corporate probity.
Werner Becher, CEO of Kambi, said: “Securing approval for our licences in Nevada is an important milestone for Kambi and a testament to our market-leading technology, regulatory expertise and corporate integrity. Nevada is widely known as the gold standard for betting and gaming regulation, insisting on a standard that few companies can meet, and is therefore recognition of Kambi’s unwavering commitment to excellence. We would like to thank both the Commission and NGCB for their thorough review and approval of our applications.”
The post Kambi Group plc secures licensing approval in Nevada appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Edgar Pau Co-Founder of Red Desert Games
Red Desert Games Signs Deal with Light & Wonder
Red Desert Games content developed by leading industry veterans set to further add to Light & Wonder’s innovative offering.
Red Desert Games launches its new and innovative slot content via the Light & Wonder content marketplace, through the Light & Wonder Spark studio partner program.
Red Desert Games is an emerging slot studio founded by land-based and iGaming industry veterans. The young studio team members have over 100 years combined experience in the global slot industry and are now applying their substantial knowledge, experience, and deep passion for slots to create innovative and engaging content to delight and excite.
As part of this new agreement, iGaming content developed by Red Desert Games will be distributed exclusively across Canada and the USA to Light & Wonder’s extensive operator network and elsewhere around in other key regulated markets via Light & Wonder’s Infinity aggregation platform.
The addition of Red Desert Games to the Light & Wonder Spark studio partner program’s roster of premium game studios further cements Light & Wonder as one of the world’s leading content marketplaces. It demonstrates once again Light & Wonder’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its content offering, as well as providing an opportunity for independent studios to significantly boost their international reach.
Edgar Pau, Co-Founder of Red Desert Games said: “We are extremely excited to be selected by Light & Wonder to join their partnership program. Light & Wonder has an unrivalled footprint and is the perfect fit to distribute our range of innovative and engaging games to its global network.”
“We have been extremely impressed by the whole Light & Wonder team and our interactions to-date. Their product feedback, enthusiasm to work with us and recognition of the uniqueness of our content has given us encouragement that they are the right partner to launch us into the global market.”
Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partners at Light & Wonder, added: We are delighted to welcome Red Desert to the Light & Wonder Spark studio partner program. Our program is committed to collaborating with the most forward-thinking and innovative new studios, and Red Desert’s distinctive game concepts, inventive mechanics, and meticulously crafted, visually captivating titles truly embody these values. We are excited to support their global expansion and look forward to a promising and successful journey together.
The post Red Desert Games Signs Deal with Light & Wonder appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Latest News
Women’s Euros set to be more popular with punters than Six Nations, survey shows
This summer’s Women’s Euros promises to be more popular with sports bettors than the Six Nations, Super Bowl and the Ashes, a new survey shows.
A new OLBG survey conducted by YouGov shows how bettors are likely to behave in 2025, including the most popular events to bet on, which regions of the country are most likely to gamble and how having kids affects betting behaviour.
The quarterly study asked 2,054 adults in the UK how they planned to bet this year.
Of people who said they were likely to gamble in 2025, 16% said they would bet on the Women’s Euros, which will take place in Switzerland in July, with England and Wales among the 16 teams in action.
That compares with only 9% who said they would bet on the Super Bowl, 10% who would bet on Rugby Union’s Six Nations and 6% who said they would bet on cricket’s Ashes series.
The data shows that 18% of men expect to bet on the Women’s Euros, compared with 11% of women.
Among the events specified, racing’s Grand National (48%) is the event of 2025 that most respondents said they would bet on, ahead of the FA Cup Final (33%), Champions League Final (29%) and Cheltenham Festival (22%).
OLBG CEO Richard Moffat said: “The surge in popularity of women’s football is well documented and it seems that betting patterns are starting to follow suit. Undoubtedly, the fact there’s a major tournament this summer including England and Wales will drive interest among bettors.
“It’s interesting to see that more people intend to bet on the Euros than some big, established, showpiece events in 2025 such as The Ashes, the Superbowl and the Six Nations.”
North West is the UK betting capital
Data shows 26% of people in the North West plan to place a bet on a sporting event during 2025 – the highest percentage region in the country.
The region with the next highest percentage of people planning to gamble this year is Yorkshire and the Humber, with 24%. Third is London (22%) ahead of Northern Ireland (21%).
According to the results, the region with the lowest appetite for betting is the South West, with just 13% of people saying they plan to gamble this year.
In the North West, the listed sporting event people are most likely to bet on this year is the FA Cup final (39%), ahead of the Champions League final (36%), followed by the Grand National (35%).
The picture is quite different in Yorkshire and the Humber, where 55% of potential bettors expect to bet on the Grand National, 25% on the FA Cup final and just 12% expect to bet on the Champions League final.
Interestingly, London is the region with the lowest percentage of people intending to bet on the Grand National, with just 31% but the highest percentage of people expecting to bet on the FA Cup final at 55%.
OLBG’s CEO Richard Moffat said: “It looks like the North will be the sports betting capital of the UK this year, with northern regions such as the North West and Yorkshire leading the way in terms of percentage of people planning to bet.
“The breakdown of events people plan to bet on is fascinating and it’s interesting that the two big football finals – the FA Cup final and Champions League final – are the most popular events in the North West. This is perhaps driven by fans of big clubs like Liverpool and Man City optimistically planning to back their teams in those showpiece events.”
The post Women’s Euros set to be more popular with punters than Six Nations, survey shows appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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