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Aspire Global: Interim Report Fourth Quarter 2021
Record High Revenues of €213 Million in 2021
FOURTH QUARTER*
· Revenues increased by 14.7% to €50.9 million (44.4).
· Revenues Pro-Forma basis increased by 24.0% to €42.6 million (34.4).
· EBITDA decreased by 9.1 % to €7.5 million (8.3).
· EBITDA Pro-Forma basis increased by 24.0% to €7.7 million (6.2).
· The EBITDA margin amounted to 14.8% (18.6%).
· EBITDA margin Pro-Forma basis amounted to 18.1% (18.1%)
· EBIT decreased by 18.7% to €5.1 million (6.3).
· EBIT Pro-Forma basis increased by 25.1% to €5.3 million (4.3).
· Earnings after tax (before €59.7 million net capital gain on B2C divestment) increased by 38.9% to €4.2 million (3.1).
· Earnings per share amounted to €0.09 (0.07) and €1.37 incl. capital gain from divestment of the B2C segment.
FULL YEAR*
· Revenues increased by 31.8% to €213.3 million (161.9).
· Revenues Pro-Forma basis increased by 31.9% to €166.5 million (126.2).
· EBITDA increased by 29.2% to €35.0 million (27.1).
· EBITDA Pro-Forma basis increased by 45.2% to €30.4 million (20.9).
· The EBITDA margin amounted to 16.4% (16.7%).
· EBITDA margin Pro-Forma basis amounted to 18.2% (16.6%)
· EBIT increased by 26.2% to €26.3 million (20.8).
· EBIT Pro-Forma basis increased by 47.7% to €21.6 million (14.7).
· Earnings after tax (before €59.7 million net capital gain on B2C divestment) increased 72.0% to €22.6 million (13.1).
· Earnings per share increased 64.3% to €0.49 (0.28) and €1.77 incl. capital gain from divestment of B2C segment.
*B2C as continued operations and based on net royalties in December 2021. Pro-Forma basis of B2C based on net royalties for the presented period and a specification is found on page 8 in the report.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE QUARTER
· Aspire Global divested its B2C segment effective on 1 December, 2021.
· Further expansion in the US by Pariplay’s deal with BetMGM, the leading US online casino operator.
· Strengthened position in Latin America through BtoBet’s deal with FanDuel, part of Flutter Entertainment, to provide its PAM for Daily Fantasy Sports in Brazil. Pariplay signed deal to supply its proprietary games to Holland Casino in the Netherlands. BtoBet signed deal with BestBet24 to provide its sports platform in Poland.
· Agreement to acquire 25% of bingo supplier END 2 END with option to acquire all shares.
· The Board of Directors proposes that no dividend is paid for the financial year 2021.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE QUARTER
· On 17 January 2022, a public tender offer was made by NeoGames to the shareholders of Aspire Global to tender all their shares in the Company to NeoGames for a consideration consisting of a combination of cash and newly issued shares in NeoGames in the form of Swedish depository receipts. The shares in NeoGames are admitted to trading in the US on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, Global Market tier. Aspire Global’s main shareholders, who in aggregate own shares corresponding to 66.96% of all shares and votes in Aspire Global, have entered into irrevocable undertakings that enable the other shareholders in Aspire Global to tender their shares to NeoGames and receive 100% cash consideration corresponding to SEK 111.00 per share tendered in Aspire Global representing a premium of 41.40% compared to the closing price 17 January 2022 of SEK 78.50 for Aspire Global’s share. The Bid Committee of Aspire Global unanimously recommends the shareholders of Aspire Global to accept the full cash consideration alternative of SEK 111.00 per Aspire Global share.
CEO COMMENTS
“WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERED ON OUR GROWTH STRATEGY AND EXCEEDED OUR FINANCIAL TARGETS”
Aspire Global has made an amazing journey in recent years with substantial organic growth supplemented by value creating acquisitions. NeoGames’ bid of SEK 111 per share means that our share has increased by 270% since the introduction on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in July 2017. The offer by NeoGames, a technology-driven provider of end-to-end iLottery solutions, is a natural step for Aspire Global and a strategic fit.
Aspire Global’s entire operations will form a new iGaming division within NeoGames. The objective of the combination is to generate significant long-term value for both sets of shareholders, by creating synergies and capitalizing on the key strengths of our two companies and positioning them both for expansion in new and existing markets.
We believe that the irrevocable commitment by a significant portion of our shareholders to elect to receive the entirety of the equity component of the deal, subject to proration, suggests strong conviction in the future of the two companies. Not only is this a strategic fit, it is also a strong cultural fit, as significant parts of both management teams worked together extensively during NeoGames’ inception.
RECORD HIGH B2B PERFORMANCE
By the divestment of our B2C segment 1 December 2021, we made additional significant strategic move to become a clearly focused B2B company. By this streamlining of the business, we not only become stronger but also more profitable. During the year, excluding the B2C segment, revenues increased by 31.5% to €158.3 million and EBITDA increased by 45.2% to €30.4 million in 2021 with an EBITDA margin of 19.2%. B2B organic revenue growth in 2021 amounted to 26.6%. These are record high numbers that we are proud of and they reflect the professionalism, drive and commitment of the Aspire Global team. It is also with satisfaction that I can note that we have well exceeded our financial targets for 2021.
We had a strong development during all quarters in 2021 and revenues, excluding B2C, increased 24.4% in Q4. The numbers in Q4 2021 were impacted negatively by new regulations in certain European countries as well as unusually favourable player results in Sports during October, while the inclusion of the divested B2C brands on a “net royalties” basis in December 2021 had a positive impact.
GERMAN AND DUTCH PLATFORM DEALS
We have recently made significant progress in the execution of our growth strategy by adding new tier 1-operators to our customer base and entering new regulated markets. Our turnkey platform deals with ITPS for Germany and BoyleSports for the Netherlands clearly shows the recognition we have in supplying our platform in regulated markets to tier 1-operators. Both Germany and the Netherlands are expected to become very big iGaming markets with a large growth potential.
At the end of 2021, we completed the migration of all major partner brands to BtoBet’s proprietary sportsbook platform and we could phase out our previous third-party supplier. The rapid execution of the migration is an important proof of Aspire Global’s strong technological, managerial and operational skills.
PARIPLAY – KEY PROGRESS IN NORTH AMERICA
Pariplay, the leading content and aggregator provider, shows over and over again its strengths by delivering successfully on its growth strategy. By striking important deals in North America, we are on our way to establish ourselves as a key iGaming supplier in this fast-growing market. Pariplay is now certified in Michigan, New Jersey and West Virginia and has signed deals for all three states with leading US operator Golden Nugget Online Gaming and the top-three US online casino operator BetMGM. Through the collaboration with NeoPollard Interactive, Pariplay will enter the Canadian market after signing a deal to offer its content on Play Alberta, the province’s only regulated online gambling site.
In Q4 2021, Pariplay extended its successful partnership with Rush Street Interactive (RSI) and launched its proprietary games with RSI in Colombia. Pariplay also signed a deal to supply its proprietary games to Holland Casino, the biggest Dutch operator.
BTOBET STRIKES FURTHER DEAL WITH FLUTTER
BtoBet, our proprietary sportsbook, has recently been awarded certification in Denmark and the Netherlands. After having received Dutch certification for not only the sportsbook and games but also the platform, we will now provide our complete offering in the Netherlands. In Denmark, we add sports to our present casino offering.
In Q4 2021, BtoBet entered Poland by a deal with Warsaw-based BestBet24. BtoBet will provide BestBet24 its sportsbook platform for both retail and online channels. BtoBet has also extended its collaboration with Flutter Entertainment by providing FanDuel its cutting-edge PAM platform as the operator enters the Brazilian market with its Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) offering.
ENHANCING OFFERING WITH BINGO
In December 2021, we took an important step in our strategy to control the entire B2B value chain by acquiring a minority share of the bingo supplier END 2 END with an option to acquire all the shares. END 2 END and its certified bingo product provides us with access to a real omni channel technology and a proprietary offering in one of the biggest verticals in the iGaming industry. Bingo is especially important in regulated markets where operators request the opportunity to offer more than one vertical. We are very satisfied with END 2 END’s performance and the opportunities we have identified so far.
THE AMAZING ASPIRE GLOBAL TEAM
During 2021, we increased investments in the further development of our team’s skills by introducing an advanced leadership program. It will be exciting to follow the development of our leaders and how the program can contribute to even higher motivation and creativity.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone on the Aspire Global team for their fantastic efforts in 2021. It is also good that we will keep the relationship with our great Karamba team, who constituted the B2C segment, as they continue as one of our major partners.
OUTLOOK
Aspire Global is today a focused B2B company with a leading offering in the iGaming industry. We have over the past years made significant progress in building a strong position and adding tier 1-operators to our partner base, not at least after the value creating acquisitions of BtoBet and Pariplay. We are now looking forward to the next step in our journey and I am very excited by the opportunities the combination of Aspire Global and NeoGames offers.
Tsachi Maimon, CEO
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With the start of the year behind, the company reflects on the key milestones.
Business Development
In 2024, the company experienced significant expansion, reflecting the increasing demand for progressive esports betting solutions. The total volume of bets processed grew by 74.2%, aided by the efficiency and dynamic scalability of the company’s trading team, alongside new collaborations from partners and clients. Otto Bonning, Head of Sales, said: “Our new partnerships with companies such as Altenar, NuBet, Airhead Ventures, and TurboStars have significantly strengthened the portfolio. These collaborations demonstrate our expanding influence and commitment to delivering exceptional solutions in the esports betting industry”. Clients also experienced an improvement in GGR, demonstrating the impact of the solutions on profitability.
The company’s user engagement rates also reflected the sizable uplift seen in 2024, with active users rising by 97.3% and average bet size increasing by 7%. Meanwhile, DATA.BET continued to broaden its presence in key markets, including Canada, Brazil, Finland, and Poland, further strengthening its global reach.
Esports Trading and Content Coverage
DATA.BET focused on strategic growth, enhancing its esports content to offer prosperous and dynamic opportunities for clients and their users.
Making focused improvements in popular markets resulted in growth. “We’ve expanded our offerings by adding 38 new markets, creating more opportunities for bettors and driving engagement,” said Thomas Donson, Head of Trading. “Our event coverage has also grown by 11%, adding over 10,000 events to ensure a more diverse and comprehensive experience. Ensuring 24/7 trading process, DATA.BET offers the highest quality market availability.”
The trust earned through high-quality product features, including the new Scoreboard and Pitch Tracker widgets, as well as the Bet Builder based on official data, all launched in 2024, has been instrumental in enhancing the customers betting experience. Scoreboards deliver detailed statistics, interactive visualizations, and comprehensive insights, helping users make informed decisions while boosting engagement through features like live betting, analysis, and availability for LoL, CS2, Valorant, and Dota 2.
Pitch Tracker, supporting our top tier titles, offers a 2D map as a visual representation with advanced tools for data analysis and in-game tracking, delivering detailed insights that enhance user engagement and decision-making. Additionally, the Bet Builder enables personalized betting by allowing users to combine multiple selections into a single wager, meeting the demand for tailored and dynamic betting experiences.
DATA.BET also broadened the scope of disciplines, adding 6 new games, such as Deadlock, Street Fighter 6, GeoGuessr, Teamfight Tactics, Hearthstone, Apex Legends, complementing client content with distinctive choices that amplified diversity and engagement.
Customer Support & Risk Management
The company provides a seamless customer experience and robust Risk Management, continuing to deliver swift and practical assistance.
With an average response time of up to 5 minutes, the dedicated team remains extremely efficient, addressing client concerns promptly while maintaining the highest quality standards. Between Q2 and Q4, handled around 1,500 client requests and completed more than 150 technical tasks effectively and precisely, ensuring high-quality 24/7 support and maintaining consistent service standards.
This is due to our proprietary trading platform that enables the generation and customization of content – specifically, markets – to align precisely with each partner’s distinctive requirements while accommodating their existing settlement rules. This approach ensures a seamless transition to the solution, eliminating the need for adjustments or reconfiguration after working with a previous data provider.
DATA.BET’s Risk Management team efficiently handled over 1,700 client requests. Over time, the number of requests from long-term clients noticeably decreased. The team’s familiarity with clients’ audiences and operations reduces risks through proactive measures. By identifying patterns early, the team prevents issues, ensures smooth operations, reduces reactive interventions, and builds client trust while improving system efficiency.
In 2024, DATA.BET strengthened its presence in the esports betting industry by showcasing its solutions and engaging with audiences at premier exhibitions, immersing attendees into the vibrant world of esports. Moving into 2025, DATA.BET remains focused on leveraging this momentum to drive further success and prospects for everyone involved in esports betting.
The post DATA.BET Reflects on 2024 Milestones, Growth, and Achievements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Relax Gaming has kick-started the year with the launch of Kraken’s Cove, its latest cluster pays game that can see players loot up to 10,000x their stake. At the core of the gameplay is Ship Wild, a special symbol that is present on every spin that moves closer to the central hot spot with each winning spin. Upon reaching the hot spot, it expands into a 2×2 to 5×5 Wild, with a multiplier that increases every time it contributes to a cluster win.
GAMOMAT is gearing up to release the second instalment of The Book Beyond: The Quest for the Cipher Stone on Thursday 23rd January 2025. The game presents a classic 5×3 layout with 10 paylines and the possibility of two exciting Free Game levels. A shimmering gold-leafed book represents both the Scatter and Wild. An intriguing twist in the game involves the special Book Feature, where instead of ‘stamping’, the reels move up and down to uncover full stacks of bonus symbols.
ICONIC21’s just launched live slot portfolio now stands at seven titles as the provider continues to enhance its market leading offering, laying the foundation for its place at the front of a vertical set for long-term growth andsuccess. The new releases — Dao Riches, Fiesta Wilds and Vitamin Joy 25 — all take the classic slot format, which is highly sought-after by players in both real money gaming and sweepstakes markets.
Karen’s back, and she’s as greedy as ever. Nolimit City is diving headfirst into the post-apocalyptic chaos once again with xWays Hoarder 2—a sequel to the wildly popular xWays Hoarder xSplit. This game follows in the footsteps of sequels like San Quentin 2, Punk Rocker 2, and Fire in the Hole 2, proving once more that the end of the world is just the beginning when it comes to our games. When survival is the name of the game, desperation leads to chaos. Betrayal, looting, and backstabbing are all fair play in this wasteland—but it’s all worth it for that sweet, sweet loot.
Belatra Games has crafted an intriguing alchemical adventure slot titled Make it Gold. The first release of 2025 is a captivating and visually stunning slot that welcomes players into the mysterious world of alchemy on a quest for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. Set within an alchemist’s laboratory, the game’s key feature is the cascading reels where winning combinations vanish, allowing new symbols to drop and fill the spaces.
Playson, the renowned digital entertainment supplier, guides players on an enchanted adventure in 3 Luxor Pots: Hold and Win, with the stylish new release offering bountiful opportunities to win via golden Bonus symbols, Scarab coins and the iconic Hold and Win bonus game.
Feel the rhythm of the streets in Spin City Beats, the latest slot from in-demand provider Silverback Gaming. This is a highly volatile game where players come across infamous characters including a Rapper, DJ and Skater. These characters act as Expanding Wilds and have different triggers and rewards. When a single Rapper Wild appears on the board and the Boombox symbol is present, the Rapper Wild Expands to cover reel two.
Prepare to embark on an epic battle as Play’n GO releases Tower Quest Legacy, the much-anticipated sequel to Tower Quest. This 5×3 slot with 20 paylines invites players into a mystical realm where glowing flasks, powerful Wilds, and a towering dark fortress dominate the reels. With captivating mechanics and the chance to take on the Wizard in a thrilling card-based Bonus Battle, Tower Quest Legacy delivers an unforgettable fantasy experience.
Push Gaming has leveraged its past successes to drive the creation of its latest feature-rich cluster pays slot, Dragon Hopper. Boldly combining the best elements of the hit game Fire Hopper, with a sprinkling of flavour from some of its other fan favourite slots such as Retro Tapes, Dragon Hopper provides an exhilarating journey through a far-eastern lantern festival.
Pack your safe cracking tools and get ready to raid a maximum-security vault for precious gems worth up to 3,000x the bet in Ruby Robbery – the exciting heist-themed slot from Twin Win Games that marks the studio’s third release via the SwinttStudios programme. A five-reel, 50-payline title with a medium level of volatility, Ruby Robbery takes place in a heavily fortified strongroom and features all manner of treasures among its high-value symbols, with golden crowns, Fabergé eggs and piles of cash all accounting for the base game’s biggest prizes.
Booming Games are lighting up the world of online casinos once again, turning up the heat with the January launch of the brand new Wild Wings of Phoenix DELUXE. Booming’s Wild Wings of Phoenix slot is legendary in its own right, but this sizzling sequel rises from the flames to deliver something truly iconic. This 5×3 reel, 20-payline game reaches new heights, following the Aztec theme of its popular predecessor – while delivering more features than ever before.
ELA Games is proud to announce the release of Cash of Egypt, a new mythical slot game that combines high-quality aesthetics with exciting gameplay mechanics. Players can now demo the game on ELA Games’ website to explore all the game has to offer. The 5×4 slot includes 1024 paylines, ensuring the player can enjoy frequent action both during the base game and the bonus feature.
The post Week 3/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Fast Track, the leading SaaS technology company and CRM provider in the iGaming industry, has unveiled the second instalment of its Inside Out video series.
Titled “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” the interview features CEO and Co-founder Simon Lidzén in a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion about the company’s growth, challenges, and vision for the future.
In the 30-minute video, Simon reflects on Fast Track’s nearly ten-year journey: “Success to me is about setting goals and achieving them. This year has been intense, but incredibly rewarding. From scaling Fast Track to launching groundbreaking products like Rewards, we’re just getting started.”
The conversation explores the launch of Rewards, Fast Track’s promotional ecosystem that integrates CRM with gamification to deliver engaging and personalised player experiences. Simon also discusses the company’s rapid global expansion and the challenges of scaling leadership within a fast-growing organisation. Looking ahead to 2025, he highlights Fast Track’s focus on leveraging AI to redefine CRM and customer engagement.
Simon’s reflections also touch on the company’s culture: “Fast Track is built on relentless innovation and a team that thrives on solving challenges. Seeing how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come makes this journey so exciting.”
For those unfamiliar with Fast Track, the company is a high-growth SaaS leader, known for pioneering the use of AI to deliver personalised experiences to customers. Its software empowers companies to automate marketing and operational workflows, enabling teams to focus on strategy and innovation. Fast Track is reshaping CRM for iGaming, setting a new standard for customer engagement.
Watch the interview here: https://2ly.link/23JyZ
The post Fast Track CEO Shares Honest Reflections in New Interview: Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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