Latest News
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
Powered by WPeMatico
In today’s connected world, a single missed message can have a ripple effect far beyond its intended recipient. For high-volume messaging businesses, from fintech to e-commerce, reliability isn’t just a feature; it’s the foundation.
At CommsHub, we’ve seen how even the most robust communication strategies can fall apart when traffic isn’t managed intelligently. That’s why built-in failover isn’t an add-on for us, it’s at the very core of our platform architecture.
The Hidden Risk in Messaging at Scale
Sending a million messages is easy. Delivering a million messages on time without losses, delays, or duplicates is the real challenge.
Traditional messaging setups often rely on a primary route, with a manual backup plan in case of outages. The problem? Manual intervention takes time and every second loss increases the risk of failed conversions, missed verifications and frustrated customers.
For some sectors, a five-minute delay can mean thousands in lost revenue. For others, it can damage trust irreparably.
How Our Failover Works
CommsHub’s built-in failover system works like an automated traffic director.
- Real-Time Route Monitoring: Every active channel is monitored for delivery speed, message status and error rates.
- Instant Automatic Switching: If performance drops below a set threshold or a provider experiences downtime traffic is instantly redirected to the next best available route.
- Multi-Level Redundancy: We don’t just fail over once. Traffic can cascade through multiple backup routes until successful delivery is confirmed.
This means campaigns keep running without interruption, even when unexpected technical issues occur in the background.
The Numbers Behind It
In controlled environments, we’ve observed that our failover logic reduces message loss to near zero. While previously around 17% of messages were considered as lost or undelivered – while in reality, fallback mechanism saves them.
The architecture also ensures that when switching routes, there’s no spike in costs thanks to our intelligent routing engine, which considers provider pricing in real time.
Protecting Revenue and Reputation
The immediate benefit is obvious: you don’t lose communication with your audience. But the deeper value lies in protecting both revenue and reputation.
For high-volume businesses, the stakes are high:
A trading platform missing two-factor authentication codes risks losing active traders.
An e-commerce brand failing to deliver time-sensitive promotions risks wasted ad spend.
A fintech company delaying fraud alerts risks customer churn.
CommsHub’s failover was designed to address these risks without requiring extra integration work or manual monitoring.
Engineering for the Future of Messaging
We see failover not as a safety net, but as a structural pillar of next-generation communication platforms. As channels diversify and volumes grow, redundancy and intelligent routing will be as essential as delivery speed and analytics.
This is why we’ve invested heavily in creating an architecture that can evolve with market needs from adding new providers in days instead of weeks, to scaling traffic instantly during spikes.
The result? Businesses that can move faster, sleep easier and deliver messages with confidence.
In messaging, there’s no such thing as “just a delay.”
Every second counts and with built-in failover, those seconds are always on your side.
Meet Us at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025
We’ll be showcasing CommsHub’s next-generation messaging solutions at SBC Summit Lisbon 2025, from 16-18 September.
Visit us at Booth D181 to see how built-in failover can help your business deliver every message with confidence.
The post How CommsHub Built-In Failover Protects High-Volume Messaging Businesses appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences in Europe
New Gamification Academy at SBC Summit to Present Fresh Approaches to Player Engagement
With gamification emerging as a driving force in the casino industry, SBC Summit introduces the Gamification Academy, an initiative built to confront pain points in engagement, retention, loyalty, and differentiation by exploring what truly keeps players coming back.
Launched in partnership with leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider Soft2Bet, the Gamification Academy will take place on Tuesday, 16th September, at the Sala Tejo, MEO Arena.
The programme forms part of SBC’s newly introduced Tech Academies, a series of immersive learning streams designed to arm summit attendees with practical know-how in AI, marketing, Web 3.0 & blockchain, and gamification.
Delegates can anticipate discussions examining the role of personalisation in driving loyalty, strategies for balancing gamified features with brand authenticity, and honest reflections on both the successes and challenges of gamification in the industry.
“Gamification has transformed how people interact with digital products across industries, and iGaming is no exception,” SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark said.
“Players now expect fun, engaging, and rewarding experiences, and that’s exactly what gamification delivers. The Gamification Academy will show the industry how to apply these proven principles to build deeper connections, keep players returning, and create more meaningful player journeys,” he added.
Kicking off the Academy, Soft2Bet’s Chief Product Officer Yoel Zuckerberg will lead the ‘Introduction to Gamification & Player Engagement’ workshop. Setting the stage for the day, the session offers a comprehensive overview of gamification’s power and how it has shaped the industry in recent years.
Chief Business Development Officer Toni Jermaniš (SofaScore), CEO & Co-Founder Josh Jones (Rise & Hustle), and Senior Solutions Engineer Alec Gehlot (Optimove) will focus on the player retention angle through their ‘Why Personalisation is the Key to Retention‘ panel moderated by Soft2Bet’s Chief Business Development Officer Martin Collins. The session will explore how tailored offers, customisable interfaces, and personalised recommendations are giving players more control over their experience and, in turn, strengthening loyalty and long-term value.
Following a networking break, two case studies will spotlight real-world lessons from gamification, dissecting what works, what doesn’t, and how to measure success.
First up is the case study titled “Baking in Gamification During Design”, led by Alexis Wicen (CEO, Scatters Group). In this session, delegates can learn how to weave gamification into their products without losing brand authenticity. Drawing on real-world examples, the session will examine where brands have succeeded in integrating gamification into their games and platforms, and where they have fallen short, showing delegates how to approach gamification more effectively in their own projects.
The second case study, ‘The Metrics of Gamification’, will examine where the impact of gamification is most evident and how brands can measure it effectively. Featuring Uri Admon (CEO, Captain Up), the session will cover key factors such as retention, loyalty, engagement, revenue, and player enjoyment, helping delegates understand how to balance player needs with company goals.
The Academy will close with ‘The Five Steps of Gamification,’ a panel hosted by Soft2Bet’s Head of Sales, Alon Eshed, joined by Helen Walton (Founder & CCO, G Games), David Olim (CEO, FootAR), and Tom Jang Lemke (CEO and Founder, SavageTech). By breaking down the fundamental building blocks of gamification, including rewards, progression, competition, and storytelling, the session will highlight how these principles form the foundation of more engaging and personalised player experiences.
The Gamification Academy will feature at the upcoming SBC Summit 2025, SBC’s global flagship event, taking place at Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena from 16–18 September. The summit will also host a six-track conference, a 135,000 square meter exhibition, the Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit, plus a full schedule of evening networking events.
Participation in the Tech Academies is exclusively for VIP Event Pass and Expo+ holders only.
You can RSVP to attend our tech academies here.
VIP Event Pass: Access to the show floor, all networking areas and conference sessions, complimentary food and drink from the summit’s food festival and access to exclusive evening networking sessions and parties.
Group VIP Event Pass: Get your passes for just €400 each when you purchase for three or more people (a saving of €200 per ticket!) – perfect for bringing your team along.
Expo+ Pass: Access to the show floor, conference sessions and daytime networking only.
Expo Only Pass: Our free option, which gives you access to the show floor only. This is perfect for individuals from outside the gaming industry who want to explore potential partnerships. Please note that this will not grant you access to our academies.
Operator and Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates are eligible for a free VIP event pass. Simply apply.
The post New Gamification Academy at SBC Summit to Present Fresh Approaches to Player Engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Games come in many shapes and sizes. This has long been the case. The digital age brings everything from slot machines to sprawling console adventures. Casino titles and console games might look like they live in two different worlds. One is often focused on quick play and chance. The other leans into storylines and hours of immersion.
There are definitely a lot of differences. But there are similarities and overlaps that not everybody has considered.
Two Industries, One Trend: Growth and Choice
One of the clearest similarities between casino games and console gaming is how both industries have grown in recent years. Players now face huge menus of choices.
Casino fans know that there can be some very big libraries and even new titles appearing by the week. They are all trying to stand out with a new theme or mechanic (or just new characters). New and emerging markets like Canada still benefit from the huge libraries that are available. Bodog Canada is a casino that has a lot of different slot games as well as a lot of traditional table games. Blackjack and similar options are ubiquitous – there are even new developments and tweaks to the gameplay.
Big slot developers and brands may even create a lot of different new games for the market. There are enough for brands to even advertise regular slots of the week or similar.
Meanwhile, the console market has exploded. There are AAA open-world adventures and indie gems. The huge number of games caters to different tastes. Just like casino libraries, console platforms thrive on variety. This abundance means players in both spaces are never short of something new to try.
The numbers definitely back this up. A record number of new titles were launched in 2024 on Steam. There were over 15,000 new titles. Nobody could possibly try all of the games that have been put out on the market. Steam is a PC platform – we have seen a similar pattern in other console games.
Different Styles of Play
There’s no denying that the styles of play differ. Casino games are designed around quick interactions. A spin of a roulette wheel or a few seconds on a slot machine. All of these fit neatly into short bursts. Console games often ask for long sessions. They draw people in with depth and are designed to be longer. Some even take hundreds of hours to complete or give open-world designs people can explore endlessly.
But even here, there are overlaps. Casual console games like mobile ports and indie titles can mimic the quick pace of casino games. Think of puzzle games or arcade-style shooters that are all about instant gratification. They echo the same “jump in and jump out” model seen in many casino titles.
Shared Themes and Visuals
Themes are another place where links appear. Casino developers know that visuals matter. Slots come dressed in everything from mythology to sci-fi to jungle adventures. Console games also lean heavily on themes. They build entire worlds around specific styles.
In both spaces, developers reuse familiar ideas because they work. Things like mythology and science fiction appear across slot libraries and console releases. The art and atmosphere can often feel strikingly similar, even if the gameplay itself is very different.
Mechanics: Skill vs Chance
One of the biggest differences lies in mechanics. Casino games are usually driven by chance. Spins and card draws are random – strategy often plays a secondary role. In contrast, console games usually rely heavily on skill.
Some casino titles do bring elements of strategy into play. Poker requires both luck and skill, and blackjack asks players to think carefully about probability. Console games sometimes lean into randomness, too. Loot systems or even dice-roll mechanics mimic the uncertainty of chance found in casinos.
Social Experiences
Another interesting similarity is the social side. Some casino games have turned into shared experiences. Players can sit at the same table virtually in a live dealer game and interact with others. Console gaming has mirrored this with online multiplayer. This could mean teaming up in a shooter. It could also be facing off in a sports game; the social element keeps people engaged.
Both industries understand the power of community. It’s no longer just about the game itself. The social element is huge.
Technology Driving Both
Technology has been the engine behind the rise of both casino and console games. Casino developers have embraced mobile play and used HTML5. Console makers have pushed graphics and processing power to create lifelike worlds.
Interestingly, both industries borrow from each other here. Casino games sometimes mimic console-style graphics and storytelling. Some console games sneak in casino-style mini-games, like card tables or slot-style mechanics tucked inside larger adventures.
The post Casino Games and Console Games: Are They Really That Different? appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
eSports5 days agoTEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION
-
Blanka Homor Sales Director at Playson6 days ago
Playson strengthens Ontario foothold with Casino Time integration
-
Latest News6 days agoOctoplay advances on its European growth strategy by partnering with Evoke Group in the UK and Denmark
-
Baltics6 days ago
CT Interactive Expands its Certified Game Portfolio in Latvia
-
Balkans6 days ago
CT Gaming Secures Certification for its Latest Multigame – Diamond King 5
-
Canada6 days ago
iGaming Ontario Appoints Joseph Hillier as its New President and CEO
-
Asia6 days ago
Skyesports Wraps Up Gaming Thiruvizha – Chennai Edition With 17,000+ Fans in Attendance
-
Africa5 days ago
Rise & Hustle partners with Altenar to power its new sportsbook offering
