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Entain: Strong 2021 performance demonstrating strength of our diversified growth model and global platform
Entain plc, the global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment Group, is pleased to announce its results for the year ended 31 December 2021. The strong performance reflects the capabilities and diversification provided by the Group’s industry leading platform in driving growth.
Operational Highlights:
- Strong growth across the Group with NGR up 7% (8%cc) in the year
- Online NGR up 12% (13%cc) in 2021, the ninth consecutive year of double-digit online growth
- Growth in actives of 25% in the year as we expand our appeal to a broader audience
- Good performance in Retail as year end volumes returned to over 90% of pre-Covid levels
- BetMGM continues to go from strength to strength as a leader in the fast growing US market
- Established as the number two operator for sports betting and iGaming with a 23% market share in the fourth quarter across the markets in which it operates
- Market leader in iGaming with 29% market share in Q4 2021 in the markets in which it operates
- Live in 21 markets, reaching over 37% of the U.S. adult population, with launches in Illinois and Ontario planned for the coming months
- Upgraded expectations for net revenue from operations of over $1.3bn in 2022 and anticipates reaching positive EBITDA in 2023
- Continued execution of growth strategy into new markets
- Completed acquisitions of Bet.pt in Portugal and Enlabs AB in the Baltics as well as UNIKRN to drive access to the esports skill based wagering market
- Further growth secured since the start of the new financial year with three transactions, including the acquisition of Avid Gaming to drive growth across Canada
- Launch of the Ennovate hub to explore use of innovative technologies, products and services to further enhance the customer experience
- Further progress under the Group’s Sustainability Charter delivering industry leading ESG
- ARCTM (“Advanced Responsibility & Care”) programme continues to progress well, with real-time customer interaction trials underway, along with initial stages of international rollout
- A number of initiatives launched across the year, including a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2035, and EnTrain to benefit the lives of 1m people through access to technology
- Named EGR Operator of the Year, as well as Socially Responsible Operator of the Year at the SBC Awards North America
- Entain continues to be the only online-led gaming company included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, in addition to its continued inclusion in the FTSE4Good index
Financial Highlights:
- Strong financial performance; Group Underlying EBITDA1,4 up +5% at £881.7m at the upper end of guidance
- Online Underlying EBITDA1,4 up +12% at £899.0m reflecting the double digit growth in all key markets excluding Germany and the Netherlands (excluding Germany and the Netherlands online NGR was +21cc%)
- Total Retail NGR -7%cc (-3%cc9) and Underlying EBITDA1,4 of £66.9m was £31.4m behind the prior year
- Total Group Revenue of £3,830.0m up +8% (+9%cc) in 2021
- Including 50% share of BetMGM joint venture, Group FY21 NGR was up 14% (15% cc)
- BetMGM (the Group’s joint venture in the US) continues to perform strongly, with FY21 NGR of approximately $850m7, up nearly 5 times versus the prior year
- To repay £44m received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“furlough scheme”) in FY21
- Group profit after tax1 was £275.6m, up 142% compared to 2020
- Underlying free cashflow8, before the investment into BetMGM and acquisitions/disposals, of £537.3m
- Year end net debt of £2,086.4m with leverage at 2.4x ensuring balance sheet flexibility to support our growth strategy
Jette Nygaard-Andersen, CEO of Entain, commented:
“Our Full Year results demonstrate yet again that Entain is a business with growth built into its business model. Our strong performance is underpinned by the Entain platform which encompasses the compelling combination of our proprietary technology, our outstanding people around the world, and our industry-leading operational capabilities. It is this unique platform that enables us to deliver an ever-improving customer experience, to embrace emerging consumer and technological trends, and to grow into new markets and product areas.
All of our major markets have performed well. In particular, BetMGM in the US has delivered a five times increase in net gaming revenue versus the previous year, and is ready to challenge for the number one position across the markets in which it operates. Elsewhere, our retail business has recovered strongly and volumes have now returned to 90% of pre-Covid levels as restrictions have eased and customers have returned to our shops.
As ever, I would like to thank each and every one of our colleagues for their dedication, hard work and professionalism in helping to achieve these results. Given the quality of our people, the ongoing broad-based growth of the business, its continuing momentum, and the investments that we are making in innovation to support our future expansion, we remain confident in our financial performance for FY22 and beyond.”
Group | Reported1,2 | |||
Year ended 31 December | 2021 | 2020 | Change | CC3 |
£m | £m | % | % | |
Net gaming revenue (NGR) | 3,886.3 | 3,628.5 | 7% | 8% |
Revenue | 3,830.0 | 3,561.6 | 8% | 9% |
Gross profit | 2,435.8 | 2,308.6 | 6% | |
Underlying EBITDAR4 | 898.8 | 862.1 | 4% | |
Underlying EBITDA4 | 881.7 | 843.1 | 5% | |
Underlying operating profit5 | 484.1 | 529.5 | (9%) | |
Underlying profit before tax5 | 527.3 | 350.6 | ||
Profit after tax | 275.6 | 113.8 | ||
Diluted EPS (p) | 44.7 | 15.6 | ||
Continuing adjusted diluted EPS6 (p) | 53.8 | 62.8 | ||
Continuing adjusted diluted EPS excl US6 (p) | 81.1 | 73.1 | ||
Dividend per share (p) | – | – |
Dividend
The Board has not proposed a final dividend for FY2021. Recognising the importance of dividends to shareholders alongside our capital allocation priorities in supporting the Group’s growth strategy, the Board continue to keep the recommencement of the payment of dividends under on-going review.
Outlook
The Group has delivered strong results in FY2021, reflecting both the diversified nature of our business model, the strength of our platform and the quality of our people. As we start 2022 we see retail heading towards pre-Covid levels and online performing inline with expectations against tough prior year comparables. As global economies steadily emerge from the impact of the pandemic, we continue to provide our customers with great products and experiences. As a result, we remain confident in our financial performance for 2022 as well as our long-term prospects.
Notes
- 2021 and 2020 reported results are audited and relate to continuing operations
- Reported results are provided on a post IFRS 16 implementation basis
- Growth on a constant currency basis is calculated by translating both current and prior year performance at the 2021 exchange rates
- EBITDAR is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, rent and associated costs, share based payments and share of JV income. EBITDA is defined as EBITDAR after charging rent and associated costs. Both EBITDAR and EBITDA are stated pre separately disclosed items
- Stated pre separately disclosed items
- Adjusted for the impact of separately disclosed items, foreign exchange movements on financial indebtedness and losses/gains on derivative financial instruments (see note 10 in the financial statements. EPS is also disclosed excluding BetMGM as this gives a better view of the EPS attributable to the Entain trading businesses)
- BetMGM revenues comprise of sports (Online and Retail) and iGaming revenues
- Underlying free cashflow is EBITDA less working capital, capital expenditure, finance lease, corporate taxes and before the investment in BetMGM and acquisitions/disposals
- Retail numbers are quoted on a LFL basis. During 2021 there was an average of 4,540 shops in the estate, compared to an average of 4,727 in the same period last year
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GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.
In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.
Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.
In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.
GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.
Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.
“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.
“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”
The post GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”) has during the period 18 December to 23 December 2024 (the “Buyback Period”) repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares (ISIN: MT0000780107) as part of the share buyback programme, within the mandate approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 20 June 2024 (the “Programme”).
The objective of the Programme is to achieve added value for Kambi´s shareholders and to give the Board increased flexibility with Kambi´s capital structure by reducing the capital. The Programme is being carried out in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act, EU Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014 (“MAR”) and other applicable rules.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 99.13 SEK. From the beginning of the Programme, which started on 6 November, until and including 23 December 2024, Kambi has repurchased a total of 344,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 104.94 SEK per share.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi has repurchased shares as follows:
Date | Aggregated daily volume (number of ordinary B shares) |
Weighted average share price per day (SEK) |
Total daily transaction value (SEK) |
18 December 2024 | 10,000 | 100.00 | 999,967 |
19 December 2024 | 10,000 | 99.39 | 993,929 |
20 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.86 | 988,588 |
23 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.26 | 982,562 |
All acquisitions have been carried out on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm by Carnegie Investment Bank AB on behalf of Kambi. Following the acquisitions and as of 23 December 2024, Kambi’s holding of its own shares amounted to 344,000 and the total number of issued shares in Kambi is 29,903,619 ordinary B shares. Under the Programme Kambi is authorised to repurchase a maximum of 3,127,830 ordinary B shares, up to a maximum amount of €12.0 million.
A full breakdown of all transactions carried out during the Buyback Period is attached to this announcement.
Information on the Programme is available on Kambi’s website, https://www.kambi.com/investors/share-information/
The post Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
CEO of Expanse Studios
Expanse Studios (GMGI) Enters the U.S. Sweepstakes Market
North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi
Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.
With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:
“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”
James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:
“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”
This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
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