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ZEAL achieves double-digit growth in transaction volume and revenue in the first half of 2023
ZEAL Network SE, the leading German online provider of lottery products, strongly increased its billings and revenues as well as the number of new customers in the first half of 2023. In the process, ZEAL took advantage of the high jackpot phases for successful marketing campaigns, which significantly expanded the customer base for further business growth.
“The growth of our transaction volume in the second quarter of 2023 was near record-breaking and a whopping 18.8 percent higher than in the second quarter of 2022 – in this respect, we even recorded the second-best quarter in the company’s history,” said Jonas Mattsson, CFO of ZEAL. He also said that the continuous growth in new customers clearly shows that ZEAL has continued to make smart strategic investments in the first half of 2023 to further expand its market leadership. Mattsson continues, “Strategic growth in the e-commerce environment is becoming increasingly difficult, but with our attractive products and diverse marketing campaigns, we are confident that we will continue to impress in the market.”
Record growth and transaction volumes
The transaction volume of the ZEAL Group increased by 15 percent to 411.7 million euros in the first half of 2023 (2022: 358.3 million euros). At the same time, sales revenue grew by eleven percent to 54.8 million euros (2022: 49.4 million euros). At 12.5 percent, the company’s gross margin was close to the previous year’s figure (2022: 12.8 percent).
In the first six months of the year, ZEAL was able to take advantage of the attractive jackpot phases in January, March and June to acquire new customers and further expand its business volume. In June, for example, the popular Eurojackpot lottery hit the maximum jackpot of 120 million euros in two consecutive draws. During this phase, ZEAL set a new record with a transaction volume of 30.6 million euros in a single week. This development was supported by intensive marketing campaigns such as a cooperation with Kürsat Yildirim, known to the German public as a multiple lottery winner under the nickname “Chico”.
Earnings base strengthened by strong new customer growth
In the first half of 2023, ZEAL acquired 349 thousand new customers, an increase of 20 percent year-on-year (2022: 292 thousand). ZEAL experienced increased acquisition costs per registered new customer (cost per lead, CPL) of 45.09 euros (2022: 37.61 euros), reflecting higher media costs in intensified competition for new customers. As a result, marketing expenses were 44 percent higher than in the previous year at 20.0 million euros (2022: 13.9 million euros). Other operating expenses consequently increased to 31.6 million euros (2022: 24.5 million euros). As a result of higher investments in new customer growth, EBITDA was down year-on-year at 13.8 million euros (2022: 16.4 million euros). EBIT amounted to 9.3 million euros (2022: 12.1 million euros) and net profit for the period to 5.6 million euros (2022: 9.4 million euros). “We pursue a focused marketing strategy and invest disproportionately in high-jackpot phases,” explains Jonas Mattsson. “The short-term decline in earnings at high jackpot phases is a perfectly normal development that will settle down again in the further course of the fiscal year.”
Continuous expansion of the games portfolio
In April, ZEAL received permission from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) to offer virtual slot machine games, so-called online games, and started offering them in its own web stores in June. Since then, the company has been working on the continuous expansion of its games offering. At the beginning of August, ZEAL added further games to the portfolio of LOTTO24’s web stores and plans to expand the range to up to 200 titles within the first year.
Forecast confirmed
For fiscal year 2023, ZEAL plans to expand its market leadership as an online provider of lottery products and continues to expect a billings volume in the range of 800 million euros to 830 million euros for the Germany segment – assuming an average jackpot development. In addition, ZEAL continues to expect revenues to be between 110 million euros and 120 million euros in fiscal year 2023. For EBITDA, ZEAL expects a range of 30 million to 35 million euros. The company again plans to invest significantly more in new customer acquisition than in the previous year and expects marketing expenses of between 34 million euros and 39 million euros.
This year has been an exciting journey for SmartSoft. Both internally and externally, the company has undergone significant transformation. SmartSoft continues to pursue ambitious goals driven by teamwork and unity. The company fosters a culture of collaboration, where team members and partners support one another, share objectives, and work towards common interests. This synergy is powered by a diverse group of individuals, united by a shared mission to redefine the iGaming industry.
As a result, the number of unique customers grew by an impressive 75%—a remarkable achievement.
So, how did SmartSoft achieve such success?
Team Expansion and User Growth
SmartSoft made great progress this year by adding 40 new team members, strengthening its skills and knowledge across different areas. This expansion helped create a more dynamic work environment and played a key role in improving the company’s overall performance. As a result, SmartSoft saw an impressive 75% growth in unique users compared to last year. This increase in users highlights the company’s growing global reach, its ability to attract a wide audience, and its commitment to offering exciting and innovative gaming experiences.
New Markets and Partnerships
This year, SmartSoft made remarkable strides by entering 25 new markets, significantly enhancing its global footprint. The company also established several strategic partnerships with leading operators and platforms, including Betfair, Betway, Stoiximan, Betnacional, LottoStar, Betmexico and Qtech. These collaborations are expected to unlock new opportunities and open doors to fresh audiences worldwide. SmartSoft is excited about the direction these partnerships will take, and more details about these ventures will be shared soon.
JetX’s Unstoppable Rise
Also, JetX as SmartSoft’s flagship and pioneer crash game proved that its actually top game not only for SmartSoft but in the whole iGaming industry – its users rose by 80% which is a great number to imagine.
If there’s anyone still unfamiliar with JetX, it was the pioneer crash game developed by SmartSoft. Since its launch, JetX achieved extraordinary success, becoming a favorite among players and partners alike. The game is always evolving with regular updates, as the SmartSoft team constantly works to make it even better. Its innovative gameplay, which challenges players to cash out at just the right moment, captivated audiences worldwide. Breaking records and redefining expectations. The continued rise of JetX signifies the company’s ongoing commitment to offering exciting, innovative, and highly engaging products to its users.
Performance of Top Games
SmartSoft’s portfolio of top games saw incredible engagement, with a great increase in user participation across its leading titles, including Balloon, Mine Island, HelicopterX, PlinkoX, and FootballX. This phenomenal growth demonstrates that the company’s gaming offerings are not just popular but are setting industry benchmarks for user interaction and satisfaction. It’s clear that SmartSoft’s games are playing a key role in redefining the entertainment experience for players worldwide.
Exciting New Games
This year, SmartSoft introduced a total of 18 new games, including three games and slot games, all designed to offer players a unique and immersive experience. Some of the most anticipated releases included:
- 4 Bonuses Bonanza – Plinko Spin
- Mad Slot
- Rodeo X
- Dracula’s Fortune
- Jungle Sisters Deluxe
- Samba da Deusa
These new games have attracted more than 2 million new users, underscoring their appeal and the growing demand for SmartSoft’s innovative approach to gaming. The diverse range of titles further strengthens SmartSoft’s position as a leader in the gaming industry, offering games tailored to every interest.
Partnerships and Sponsorships
SmartSoft strengthened its position in the global market by extending its partnership with the Argentine National Team. This collaboration now includes SmartSoft becoming the Official Crash Game Partner. Sponsoring the Argentine national team and being a member of the World Champions Family is proof of SmartSoft’s commitment. Through these initiatives, company aims to spread the spirit of football, which brings people together and fosters a sense of community. Through this renewal in 2024 with the Argentine Football Association and the Argentine National Team, SmartSoft continued on a journey that combined passion and excellence, where the worlds of business and gaming converged with the magic of Argentine football. The company expressed delight in continuing as the gaming partner in Europe for the Argentine National Team and voiced confidence that this collaboration would drive both the company and its games to new horizons. Additionally, plans were announced for new content and marketing actions featuring the stars of the national team.
Memorable Moments and Extraordinary Partnerships
2024 was a year of remarkable achievements and unforgettable experiences for SmartSoft. The company participated in 8 major industry exhibitions, earning prestigious nominations such as Best Innovator, Best Interactive Experience, and Best Crash Game. Beyond the awards, SmartSoft cemented its reputation for innovation and connection through extraordinary events and partnerships. The Legend Series brought partners face-to-face with football legends like Zanetti, Palacio, and Milito, while an exclusive Champions League experience in London with José Mourinho left lasting impressions. In Lisbon, partners enjoyed the privilege of meeting Javier Mascherano at the SmartSoft booth and engaging in personal conversations during a special dinner. The collaboration with the Argentine national football team reached new heights with an in-depth interview with Lionel Scaloni, offering an insightful glimpse into the team’s journey. Further strengthening its connection to the sports world, SmartSoft proudly partnered with Georgian football legend Shota Arveladze, strengthening its ties to the sports world and bringing people even closer together.
Additionally, the launch of the Partners’ Club during a three-day celebration in Georgia showcased the company’s commitment to fostering collaboration and shared success.
Licensing Achievements
SmartSoft reached several important licensing milestones in 2024, underscoring its commitment to expanding its global operations while adhering to regulatory standards. The company’s Greek license, originally obtained in 2023, became fully operational this year, allowing SmartSoft to expand its reach in the European market. The company also achieved authorizations in Peru and obtained compliance certification in South Africa, further strengthening its position in these growing markets.
Certifications
SmartSoft earned 79 new certifications in 2024, an impressive achievement that reflects the company’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards in the industry. These certifications cover a wide range of areas, reinforcing SmartSoft’s commitment to delivering top-tier products that meet international quality and regulatory standards.
Looking Forward
The year 2024 was one of remarkable growth, innovation, and unforgettable achievements for SmartSoft. As the company continues to build on this momentum, it remains committed to delivering exceptional entertainment experiences, expanding into new markets, and redefining the gaming landscape. SmartSoft is excited about what the future holds and is looking forward to further strengthening its position as an industry leader in the years to come.
As we step into the new year, SmartSoft continues to soar, staying true to its motto: Keep Flying Even Higher.
The post SmartSoft’s 2024 Story – Year of Growth and Success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
NBA superstar Tristan Thompson is the latest big name to partner with Sportsbet.io, the world’s favorite crypto-first sports betting site, as its newest global ambassador.
Thompson, a Cleveland Cavaliers center and 2016 NBA Championship winner, will bring his star power and passion for cryptocurrency to the Sportsbet.io community for the next two years.
The Canadian basketball legend will be sharing his views on the latest action for Sportsbet.io, where fans will have the opportunity to take part in some exclusive promotions.
Tristan Thompson, Sportsbet.io ambassador, said: “Sportsbet.io brings together my two biggest passions: sports and cryptocurrency. I’ve been following the crypto sector for some time now and have seen how transformative it can be. There’s no better place to combine that with my love of sports than Sportsbet.io.”
Shane Anderson, Director Partnership, Content and Brand, Yolo Entertainment, the operator of Sportsbet.io, added: “We’d like to give a huge Sportsbet.io welcome to Tristan, an elite athlete whose passion for both basketball and cryptocurrency makes him a perfect match for us. We’re thrilled to have him on the team, and we already have some exciting plans in the works. Watch this space.”
Thompson’s crypto credentials are already well established; he’s been a vocal supporter of Bitcoin, and recently celebrated as it reached a new all-time high in price.
He will be providing weekly betting tips on a range of sports, including NFL, MLB, European soccer, tennis, golf, UFC and boxing.
The partnership with Thompson marks another exciting new chapter for Sportsbet.io, which has earned a reputation for both its innovative approach to gaming, and its star-studded line-up of ambassadors, including cricket legend Brett Lee, Kenyan rapper King Kaka and many more.
Sportsbet.io is also an official partner of LALIGA and Newcastle United.
The post NBA star Tristan Thompson signs for Sportsbet.io appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Studio unearths 10,000x win potential with trio of Special Wilds
Independent slots studio Thunderkick has launched Archie O’Loggins and the Enchanted Masks, its first release of 2025 that follows a wild explorer into the jungle on a quest to uncover 10,000x maximum wins.
An archaeologist with a passion for explosives takes centre stage in this 7×7 cluster pays slot, where Avalanche wins leave behind one of four Wilds, including three Special Wilds.
Grenade Wilds select one or two low-paying symbols and upgrade all instances of those on the grid into medium or high-paying icons. Dynamite Wilds destroy all occurrences of one low-paying symbol in the base game or two in the bonus, allowing new symbols to drop onto the reels.
Mask Wilds remain sticky and move to a random adjacent position every time they feature in a winning cluster. When two Mask Wilds are present across the grid, the Wild Field feature is activated, transforming all icons within the highlighted area into Regular Wilds. During the bonus game, any archaeologist symbols within the Wild Field receive a cumulative 1x multiplier, helping unlock the 10,000x maximum win.
Archie O’Loggins and the Enchanted Masks features unique comic-book-style graphics, emphasising Thunderkick’s drive to create engaging slots that fuse high-end visuals with feature-rich gameplay and big win potential.
Mike Collins, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick, said: “We are kicking off 2025 with Archie O’Loggins and the Enchanted Masks, a story-driven title that accompanies a dynamite-crazed archaeologist on his hunt for treasure.
“This game elevates our Avalanche slots collection, incorporating three new Special Wilds that all offer something a little different to keep gameplay fresh and entertaining – especially the Wild Field feature with its unique method of activation.
“We strive to deliver content that adds value to our partners’ platforms, and we are hopeful this release will do just that.”
The post Thunderkick makes explosive start to 2025 in Archie O’Loggins and the Enchanted Masks appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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