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ZEAL presents strong nine-month figures: Double-digit growth in revenue and billings

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ZEAL Network SE, the leading German online provider of lottery products, significantly increased its billings and revenue in the first nine months of 2023. In addition, ZEAL acquired more new customers than in the previous year, further strengthening the basis for future revenue growth.

“The strong growth in our billings and revenue proves that we continue to expand our market leadership,” says Sebastian Bielski, CFO of ZEAL. “The publication of the first figures for our online games business also show that ZEAL has made the right decision to enter this new line of business. The initial success in the online games segment also makes us confident that we are on track for further growth with our attractive and growing games offering.”

More sales and billings through marketing investments

Driven in part by a successful third quarter, ZEAL Group’s billings grew by 16 percent to € 633.2 million in the first nine months of 2023 (2022: € 544.4 million). At the same time, revenue also increased by 16 percent to € 86.0 million (2022: € 74.5 million). At 12.5 percent, the company’s gross margin was close to the previous year’s figure (2022: 12.8 percent).

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In the first nine months of the year, ZEAL was able to use the attractive jackpot phases in January, March, June and September to acquire new customers and further expand its business volume. The company intensified its marketing activities during high jackpot phases and promoted future sales growth through intensified TV advertising.

Strong EBITDA despite increased new customer acquisition

In the first nine months of 2023, ZEAL acquired 518 thousand new customers (2022: 501 thousand). Due to ongoing media-cost inflation, intensified competition for new customers in online channels, and the company’s strategic decision to invest into brand-building through increased TV advertising, the acquisition costs per registered new customer (cost per lead, CPL) were higher than in the previous year at € 46.81 (2022: € 36.42). Overall, marketing expenses were 27 percent higher than in the previous year at € 30.7 million (2022: € 24.1 million). For this reason, other operating expenses rose to € 48.8 million (2022: € 40.6 million). Even taking into account ZEAL’s increased investment into marketing, EBITDA increased by 5 percent to € 23.2 million (2022: € 22.0 million). EBIT amounted to € 16.7 million (2022: € 15.5 million) while the after-tax result for the period fell to € 10.1 million (2022: € 12.1 million) due to a € 1.1 million decrease in the financial result and a significant increase in tax expenses compared to the previous year.

First figures for Online Games

With the results for the third quarter of 2023, ZEAL is presenting its first business figures for its online games offering launched in June 2023. Since the launch of the offering, ZEAL has started to grow its games portfolio. Revenue in the third quarter of 2023 amounted to € 1.2 million. As the offering was started only recently there are no comparative figures for the previous year.

Forecast confirmed

For the 2023 financial year, ZEAL continues to plan to expand its market leadership as an online provider of lottery products and introduce new products, including additional online games. For the Germany segment, ZEAL anticipates billings from lotteries (excluding games) in the range of € 800 million to € 830 million, assuming an average jackpot development. In addition, ZEAL continues to assume that revenue in the 2023 financial year will be between € 110 million and € 120 million. ZEAL expects EBITDA to be in the range of € 30 million to € 35 million. The company continues to expect to invest significantly more in new customer acquisition compared to the previous year and expects marketing expenses of € 34 million to € 39 million.

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Magic Stones: A Casino Slot in a Cubic World with Next-Generation Mechanics

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MGA Games announces the launch of Magic Stones in International Markets, its new online slot available from April 28. The game offers an underground adventure in a voxel art world (3D graphics made of blocks), where players explore caves, collect precious stones with multiplier effects, and face various challenges in a fantasy environment.

The main gameplay is based on a 5×3 format with 10 paylines. It features cumulative Money symbols and a direct Free Spins purchase option. During these free spins, progressive multipliers and the Collect function with Wild symbols allow players to unlock additional spins and boost their chances of winning as the game progresses.

With a clear focus on innovation, Magic Stones positions itself as a key title in MGA Games’ expansion strategy. Its release represents a unique opportunity for operators looking to diversify their portfolios and offer players a distinctive, memorable, and highly profitable experience.

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ZEAL is a new member of the German Online Casino Association (DOCV)

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  • In addition to online lotteries, the company offers a growing portfolio of online games for B2C and B2B target groups
  • ZEAL is committed to responsible gambling and strengthening the regulated market

ZEAL Network SE, Germany’s market leader for online lotteries and provider of online games for B2C and B2B target groups, has been a member of the German Online Casino Association (DOCV) since April. With this step, ZEAL underlines its commitment to responsible online gambling and effective regulation that strengthens the legal market in Germany.

“We are delighted to be working with the DOCV,” says Helmut Becker, CEO of ZEAL. “Our aim is to provide a fair and transparent gaming experience with state-of-the-art player and consumer protection. We are now working together with the DOCV to strengthen regulated gambling in Germany and combat the black market.”

“We are delighted to welcome ZEAL as a new member of the DOCV,” says Julia Lensing, Managing Director of the DOCV. “The DOCV continues to advocate market-driven regulation of online gambling that strengthens legal offerings, effectively curbs the black market and guarantees genuine player protection. With ZEAL, our association has gained another committed company that supports the principles of legal, transparent and responsible online gambling and wants to actively contribute to the positive development of the regulated market.”

By joining the DOCV, ZEAL is reaffirming its commitment to a responsible corporate policy and sending a clear signal for player protection and regulation.

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SPORTFIVE Expands Global Media Production Services With Athlete-Focused Division

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SPORTFIVE, a leading international sports marketing agency, has announced the continued growth of its global media production services, reinforcing its position as a creative and strategic partner to rightsholders, brands and athletes worldwide.

An Integrated Approach To Athlete Content

With increasing demand for high-quality, digital-first storytelling across sport, SPORTFIVE has scaled its production capabilities across multiple markets – enhancing its ability to deliver original content, multi-platform campaigns, and athlete-led narratives at speed and at scale. As part of this evolution, the agency has brought together and formalized its athlete content expertise into a focused division dedicated to developing and producing bespoke media products for talent: the Global Athlete Media House. Integrated within SPORTFIVE’s broader production offering, this team delivers tailored strategies and cross-channel content that supports athletes in building long-term personal brands.

SPORTFIVE has long been a trusted partner for athletes seeking to strengthen their presence beyond the pitch, court, or track. From building digital identities and launching social media profiles, to producing documentaries and long-form content, the agency has played a pivotal role in helping athletes engage fans and position themselves as global media personalities.

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Notable work includes Jürgen Klopp’s Instagram launch (@Kloppo), Manuel Neuer’s entry into the Chinese market via Weibo and Xiaohongshu, and Rio Ferdinand’s Tipping Point documentary with Amazon Prime Video. More recently, SPORTFIVE supported the Becker Petkovic Podcast, launched during the 2025 Australian Open, which quickly became one of the most popular tennis podcasts in German-speaking markets.

The Global Athlete Media House builds on this foundation, offering services across four key pillars:

Social Media
Custom content and platform strategy tailored to each athlete’s brand and audience.

Podcast Formats
Concept development, production, and distribution of athlete-hosted audio and video formats.

Off-Court PR
Media activations and storytelling designed to extend athlete relevance beyond competition.

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Original Content
From branded videos to full-scale documentaries, creating high-quality stories that resonate globally.

These services are available not only to SPORTFIVE-represented athletes, but also to brands, rightsholders, and external talent seeking strategic, athlete-first media production.

“Athletes today are more than just sports professionals – they are brands, creators, and entrepreneurs. At SPORTFIVE, we recognized early on that authentic, high-quality content is essential for building long-term athlete brands. With the Global Athlete Media House, we are taking the next step by combining our expertise and services in one department. This provides not only our own athletes with a range of services but also extends these to external partners.” said Ron Wiegand, Senior Vice President Global Athlete & Team Marketing, SPORTFIVE.

The post SPORTFIVE Expands Global Media Production Services With Athlete-Focused Division appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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