INTRALOT announces strong EBITDA growth +29.2% y-o-y and positive Earnings after Tax at €3.1m in 1Q23

INTRALOT SA (RIC: INLr.AT, Bloomberg: INLOT GA), an international gaming solutions and operations leader, announces its financial results for the three–month period ended March 31st, 2023, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

OVERVIEW

• Group Revenue at €89.5m (–8.4% y–o–y).
• EBITDA at €33.7m (+29.2% y–o–y) in 1Q23, with EBITDA margin reaching 37.7% from 26.7% in 1Q22.
• LTM EBITDA at €130.5m, up by 6.2% vs. FY22.
• Substantial growth in our US operations (Revenues +13.1%, EBITDA +31.6% y–o–y).
• EBT in 1Q23 shaped at €10.9m vs. €–2.3m in 1Q22.
• NIATMI (Net Income After Tax and Minority Interest) at €3.1m, vs. €–5.7m a year ago.
• Operating Cash Flow at €37.2m in 1Q23 (+115.3% y–o–y).
• Group Net CAPEX in 1Q23 was €7.2m.
• Group Cash at the end of 1Q23 at €109.2m, €6.8m higher vs. Dec–22.
• Net Debt at €471.6m at the end of 1Q23, lower by €18.9m vs. Dec–22 and €29.0m vs. 1Q22.
• Net Debt/ LTM EBITDA at 3.6x in 1Q23 vs. 4.0x in FY22.

Group Headline Figures

INTRALOT Chairman & CEO Sokratis P. Kokkalis noted:

We are extremely proud of first quarter robust organic Ebitda growth of 29% and a return to Net Earnings, along with healthy cash flows and significant reduction of Group Net Leverage Ratio down to 3.6x, providing additional momentum to INTRALOT’s successful turnaround story as a result of our consistent efforts in the past few years. With healthy financials and new technical capabilities offered through next generation solutions for Lottery digital transformation, in both the retail and online worlds, we look forward to timely addressing upcoming maturities, further improving our capital structure, and implementing an ambitious plan for strong and sustainable growth in the US and key markets around the world, creating value for all stakeholders.

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

REVENUE

Although the reported consolidated revenue posted a decrease compared to 1Q22, leading to a total revenue for the three–month period ended March 31st, 2023, of €89.5m (–8.4%), excluding the impact from the discontinuation of Malta license, underlying revenue from continuing operations increased by 17.5%.

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• From a contribution perspective, Lottery Games remain our largest contributor to Group turnover with a share of 60.4%, followed by Sports Betting with a share of 17.5%, VLTs monitoring with a share of 12.5%, Technology contracts with a share of 9.5%, and Racing with a share of 0.1%.
• Reported consolidated revenue for the three–month period is lower by €8.2m year over year. The main factors that drove top line performance per Business Activity are:
  • €–20.4m (–64.5%) from our Licensed Operations (B2C) activity line with the variance driven by:
    • Lower revenue in Malta (€–21.5m) due to the license expiration early July 2022 and
    • Higher revenue in Argentina (€+1.1m or +10.9% y–o–y), driven by local market growth. In local currency, current year results posted a +104.5% y–o–y increase.
  • €+6.3m (+11.4%) from our Technology and Support Services (B2B/ B2G) activity line, with the variance driven by:
    • US operations’ increased revenue (€+4.6m or +13.1% y–o–y), mostly driven by the growth in Numerical and Instant games, further affected by the EUR depreciation (–4.3% versus a year ago – in average terms) and
    • Higher revenue from rest jurisdictions (€+1.7m or +8.6%).
  • €+5.9m (+54.2%) from our Management (B2B/ B2G) contracts activity line with the variance driven by:
    • Strong momentum of our Turkish3 operations (€+5.8m), driven by Bilyoner’s improved performance, favored by the growth of the online market. In 1Q23, the local Sports Betting market expanded close to 2.2 times y–o–y. Performance in Euro terms was partially mitigated by the headwinds in Turkish lira (+28.1% Euro appreciation versus a year ago),
    • Higher revenue from our US Sports Betting contracts in Montana and Washington, D.C. (€+0.1m) and
    • Steady performance in Morocco.

GROSS GAMING REVENUE & Payout

• Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) concluded at €83.4m in 1Q23, posting an increase of 4.5% (or €+3.6m) year over year. The improved performance across most key regions managed to absorb the loss of sales from Malta and the higher payout ratio in Argentina (–67.7% y–o–y on wagers from licensed operations4). 1Q23 Payout Ratio5 was higher by 3.5pps vs. 1Q22 (62.4% vs. 58.9%).

OPERATING EXPENSES & EBITDA

• Total Operating Expenses marginally increased by €0.9m (or +3.9%) in 1Q23 (€22.7m vs. €21.8m) driven by the improved top–line performance in USA and Turkey
• Other Operating Income from continuing operations ended at €7.8m presenting an increase of 37.0% y–o–y (or €+2.1m).
• EBITDA amounted to €33.7m in 1Q23, posting a double–digit growth of 29.2% (or €+7.6m) compared to 1Q22. The main drivers underpinning this performance are attributed to the strong growth in our US operations and the boosted performance in Turkey.
• On a yearly basis, EBITDA margin on sales climbed to 37.7%, from 26.7% in 1Q22 (+11.0pps).
• LTM EBITDA stands at €130.5m, up by 6.2% vs. FY22.

EBT / NIATMI

• EBT in 1Q23 amounted to €10.9m compared to €–2.3m in 1Q22, largely driven by the significant EBITDA contribution, the improved results from participations and investments, the gains on net monetary position and the benefit from the lower D&A.
• NIATMI in 1Q23 concluded at €3.1m compared to €–5.7m in 1Q22.

CASH FLOW

• Operating Cash–flow in 1Q23 amounted to €37.2m, increased by €19.9m, compared to 1Q22. The positive impact arising from the higher recorded EBITDA y–o–y and the favorable working capital movement was partially offset by the negative variance in tax payments.
• Net CAPEX in 1Q23 was €7.2m, higher by €2.9m compared to 1Q22, with US projects consuming most of the CAPEX needs.
• Net Debt, as of March 31st, 2023, stood at €471.6m, decreased by €18.9m compared to December 31st, 2022. Robust cash flow generation supported the continued deleveraging, with Net Debt / EBITDA dropping to 3.6x in 1Q23, from 4.0x in Dec–22. Positive gross debt movements include the capital payments towards the Term Loan in US, the lower interest accrued in comparison with Dec–22 and the positive FX impact on our USD denominated debt.

OUTLOOK/RISKS

The Company Management identifies significant opportunities in the growth of the Lottery and Sports Betting online markets and the expansion of regulated i–lottery markets, as well as from the recovery from the implications of the recent pandemic. Combined with the evolution of INTRALOT’s new technological solutions for Lottery digital transformation, the Company is in position to capture more technology projects with an increased profit margin compared to previous years.

World economies continue to navigate through macroeconomic uncertainties, with interest rates at high levels and relatively slow economic growth.

Increased interest rates have a direct impact on the financing servicing costs of the Intralot Group, while the outlook indicates that central banks may start to ease their monetary policy by the end of 2023.

nflation is declining more slowly than expected, having strong impact on most of the industries and regions. However, the gaming industry seems to be more resilient than other sectors of the economy, presenting above average growth in most regions.

The Management of the Company closely monitors geopolitical and economic developments and is ready to take all the necessary measures for protecting its operations.