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LeoVegas AB: Quarterly report 1 april – 30 june 2019
“LeoVegas is delivering good growth with high profitability in a difficult-to-navigate environment. Q2 2019 was our best quarter ever, and we continue to take market shares.” – Gustaf Hagman, VD och koncernchef
Second quarter 2019: 1 april–30 june 2019[1]
- Revenue increased organically by 8% to EUR 94.4 m (87.4).
- EBITDA was EUR 15.1 m (15.0), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 16.0% (17.2%).
- The number of depositing customers was 334,961 (309,987), an increase of 8%.
- The number of returning depositing customers was 196,203 (175,500), an increase of 12%.
- Earnings per share were EUR 0.07 (0.07) before and after dilution.
Events during the quarter
- LeoVegas was granted a gaming licence in Spain. Two weeks after the licence was granted, LeoVegas was launched in Spain.
- LeoVegas’ technological infrastructure was migrated to Google Cloud.
- A number of product innovations were launched, including improved search functions, multiplay on mobile devices and exclusive games.
Events after the end of the quarter
- Preliminary revenue of EUR 29.7 m (27.1) in July, representing growth of 9%.
- LeoVegas has opted to not apply for a gaming licence in the recently re-regulated Swiss market. Switzerland accounted for EUR 2.2 m of revenue during the second quarter.
- Dersim Sylwan recruited as new Chief Marketing Officer and will assume his position by 1 January 2020 at the latest.
- Louise Nylén leaving as deputy CEO. Her role will not be replaced.
- Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting on August 28 regarding incentive program. The notice is posted on the company’s website.
Comment from Gustaf Hagman – Group CEO
First half of 2019
During the first half of 2019 we generated good underlying growth and profitability despite a difficult-to-navigate external environment in several of our largest markets.
Second quarter results
Revenue during the second quarter amounted to EUR 94.4 m (87.4), an increase of 8%. Organic growth in local currencies was 8%. Growth was favourable during the period in most of our markets. However, the UK continued to be challenging. Excluding the UK, organic growth was 26%. At the same time, in Sweden we have found a new base to grow from following regulation of the market, and our revenue developed in a positive direction month-on-month during the quarter.
Compared with a year ago, LeoVegas has a more balanced geographic revenue mix. This means that we are not as sensitive to challenges that may arise in a specific market, which in turn means that we have lower business risk in the Group.
EBITDA totalled EUR 15.1 m (15.0) during the second quarter, corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 16.0% (17.2%). Greater focus on efficiency and cost control has had the intended effect, and we continue to review our external agreements and optimise our own organisation. This work is helping to create necessary economies of scale and is countering the effect of that we are paying more gambling taxes. As previously communicated, our marketing investments also decreased compared with the first quarter of the year. A contributing factor to this is more restrained marketing in Sweden during the quarter. In addition, the postponement of a few campaigns from the second to the third quarter has affected costs and contributed to operating profit, which will have a reverse effect during the third quarter.
To further benefit from the expertise that has been added through acquisitions and be more efficient, we have restructured the country organisations for the UK and Italy. We have moved country-specific functions into our central teams and eliminated roles that have become redundant as a result of acquisitions. This is one of many initiatives we have taken to increase efficiency and optimisation within the Group.
Sweden
Sweden has now been a regulated market for more than six months, and the development is beginning to indicate what kind of market we will have over the long term. We are satisfied with our performance in Sweden and believe that we are taking market shares. LeoVegas is today the single largest casino brand in Sweden. Our focus on product and customer experience, our knowledge about regulated markets and our strong brand position contribute to the positive development. On top of this, the launches of GoGoCasino and Pixel.bet have been successful, and the brands are appreciated by our Swedish customers.
As a large and long-term player both in Sweden and globally, we at LeoVegas want to participate in changing the perception of the industry. There is a strong need today to educate and inform the general public, opinion-shapers and politicians about our industry, what we stand for and the work we are doing – not least in responsible gaming and sustainability. This is important for ensuring that we work together to secure that the new regulation is a success with high participation in the licence system, i.e. that there is a high level of channelization, and with extensive consumer protections.
Expansion
Only two weeks after we received our licence in Spain, we went live as the first newly licensed operator. This shows the strength and speed of LeoVegas and further demonstrates that our experience from regulated markets benefits us. Spain is a step in our continued expansion, and we have also recently carried out launches in other Spanish-speaking countries, such as Chile and Peru, as well as in Brazil.
Technology
During the quarter we migrated our technology to Google Cloud. The move will allow us to better scale our technical infrastructure environment without having to invest in hardware. Within the product innovation area, we have, among other things, launched improved search functionality, multiplay on mobile devices and new, exclusive casino games for LeoVegas customers.
Financial targets
We reiterate our ambitious financial targets to achieve EUR 600 m in revenue and EBITDA of EUR 100 m by 2021. We want to clarify that the targets are based primarily on organic growth, but also include revenue from potential future acquisitions.
Comments on the third quarter
Revenue for the month of July was EUR 29.7 m (27.1), representing growth of 9%.
LeoVegas has opted to not apply for a licence in the recently re-regulated Swiss market, and as a result we are no longer accepting business in that market. Switzerland accounted for EUR 2.2 m in revenue during the second quarter.
Our current assessment is that the Group’s marketing costs will increase during the third quarter compared with the second quarter, both in relation to revenue and in absolute figures.
Final words
We have once again presented a quarter with organic growth combined with good profitability. The investments made in 2018 and efficiency improvement work carried out thus far in 2019 are beginning to generate returns in the form of greater scalability of operations. Despite this, we are not content and are working continually to be even better. The external market environment in several key markets is currently more turbulent and difficult to predict than previously, which is creating new challenges and requirements, but at the same time it is presenting major opportunities for us to grow and take market shares. We continue to focus on becoming the global casino company number 1 – we are King of Casino!
Blockchain
Kore Digital Mining Ltd Announces Additional 14 PH/s Bitcoin Mining Capacity
Kore Digital Mining Ltd, a UK based Bitcoin mining company, announces that effective 1st May 2024, an additional 14 PH/s mining capacity will be added to its existing infrastructure.
This additional capacity will be provided by a major Bitcoin mining corporation and will be operational until 30th June 2024.
Derek Nisbet, Kore’s Founder & CEO, said – “We are pleased to work with a leading Bitcoin Miner in securing a large amount of mining capacity, for a 2 month trial period. We look forward to hopefully extending this period and engaging more with major mining corporations offering Bitcoin hashing opportunities, in the future.”
This additional 14PH/s Bitcoin mining capacity adds to the existing 2 PH/s currently operational with Kore’s own infrastructure and an additional 4 PH/s is due to be added over the next quarter, totalling 20 PH/s.
Latest News
The Benefits of Playing at EU Casinos
There are many EU casinos that not only attract players from Europe itself but also from countries around the world, including the US, UK, and even those from countries where online gambling isn’t permitted. So why is it that EU casinos are so popular? What drives the online gambling community to these casinos?
Well, that’s what we’re going to be looking at today. What’s so attractive about EU casinos to people who are looking for an immersive and entertaining online casino experience? Why do people in the USA, the home of Las Vegas, go outside of the USA to play at online casinos?
Benefits of EU casinos
Online gambling is by far one of the most popular methods of gambling online. Throughout Europe, specific laws in each country can vary, so access to land-based casinos can sometimes be few and far between. Thus, going online to enjoy a casino experience has become a more preferable option. And so why EU casinos? Well, for those who are joining EU casinos from outside Europe and not from the UK or the US, the English-based support and customer service are very attractive. A lot of people who play at EU casinos access it using a VPN or from a country where they don’t have any domestic online casinos, and most of the time English is their first language or one that they can understand.
The next attractive factor regarding EU online casinos is safety and security. Each online casino in the EU is strictly regulated and licensed. It’s this reassurance that a lot of players look for when choosing an online casino to go to and play at. They are held to the same strict and high standards as those of their British counterparts in the UK, which are upheld and monitored by the UK Gambling Commission. In the EU, a lot of the casinos are also regulated by either the Malta Gaming Authority or the Curacao Gaming Licence Authority. All of which share the same standards and expectations as other authorities across theglobe,e which ensures that all players playing online at EU casino websites.
The casinos that are available online in the EU are also very open to a lot of different payment methods. There are even some crypto casinos where you can play casino games online with cryptocurrency. This openness to accepting a lot of different payment methods means a lot to people who like to play at online casinos. The vast majority of them also pride themselves on providing very quick withdrawals, which are measured in hours rather than days. After all, there is nothing more frustrating than having a big win and then having to wait days to get your hard-fought winnings.
And lastly, bonuses and promotions. The vast majority of EU online casinos will have a wide range of different bonuses and promotions that you can sign up for and take advantage of. There are certain countries, such as Sweden, where the online casinos are strictly limited to one bonus or one promotion; however, the vast majority of EU casinos are not subject to such restrictions and offer a great online casino experience.
When it comes to the popularity of EU online casinos, it is growing year on year. There is plenty going in their favour and more people than ever before are shifting to online casinos rather than having to go down to the casino themselves. The fact that they can access these EU casinos from their smartphones, wherever they are, means it’s easier than ever before to win big at a casino online and have a good time.
Latest News
William Hill Announced as Official Betting Partner of Qipco Guineas Festival
Leading bookmaker becomes official betting partner of first UK Classic meeting of 2024
William Hill has been announced as the new official betting partner of the Qipco Guineas Festival, the first UK Classic meeting of the season.
It’s the latest addition to William Hill’s spring racing roster, following sponsorship of The Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, the Punchestown Champion Chase and its status as official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival.
The 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas headline the three-day meeting and the leading bookmaker will sponsor 15 races across the weekend with the Jockey Club Stakes, Palace House and Dahlia Stakes among the races now featuring the William Hill title.
Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten superstar City of Troy is still all the rage for the 2,000 Guineas at 4/6 whereas Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel heads a competitive looking 1,000 Guineas market at 7/2.
“We’re delighted to become the official betting partner of the Qipco Guineas Festival, strengthening our relationship with The Jockey Club on the back of a fantastic Grand National Festival,” a spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said. “It’s brilliant for William Hill to be associated directly with such a prestigious event at Newmarket, the home of the thoroughbred, for this season’s first two Classics. The company has a close connection with the history of the 2,000 Guineas as William Hill himself bred the 1949 winner, Nimbus, who then went on to win the Derby.
“We’re excited to be involved at racing’s key meetings and see the Qipco Guineas Festival as the perfect sponsorship as the British flat season kicks into gear.”
Newmarket – 2,000 Guineas: May 4, 2024
City Of Troy | 4/6 |
Rosallion | 4/1 |
Notable Speech | 12/1 |
Henry Longfellow | 12/1 |
Night Raider | 16/1 |
Alyanaabi | 16/1 |
Ancient Wisdom | 16/1 |
Task Force | 16/1 |
Ghostwriter | 16/1 |
Iberian | 20/1 |
BAR | 25/1 |
Newmarket – 1,000 Guineas: May 5, 2024
Fallen Angel | 7/2 |
Ylang Ylang | 4/1 |
Dance Sequence | 5/1 |
Ramatuelle | 10/1 |
See The Fire | 12/1 |
Content | 12/1 |
One Look | 14/1 |
Pretty Crystal | 14/1 |
Buttons | 20/1 |
Purple Lily | 20/1 |
Porta Fortuna | 20/1 |
Star Style | 20/1 |
BAR | 25/1 |
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