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Aspire Global: Interim Report Third Quarter 2021
REVENUE INCREASED 46% AND EBITDA 38% IN Q3 2021
THIRD QUARTER
- Revenues increased by 46.0% to €58.6 million (40.1).
- EBITDA increased by 38.0 % to €9.1 million (6.6).
- The EBITDA margin amounted to 15.5% (16.4%).
- EBIT increased by 38.7% to €6.8 million (4.9).
- Earnings after tax increased 68.1% to €6.4 million (3.8).
- Earnings per share increased 62.5% to €0.13 (0.08).
NINE MONTHS
- Revenues increased by 38.2% to €162.4 million (117.5).
- EBITDA increased by 46.0% to €27.5 million (18.8).
- The EBITDA margin increased to 16.9% (16.0%).
- EBIT increased by 45.7% to €21.1 million (14.5).
- Earnings after tax increased 79.0% to €19.4 million (10.8).
- Earnings per share increased 77.2% to €0.39 (0.22).
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE QUARTER AND AFTER THE END OF THE QUARTER
- Revenues increased 46.0% from Q3 2020 driven by strong development in all segments.
- Organic growth of 39.0% from Q3 2020.
- B2B revenues grew 40.5% from Q3 2020 with organic growth of 31.2%.
- Strong performance in sub-segments Aggregation and Games – Pariplay and Sports – BtoBet.
- Agreement to sell the B2C segment to Esports Technologies announced 1 October – closing expected by 30 November 2021 upon completion
of certain contingent terms. The total value of the transaction sums up to about €65 million. The transaction also includes a four-year platform and managed services agreement with an estimated gross value of €70 million. - Aspire Global signed a platform deal with Esports Technologies in September for its leading brand Gogawi.
- Pariplay further strengthened its position in the Americas – first contract in Brazil signed and granted full supplier license in West Virginia.
- Pariplay signed a deal to provide its proprietary games to Holland Casino in the newly regulated Dutch market.
- First brand live with BtoBet’s sportsbook on Aspire Global’s platform. To date six brands are already live.
- Two deals covering Aspire Global’s complete offering signed.
CEO COMMENTS
“WE CLEARLY EXECUTE OUR GROWTH STRATEGY TO BECOME A WORLD LEADING IGAMING SUPPLIER”
With the sale of the B2C segment, Aspire Global will become a clearly focused B2B company and even stronger and more profitable. The sale will also give us additional resources to further develop and enhance our B2B offering as well as the opportunity to explore new M&A activities. In Q3 2021, we have made key progress towards our objective of establishing strong positions in the US and Brazil. Our success in these markets will be important steps in reaching our goal to become a world leading B2B iGaming supplier.
The sale of the B2C segment – expected to take place at the end of November 2021 – will have a significant positive impact on Aspire Global’s position as a focused B2B company and profitability. Excluding the B2C segment, revenues increased by 36.1% to €118.9 million and EBITDA increased by 54.1% to €22.7 million in the first nine months 2021 with an EBITDA margin of 19.1%. B2B organic growth in the nine-month period amounted to 27.1%.
We initiated the review of our B2C segment in March this year, and on October 1 we announced the agreement with US-based Esports Technologies to acquire the B2C segment. The consideration sums up to about €65 million, consisting of €50 million in cash, €10 million in a promissory note and €5 million in common stock in the listed entity of Esports Technologies. The transaction also includes a four-year platform and managed services agreement with an estimated gross value of €70 million, based on present volumes. The transaction is expected to close by November 30, 2021, pending Esports Technologies receipt of financing, and other closing requirements.
A TRANSFORMATIVE, STRATEGIC MOVE
The divestment of the B2C segment is a transformative, strategic move for Aspire Global. First of all, the change in business mix will affect the revenue so that it will consist only of B2B revenues and, at the same time, the share of managed services will increase. The divestment will also provide Aspire Global with additional resources to further develop the technology platform as well as its offering in casino, sports and managed services. The managed services part of our business is essential to us, not only because it is recurring, but also because it will secure our continued deep knowledge about player behaviour. Furthermore, we expect that Aspire Global will have other peers as a focused B2B company and that investors will find it easier to value the company.
Following the divestment, we will also look into M&A possibilities with the aim to control even more of the value chain. Our successful acquisitions of Pariplay in 2019 and BtoBet in 2020 are proof of our ability to identify and integrate companies that complement our offering in the value chain. In the first nine months of 2021, Pariplay has grown by 79.4% to €21.7 million with an EBITDA margin of 27.9%. BtoBet has also demonstrated strong growth of 68.7% to €7.8 million in the nine-month period with an EBITDA margin of 23.1%.
KEY PROGRESS IN THE US AND BRAZIL
The B2C divestment also provides us with increasing opportunities to continue to invest in establishing a considerable position in above all the big and quickly growing Brazilian and US markets. In Q3 2021, we have made key progress in the US and Brazil. Pariplay signed a deal with FansUnite Entertainment, entailing that Aspire Global enters the Brazilian market for the first time. FansUnite is a Canadian sports and entertainment company, and Pariplay will supply its wide portfolio of proprietary and third-party content, via its Fusion™ aggregation platform, to FansUnite’s B2C brands and B2B solutions in Europe and Americas and thereby allows Pariplay to enter Brazil for the first time.
Pariplay also further strengthened its position in Latin America by a deal with the world-famous land-based and online games provider Ainsworth Game Technology. The deal will see Ainsworth partnering exclusively with Pariplay for all new online releases in Latin America, with making its titles available to players through Pariplay’s Fusion™ aggregation platform.
Pariplay reached another milestone in its US expansion strategy during Q3 2021 after being granted a full iGaming Supplier License in West Virginia. Pariplay made its debut in the fast-growing US market when its content went live in New Jersey in February 2021 and Pariplay has applied for licenses in several states.
DEEPER ESPORTS RELATIONSHIPS
We are also proud and happy with the relationship we have established with Esports Technologies. Esports Technologies is a leading global operator and provider of products and marketing solutions in the quickly growing esports market. Beside the B2C deal, we also signed a strategic license agreement with Esports Technologies in Q3 2021. As part of the deal, Esports Technologies will launch its esports/sportsbook Gogawi.com in certain key markets on our platform and intends to launch an additional brand on the platform in the future. In addition, we will make the Esports Technologies proprietary esports feed available to our partners around the world.
Esports Technologies are at a rapid growth phase and aim to become the world’s number one esports company. As part of the B2C agreement, Karamba and our other B2C brands will join our B2B network, and will become one of our biggest B2B partners. I’m sure that the experience and excellence of our B2C team, together with the ambition and investment of Esports Technologies, will take the brands to new heights.
PROFITABLE GROWTH IN REGULATED MARKETS
In the quarter, Germany introduced a new regulation with higher gaming duties. Despite this regulatory change, the EBITDA margin in the B2B segment increased to 18.7% from 18.0% in Q3 2020. This clearly demonstrates Aspire Global’s ability to manage a profitable operation in regulated markets.
In October, the Netherlands opened for online gaming and Pariplay just a few days ago announced a deal to supply its proprietary games to Holland Casino. Holland Casino has a leading presence within the new regulated digital ecosystem in the Netherlands.
OUTLOOK
Aspire Global has consistently demonstrated its ability to execute its growth strategy, reaching its financial targets and create value. We see great growth opportunities by expanding with existing partners, gaining new partners and entering new markets. With the divestment of the B2C segment we will further enhance investments in our technology and product offering as well as geographic presence with focus on Brazil and the US. We will also put even more energy on increasing the M&A pipeline. We clearly execute our growth strategy to become a world leading iGaming supplier.
Tsachi Maimon, CEO.
Industry News
Endorphina Affiliate Hub: Huge Benefits for Affiliates
Endorphina, a leading developer of online casino games, has announced its new, groundbreaking Affiliate Hub. This centralized information base offers an improved user experience and a wide range of benefits for Endorphina’s affiliates.
Among the number of benefits, Endorphina’s Hub offers:
- Access to a wide range of downloadable materials including videos, high-resolution images, banners, brand guidelines, graphic sets, and other resources.
- Staying informed through a centralized hub for all Endorphina news, updates, and announcements.
- A fully localized affiliate page in Spanish, allowing Spanish-speaking affiliates to access all necessary resources in their native language.
Take advantage of the updated Affiliate Hub – visit endorphina to check.
The Affiliate Hub also simplifies the registration process for new affiliates and is now available for access. Endorphina promises further exciting developments in the future. Joining the Endorphina Affiliate Hub gives affiliates access to contacts of relevant people and quick support from Endorphina’s team.
Industry News
iGB Affiliate attracts registrations from 55 nations in just six weeks
iGB Affiliate which runs 20th – 23rd January alongside ICE at its new home at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona has affirmed its growing international credentials with igaming professionals from 55 nations already registering to attend, placing the show on course to break through the 100-nation landmark for the first time.
With the ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ (New Horizons) theme spearheading an international marketing campaign which went live in September the most represented nations comprise the UK, Israel, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Italy and India.
Additional insights drawn from the data confirm the growing influence of Latin America with 35% of those registering operating in the region. In important news for exhibitors seeking fresh business opportunities, 1 in 12 of the total iGB Affiliate 2025 registrations are poised to attend the expo for the first time, bringing brand new attendees and potential partnerships to iGB Affiliate 2025.
Naomi Barton, iGB Events Global Portfolio Director, believes the registration data provides a window on the industry and the trends which underpin it. She stated: “One of our stakeholders predicted that iGB Affiliate 2025 would be – to quote him – a ‘really monstrous event’ and the data is supporting that opinion.
“All of our numbers are significantly up and the geographical distribution, in particular the 35% who operate in LatAm, reflect accurately what’s happening in the sector where the region, spearheaded by Brazil, has taken over from the US as the main geographical focus for affiliates.”
She added: “The industry is responding enthusiastically to a show which will feature a record 250 industry-leading exhibitors and sponsors and host a vibrant community of 8000+ iGaming Affiliates and Tech Vendors.
“The iGB Affiliate pledge is to facilitate outstanding business networking, deliver high-quality content, and provide thought leadership that fosters trust-based partnerships and drives growth throughout the iGaming affiliate ecosystem.
“By consistently delivering on these core objectives iGB Affiliate Barcelona will deliver a critical platform and opportunity for profitable business expansion.”
For more information including access to free Affiliate passes: barcelona.igbaffiliate.com
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Former Gambling Minister the Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP to speak at Bacta’s Annual Convention
The former Gambling Minister the Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP who was named Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport in Kemi Badenoch’s top team has agreed to speak at the forthcoming Bacta Annual Convention which is taking place on Thursday 28 November.
Bacta members are on course to be at the 2024 Convention in record numbers based on the number of pre-event registrations received for the high-profile industry event.
With three weeks to go registrations are ahead of the same stage last year with members responding positively to Bacta’s ‘Going for Growth’ theme set against the new political landscape punctuated by Labour’s landslide General Election victory in July and November’s election of Kemi Badenoch as Leader of the Conservative Party. The confirmed attendance of the former Gambling Minister is likely to accelerate registrations.
Looking ahead to Convention George McGregor Bacta’s Executive Director (Government Relations) said: “First of all I am delighted that Stuart Andrew who oversaw the White Paper only to see it paused by July’s snap general election has agreed to join us at our Annual Convention. Members are responding in great numbers to both the Parliamentary Reception which is officially at full-capacity and to the Convention taking place the following day.”
He added: “Our keynote speakers which will include Stuart Andrew will feature in a panel which will explore amongst other topics the dynamics of the relationship between the industry and government, the fate of the White Paper and how we can collectively determine a future in which gaming operators are not expected to wait over a decade before they can raise their prices!”
He continued: “The Annual Convention is an important benefit of Bacta membership. It represents an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and quiz the politicians and officials who play such an important role in determining the future of an industry which pays an estimated £270 million in tax and contributes £1.9 billion to UK GDP.
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