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The Increasing Popularity of Online Games in Europe

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Mobile online gaming has seen explosive growth in Europe in recent years. It’s because of better data bundles and more reliable internet connections. Early online gamers’ marketing strategies and demographics can shed light on the phenomenon’s continued success across the continent.

It’s no secret that mobile internet games have been increasingly popular in Europe over the past few years. While there are several contributing factors, faster internet speeds and more extensive data plans are the most important. Looking back at the development and marketing of online games can shed light on why they have become so popular in Europe.

The Five Most-played Online Games in Europe Today

The popularity of playing games online cannot be denied. The number of Europeans who play video games online continues to rise. Five of Europe’s favorite online games are listed here.

1. Fortnite

This game has gone viral, becoming a favorite across the globe. To win Fortnite, you must be the last person standing, as it is a “battle royale” game.

2. Overwatch

Overwatch is a popular team-based shooting game across Europe. Players must work together to accomplish goals and triumph over the opposition.

3. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive 

Another popular team-based shooter game in Europe is Counter-Strike, where you can watch or play at any CS: GO gambling websites.

4. League of Legends

It’s a game of strategy with two opposing teams of players. To win a match, players must use their expertise in the game to outmaneuver their rivals.

5. Minecraft

The computer game Minecraft is a sandbox in which players are free to roam vast, procedurally generated worlds. Minecraft is one of the most played games in Europe and has a large, committed fan base.

Many Europeans spend their free time playing video games online for various reasons. One benefit of playing games online is the opportunity to interact with people, even if they are physically separated.

In addition, playing games online can be a relaxing way to take your mind off things for a while. It’s no surprise that more and more European people are opting to play video games online, given all the advantages.

 

What Accounts for the Popularity Gain of Online Games in Europe?

There is a growing and diverse fan base in Europe for online gaming, and there are many good reasons for this.

  • Participants can compete against one another in an unthreatening setting.
  • As a technique to alleviate tension and boredom, players can employ them.
  • People who share a love for the game might meet others who share the same interest.

Competitors can be found from all over the globe, and players can test their mettle against the best of the best.

Online games’ rising popularity can also be attributed to their function as a means for users to kill time and destress. It’s a great way to ensure that players are occupied for long periods. In addition, playing games online is a great way to de-stress and redirect negative energy into something more constructive.

Lastly, internet games facilitate interaction between people who share a common interest. In many instances, in-person interaction is not necessary to establish a connection. Naturally reserved or introverted individuals can benefit greatly from this social interaction. It can increase their self-esteem and introduce them to new people.

Additionally, other factors contribute to the rise of online casinos in Europe. Slot machines, poker, blackjack, and roulette are just some of the games available, which is why they’re so popular. Moreover, they are practical and straightforward to employ. 

You don’t even have to leave the house to have a good time, as you may play whenever you like, day or night. Bonuses and other special offers are common features of online casinos. It helps attract new customers and hold on to current ones.

With the assistance of a top casino search and casinoreviewers.com, locating the most outstanding online casino in Europe is simple. The user can identify gambling establishments using a game-specific, game-specific, or country-specific search. Find the best bar to play poker at using this helpful tool.

 

The Perks of Playing Computer Games Online

People in Europe are increasingly playing video games online. One of the many benefits of playing games online is the opportunity to interact with players worldwide. Also, it’s a terrific medium for keeping in touch with friends, relatives, and acquaintances who live far away.

The portability of online games is a significant perk because players may log on whenever they like. Many people spend hours playing video games on their laptops or mobile devices. People with full schedules who don’t have time to play video games daily will appreciate this option.

Last but not least, a lot of online games may be had for next to nothing or a few dollars. Because of this, they’re an excellent option for people who don’t want to blow their entire entertainment budget.

Online gaming is a fantastic choice when you want to save money, have fun with friends, or pass the time.

 

How To Start?

If you’re looking for the best online gaming experience, go no further than Europe. There are so many game options that it can take time to choose. 

In Europe, web browsers and gaming consoles are the most common entry points for playing online games.

If you’re looking to play on your browser, Facebook is your best bet. Facebook is a great place to find new games to play and meet new people with similar interests. Alternatively, the Chrome web browser from Google offers its library of free, in-browser games.

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are the go-to consoles if you’re looking to play games through a device. These consoles provide a plethora of online games that may be played with others worldwide.

After settling on a play style, picking a game is a next step. There are thousands of games to choose from, so it’s essential to consider the genre most appeals to you.

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

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

OVERVIEW

  • Group Revenue at €89.5m (8.4% yoy).
  • EBITDA at €33.7m (+29.2% yoy) 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% yoy).
  • 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% yoy).
  • Group Net CAPEX in 1Q23 was €7.2m.
  • Group Cash at the end of 1Q23 at €109.2m, €6.8m higher vs. Dec22.
  • Net Debt at €471.6m at the end of 1Q23, lower by 18.9m vs. Dec22 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 threemonth 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%.

  • 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 threemonth 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% yoy), driven by local market growth. In local currency, current year results posted a +104.5% yoy 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% yoy), 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 Bilyoners improved performance, favored by the growth of the online market. In 1Q23, the local Sports Betting market expanded close to 2.2 times yoy. 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% yoy 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 topline performance in USA and Turkey
  • Other Operating Income from continuing operations ended at €7.8m presenting an increase of 37.0% yoy (or €+2.1m).
  • EBITDA amounted to 33.7m in 1Q23, posting a doubledigit 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 Cashflow in 1Q23 amounted to 37.2m, increased by €19.9m, compared to 1Q22. The positive impact arising from the higher recorded EBITDA yoy 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 Dec22. Positive gross debt movements include the capital payments towards the Term Loan in US, the lower interest accrued in comparison with Dec22 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 ilottery 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.

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Gaming Innovation Group – Issue of new shares

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Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG) has today issued 1,777,873 new shares of its common stock for the earn-out consideration in connection with the acquisition of Sportnco Gaming SAS (“Sportnco”), ref. GiG’s 2022 Annual Report and Exemption Document dated 13 July 2022. The earn-out consideration for Sportnco’s performance in 2022 were EUR 8,495,280 whereby 50% has been paid in cash and 50% in shares. The shares have been issued to the former shareholders of Sportnco at a share price of NOK 27.60 for a total consideration of EUR 4,247,640.

In addition, GiG has today issued 39,650 new shares of its common stock in connection with exercise of options, whereof 25,000 shares at a share price of NOK 15.00 per share and 14,650 at a share price of NOK 22.00 per share. Included are the 25,650 options exercised in April, ref announcement on 11 April 2023.

The new shares are issued by the Board of Directors under the Company’s 150,000,000 authorized shares, and the Company confirms that the new shares have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions and that the new shares have been fully paid and validly issued. The Company’s share capital has increased from USD 127,132,038 to USD 128,949,561, and the number of outstanding shares has increased from 127,132,038 to 128,949,561 (par value USD 1.00). In addition, a total of 2,732,950 options are outstanding as of today.

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R Franco Digital Embraces the Wild in Buffalo Park

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R Franco Digital, Spain’s leading gaming provider, is inviting players to conquer the prairies in its latest slot release, Buffalo Park.

Taking players on a 5×3 reel adventure, the game’s slick environment depicts a wild North American national park as buffalo stampede. With eagles, wolves, bears and buffaloes as the game’s iconic symbols, players must form matching combinations in the base game, while wilds appear in the form of the park’s gate and can substitute for other symbols on the board to help secure a win.

Meanwhile, national park symbols on the gameboard have a different award attached to each, including instant cash prizes and jackpot rewards. When the park ranger appears, these can be collected, massively increasing the win potential.

The free spins game is activated by landing three or more scatter symbols in the form of campfires. This activates eight free spins, made more lucrative through the rewarding national park symbols which appear frequently throughout this round.

Buffalo Park offers a high-intensity and action-packed game that underpins the studio’s dedication to consistently producing gaming content that adds value and innovation to the market, hot on the heels of the recently-released Spain-inspired Toreador.

“Inviting players to become the park ranger, our latest slot is a unique take on the North American prairies,” the Director for R Franco Digital, Javier Sacristán Franco, said. “With an emphasis on special symbols, it is a highly engaging title that captures interest from the first spin, offering the chance to win impressive prizes, substituting scatters and the exciting free spins game. R Franco Digital always aims to create unique experiences that provide a new form of entertainment and we believe we’ve certainly succeeded with Buffalo Park.”

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