“We have entered 2020 with good underlying growth and profitability, and an ever-stronger balance sheet”
– Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO

FOURTH QUARTER 2019: 1 october–31 december 2019^[1]

• Revenue increased by 3% to EUR 87.1 m (84.5).
• EBITDA was EUR 14.5 m (8.1), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 16.7% (9.6%)
• Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 9.2 m (8.1), corresponding to a margin of 10.6% (9.6%).
• The number of depositing customers was 351,613 (327,156), an increase of 7%.
• The number of returning depositing customers was record-high 207,982 (181,747), an increase of 14%.
• Adjusted earnings per share were EUR 0.06 (0.06).

Events during the quarter

• LeoVegas investment company LeoVentures sold the subsidiary Authentic Gaming to Genting. The sales price was EUR 15.2 m on a debt-free basis and generated a capital gain of EUR 11.4 m.
• LeoVegas carried out strategic measures in the UK and has called off a move to new offices in Malta. These initiatives will lead to annual cost savings of approximately EUR 3.7 m. Restructuring costs of EUR 6.1 m are reported under items affecting comparability for the fourth quarter. At the same time, an impairment loss of EUR 10.2 m has been recognised for the Royal Panda investment.

Events after the end of the quarter

• Preliminary revenue of EUR 30,1 m in January (28.7), representing growth of 5%.
• In light of a more pronounced focus on profitability in an increasingly dynamic business environment LeoVegas has decided to remove the financial targets to reach sales of EUR 600 m and EBITDA of EUR 100 m by 2021. At the same time, the company has reaffirmed its long-term financial target to achieve organic growth that outperforms the online gaming market and an EBITDA margin of no less than 15%.
• LeoVegas’ Chairman, Mårten Forste, hired as new COO in Malta.
• The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 1.40 per share (1.20), an increase of 17%, to be paid out – as in the preceding year – on two occasions during the year.

COMMENT FROM GUSTAF HAGMAN – GROUP CEO

sustainability and long-term growth
During 2019 we worked hard to reduce complexity in the Group, be more efficient and adapt to the changes taking place in the gaming industry. In parallel with this we have enhanced the attraction of our product through new functionality and greater personalisation. We have launched new brands, focused more on Casino, and expanded to new markets. Towards the end of the year we intensified the integration of our previous acquisitions, which is expected to contribute to cost savings and increased economies of scale.

Our investments in sustainability have been particularly meaningful, where LeoVegas is one of the leading operators. For example, today we have some 70 employees who work exclusively with responsible gaming and compliance.

an industry in change
2019 was a year characterised by change in our industry, with external challenges coupled to higher demands for compliance, higher gambling taxes and undertainty surrounding future regulation. In the near term this is presenting challenges to navigate in an increasingly complex world, but it also presents long term competitive advantages for a company like LeoVegas, which has a scalable organisation, proprietary technology and focus on sustainable growth along with an increasingly broader revenue base spread across several markets and brands.

We have entered 2020 with a good starting point, with an increasingly efficient organisation and many ongoing initiatives surrounding product innovation and brand expansion. Owing to the increasingly dynamic business environment and a more pronounced focus on profitability, we have decided to remove our financial targets for 2021 while we reiterate our long-term financial targets of organic growth in excess of the market and an EBITDA margin of at least 15%.

At the same time, our underlying profitable growth and favourable financial position have created the foundation for the Board’s proposal to raise the dividend for 2019 by 17% to SEK 1.40 per share.

fourth quarter 2019
Revenue for the fourth quarter amounted to EUR 87.1 m (84.5), representing organic growth of 3%. Growth during the period remained good in most of our markets. Excluding the UK market, organic growth in local currencies was 11%. We are especially pleased with our performance in Sweden, where we continue to take market shares.

EBITDA for the fourth quarter adjusted for items affecting comparability during the period totalled EUR 9.2 m (8.1), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 10.6% (9.6%). We thereby improved our underlying profit by 13% compared with a year ago despite a higher burden from gambling taxes and increased regulatory complexity, which confirms that our focus on efficiency and cost control is yielding the desired result.

A couple of weeks ago we communicated a number of strategic decisions coupled mainly to the UK and our ambitions to create a less complex and more scalable organisation. These initiatives gave rise to one-off restructuring costs that affected fourth quarter earnings by a total of EUR 6.1 m and are expected to lead to annual cost savings of approximately EUR 3.7 m. The savings consist mainly of platform and product costs, a more efficient organisation and more optimized premises.

During the fourth quarter we recognised a capital gain on the sale of Authentic Gaming, which was sold in October. The capital gain was EUR 11.4 m. EBIT for the fourth quarter was also affected by an impairment loss of EUR 10.2 m related to goodwill in Royal Panda.

markets
We had favourable performance in most of our markets during the full year 2019. Three of our major markets, Sweden, the UK and Germany, underwent major changes during the past year. In Germany, the removal of a key payment services provider affected our revenue during the fourth quarter. Development improved gradually during the quarter in pace with customers finding alternative payment methods. We are now growing again sequentially month-on-month in Germany. We are confidently waiting for clarity regarding what future regulation will look like in Germany. Based on the most recent information, the German federal states are now in agreement to regulate the market at the national level at the end of 2021.

As previously communicated, we are addressing the challenges in the UK by migrating all of our brands in the UK to our proprietary technical platform. In parallel with this we are refining our brand portfolio and closing Royal Panda in the UK. Altogether these measures are leading to a more focused and efficient operation and opening up economies of scale within the Group. Revenue for the remaining operations in the UK, consisting of 13 brands, grew 15% over the third quarter and showed good profitability. Royal Panda will now focus entirely on fast-growing markets outside the UK.

In the Swedish market we are stronger than ever. It is clear that we are benefiting from our strong brand, focus on responsible gaming and experience from regulated markets. In addition, GoGoCasino has exceeded our expectations and was successful in the strategy of filling an empty space in the Swedish casino market. December was record-strong and we ended the year with revenue as well as the number of customers at record high levels. During 2020 we expect to see the authorities taking a harder line against unlicensed actors, which will improve channelisation and consumer protection in the Swedish market.

Comments on first quarter 2020
Revenue for the month of January amounted to EUR 30.1 m (28.7), representing growth of 5%.

Royal Panda in the UK, which was closed in January, is not expected to generate any significant revenue during the first quarter. During the fourth quarter Royal Panda generated revenue of EUR 1.1 m in the UK.

With good momentum in many of our markets and a number of growth initiatives, we are looking forward to the remainder of 2020. We continue to work hard to deliver profitable growth at the same time as we are working to live up to our vision, to be “King of Casino”.

Presentation of the report – today at 09:00 CET
To participate in the conference call, and thereby be able to ask questions, please call one of the following numbers: SE: +46 (0) 8 50 69 21 80, UK: +44 (0) 20 71 92 80 00, US: +1 63 15 10 74 95, Confirmation code: 9682129 or join at the web https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/g9y6w2q8

Campeón Gaming Partners was awarded the Best Affiliate Program: Casino award during a highly prestigious event at this year’s iGB Affiliate Awards in London! Hard work, effort, constant focus on our affiliates and continuous development of our affiliate program, put Campeón on the winners’ pedestal for its affiliate program.

The award was received by the company’s CEO, Marinos Shiapanis, CFO, Avraam Tosounidis, and the affiliate team, comprised of Konstantinos Sarikakis, Head, and Andreza Majela, Manager. This was the very first time that Campeón Gaming Partners was nominated at the iGB Affiliate Awards, managing to stand out from the crowd and win the award! Our program’s transparency and inclusiveness were recognized, while our team’s continuous support and creation of tailor-made programs to each affiliate’s needs stood out. Our Head of Affiliates & Partnerships, Konstantinos Sarikakis, was also nominated with Campeón Gaming Partners, in the category Best Casino Affiliate Manager.

“It is a tremendous moment for Campeón Gaming Partners; we know our worth, how hard our affiliate team and the whole company has worked to get here, and how important is each and every affiliate to us.

We create tailor-made programs, based on transparency, but – on top of it all – we are there for our partners. It doesn’t matter if their requests are big or small – we treat every request with the same respect and urgency. We owe this award to our people, and we want to thank each and every single one of Campeón’s team members and especially our affiliate team for their hard work and dedication”, said Avraam Tosounidis, Campeón’s CFO.

A successful participation at the iGB Affiliate London 2020 exhibition

Campeón Gaming Partners exhibited for the very first time at the iGB Affiliate London 2020 at Stand H12 and enjoyed a very successful show. A lot of networking, catching up with long-time and valuable partners, and meeting new ones, were our focus for the two days of the exhibition in London.

“At Campeón Gaming Partners, we are stepping up our game and the industry can see it. We are participating now in all the major exhibitions, recognized with various awards for our brands and our company as a group, and industry experts are now noticing us. We are establishing ourselves as one of the leading rising brands in the iGaming industry and we will continue growing and developing, with our people as our driving force”, said Marinos Shiapanis, the company’s CEO.

Raketech, a leading online affiliate and content marketing company, will publish its year-end 2019 report on February 19, 2019 at 8:00 CET. The presentation of the report will start at 09:00 CET – held by Raketech’s CEO Oskar Mühlbach and CFO Måns Svalborn.

The presentation can be followed via both a conference call and an online audio cast, including a Q&A session open to all listeners at the end of the presentation.

Conference call
Sweden: +46 8 5055 8358
UK: +44 3333 009 035

Online audio cast
https://tv.streamfabriken.com/raketech-q4-2019

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

About Raketech Group:

Raketech is a leading online affiliate and content marketing company, with expertise in delivering comparison services for sports and gaming, online guides, communities and social media products in primarily the Nordic region and the UK. Through some 20 flagship brands, Raketech guides sports and gaming enthusiasts to the best possible services, while also delivering high-quality traffic and leads to its partners. Raketech grows both organically and via acquisitions and operates its business in accordance with a clear framework for responsible affiliate marketing services. The company’s shares are listed in Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market with ticker RAKE. Erik Penser Bank AB is the company’s Certified Adviser ([email protected] / +46 8 463 83 00).  For more information, visit www.raketech.com.