Month: April 2021

Revenue for the three months to 31 March declined to DKK1.31bn (£152.3m/€175.5m/$212.7m), after Denmark’s casinos, gaming halls and restaurant casinos were closed from 9 December 2020, as a result of novel coronavirus (Covid-19). 

While the properties had been due to reopen from 28 February, it was not until 5 April that they eventually reopened. This meant Danish gambling regulator Spillemyndigheden reported no revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos or land-based slots in Q1. 

This was mitigated to some extent by growth in online casino. During the first quarter revenue for the vertical was up 28.7% year-on-year to DKK717m. That figure – a new record for the vertical – also represented a 7.7% improvement on the fourth quarter of 2020. 

However, Spillemyndigehen pointed out that it was not certain that this increase in play could be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, as the increase in online revenue did not match the declines in the land-based market over the same period. 

There was also no breakdown available of revenue by product at the time of writing (29 April). 

The first quarter also saw Danish sports betting revenue decline, at a time when retail betting was unavailable. Revenue was down 7.4% from Q1 2020 to DKK588m, and 18.8% from the final quarter of the previous year. 

Turning to the player protection assets offered in Denmark, the national self-exclusion system Register Over Frivilligt Udelukkede Spillere (Rofus) had 27,962 individuals signed up by the end of Q1. 

Of this number, 18,050 had permanently blocked access to gambling, while a further 9,912 had excluded for a period between one and six months. 

Problem gambling helpline StopSpillet, meanwhile, received 1,305 calls during the first quarter. The majority of these were from players, followed by friends and family, then treatment professionals, and finally three calls from computer game players. 

The Q1 results come after the Danish market posted its first full-year decline in revenue since re-regulation in 2012 in its 2020 results.

Revenue for the 12 months to 31 December 2020 was down 8.7% to DKK6.00bn, after Covid-19 forced land-based gaming to shut down for much of the year. The second quarter also saw sports betting revenue plummet, after the pandemic forced the cancellation and suspension of events around the world.

Revenue for the three months to 31 March was SEK1.59bn (£138.0m/€157.6m/$191.2m), up 12.3% from SEK1.42bn in the corresponding period last year.

Casino revenue for the quarter amounted to SEK1.12bn, which was 16.1% higher than in Q1 of 2020. Some SEK868.2m was generated via its mobile casino.

Betsson felt the benefit of expanding its content portfolio with 180 new games, with the operator now offering over 5,100 titles from more than 100 suppliers. Betsson also completed the integration of Playtech’s live casino products, while the operator reported that it processed almost four billion game rounds during the period, up 24.0% on last year.

Revenue from Betsson’s sportsbook business edged up 2.4% year-on-year to SEK394.0m, with SEK320.9m coming from its mobile sports betting platform.

The operator said its sportsbook was helped by the number of major sports events in Q1, including the knock-out stage of football’s Uefa Champions League in Europe, as well as the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League regular seasons in the US.

In terms of other products, including poker and bingo, revenue here climbed by 15.1% to SEK21.3m.

Looking at geographical performance and Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA) was the main source of income for the operator, accounting for SEK541.1m in revenue during Q1, up 27.5% year-on-year.

Nordic revenue edged up 0.9% to SEK487.0m, while Western Europe revenue slipped 5.6% to SEK383.6m. Betsson saw most growth within its rest of world (RoW) operations, with revenue here jumping 74.8% to SEK181.1m, driven by activities on Chile and Peru.

Betsson also noted a significant increase in the number of active customers in Q1, with this rising 39.2% year-on-year to 948,109.

“On several markets, such as Italy, Baltics, Peru and Chile, we continue to deliver strong growth and good profitability,” Betsson president and chief executive Pontus Lindwall said. “This is very encouraging, however, we are not fully satisfied as we have experienced difficulties in a few other markets, for various reasons. 

“Revenues from the German market have decreased significantly, due to the restrictions introduced and the fact that we closed several brands in connection with this. In Norway it´s still difficult finding efficient payment solutions, but with its own proprietary payment platform, Betsson manages the situation. 

“Operations in the Netherlands continue as before, pending the start of the licensing process for foreign operators. We are pleased by the continued favourable development in the CEECA and ROW regions, thanks to successful brand launches and continuous improvements in the product offering.”

Looking at expenses, costs of services reached SEK556.9m, leaving a gross profit of SEK1.04bn up 9.8% on last year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also increased 2.5% to SEK361.7m.

Operating expenses were up 11.2% to SEK759.8m, with costs higher in all areas, with the exception of amortisation and depreciation, which was down 7.3% to SEK85.6m. This left an operating profit of SEK276.1m, up 6.0% year-on-year.

After accounting for SEK12.8m in financial expenses, Betsson had SEK263.3m in profit before tax, an increase of 8.9% on last year. The operator paid SEK23.2m in tax, leaving a net profit of SEK240.1m, up 4.6% on Q1 of 2020.

“Thanks to a broad and diversified product portfolio with many brands in several markets, Betsson can deliver results to continue to create growth,” Lindwall said.

Lindwall also referenced Betsson’s growth plans in the US, saying work is ongoing to adapt its sportsbook for the market for a potential launch in Colorado, as well as the rollout of a a B2B offering of its sportsbook.

“The work of adapting and making the sportsbook attractive for the US market has been further intensified,” Lindwall said. “Betsson´s sportsbook will be integrated on TG Lab’s new US facing entity’s PAM before the launch in Colorado.”

As part of the sponsorship, NoviBet will take racing names across the day.

“We are thrilled to sponsor the prestigious Novibet Derby and Oaks Trials at Lingfield, as preparation for two of the biggest races in the calendar.” said George Gerakanakis, international affiliate manager at Novibet.

“It is a privilege to be connected with these two races as it marks our biggest race sponsorship to date, as we look to establish our brand in the UK and grow our connection with British racing.”

“The Derby and Oaks Trials are the highlight of the flat turf season at Lingfield Park, and we are delighted to welcome Novibet in to support the day,” said David Leyden Dunbar, director of partnerships at ARC.

“Novibet is a brand we have been pleased to work with before, but it is great to see them develop their sponsorship portfolio in British racing with this deal.”

ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing will broadcast the trials.

This will allow for the distribution of Vivo Gaming’s certified products across the Isle of Man via the island’s Gambling Supervisory Commission (GSC) licensees.

The supplier is set to go live with Ableton Prestige Global – its first Isle of Man operator.

Nadine Thys, head of account management at Vivo Gaming said: “We are delighted to have successfully completed the audit process of three of our studios with flying colours.

“This allows us to open the first regulated live casino offering on the Isle of Man which is a huge milestone for us as a company and will take us to the next level as we rapidly grow our regulated footprint.”

The Isle of Man gaming market is growing steadily, with license applications up by 30% last year.

GLI’s vice president of sales James Illingworth added: “GLI recognizes this marks an exciting time for Vivo Gaming and their Live Dealer enterprises. We enjoyed working with Vivo Gaming’s team who were found to be helpful and professional throughout the rigorous audit processes.

“We hope this will be the first step to further growth for both Vivo Gaming and the jurisdiction of the Isle of Man, and that GLI will have the opportunity to further support both.”

As part of the deal, DraftKings and Meadowlark will distribute podcast “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” and the Le Batard and Friends Network across TV, audio and online. The show and the wider network will feature DraftKings’ odds, betting trends and sportsbook information.

DraftKings also has plans to develop new content in partnership with Meadowlark.

Read the full story on iGB North America.

The quarterly total was slightly up on the same period last year when the IBIA sent out 61 alerts, but down from the 64 alerts reported in the final quarter of 2020.

Tennis remained the sport of most concern for the IBIA with 18 betting integrity alerts in Q1. 

Of these alerts, six matches were provided to the International Tennis Integrity Agency as intelligence reports as they did not relate to events sanctioned by the main tennis tours. However, the IBIA said some players engaged in those events may fall within the scope of that body’s Tennis Anti-Corruption Program.

Esports ranked second with 17 alerts in the quarter, ahead of football on 12 alerts, table tennis with seven, basketball on five, volleyball with four and a single alert for horse racing.

In terms of geographical spread, alerts were registered across 20 countries during the first quarter.

Europe accounted for 29 alerts, with a quarter of all alerts in the period coming from Russia (10) and Bulgaria (six). Tennis, table tennis and football drew seven alerts each in Europe, ahead of basketball on five, two for volleyball and one for horseracing.

Asia saw 13 reports in the first quarter, with tennis leading the way on six alerts, while just three alerts were registered in Africa, all of which were for tennis. 

A further two alerts came from South America – both in Chile for tennis – while no alerts were reported in North America or Australasia

“After a difficult 2020, many operators appear to be close to normality in terms of their pre-pandemic market offering,” IBIA chief executive Khalid Ali said. “This is reflected in the alert numbers and geographical spread for Q1, with a refocus on those sports that have traditionally and numerically dominated the betting offer globally, namely tennis and football. 

“The association and its members continue to work closely with those sports, and indeed all sports that wish to engage with us, to identify potential corruption and to seek robust sanctions to punish and deter such illicit activity.”

Play Gun Lake will run on Playtech’s IMS platform and Player Account Management and feature a range of online gambling content from Playtech.

The new app is based around the tribe’s Gun Lake Casino, which, together with Parx ,this week secured approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board to launch in the state.

The launch forms part of a partnership agreed between Playtech and Parx Interactive in February, with further igaming roll-outs planned in  New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana

“Parx is constantly expanding its offerings to take user experience to another level, and to do so with Playtech’s industry leading content is particularly exciting,” Parx Casino’s senior vice president of igaming and sports, Matthew Cullen, said.

Read the full story on iGB North America.

Other key commissioning objectives of the plan include increasing access to gambling harm services, raising awareness and improving the overall diversity and effectiveness of the National Gambling Treatment Service.

The release of the organisational plan comes after GambleAware called for proposals to research female and BAME gambling harms earlier this month.

GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond said: “Following a detailed consultation, it is clear that GambleAware and other organisations need to work together to achieve a society that is safe from gambling harms.

“Thanks to greater certainty in funding, we are now able to develop and implement longer-term commissioning plans to work towards a society where fewer people experience gambling harms and ensure that those who do, receive timely and effective support.  

“Over the next five years, we will work to build the accessibility and effectiveness of the National Gambling Treatment Service and ensure it is recognised as a strong coalition of treatment services and prevention activities, delivered in collaboration with the NHS and others.”

The five-year plan encompasses over 40 programmes across research, evaluation, education, and treatment, all designed to bring the problem of gambling harm into a bigger spotlight.

Some of these include training programmes for faith leaders and debt advisors, new youth education hubs and a targeted women’s prevention campaign.

Betting technology, content and services made up most of Genius’ revenue, up 25.2% year-on-year to $110.6m. Genius said this growth mostly came from existing customers.

Sports technology and services revenue was up 11.8% to $16.1m, while media technology, content and services revenue almost doubled to $23.1m.

The supplier’s costs of revenue came to $114.1m, resulting in a gross profit of $35.7m, up 41.1%.

The business then incurred operating expenses of $56.7m, of which $31.6m came from general administrative expenses. A further $13.2m of these expenses were related to sales and marketing, with $11.2m from research and development.

Genius’ interest income was $7.9m, and after other income mostly related to currency exchange, this led to a pre-tax loss of $28.5m, down 37.5% from the loss it made in 2019. 

Genius paid an additional $1.8m in tax for a final loss of $30.4m, which was 24.7% less than 2019’s loss.

Genius founder and chief executive Mark Locke said the business’ performance was especially impressive given the effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020.

“2020 was a landmark year for Genius, with outstanding performance amidst the challenges presented by the global pandemic,” said Locke. “We have entered 2021 with great momentum, bolstered by our recently-completed merger with dMY II and NYSE listing, as well as our exclusive partnership with the NFL. 

“I am more confident than ever about the opportunities ahead as we continue to leverage our unique technology and scale to grow alongside the rapidly expanding global sports, betting and media ecosystem.”

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the supplier saw revenue grow 27.6% to €47.0m.

Gross profit was up 11.2% to €10.0m, and after €17.1m in operating expenses, its operating loss was €7.1m.

After other costs and taxes, Genius reported a net loss for the quarter of €13.5m, which was 39.2% more than the loss it made in 2019.

The announcement of the results comes after Genius went public through a merger with special acquisition company (SPAC) dMY Technology Group Inc. II.

The details of the merger were first announced in October.

In January it was revealed that GSG would form a new holding company, Galileo NewCo, as part of of the dMY II merger. GSG also announced that DMY II would become a subsidiary of Galileo.

Ahead of the merger, Genius also signed a deal that will see it become the official betting data source for the National Football League (NFL).

As part of the deal, Genius issued 22.5 million warrants to the league, entitling the NFL to purchase one ordinary share of Genius for $0.01 each.

Pinnacle said the partnership will allow it to provide effective, free-of-charge protection to customers looking to self-exclude from gambling.

The operator said it has invested significantly in its corporate social responsibility division in recent years, to provide a responsible gambling service that proactively deals with potentially harmful gambling behaviour on a case-by-case basis.

“Responsible gambling and player welfare are industry-wide issues, so we’re pleased to work with Gamban to offer our customers a blanket self-exclusion tool which covers all gambling sites, not just our own,” said Veronique Dos Reis, head of legal and compliance at Pinnacle.

“It’s important that those at risk have access to the simplest tools in order to protect themselves effectively. Gamban delivers exactly that, and we’re very confident this free facility will be a significant addition to our responsible gaming arsenal,” Dos Reis concluded.

Jack Symons, co-founder of Gamban, added: “Pinnacle’s displaying great commitment to its customers by offering this valuable support. This further highlights how layering self-exclusion with blocking software is becoming ever more important.”

“In a world where the lure of immediate gratification through digital activity is increasingly tempting, we want to help people regain control and balance – and by using Gamban, they can do that.”

Last month, Gamban announced a new partnership with two other responsible gambling organisations, GamCare and Gamstop, to launch a new campaign called TalkBanStop, offering support and services to those suffering gambling-related harm.

The agreement saw Gamban provide its self-exclusion software for free to anyone calling the National Gambling Helpline, or anyone using GamCare’s support or treatment services.