QUARTER JULY - SEPTEMBER 2024
- Group revenue was EUR 280.1 (237.6) million, an increase of 18%. Organic increase of 51%.
- Casino revenue increased by 22%. Sportsbook revenue increased by 8% and the sportsbook margin was 7.4% (7.3%).
- EBITDA was EUR 80.3 (68.9) million, an increase of 17%. The EBITDA margin was 28.7% (29.0%).
- Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 64.5 (56.0) million, an increase of 15%. The EBIT margin was 23.0% (23.6%).
- Net income was EUR 43.4 (46.2) million and earnings per share was EUR 0.31 (0.35).
- Operating cash flow was EUR 62.5 (44.9) million.
- Net debt was EUR -128.3 (-65.5) million.
- Active customers increased by 10% to 1.4 (1.2) million.
THE PERIOD JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2024
- Group revenue was EUR 799.8 (696.3) million, an increase of 15%. Organic increase of 38%.
- EBITDA was EUR 229.5 (190.8) million, an increase of 20%. The EBITDA margin was 28.7% (27.4%).
- Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 186.5 (153.5) million, an increase of 21%. The EBIT margin was 23.3% (22.0%).
- Net income was EUR 130.6 (129.7) million and earnings per share was EUR 0.94 (0.99).
- Operating cash flow was EUR 188.3 (182.8) million.
- The AGM in May approved dividend to shareholders of EUR 88.5 (59.7) million, corresponding to EUR 0.645 (0.436) per share. The first of two installments was distributed to the shareholders in June.
CEO COMMENT
Yet again new record levels in revenue and EBIT in the third quarter
The high customer activity continued during the third quarter with new record levels in customer deposits and gaming turnover. Yet again Betsson reports quarterly records in revenue and EBIT, which means the eleventh quarter in a row with sequential growth on the EBIT level.
Group revenue increased by 18 percent and EBIT increased by 15 percent. Growth was broad based with sustained high activity in the regions Latin America, Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA). The share of revenue from locally regulated markets continues to increase and amounted to 58 (45) percent in the quarter.
The sportsbook margin was 7.4 (7.3) percent during the quarter, which is in line with the average margin over the past eight quarters. I note with pleasure Betsson's continued involvement in sports during the past quarter. In addition to the important sponsorship deal with Inter, it can be mentioned that the first jersey sponsorship agreement was signed in the Greek top league in football, with the club Crete FC. In addition, the sponsorship contract with the Greek basketball club AEK Betsson BC was extended. Betsson also sponsored the ATP Swedish Open tennis tournament in Båstad in July, which was a great crowd success as Rafael Nadal returned for the first time since his victory in 2005 and made it all the way to the final in what seems to have been his last ATP tournament ever.
In the area of product and technology, further development of our platform continued while a large number of new casino games were released during the quarter. New sports were launched in our betbuilder function within the sportsbook, as well as new features to strengthen cross-selling between sports betting and casino. A lot of preparatory work was done before this summer's major football tournaments, so I am particularly pleased to see the 100 percent uptime for the sportsbook during all the matches in both the Euros and Copa America. In August, an agreement was entered with the French gaming operator FDJ about the acquisition of Sporting Solution, which for many years has been an important supplier of trading, pricing, and sports betting risk-management services to Betsson's sportsbook. The acquisition will primarily contribute with faster and more flexible odds setting, stronger risk management and enhanced scalability for the sportsbook product for both B2C and B2B.
Our business continues to generate strong cashflows and the balance sheet is solid. In September, we refinanced the 2022/2025 bond with a new three-year senior unsecured bond of EUR 100 million at a floating rate of 325 basis points above EURIBOR, which is half the credit spread compared to the refinanced bond.
After several years of delay, Brazil will introduce a new gaming regulation in January 2025 and during the past quarter we submitted our application for a local license. The potential market in Brazil is large while competition is expected to be tough with many operators willing to invest large amounts in marketing. As always for Betsson, we will carefully evaluate and compare the likely returns on marketing in Brazil with other countries in order to find the right mix and allocation of investments between our markets. The focus on efficient capital allocation is and has always been an important part of our strategy to create shareholder value.
The fourth quarter is off to a positive start with 14 percent higher daily revenue than the average for the full fourth quarter last year. Hence there is reason to feel confidence about the last quarter of the year, which is usually also the seasonally strongest quarter for customer activity.
PRESENTATION OF THE INTERIM REPORT
Today, 24 October 2024, at 10:00 CEST, Betsson invites analysts, investors, and media to participate in the presentation of the interim report for the third quarter 2024. The report will be presented by CEO Pontus Lindwall and CFO Martin Öhman. The presentation will be held in English, followed by a Q&A session. Participants are welcome to join via the webcast or telephone conference, see details below.
Link to the webcast:
https://ir.financialhearings.com/betsson-q3-report-2024/register
Link with information on how to participate in the telephone conference:
https://financialhearings.com/event/49078
For further information, please contact:
Pontus Lindwall, President and CEO Betsson AB
pontus.lindwall@betssonab.com
Martin Öhman, CFO Betsson AB
martin.ohman@betssonab.com
Roland Glasfors, VP Communications & Investor Relations Betsson AB
+46 760 024 863
roland.glasfors@betssonab.com
This information is information that Betsson AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 07:30 CEST on 24 October, 2024.
About Betsson AB
Betsson AB is an engaged owner of fast-growing companies in the online gaming industry. We are one of the largest online gaming groups worldwide and have the ambition to grow faster than the market, organically and through acquisitions. Growth should be generated in a profitable and sustainable manner. Betsson AB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Large Cap (BETS-B).
