Gambling in the USA
Gambling.com Group Reports 2021 Financial Results
Gambling.com Group Limited, a leading provider of digital marketing services for the global online gambling industry, today announced its operating and financial results for the year and the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021.
2021 Financial Highlights
- North American revenue grew 89% to $7.5 million compared to $4.0 million for the prior year
- Revenue of $42.3 million grew 51% compared to $28.0 million for the prior year
- Net income of $12.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $15.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the prior year
- Adjusted EBITDA of $18.4 million increased 26% compared to $14.6 million for the prior year, representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 43%1
- Free cash flow of $8.4 million decreased 22% compared to $10.8 million for the prior year1
Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights
- North American revenue grew 56% to $2.2 million compared to $1.4 million in the same period for the prior year
- Revenue of $10.3 million remained consistent to $10.3 million in the same period for the prior year
- Net income of $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $8.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in the same period for the prior year
- Adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 million decreased 63% compared to $6.1 million in the same period for the prior year, representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 22%1
- Free cash flow of $(1.8 million) compared to $3.5 million for the prior year1
Business Highlights
- Completed successful public listing of ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Market in July 2021 under the ticker symbol “GAMB”
- Named the 2021 EGR Affiliate of the Year and 2021 SBC North America Casino Affiliate of the Year
- Delivered 117,000 new depositing customers in 2021 compared to 104,000 in 2020
- Launched several new U.S.- facing websites during 2021 and acquired an incredibly strong portfolio of U.S. specific domain names
- Announced the acquisition of RotoWire.com – a leader in U.S online fantasy sports – in December 2021 to leverage RotoWire’s high-quality traffic and drive substantial incremental sports betting affiliate revenue in the U.S., the acquisition was completed on January 1, 2022
- Announced media partnership with McClatchy in January 2022 to monetize the McClatchy portfolio of digital media assets through sports betting in 29 markets across 14 states
- Successfully entered the New York and Louisiana markets in January 2022
- Announced acquisition of BonusFinder.com in February 2022 to better position the Group for the upcoming market launch in Ontario and further strengthening the Group’s North American presence
“We grew our revenue in 2021 by 51% compared to the prior year, delivered an EBITDA margin of 43% and generated over $8 million of free cash flow as many other industry players struggled to find a path to sustainable profitability,” said Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Gambling.com Group. “As we look towards 2022, we are encouraged by the strongest start to a year we have seen in our 15-year history. Helped by launches in New York and Louisiana, January was our best-single month performance ever – even before consolidating financial results from our recent acquisitions. Just in January, we have seen the total addressable market in North America expand by leaps and bounds and there is a clear path to additional state launches this year, along with the impending launch of Ontario next month. As B2C operators in the U.S. seek a path to sustainable profitability and evaluate their marketing spend going forward, we believe that the affiliate model is ideally positioned to provide operators with more effective, higher ROI investments where they can clearly attribute the source, profitability and lifetime value of a referred player. We view this shift as greatly benefitting the value of our performance marketing revenue model, and we are confident that these tailwinds support what we expect to be another year of record performance for the Group.”
2022 Outlook
Based on currently available information, the Group estimates that, for the full year 2022:
- Total revenue will be in the range of $71 million and $76 million; and
- Adjusted EBITDA will be in the range $22 million and $27 million1
Elias Mark, Chief Financial Officer of Gambling.com Group, added, “Our expectation for another year of record revenue and Adjusted EBITDA is supported primarily by our premier domain portfolio and our growing presence in the U.S. achieved through continuous investments in U.S-facing assets. Organic growth in North America is complemented by our recent acquisitions of RotoWire.com and BonusFinder.com as well as our initiatives to further our leadership in the more established markets that we currently serve. As we have stated, our Adjusted EBITDA margin may deviate from target in the short-term as we strategically invest to strengthen our U.S. footprint, which is reflected in our 2022 outlook. Nonetheless, our profitability metrics remain among the very best in the industry, and our free cash flow generation more than covers our organic growth initiatives and the acquisition of domain names and other assets. We entered 2022 on strong financial footing and are off to the best start to a year in the Company history led by strong growth in North America. We grew total revenue profitably by 51% in 2021 and we look forward to accelerate that rate of profitable growth in 2022.”
2021 – 2023 Financial Targets |
||
|
|
|
Total Revenue Growth |
|
> Average 40% |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 |
|
> Average 40% |
Leverage2 |
|
< Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA 2.5x3 |
1 Adjusted figures represent non-IFRS information. See “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” and the tables at the end of this release for an explanation of the adjustments and reconciliations to the comparable IFRS numbers.
2Â Leverage is defined as Net Debt as a proportion of Adjusted EBITDA.
3Â Net Debt is defined as Borrowings less Cash and Cash Equivalents.
2021 vs. 2020 Financial Highlights |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, except for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF |
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Operating expenses |
|
|
(30,931 |
) |
|
|
(16,849 |
) |
|
|
(14,082 |
) |
|
|
84 |
% |
Operating profit |
|
|
11,392 |
|
|
|
11,131 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
Income before tax |
|
|
12,164 |
|
|
|
10,752 |
|
|
|
1,412 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
Net income for the period attributable to the |
|
|
12,453 |
|
|
|
15,151 |
|
|
|
(2,698 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
(0.15 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
)% |
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, except Adjusted EBITDA Margin, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
18,356 |
|
|
|
14,608 |
|
|
|
3,748 |
|
|
|
26 |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
|
|
43 |
% |
|
|
52 |
% |
|
n/m |
|
|
n/m |
|
||
Free Cash Flow |
|
|
8,423 |
|
|
|
10,804 |
|
|
|
(2,381 |
) |
|
|
(22 |
)% |
n/m = not meaningful
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
New Depositing Customers (1) |
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
- We define New Depositing Customers, or NDCs, as unique referral of a player from our system to one of our customers that satisfied an agreed metric (typically making a deposit above a minimum threshold) with the customer, thereby triggering the right to a commission for us.
Revenue
Total revenue increased 51% to $42.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $28.0 million for the prior year. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased $13.4 million, or 46%. Revenue growth was organic. The increase was driven by both growth in NDCs and improved monetization of NDCs that we attribute to a combination of technology improvements and changes in product and market mix. NDCs increased 13% to 117,000 compared to 104,000 in the prior year.
Our revenue disaggregated by market is as follows:
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
U.K. and Ireland |
|
|
21,391 |
|
|
|
16,189 |
|
|
|
5,202 |
|
|
|
32 |
% |
Other Europe |
|
|
10,800 |
|
|
|
5,252 |
|
|
|
5,548 |
|
|
|
106 |
% |
North America |
|
|
7,484 |
|
|
|
3,959 |
|
|
|
3,525 |
|
|
|
89 |
% |
Rest of the world |
|
|
2,648 |
|
|
|
2,580 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Revenue increases were primarily driven by growth in revenue from the U.K. and Ireland, Other Europe, and North America.
Our revenue disaggregated by monetization is as follows:
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Hybrid commission |
|
|
15,616 |
|
|
|
14,738 |
|
|
|
878 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
Revenue share commission |
|
|
3,596 |
|
|
|
3,308 |
|
|
|
288 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
CPA commission |
|
|
18,591 |
|
|
|
9,047 |
|
|
|
9,544 |
|
|
|
105 |
% |
Other revenue |
|
|
4,520 |
|
|
|
887 |
|
|
|
3,633 |
|
|
|
410 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Revenue increases were driven primarily by additional Cost Per Acquisition, or CPA, commission and Other revenue. The increase in Other revenue was driven by bonuses related to achieving certain operator NDC performance targets and fixed fees.
Our revenue disaggregated by product type from which it is derived is as follows:
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Casino |
|
|
35,632 |
|
|
|
24,135 |
|
|
|
11,497 |
|
|
|
48 |
% |
Sports |
|
|
6,188 |
|
|
|
3,210 |
|
|
|
2,978 |
|
|
|
93 |
% |
Other |
|
|
503 |
|
|
|
635 |
|
|
|
(132 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
)% |
Total revenues |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Revenue increases were driven by growth in revenue from casino and sports products.
Operating Expenses
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
|
|
14,067 |
|
|
|
8,103 |
|
|
|
5,964 |
|
|
|
74 |
% |
Technology expenses |
|
|
3,947 |
|
|
|
2,503 |
|
|
|
1,444 |
|
|
|
58 |
% |
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
13,014 |
|
|
|
5,956 |
|
|
|
7,058 |
|
|
|
119 |
% |
Movements in credit losses allowance and write offs |
|
|
(97 |
) |
|
|
287 |
|
|
|
(384 |
) |
|
|
(134 |
)% |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
30,931 |
|
|
|
16,849 |
|
|
|
14,082 |
|
|
|
84 |
% |
Total operating expenses increased by $14.1 million to $30.9 million compared to $16.8 million in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, operating expenses increased by $13.5 million, or 77%. The increase was driven primarily by increased headcount across Sales and Marketing, Technology, and General and Administrative functions as we invest in the Company’s organic growth initiatives as well as increased administrative expenses associated with operating as a public company.
Sales and Marketing expenses totaled $14.1 million compared to $8.1 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount.
Technology expenses totaled $4.0 million compared to $2.5 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount partially offset by capitalized development costs.
General and Administrative expenses totaled $13.0 million compared to $6.0 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount, professional services, and insurance expenses.
Earnings
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 26% to $18.4 million compared to $14.6 million in the prior year representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 43%. The increase was driven primarily by increased revenue partly offset by increased operating expenses.
Operating profit remained relatively constant at $11.4 million compared to $11.1 million in 2020. Operating profit in 2021 was affected by non-recurring costs related to the public offering and future acquisitions by $2.6 million, and share based payments costs by $ 2.0 million ($0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in 2020).
Net income totaled $12.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to net income of $15.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in the prior year. Net income in 2020 was positively affected by the recognition of deferred tax assets of $5.4 million and gain from bonds’ redemption of $1.4 million ($1.8 million and zero, respectively, in 2021).
Free Cash-flow
Total cash generated from operations of $14.0 million increased 28% compared to $10.9 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased adjusted EBITDA. Free cash flow totaled $8.4 million compared to $10.8 million in the prior year. The decline was the result of increased cash flow generated from operations offset by increased capital expenditures consisting primarily of the acquisition of domain names and capitalized development costs.
Balance Sheet |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
AS OF |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands, USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
51,047 |
|
|
|
8,225 |
|
|
|
42,822 |
|
|
|
521 |
% |
Working capital (2) |
|
|
46,714 |
|
|
|
10,059 |
|
|
|
36,655 |
|
|
|
364 |
% |
Total assets |
|
|
91,025 |
|
|
|
45,383 |
|
|
|
45,642 |
|
|
|
101 |
% |
Total borrowings |
|
|
5,944 |
|
|
|
5,960 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(0 |
)% |
Total liabilities |
|
|
11,116 |
|
|
|
11,171 |
|
|
|
(55 |
) |
|
|
(0 |
)% |
Total equity |
|
|
79,909 |
|
|
|
34,212 |
|
|
|
45,697 |
|
|
|
134 |
% |
- Working capital is defined as total current assets minus total current liabilities.
n/m = not meaningful
Cash balances as of December 31, 2021 totaled $51.0 million, an increase of $42.8 million compared to $8.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Working capital as of December 31, 2021 totaled $46.7 million, an increase of $36.6 million compared to $10.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
Total assets as of December 31, 2021 were $91.0 million compared to $45.4 million as of December 31, 2020. Total borrowings, including accrued interest, remained constant at $5.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Total liabilities decreased slightly as of December 31, 2021 to $11.1 million compared to $11.2 million as of December 31, 2020.
Total equity as of December 31, 2021 was $79.9 million compared to $34.2 million as of December 31, 2020.
The increases in working capital, total assets, and total equity were driven primarily by the net proceeds received from the IPO and operating profit and net income generated by the Company.
Fourth Quarter 2021 vs. Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, except for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF |
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Operating expenses |
|
|
(9,668 |
) |
|
|
(5,897 |
) |
|
|
(3,771 |
) |
|
|
64 |
% |
Operating profit |
|
|
623 |
|
|
|
4,370 |
|
|
|
(3,747 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
)% |
Income before tax |
|
|
1,311 |
|
|
|
3,489 |
|
|
|
(2,178 |
) |
|
|
(62 |
)% |
Net income for the period attributable to the |
|
|
867 |
|
|
|
8,541 |
|
|
|
(7,674 |
) |
|
|
(90 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
(94 |
)% |
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
2,272 |
|
|
|
6,115 |
|
|
|
(3,843 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
)% |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
60 |
% |
|
n/m |
|
|
|
(38 |
)% |
|
Free Cash Flow |
|
|
(1,811 |
) |
|
|
3,533 |
|
|
|
(5,344 |
) |
|
|
(151 |
)% |
n/m = not meaningful
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
New Depositing Customers (1) |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
)% |
- We define New Depositing Customers, or NDCs, as unique referral of a player from our system to one of our customers that satisfied an agreed metric (typically making a deposit above a minimum threshold) with the customer, thereby triggering the right to a commission for us.
Revenue
Total revenue in the fourth quarter remained relatively constant at $10.3 million. On a constant currency basis, revenue remained relatively constant. NDCs decreased 20% to 28,000 compared to 35,000 in the prior year. We attribute the improved monetization of NDCs to a combination of technology improvements and changes in product and market mix.
Our revenue disaggregated by market is as follows:
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
U.K. and Ireland |
|
|
5,226 |
|
|
|
5,780 |
|
|
|
(554 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
)% |
Other Europe |
|
|
2,260 |
|
|
|
2,299 |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
)% |
North America |
|
|
2,154 |
|
|
|
1,383 |
|
|
|
771 |
|
|
|
56 |
% |
Rest of the world |
|
|
651 |
|
|
|
805 |
|
|
|
(154 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
)% |
Total revenues |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Changes in revenue were driven by strong organic growth in our North American markets, offset by a decline in the U.K. and Ireland and, to a lesser extent, Other Europe and Rest of the world. U.K. and Ireland revenue was negatively affected by higher than usual volatility in organic search traffic. In the comparable period, U.K. and Ireland revenue was positively affected by increased demand coinciding with restrictive Covid-19 measures. Other Europe was negatively affected by regulatory changes in Germany implemented in July 2021 partly offset by growth in revenue from other European markets.
Our revenue disaggregated by monetization is as follows:
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Hybrid commission |
|
|
2,935 |
|
|
|
5,557 |
|
|
|
(2,622 |
) |
|
|
(47 |
)% |
Revenue share commission |
|
|
744 |
|
|
|
1,004 |
|
|
|
(260 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
)% |
CPA commission |
|
|
5,202 |
|
|
|
3,271 |
|
|
|
1,931 |
|
|
|
59 |
% |
Other revenue |
|
|
1,410 |
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
|
975 |
|
|
|
224 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Revenue from CPA commission and Other revenue increased whereas revenue from hybrid and revenue share commission decreased. The changes in monetization were primarily a result of changes in market mix with a higher proportion of revenue from the U.S compared to the previous year. The increase in Other revenue was driven primarily by bonuses related to achieving certain operator NDC performance targets and fixed fees.
Our revenue disaggregated by product type from which it is derived is as follows:
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Casino |
|
|
8,466 |
|
|
|
8,846 |
|
|
|
(380 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
)% |
Sports |
|
|
1,769 |
|
|
|
1,160 |
|
|
|
609 |
|
|
|
53 |
% |
Other |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
(205 |
) |
|
|
(79 |
)% |
Total revenues |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Revenue increases were driven by growth in revenue from sports products offset by a decrease in casino and other revenue.
Operating Expenses
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
|
|
4,632 |
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
|
|
2,190 |
|
|
|
90 |
% |
Technology expenses |
|
|
1,190 |
|
|
|
798 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
49 |
% |
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
3,877 |
|
|
|
2,609 |
|
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
|
49 |
% |
Movements in credit losses allowance and write offs |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
(165 |
)% |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
9,668 |
|
|
|
5,897 |
|
|
|
3,771 |
|
|
|
64 |
% |
Total operating expenses increased by $3.8 million to $9.7 million compared to $5.9 million in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, operating expenses increased by $3.6 million, or 58%. The increase was driven primarily by headcount across Sales and Marketing, Technology, and General and Administrative functions as we invest in the Company’s organic growth initiatives as well as increased administrative expenses associated with operating as a public company.
Sales and Marketing expenses totaled $4.6 million compared to $2.4 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount.
Technology expenses totaled $1.2 million compared to $0.8 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount partially offset by capitalized development costs.
General and Administrative expenses totaled $3.9 million compared to $2.6 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount, professional services, and insurance expenses.
Earnings
Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 63% to $2.3 million compared to $6.1 million in the prior year representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 22%. The decrease was driven by increased operating expenses.
Operating profit in the fourth quarter decreased 86% to $0.6 million compared to $4.4 million in 2020. The decrease was driven primarily by a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and an increase in share-based payments expense.
Net income in the fourth quarter totaled $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in the prior year. Net income in the forth quarter 2021 was positively affected by a USD/Euro foreign currency exchange gain of $1.1 million (zero in 2020). While net income in the fourth quarter of 2020 was positively affected by the recognition of deferred tax assets of $5.4 million (deferred tax asset reduction of $0.2 million in 2021).
Gambling in the USA
New Trade Association Launches Unprecedented Effort to Strengthen Responsible Online Gaming, Promote Best Practices
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an independent trade association launched by seven of the largest U.S. legal mobile gaming companies, will actively promote a new industry-wide best practices charter, overseen by one of the world’s foremost experts in the field of responsible gaming (RG).
This unprecedented effort will be led by Dr. Jennifer Shatley, a deeply respected responsible gaming executive with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. She will serve as ROGA’s full-time Executive Director, and her role will be to facilitate widespread education to all relevant parties on the subject of responsible gaming.
ROGA will embark on a series of initiatives under Dr. Shatley’s direction. These include research, consumer and industry responsible gaming education and awareness, promoting responsible gaming best practices, an independent data clearinghouse, and an independent certification program.
Demonstrating their commitment to this endeavor, initial member companies – who together represent more than 85% of the legalized online sports betting and iGaming industry – have pledged more than $20 million in support of ROGA’s mission in year one. ROGA’s member companies include BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital, and PENN Entertainment.
“I am humbled, honored, and excited to be selected to lead ROGA during this important period of growth in legalized mobile gaming. Many of America’s largest legal mobile gaming operators will be establishing a framework that helps to aid in responsible gaming education and awareness. Together, our members will work alongside researchers, experts, regulators and stakeholders to promote responsible online gaming and maximize our efforts to support additional responsible gaming education and awareness. By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming,” said Dr. Shatley.
Compliance Updates
Play’n GO awarded Pennsylvania license 
Play’n GO has continued on its upward trajectory in North America by landing its latest US iGaming licenses and will soon supply its award-winning content portfolio to operators and players in Pennsylvania and Delaware
These licenses are the fifth and sixth obtained by the Swedish gaming giants in the USA, following New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, and Connecticut.
Play’n GO have taken a dual-pronged approach to its strategy in North America, with these US licenses being complimented by the company’s success north of the border in Canada, where Play’n GO was one of the first suppliers to be licensed to supply slot games in the province of Ontario.
Although early in its American journey, Play’n GO games such as Piggy Blitz, make regular appearances in the top 15 most popular titles in all of North America*.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer for Play’n GO, said: “Play’n GO content is the most conducive to player retention across the industry. With player acquisition costs sky high in the US, we’re pleased to be able to offer operators in Pennsylvania access to our content which will keep players coming back for more.
“We are determined to be the number one casino gaming supplier in every regulated market in the world, and given that we are thriving in more than 25 jurisdictions around the world where we have a license, we fully expect a similar success story in Pennsylvania in the coming years.”
Play’n GO is set to release more than 50 online slot titles in 2024 and is active in more than 25 regulated jurisdictions worldwide, including Ontario, New Jersey, Michigan and West Virginia in North America.
Gambling in the USA
Lightning Box concocts scientific experiment with new release Experi-MENTAL
 Light & Wonder, Inc. (NASDAQ and ASX: LNW) (together with its subsidiaries, “Light & Wonder” or “L&W”) announced the launch of its new game, Experi-MENTAL, stacked with features, modifiers and a clash with the mad scientist.
Experi-MENTAL has two in-game features to enhance the overall player experience.
This 3×5 title, exhibits the distinctive Expanding Wild Feature, which can award huge prizes for players should the Wild Brain symbol expand and replicate by five times during the Free Games round.
When players enter the mad scientist’s lab, they will stumble across the Upgrading Feature, which zaps the 9, 10, J, Q, K or A symbols into high-paying icons, including Test Tubes, Power Switch, Cat, Pug or Man. The wins are then accumulated and paid out once the reels have stopped spinning.
The Barrel Pick Feature can radio-activate the feature by awarding an extra 15 Free Games, as players are presented with highly dangerous barrels with an unknown material.
A meter appears when players select a barrel, with a red area and a green area in view. Landing on the meter’s green area ensures the Free Games round is triggered and additional games are awarded but landing in the red zone activates only the round itself.
The classic Free Games mode is unlocked when Scatter symbols appear, with five Scatters granting the maximum of 10 Free Games and the Barrel Pick Feature. During the round, Free Games can be retriggered at any time.
Experi-MENTAL is set to go live with Caesars in New Jersey, Michigan and Ontario initially, and will be available at a later date to customers of Light & Wonder’s industry-leading OPENGAMING™ platform.
 Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box, said: “Experi-MENTAL is one Wacky slot game, and we believe it can propel our slots onto the next level.
 “During this game, players can unlock some new features, which add a dramatic element to this slot and classic round that are a cornerstone of Lightning Box’s portfolio. We are in no doubt will love taking on the mad scientist in this epic title.”
 Rob Procter, VP of Game Development at Light & Wonder, said: “2024 is going to be a big year for Lightning Box and the launch of Experi-MENTAL gives players the opportunity to showcase this thrilling game.
 “With a variety of different features exhibited on this captivating title, it sets Lightning Box apart from its competitors, ensuring the player experience is unrivalled.”
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