Press Releases
PlayIllinois.com: Sports betting hits 10-month low in July
The volume of sports betting in Illinois further slowed in July, slumping to the lowest level in the state since September 2020 with $369 million in online and retail wagering. July typically marks the end of the seasonal slowdown that affects every major U.S. sports betting market, but in-person registration requirements in Illinois could dampen the football-fueled ramp up that other states will enjoy, according to PlayIllinois, which tracks the stateās regulated online gaming and sports betting market.
āIllinois sportsbooks will not be able to take full advantage of the customer acquisition phase that comes with the beginning of every football season, which is vital for the growth of the industry,ā said Joe Boozell, lead analyst for PlayIllinois.com. āBecause in-person registration was reinstated in April at the beginning of the slow season in sports betting, the industry has skirted the most severe effects of the state rule. But there will be no hiding from it during football season.ā
Bettors made $369.1 million in wagers at Illinoisā retail and online sportsbooks in July, down 22.5% from $476.5 million in June, according to official data released Thursday. The day-by-day pace of betting fell to $11.9 million over the 31 days of July from $15.9 million over the 30 days of June.
Year over year, handle was up 603% from $52.5 million in July 2020, a month that marked the relaunch of sports betting in the state after the pandemic-related shutdown of major U.S. sports. July is typically the slowest betting month of the year in the U.S., marking the low point in U.S. betting in 2018, 2019, and now in 2021. Despite the slowdown, Illinois remained No. 3 in July in terms of betting volume, surpassed only by New Jersey ($578.7 million) and Nevada ($409.9 million).
Accordingly, gross gaming revenue fell 22.6% to $37.3 million from $48.2 million in June. That produced $37.6 million in adjusted gross revenue, yielding $6.1 million in state and local taxes. At 10.1%, the marketās hold, which is the percentage sportsbooks keep after paying out winning bets, remains relatively high.
āJuly features fewer prime betting opportunities and casual bettors are more occupied with vacations and other activities, and there isnāt much sportsbooks can do about that,ā said Eric Ramsey, analyst for the PlayUSA.com network, which includes PlayIllinois.com. āIllinois sportsbooks have done well by increasing their hold over the summer months, which puts operators in a good position as casual bettors return.ā
Baseball was the most bet-on sport for the first time this year, drawing $124.0 million of action in July. That was down from $126.7 million in June, even with the excitement over the success of the Chicago White Sox. The NBA Finals fueled $42.5 million in basketball betting, down from $126.9 million in June. Parlay betting ($79.7 million), tennis ($43.9 million), and soccer ($34.1 million) all contributed significantly to Julyās handle, too.
July also marked the first time Olympics betting was made possible, not just in Illinois but in most legal markets in the U.S. Although Illinois does not report bets specific to the Olympics, anecdotally, it appears that the events in Japan did not draw widespread interest.
āWith events held in the middle of the night in many cases and sports that are a bit unfamiliar to bettors, the Olympics did not appear to draw a lot of wagering,ā Ramsey said. āIn the end, the traditional team sports are still by far the largest draw for bettors, which is why football is so important for sportsbooks.ā
Julyās wagering included $351.4 million in online bets, or 95.2% of the wagers made during the month. DraftKings/Casino Queen topped Illinois again with $122.7 million in combined online and retail handle, down from $160.2 million in June, and $120.5 million of Julyās bets came online. In all, DraftKings generated $9.5 million in gross gaming revenue.
FanDuel was not far behind with $118.5 million in online and retail wagers, down from $156.3 million in bets in June. $118.0 million of Julyās betting came online. It all resulted in a market-topping $15.5 million in gross gaming revenue.
The leaders were followed by:
- BetRivers/Rivers Casino ($68.0 million in wagers, including $58.7 million online; $6.1 million in revenue)
- PointsBet/Hawthorne Race Course ($28.5 million in wagers, including $26.9 million online; $2.7 million in revenue)
- Barstool/Hollywood Aurora ($23.5 million in wagers, including $22.7 million online; $2.2 million in revenue)
- Caesars by William Hill/Grand Victoria ($5.3 million in wagers, including $4.6 million online; $853,946 in revenue)
- Argosy ($1.7 million in retail wagers; $334,226 in revenue)
- Hollywood Joliet ($638,683 in wagers; $107,897 in revenue)
- Par-A-Dice ($287,446 in wagers; -$16,491 in revenue)
āFanDuel continues to wring out an impressive amount of revenue from the bets it takes in,ā Boozell said. āDraftKings answered with Same Game Parlays, which could help bridge the revenue gap with FanDuel. That fierce competition between the two market leaders will only grow during football season, with younger operators limited in their ability to make significant gains on the leaders with in-person registration in place.ā
For more revenue information, visit PlayIllinois.com/revenue.
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Galaxy GamingĀ® and IGT PlayDigital Announce Five-Year Licensing Agreement for Table Game Content
Galaxy Gaming, Inc. announced a licensing arrangement with leading North American global iGaming content and services supplier IGT PlayDigitalā¢. IGT PlayDigital will license Galaxy’s premium table game content for IGT PlayDigitalās online content portfolio under a five-year agreement.
āIām delighted to bring Galaxy games back to our valued partners at IGT,ā said Jason McCulloch, Vice President of iGaming at Galaxy Gaming. āOur products complement each other strategically and given the impressive performance of IGT PlayDigitalās table games, I’m confident that Galaxy Gaming titles will drive further growth and success for both companies.
Under the agreement Galaxy’s popular online brands, including 21+3Ā®, Perfect PairsĀ®, Buster BlackjackĀ®, Lucky LuckyĀ®, Lucky LadiesĀ® and Caribbean StudĀ® ā will continue to strengthen IGT PlayDigitalās already high-performing online table games portfolio.
āIGT PlayDigital is pleased to enhance our market-leading iGaming content portfolio with popular online table games from Galaxy Gaming,ā said Gil Rotem, IGT PlayDigital President. āAs evidenced by IGT PlayDigitalās high performing āIGT Blackjackā game, players around the world readily enjoy table games on their PCs and mobile devices and we believe this content expansion will help our customers engage players and differentiate their offerings.ā
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ACR POKERāS LIGHTNING PKOS DELIVER FAST-PACED TOURNAMENT POKER ACTION AND BIG WINS IN JUST 45 MINUTES
Poker players looking for lightning-fast tournament poker action are heading to ACR Poker. The popular global poker site is bringing the heat with Lightning PKOsāa rapid progressive knockout tournament format that delivers high-speed play and big knockout prizes in tournaments that last just 45 minutes.
āIf youāre a family man like me, finding time to play tournaments can be a challenge,ā said ACR Pro and poker legend Chris Moneymaker. āACR Pokerās Lightning PKOs are perfect for time-starved players who love fast-paced poker action and big knockout rewards without the long grind. Whether youāre playing on mobile or desktop, thereās 45-minute tournaments running around the clock, making it easy to find a game and join the excitement anytime.ā
Running 24/7, Lightning PKOs give players the flexibility to jump into the action at any time. With buy-ins ranging from $0.11 up to $31.50, these tournaments cater to every bankroll while providing the chance to play for instant knockout bounties. With 20 minutes of late registration, players can join on the fly without missing out.
Unlike traditional poker tournaments that can last for hours, Lightning PKOs keep the action moving, with every tournament wrapping up in just 45 minutes. Players start with 10 big blinds and every knockout results in an instant cash prize. With more players joining daily, the prize pools continue to grow, offering even greater rewards in every tournament.
Lightning PKOs are now available as part of ACR Pokerās recently revamped tournament schedule, giving players the chance to jump in and play anytime, anywhere.
In addition to the high-energy Lightning PKOs, players can experience even more action at ACR Poker throughout March and April. The Online Super Series runs until Monday, March 31st, featuring $25 million in guarantees and a $35,000 Leaderboard Contest. Players can also jump into the $12 million guaranteed Dual Venom tournaments starting Sunday, April 13th and secure their $2,650 seat for as little as $0 through the Venom Vault and Venom Fever Satellites.
2025 Guidance Mid-points Imply 35% and 40% Year-Over-Year Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Growth
Gambling.com Group Limited, a fast-growing provider of digital marketing services for the global online gambling industry, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2024.
Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Gambling.com Group, commented, āOur record fourth quarter and full-year results were driven by our teamās prioritization of iGaming across the markets where we operate. Our team delivered outstanding performance in the quarter, especially when compared to the launch driven results in the prior-year period. We anticipate growth and continued market share gains in our performance marketing business across all geographic regions in 2025, including North America. The consolidation of Odds Holdings, Inc. from January 1st marks the start of the Companyās next phase of growth as we layer on sports data solutions to our existing, high-growth, high-margin business. Our competitive positioning is strong across the globe.ā
āWe capped an active and productive year during which we set the stage for continued strong growth in 2025 and beyond,ā said Mr. Gillespie. āIn 2024, we extended our record of delivering full-year revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow growth with those metrics improving 17%, 33%, and 81%, respectively, year-over-year. In addition, we strengthened our product and market positioning organically as well as through the complementary, accretive acquisitions of Freebets.com and Odds Holdings. With the biggest and most talented team we have ever had and an enhanced product offering, we are making great progress towards our goal of reaching $100 million in annual Adjusted EBITDA.ā
Elias Mark, Chief Financial Officer of Gambling.com Group, added, āFourth quarter revenue and Adjusted EBITDA increased 9% and 39% year-over-year, respectively, and over 80% of Adjusted EBITDA converted to free cash flow, reflecting the continued success of our strategies to optimize the returns from our global portfolio of owned and operated assets. As expected, we generated strong online casino growth across all our geographical regions, while our North American business continued to be resilient against challenging comparables. As reflected in our full-year guidance, we expect to generate significant year-over-year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025, and we are well-positioned to carry this operating momentum forward.ā
Financial Highlights Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 vs. Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
(USD in thousands, except per share data, unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Change |
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% |
|||
|
Revenue |
35,308 |
|
|
32,530 |
|
|
9 |
% |
|
Net income for the period attributable to shareholders |
7,933 |
|
|
6,372 |
|
|
24 |
% |
|
Net income per share attributable to shareholders, diluted |
0.23 |
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
44 |
% |
|
Net income margin |
22 |
% |
|
20 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income for the period attributable to shareholders (1) |
12,172 |
|
|
8,622 |
|
|
41 |
% |
|
Adjusted net income per share attributable to shareholders, diluted (1) |
0.35 |
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
59 |
% |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (1) |
14,736 |
|
|
10,569 |
|
|
39 |
% |
|
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1) |
42 |
% |
|
32 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows generated by operating activities |
13,698 |
|
|
7,140 |
|
|
92 |
% |
|
Free Cash Flow (1) |
13,162 |
|
|
6,511 |
|
|
102 |
% |
|
__________ |
|
(1) Represents a non-IFRS measure. See āSupplemental Information – Non-IFRS Financial Measuresā and the tables at the end of this release for reconciliations to the comparable IFRS numbers. |
Fourth Quarter 2024 and Recent Business Highlights
- Delivered more than 145,000 new depositing customers (āNDCsā)
- Repurchased 486,312 shares at an average price of $9.80 per share
- Won Casino Affiliate of the Year at the 2024 EGR Operator Awards
- Completed accretive acquisition of Odds Holdings, Inc. on January 1, 2025 for initial consideration of $70 million in cash and $10 million in shares
- Expanded credit facility to $165 million with a new syndicate
Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Results Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
Revenue rose 9% year-over-year to a record $35.3 million. The Company delivered more than 145,000 NDCs to clients, a 9% year-over-year decrease reflecting a challenging comparison primarily due to ESPNBetās launch in 17 markets in the 2023 fourth quarter period.
Gross profit increased 21% to $33.1 million, due to strong revenue growth and a $2.9 million year-over-year decrease in cost of sales related to the Company’s media partnerships.
Total operating expenses increased 21% to $23.3 million, primarily as a result of increased people costs and higher amortization related to the acquisition of Freebets.com and related assets.
Net income attributable to shareholders increased $1.6 million to $7.9 million and net income per share was $0.23 compared to $0.16 in the prior year period. Adjusted net income rose 41% to $12.2 million and adjusted net income per share increased 59% to $0.35.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 39% to a record $14.7 million, reflecting an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 42% as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $10.6 million and an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 32% in the prior-year period.
Operating cash flow of $13.7 million compared to $7.1 million in the prior-year period. Free cash flow grew 102% to $13.2 million reflecting growth in net income and Adjusted EBITDA and positive working capital movements in the quarter.
2025 Outlook
Gambling.com Group today reiterated the 2025 full-year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance originally provided on February 19, 2025. The Company expects full year revenue of $170 million to $174 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $67 million to $69 million. The midpoints of the new full year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance ranges represent year-over-year growth of 35% and 40%, respectively, and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 39.5%.
The Companyās guidance assumes:
- Incremental Adjusted EBITDA contributions of approximately $14.5 million related to the acquisition of Odds Holdings, Inc. that was completed on January 1, 2025.
- No additional North American markets coming online over the balance of 2025. While online sports betting is expected to begin in Missouri in the second half of 2025, the Companyās guidance policy excludes any benefits from new state launches until such time as a definitive start date is announced by the appropriate regulatory body.
- An average EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.07 throughout 2025.
Financial Highlights Full Year Ended December 31, 2024 vs. Full Year Ended December 31, 2023
(USD in thousands, except per share data, unaudited)
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
Change |
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
% |
|||
|
Revenue |
127,182 |
|
|
108,652 |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
Net income for the period attributable to shareholders |
30,679 |
|
|
18,260 |
|
|
68 |
% |
|
Net income per share attributable to shareholders, diluted |
0.84 |
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
79 |
% |
|
Net income margin |
24 |
% |
|
17 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income for the period attributable to shareholders (1) |
42,120 |
|
|
32,207 |
|
|
31 |
% |
|
Adjusted net income per share attributable to shareholders, diluted (1) |
1.16 |
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (1) |
48,691 |
|
|
36,715 |
|
|
33 |
% |
|
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1) |
38 |
% |
|
34 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows generated by operating activities |
37,638 |
|
|
17,910 |
|
|
110 |
% |
|
Free Cash Flow (1) |
41,582 |
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
81 |
% |
|
__________ |
|
(1) Represents a non-IFRS measure. See āSupplemental Information – Non-IFRS Financial Measuresā and the tables at the end of this release for reconciliations to the comparable IFRS numbers. |
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