International News
MGM Resorts International Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial And Operating Results
MGM Resorts International reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.
“We delivered another strong quarter led by our domestic operations resulting in new historical Adjusted Property EBITDAR records for our Las Vegas Strip and U.S. regional segments. These results demonstrate the continued robust demand for our gaming entertainment offerings across the U.S. and the effectiveness of our operating model,” said Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM Resorts International. “The completion of our asset light strategy will allow us to simplify our corporate structure and bolster our liquidity. I am also excited about our long-term growth prospects, including: BetMGM, which continues to establish itself as a clear leader in U.S. sports betting and iGaming; our selection as Osaka’s partner to build and operate a large-scale integrated resort in Japan; and the announcement of our agreement to acquire the operations of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The Company remains focused on achieving our vision to be the world’s premier gaming entertainment company.”
“Our strong liquidity position, coupled with our confidence in the long-term recovery of our core business, has allowed us to continue to focus on maximizing long-term shareholder value. To that end, we continued to repurchase our stock in the third quarter, reaching over $1 billion of share repurchases since beginning the program this year,” said Jonathan Halkyard, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of MGM Resorts International. “As we navigate future uses of our capital, we will remain disciplined in maintaining a strong balance sheet, pursuing targeted growth opportunities and returning cash to shareholders.”
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights:
Consolidated Results
- Consolidated net revenues of $2.7 billion, an increase of 140% compared to the prior year quarter. While the current quarter benefited from the removal of mandated operational and capacity restrictions as well as an increase in travel, the prior year quarter was negatively affected by temporary closures at certain properties and operational restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Consolidated operating income was $1.9 billion compared to consolidated operating loss of $495 million in the prior year quarter;
- Net income attributable to MGM Resorts of $1.4 billion compared to net loss attributable to MGM Resorts of $535 million in the prior year quarter;
- Diluted earnings per share of $2.77 in the current quarter compared to diluted loss per share of $1.08 in the prior year quarter;
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share (“Adjusted EPS”)(1) of $0.03 in the current quarter compared to an Adjusted EPS loss per share of $1.08 in the prior year quarter; and
- Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR(2) of $765 million in the current quarter.
Financial Position & Liquidity
- Consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance as of September 30, 2021 was $5.6 billion, which included $320 million at the MGP Operating Partnership and $331 million at MGM China;
- Total liquidity at September 30, 2021 was $9.8 billion, which included $1.7 billion at the MGP Operating Partnership and $1.7 billion at MGM China, which was comprised of cash and cash equivalents and capacity under the revolving credit facilities at the Company, MGP Operating Partnership and MGM China; and
- At September 30, 2021, principal amount of consolidated indebtedness was $12.7 billion, including $4.2 billion at the MGP Operating Partnership and $3.0 billion at MGM China.
Las Vegas Strip Resorts
- Net revenues of $1.4 billion, an increase of 187% compared to the prior year quarter and a decrease of 8% compared to the third quarter of 2019. While the current quarter benefited from the removal of mandated operational and capacity restrictions as well as an increase in travel, the prior year quarter was negatively affected by temporary property closures at certain properties and operational restrictions;
- Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Net Revenues(3) of $1.4 billion, an increase of 178% compared to the prior year quarter and a decrease of 10% compared to the third quarter of 2019;
- Adjusted Property EBITDAR(2) of $535 million compared to $15 million in the prior year quarter, and an increase of 21% compared to the third quarter of 2019;
- Adjusted Property EBITDAR margin(2) of 38.7% in the current quarter, an increase of 943 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to an increase in net revenues and realized benefits of the Company’s cost savings initiatives; and
- Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR(2) of $514 million compared to $21 million in the prior year quarter, and an increase of 17% compared to the third quarter of 2019.
Regional Operations
- Net revenues of $925 million, an increase of 66% compared to the prior year quarter and a decrease of 1% compared to the third quarter of 2019. While the current quarter benefited from the removal of mandated operational and capacity restrictions as well as an increase in travel, the prior year quarter was negatively affected by temporary property closures at certain properties and operational restrictions;
- Adjusted Property EBITDAR of $348 million, an increase of 139% compared to the prior year quarter, and an increase of 29% compared to the third quarter of 2019; and
- Adjusted Property EBITDAR margin of 37.6% in the current quarter, an increase of 886 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to an increase in revenues and realized benefits of the Company’s costs savings initiatives.
MGM China
- Net revenues of $289 million, an increase of 517% compared to the prior year quarter and a decrease of 61% compared to the third quarter of 2019. The prior year quarter was more significantly impacted by travel and entry restrictions in Macau as well as other operational restrictions related to the pandemic than in the current quarter;
- VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Net Revenues(3) of $272 million, an increase of 403% compared to the prior year quarter and a decrease of 61% compared to the third quarter of 2019;
- Adjusted Property EBITDAR of $7 million compared to a loss of $96 million in the prior year quarter, and a decrease of 96% compared to the third quarter of 2019; and
- VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR(2) loss of $2 million compared to a loss of $93 million in the prior year quarter, and $170 million in the third quarter of 2019.
Recent Developments
On September 26, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire the operations of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (“The Cosmopolitan”) for cash consideration of $1.625 billion, subject to customary working capital adjustments. Additionally, at closing, the Company will enter into a lease agreement for the real estate assets of The Cosmopolitan. The Cosmopolitan lease will have an initial term of 30 years with three subsequent ten-year renewal periods, exercisable at the Company’s option. The initial term of the lease provides for an initial annual cash rent of $200 million with a fixed 2% escalator for the first fifteen years, and thereafter, an escalator equal to the greater of 2% and the CPI increase during the prior year, subject to a cap of 3%. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2022, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
The following table reconciles diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) to Adjusted EPS (approximate EPS impact shown, per share; positive adjustments represent charges to income):
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
$ |
2.77 |
$ |
(1.08) |
|||
|
Property transactions, net |
0.01 |
0.01 |
|||||
|
Gain on consolidation of CityCenter, net |
(3.23) |
— |
|||||
|
Non-operating items: |
|||||||
|
Loss related to equity instrument |
0.10 |
— |
|||||
|
Change in fair value of MGP swaps |
— |
(0.01) |
|||||
|
Foreign currency loss on MGM China senior notes |
0.01 |
— |
|||||
|
Income tax impact on net income adjustments(1) |
0.37 |
— |
|||||
|
Adjusted diluted earnings/(loss) per share |
$ |
0.03 |
$ |
(1.08) |
|||
|
(1) |
The income tax impact includes current and deferred income tax expense based upon the nature of the adjustment and the jurisdiction in which it occurs. |
Las Vegas Strip Resorts
Casino revenue was $423 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $189 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 123%, due primarily to the impact of COVID-19 in the prior year period.
The following table shows key gaming statistics for Las Vegas Strip Resorts:
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
|
(Dollars in millions) |
|||||||
|
Table Games Drop |
$ |
917 |
$ |
498 |
|||
|
Table Games Win |
$ |
251 |
$ |
108 |
|||
|
Table Games Win % |
27.4 |
% |
21.6 |
% |
|||
|
Slots Handle |
$ |
3,863 |
$ |
1,944 |
|||
|
Slots Win |
$ |
369 |
$ |
183 |
|||
|
Slots Win % |
9.6 |
% |
9.4 |
% |
|||
Rooms revenue was $403 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $138 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 192% due primarily to an increase in REVPAR(4) as a result of increased occupancy at our properties, the removal of mandated capacity restrictions, and increased travel in the current quarter.
The following table shows key hotel statistics for Las Vegas Strip Resorts:
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
|
Occupancy %(1) |
82 |
% |
44 |
% |
|||
|
Average Daily Rate (ADR) |
$ |
181 |
$ |
139 |
|||
|
Revenue per Available Room (REVPAR)(1) |
$ |
148 |
$ |
61 |
|||
|
(1) |
Rooms that were out of service, including full and midweek closures, during the three months ended September 30, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic were excluded from the available room count when calculating hotel occupancy and REVPAR. |
Regional Operations
Casino revenue was $720 million compared to $465 million in the prior year quarter, an increase of 55% due primarily to the impact of COVID-19 in the prior year period.
The following table shows key gaming statistics for Regional Operations:
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
|
(Dollars in millions) |
|||||||
|
Table Games Drop |
$ |
1,080 |
$ |
739 |
|||
|
Table Games Win |
$ |
214 |
$ |
155 |
|||
|
Table Games Win % |
19.8 |
% |
21.0 |
% |
|||
|
Slots Handle |
$ |
6,900 |
$ |
4,360 |
|||
|
Slots Win |
$ |
661 |
$ |
426 |
|||
|
Slots Win % |
9.6 |
% |
9.8 |
% |
|||
MGM China
Key third quarter results for MGM China include:
- Net revenues of $289 million, an increase of 517% compared to the prior year quarter and a decrease of 61% compared to the third quarter of 2019;
- Main floor table games win of $222 million compared to $25 million, an increase of 792% compared to the prior year quarter;
- VIP table games win of $72 million compared to $17 million, an increase of 313% compared to the prior year quarter; and
- Adjusted Property EBITDAR of $7 million compared to a loss of $96 million in the prior year quarter. License fee expense was $5 million in the current quarter and $1 million in the prior year quarter.
The following table shows key gaming statistics for MGM China:
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
|
(Dollars in millions) |
|||||||
|
VIP Table Games Turnover |
$ |
1,800 |
$ |
929 |
|||
|
VIP Table Games Win |
$ |
72 |
$ |
17 |
|||
|
VIP Table Games Win % |
4.0 |
% |
1.9 |
% |
|||
|
Main Floor Table Games Drop |
$ |
1,042 |
$ |
143 |
|||
|
Main floor Table Games Win |
$ |
222 |
$ |
25 |
|||
|
Main Floor Table Games Win % |
21.3 |
% |
17.3 |
% |
|||
Corporate Expense
Corporate expense, including share-based compensation for corporate employees, increased to $112 million in the third quarter of 2021, from $70 million in the prior year quarter, due primarily to an increase in payroll expense as the prior year quarter reflected the impact of temporary closures due to the pandemic. The current quarter also included $18 million in transaction costs.
Unconsolidated Affiliates
The following table summarizes information related to the Company’s share of operating income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates:
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
2021 |
2020 |
|||||
|
(In thousands) |
|||||||
|
CityCenter (through September 26, 2021) |
$ |
40,747 |
$ |
(6,041) |
|||
|
MGP BREIT Venture |
38,959 |
38,976 |
|||||
|
BetMGM |
(49,060) |
(9,057) |
|||||
|
Other |
4,465 |
(3,243) |
|||||
|
$ |
35,111 |
$ |
20,635 |
||||
On September 27, 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of the 50% ownership interest in CityCenter and now owns a 100% ownership interest. Accordingly, the Company now consolidates CityCenter in its financial statements and no longer accounts for its interest under the equity method of accounting.
MGM Growth Properties
During the third quarter of 2021, the Company made rent payments to MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP (“MGP Operating Partnership”) in the amount of $211 million and received distributions of $57 million from the MGP Operating Partnership. On October 15, 2021, MGM Growth Properties LLC (“MGP”) paid a dividend of $81 million, of which the Company received $58 million.
MGM Resorts Dividend and Share Repurchases
On November 3, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.0025 per share. The dividend will be payable on December 15, 2021 to holders of record on December 10, 2021.
During the third quarter of 2021, the Company repurchased approximately 17 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $39.89 per share for an aggregate amount of $687 million, pursuant to the February 2020 $3.0 billion stock repurchase plan. The remaining availability under the February 2020 $3.0 billion stock repurchase program was $2.0 billion as of September 30, 2021. All shares repurchased under the Company’s program have been retired.
Conference Call Details
MGM Resorts will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today, which will include a brief discussion of the results followed by a question and answer session. In addition, supplemental slides will be posted prior to the start of the call on MGM’s Investor Relations website at http://investors.mgmresorts.com.
The call will be accessible via the Internet through http://investors.mgmresorts.com/investors/events-and-presentations/ or by calling 1-888-317-6003 for domestic callers and 1-412-317-6061 for international callers. The conference call access code is 3239200.
A replay of the call will be available through November 10, 2021. The replay may be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 or 1-412-317-0088. The replay access code is 10160477. The call will be archived at http://investors.mgmresorts.com.
1.”Adjusted EPS” is diluted earnings or loss per share adjusted to exclude preopening and start-up expenses, property transactions, net, gain on consolidation of City Center, net, loss related to equity instrument, foreign currency loss related to MGM China’s U.S. dollar-denominated debt, and mark-to-market adjustments related to MGP’s unhedged interest rate swaps.
Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP measure and is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure to reported GAAP measures because management believes this measure is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of the Company’s continuing operations to assist investors in reviewing the Company’s operating performance over time. Management believes that while certain items excluded from Adjusted EPS may be recurring in nature and should not be disregarded in evaluating the Company’s earnings performance, it is useful to exclude such items when comparing current performance to prior periods because these items can vary significantly depending on specific underlying transactions or events. Also, management believes certain excluded items, and items further discussed in footnote 2 below, may not relate specifically to current operating trends or be indicative of future results. Adjusted EPS should not be construed as an alternative to GAAP earnings per share as an indicator of the Company’s performance. In addition, Adjusted EPS may not be defined in the same manner by all companies and, as a result, may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures of other companies. A reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to diluted earnings per share can be found under “Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share” included in this release.
2.”Adjusted EBITDAR” is earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization, preopening and start-up expenses, gain on REIT transactions, net, gain on consolidation of CityCenter, net, CEO transition expense, October 1 litigation settlement, restructuring costs (which represents costs related to severance, accelerated stock compensation expense, and consulting fees directly related to the operating model component of the MGM 2020 Plan), gain related to CityCenter’s sale of Harmon land recorded within income from unconsolidated affiliates, rent expense associated with triple net operating and ground leases, income from unconsolidated affiliates related to investments in real estate ventures, and property transactions, net.
“Adjusted Property EBITDAR” is the Company’s reportable segment GAAP measure, which management utilizes as the primary profit measure for its reportable segments and underlying operating segments. Adjusted Property EBITDAR is a measure defined as earnings before interest and other non-operating income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization, preopening and start-up expenses, gain on REIT transactions, net, restructuring costs (which represents costs related to severance, accelerated stock compensation expense, and consulting fees directly related to the operating model component of the MGM 2020 Plan), rent expense associated with triple-net operating and ground leases, income from unconsolidated affiliates related to investments in real estate ventures, and property transactions, net, and also excludes gain on consolidation of CityCenter, net, gain related to CityCenter’s sale of Harmon land recorded within income from unconsolidated affiliates and corporate expense (which includes CEO transition expense and October 1 litigation settlement) and stock compensation expense, which are not allocated to each operating segment, and rent expense related to the master lease with MGP that eliminates in consolidation.
“Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR” and “VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR” are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures, that, in addition to the reasons described above for the presentation of Adjusted Property EBITDAR, are presented to adjust for the impact of certain variances in table games and VIP table games’ win percentages compared to the mid-point of the expected ranges. Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR is calculated by applying a win percentage of 30.0% for Baccarat and 21.0% for non-Baccarat games to the respective table games drops for the quarter, which represents the mid-point of the expected ranges of 25.0% to 35.0% for Baccarat and 19.0% to 23.0% for non-Baccarat at the Las Vegas Strip Resorts properties. VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR is based on applying a VIP Rolling Chip win percentage of 2.95% to the VIP Rolling Chip volume, which represents the mid-point of the expected normal range of 2.6% to 3.3% for MGM China. Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR and VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR are also adjusted for the gaming taxes, VIP commissions, bad debt expense, discounts and other incentives that would have been incurred or avoided when applying the win percentages noted above to the respective gaming volumes.
Adjusted EBITDAR information is a valuation metric, should not be used as an operating metric, and is presented solely as a supplemental disclosure to reported GAAP measures because management believes this measure is widely used by analysts, lenders, financial institutions, and investors as a principal basis for the valuation of gaming companies. Management believes that while items excluded from Adjusted EBITDAR may be recurring in nature and should not be disregarded in evaluation of the Company’s earnings performance, it is useful to exclude such items when analyzing current results and trends. Also, management believes excluded items may not relate specifically to current trends or be indicative of future results. For example, preopening and start-up expenses will be significantly different in periods when the Company is developing and constructing a major expansion project and will depend on where the current period lies within the development cycle, as well as the size and scope of the project(s). Property transactions, net includes normal recurring disposals, gains and losses on sales of assets related to specific assets within the Company’s resorts, but also includes gains or losses on sales of an entire operating resort or a group of resorts and impairment charges on entire asset groups or investments in unconsolidated affiliates, which may not be comparable period over period. In addition, management excludes rent expense associated with triple net operating leases and ground leases. Management believes excluding rent expense associated with triple net operating leases and ground leases provides useful information to analysts, lenders, financial institutions, and investors when valuing the Company, as well as comparing the Company’s results to other gaming companies, without regard to differences in capital structure and leasing arrangements since the operations of other gaming companies may or may not include triple net operating leases or ground leases. However, as discussed herein, Adjusted EBITDAR should not be viewed as a measure of overall operating performance, considered in isolation, or as an alternative to net income, because this measure is not presented on a GAAP basis and excludes certain expenses, including the rent expense associated with the Company’s triple net operating and ground leases, and are provided for the limited purposes discussed herein.
Adjusted EBITDAR, Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR and VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR should not be construed as alternatives to operating income or net income, as indicators of the Company’s performance; or as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities, as measures of liquidity; or as any other measure determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company has significant uses of cash flows, including capital expenditures, interest payments, taxes, real estate triple net lease and ground lease payments, and debt principal repayments, which are not reflected in Adjusted EBITDAR, Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR, or VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR. Also, other companies in the gaming and hospitality industries that report Adjusted EBITDAR, Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR, or VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR information may calculate Adjusted EBITDAR, Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Adjusted Property EBITDAR, or VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Adjusted Property EBITDAR in a different manner and such differences may be material.
A reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDAR is included in the financial schedules in this release.
3.”Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Net Revenues” and “VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Net Revenues” are additional supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that are presented to adjust Las Vegas Strip Resorts net revenues and MGM China net revenues for the impact of certain variances in table games and VIP table games’ win percentages compared to the mid-point of the expected ranges, as described in footnote 2 above. Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Net Revenues and VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Net Revenues are also adjusted for the VIP commissions, discounts and other incentives that would have been incurred or avoided when applying the win percentages noted in footnote 2 above to the respective gaming volumes. Management believes Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Net Revenues and VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Net Revenues present consistent measures in providing period-to-period comparisons and are useful measures in assisting investors evaluating the Company’s operating performance. Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Net Revenues and VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Net Revenues should not be construed as alternatives to GAAP net revenues, as indicators of the Company’s performance, or as any other measure determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Reconciliations of GAAP net revenues to Table Games Hold Adjusted Las Vegas Strip Resorts Net Revenues and VIP Table Games Hold Adjusted MGM China Net Revenues are included in the financial schedules in this release.
4.REVPAR is hotel revenue per available room.
SOFTSWISS, an international tech company with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, announces its participation in the SiGMA Europe Summit 2024.
SiGMA Europe Summit will be held in Malta at the Malta Maritime Hub from 12 to 14 November. With 1,000 exhibitors, the event will host 27,000 delegates from the iGaming industry and beyond.
Creative Concept
After a resounding celebration of its Grand Anniversary in Portugal, SOFTSWISS is returning to Malta with the award-winning concept, ‘Grab Success in iGaming’. The campaign’s slogan fully reflects the industry’s rapidly evolving character. SOFTSWISS incorporated the Maltese crab, inspired by the region’s natural beauty, as a striking visual element in its marketing campaign. This creative approach was recognised and rewarded at the prestigious EGR Marketing and Innovation Awards 2024.
Innovations
During the SiGMA Europe Summit, SOFTSWISS will showcase three new innovative solutions alongside its other well-established products. Recently launched products include the Lotto Software, the Retail Betting Solution, and the Horse Racing Module. Additionally, Affilka by SOFTSWISS’ team will reveal a new feature for its affiliate software – Geo-Distributed Redirect Application.
Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, shares: “Working at the heart of the industry, in Malta, for many years, SOFTSWISS see the SiGMA Europe Summit growing and constantly bringing together industry leaders, experts, and prominent players in the market. SOFTSWISS looks forward to meeting its partners and friends at the last big event of the year to finalise current projects and prepare a basis for next year’s collaborations”.
Public Speaking
During the SiGMA Europe Summit, SOFTSWISS experts will also share their profound professional experience. Vitali Matsukevich will shed light on the important theme ‘How to choose a secure and safe crypto casino’ for those who want to learn more about selecting a trustworthy crypto casino by focusing on licensing, security, and spotting red flags.
Partners and potential clients can book a meeting with the SOFTSWISS team at the company’s stand 2145 via the link to discuss mutual projects and the newest iGaming trends.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
Itai Zak, Digicode’s Executive Director of iGaming at Digicode, shares how the company seamlessly connects client needs with customized strategies.
The iGaming industry is standing on the threshold of one of the most remarkable transformations as emerging markets have become accessible. Both LATAM (Latin America) and Africa are unique opportunities but also come with special challenges for iGaming operators. In this article, promising emerging markets will be explored alongside effective strategies for entry and expansion, according to expert insights.
Promising Emerging Markets
LATAM (Latin America)
Brazil is one of the important focal points in LATAM, considering that it has a huge population base accompanied by a developing middle class. It is rewriting the regulatory landscape concerning online gambling, and recent developments in the case show a much more structured approach. With the market opening up, Brazil is on course to emerge as the iGaming hotbed of investments. However, operators have to keep a close watch on regulatory changes and be ready to tweak strategies accordingly.
Mexico and Colombia are on their way to regulated iGaming markets. In this respect, the very lucrative gaming market of Mexico and the already established regime of regulatory control over Colombian gambling make these markets quite attractive for expansion. The key to succeeding in those markets would be to tailor products according to local taste and to navigate the regulatory requirements.
South Africa: Growth of the iGaming market in this African country is leading the pace. The mature regulatory environment and quite good digital infrastructure established in the country provide a stable platform for iGaming ventures. Other than the mature regulatory environment, companies entering South Africa would benefit from its relatively easy-to-navigate regulatory framework and a growing player base.
Nigeria and Kenya: Nigeria and Kenya are the two countries that are developing as the main claimants to the African iGaming scene. With large populations and growing internet access, these markets offer huge opportunities for growth. However, the regulatory environment in these countries is at an emerging stage and can be quite challenging. While the companies at the forefront keep a close vigil on these changing times, operators have to update themselves about the new regulations and develop strategies in keeping with local conditions. Manuscript Details
Successful Strategies to Enter and Succeed in the Market
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In-Depth Research
It becomes imperative to understand local preferences and player behavior in emerging markets. Operators can then narrow down key trends from comprehensive market research and amend their product offerings accordingly to suit the local taste. This would include cultural nuances, gaming preferences, and legal requirements. Companies will want to modify their approach to make themselves more appealing and competitive within these markets; this should be aligned according to these local insights.
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Local Partnerships
Market entry is contingent upon local strategic partnerships. This could include local operators, technology providers, or regulatory experts that make it easier to navigate the regulatory environment to fast-track the entry process. The value brought about by local partners in terms of market dynamics insights is immense and could build credibility among local players. Regulatory Compliance
Now, from the legal perspective, operations in emerging markets come under the purview of local regulations. A company has to keep itself updated with changing regulations and comply with all legal requirements, such as obtaining necessary licenses, proper KYC and AML policies in place, and protection of data. If they fail to do so, they will be met not only with legal problems but also threats against their brand image.
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Localized Marketing and Customer Support
Developing marketing strategies that resonate with the local audience is the key to player acquisition and retention. It’s all about binding the player to the brand through tailored promotions, localizing payment methods, and culturally relevant content. Moreover, customer support in a local language improves the player’s rating of satisfaction and loyalty.
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Mobile Optimization
In many developing markets, mobile is the leading source of internet access. Optimizing platforms for use on mobile enables reach and engagement for players. This includes responsive design, fast load times, and ease of use. A good mobile experience is very important to retain interest and reduce player churn.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
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Innovate Constantly
In case one wants to be competitive, continuous innovation is a must. The new technologies, like AI-driven personalization and blockchain integration, advanced data analytics, shall be embraced to enhance the gaming experience. These innovations help in the offer of tailored game recommendations, provision of transparency, and gaining better insights into the player’s preferences.
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Personalization and Engagement at the Forefront
Personalized gaming experiences are core to player retention. AI and data analytics afford the potential of individual game recommendations, dynamic bonuses, and personal customer support—players feel valued and engaged. The creation of an engaging experience, through personalization, can increase substantially loyalty and lifetime value.
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Agile and Scalable Solutions
Such flexible and scalable platforms let companies quickly adapt to market changes and regulatory requirements. This forms a critical enabler for entry into new markets and competitive positioning. Scalable solutions ensure that, with growing demand, the increasing traffic and the addition of new features to the platform do not come with degraded performance.
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Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
Partnerships with industry leaders, technology providers, and creators will genuinely develop offerings and increase their reach in the market. Such strategic partnerships will fuel innovation and give a competitive edge to the entities entering into the joint venture. Collaborations can also facilitate entry into newer markets and assimilate the latest technologies into the platform.
Future Outlook
The future of iGaming in emerging markets is, therefore, bright. Regulatory environments are slowly getting their frameworks in place, and a further improvement in digital infrastructure will unleash a wide range of opportunities for those who dare to invest in these areas. With proactive positioning, embracing technology, and more locally-geared strategies, iGaming operators can navigate the challenges and maximize growth potential in these dynamic markets.
iGaming Market Expansion in Emerging Markets: A Complex yet Potential Fertile Ground. To sum it up, one has to rely on market research, develop local partnerships, and be agile in compliance with regulations while continuously innovating to best capture the ever-budding opportunities such markets bring forth.
At Digicode, we’re seizing the opportunities in emerging markets, bringing our innovative gaming solutions to new audiences around the globe. As the result – we ensure our clients can confidently expand into these exciting new markets, turning challenges into opportunities for success. So the time to turn untapped potential into real growth is now and we’re here to support you throughout this journey.
Studio’s renowned content boosts aggregator’s vast offering
Infingame, a fast-growing iGaming aggregator, has secured a content aggregation partnership with prominent online casino games provider Fazi.
Following a successful integration, Infingame will help to expand the global reach of Fazi’s content, including across LatAm where the aggregator continues to cement its market presence with new operator launches. The studio’s array of titles will also benefit from Infingame’s complete suite of engagement and support tools to further enhance the user experience.
Boasting a portfolio of over 160 games live across 50 countries, Fazi has been providing premium iGaming software solutions for the past 30 years, with Infingame the latest to benefit from the studio’s immersive titles including Wild Hot 40, Golden Crown and Wild Lucky Clover.
Infingame’s platform currently boats more than 15,000 games from over 200 established providers which are designed to improve player acquisition and retention and generate profitable growth for partners.
The aggregator’s latest collaboration underlines its mission to continually develop its games offering and deliver a range of experiences which align with global player preferences.
Ernest Lewicki, Head of Sales at Infingame, said: “We’re delighted to reveal our partnership with Fazi and host the supplier’s innovative, fresh and engaging content on our aggregation platform. As we work towards strengthening our market presence across the LatAm region, delivering Fazi’s portfolio to our pool of operator partners puts us in great stead and we look forward to watching this collaboration flourish.”
Srdjan Stanojevic, Director of Commercial iGaming Division at Fazi, said: “Launching our content with Infingame shows our dedication to ensure we are constantly evolving and looking for exciting opportunities to further strengthen our reach. Infingame has achieved remarkable success in recent times, and we are confident through this partnership we will be able to further tap into the rapidly growing LatAm market.”
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