Latest News
Bragg Gaming Group 2021 Third Quarter Revenue Rises 9.9%
New Proprietary Online Content, Market Expansion and Customer Additions
Driving Continued Quarterly Growth and Increased Forward Outlook
Raises Full Year 2021 Revenue Guidance to EUR €55-56 million (USD $65-66 Million[1])
and Adjusted EBITDA to EUR €6.6-€6.8 million (USD $7.8-8.0 million); Increases Full Year 2022 Revenue Guidance by 9% to €59-61 million (USD $70-72 Million)
Bragg Gaming Group, a global B2B gaming technology and content provider, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, provided an update on its strategic growth initiatives and raised its full year 2021 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA and full year 2022 revenue guidance.
Summary of Q3-21 Financial and Operational Highlights
Euros (Thousands) | Q3-21 | Q3-20 | % Change |
Revenue | € 12,874 | € 11,714 | 9.9% |
Adjusted EBITDA | € 1,418 | € 1,834 | -22.7% |
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 11.0% | 15.7% | -4.7% |
Operational | Q3-21 | Q3-20 | % Change |
Wagering revenue (Euros) | € 3.2B | € 3.0B | 4.8% |
Unique players[2] | 2.1M | 1.9M | 14.4% |
Revenue / top 10 customers | 54.3% | 55.6% | -1.3% |
Select Recent Strategic Development Progress
- On August 27, Bragg’s common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
- Bragg continues to diversify its European market penetration, including earlier activations in Spain and Denmark followed by Greece in the third quarter.
- In October, the Company entered the newly regulated market in the Netherlands with operators including state-owned Holland Casino, the state-owned Lottery (Nederlandse Loterij) and BetCity.nl.
- In October, the Company entered into an integration agreement with Playtech that will see the full range of ORYX Hub games become available to operators utilizing the Playtech Games Marketplace™ platform in markets such as Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, Mexico and Latin America. The Company believes the integration with Playtech offers material medium and long-term growth opportunities for its existing third-party content and for its future in-house developed proprietary content. In addition, the agreement with Playtech will further drive Bragg’s strategic shift into new regulated markets and focus on supplying larger Tier 1 iGaming operators.
- During the third quarter the Company launched nine new customers.
- The Company continues to actively pursue and prepare for entry into new online gaming markets, including Europe’s two largest iGaming markets, the UK and Italy. Contributions from these two markets are expected to begin in 2022. The Company has applied for licenses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan, and is in the process of applying for a license in Ontario.
- During the third quarter, the Company launched 13 new exclusive games via its ORYX Hub in partnership with third-party studios, and two new proprietary games from its in-house studio.
- As of September 30, 2021 the Company’s Wild Streak game development studio had nine online casino games live in key iGaming markets such as New Jersey, Michigan, the UK and other regulated European jurisdictions. Wild Streak also recently expanded its relationship with Sega Sammy Creation Inc., whereby Sega Sammy will develop two additional Wild Streak games that are popular in social and online casinos — Dragon PowerTM and Egyptian MagicTM — for land-based casinos.
- The Company expects to complete its acquisition of Spin Games LLC (“Spin Games”) in the current quarter, pending final regulatory approvals from various U.S. states’ gaming commissions. Upon completion of the transaction, Bragg will gain access to key strategic operator relationships in the U.S. where Spin Games has over 30 customers, including leading iGaming operators. The Company has completed the technical integration between Spin Games and its ORYX Hub distribution platform.
CEO Comments
“Bragg’s strong 2021 third quarter financial performance and our increased guidance reflects the contributions from our comprehensive growth initiatives, including the consistent progress we have achieved with new market diversification and our ability to offer more new high-performing propriety and exclusive third-party online content,” said Richard Carter, CEO of Bragg Gaming Group.
“During the third quarter, our newest markets performed above our expectations and this momentum continues in the current quarter to-date. Besides the benefits from new market penetration, our recent proprietary games from our in-house development studios are also driving growth. Third quarter revenue rose 9.9% year over year to EUR €12.9 million (USD $15.2 million) while Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 22.7% to EUR €1.4 million (USD $1.7 million) primarily reflecting our ongoing investments in our development teams and infrastructure to support our growth initiatives.
“Bragg continues its transformation into a leading, content-focused, B2B iGaming provider with a scalable technology stack featuring unique player engagement tools that consistently drive strong game performance. Our technology advantages, combined with our ability to offer an increasing number of high-performing proprietary and third-party exclusive games, are expected to boost our ability to deliver strong financial results as we continue to expand our presence into new North American and European markets. This includes the further penetration of our more recently entered markets such as the Netherlands where we have quickly achieved an attractive double-digit market share. Overall, our market expansion initiatives are expected to increase our total addressable market (“TAM”) six-fold in 2022 to more than USD $18 billion. Our acquisition of Spin Games, which we expect to complete by year end, will also help accelerate our entry into North American iGaming markets driven first by high-performing European online content to be closely followed by proprietary content developed specifically to address the U.S. and Canadian markets.
“We also intend to increase the number of proprietary online games developed by our internal development studios, as well as the number of exclusive third-party games we offer, which will support our focus on growing Adjusted EBITDA margins. From zero in-house developed games in 2020, we have established a strong proprietary new game pipeline and expect that an increasing proportion of our exclusive titles launched next year will be internally developed. Given the significantly better economics associated with the distribution of our proprietary content, leveraging our leading player engagement tools with our proprietary games remains one of our highest priorities as it will lead to consistent top and bottom line growth.”
Mr. Carter concluded, “Our ability to simultaneously generate positive Adjusted EBITDA while investing to grow our scale and technology capabilities enables Bragg to more effectively help online casino operators connect with their players, resulting in consistent market expansion and market share improvement. As a result, we continue to deliver strong near-term financial performance while further establishing the foundation for sustainable Adjusted EBITDA growth, as reflected in our raised full year 2021 outlook as well as the increase in our outlook for 2022 revenue growth. Notably, our updated guidance highlights the underlying momentum we are achieving in our business that is being driven by our growth initiatives that are focused on entering new markets, adding new clients and developing and releasing more proprietary titles.”
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results and other Key Metrics Highlights
- Revenue increased by 9.9% to EUR €12.9 million (USD $15.2 million) in Q3 2021 compared to EUR €11.7 million (USD $13.8 million) in Q3 2020, inclusive of a full quarter of contributions from Wild Streak.
- Wagering revenue generated by customers increased 4.8% to EUR €3.2 billion (USD $3.8 billion) compared to EUR €3.0 billion (USD $3.6 billion) in Q3 2020.
- The number of unique players using Bragg games via its Oryx Hub distribution platform and content increased by 14.4% to 2.1 million, from 1.9 million in Q3 2020.
- Gross profit increased by 30.1% to EUR €6.6 million (USD $7.8 million) from EUR €5.1 million (USD $6.0 million) in Q3 2020, reflecting higher revenue and an 8.0 basis point margin improvement to 51.4%. The margin expansion is primarily the result of the continued shift towards a higher proportion of revenues from iGaming and turnkey services, which have lower associated cost of sales when compared to games and content.
- Net loss for the period was EUR €2.5 million (USD $2.9 million), a decline in the net loss of EUR €0.7 million (USD $0.8 million) from Q3 2020, primarily due to the higher gross profit and a reduction in costs related to deferred consideration payable, partially offset by the incremental increase in employee costs and exceptional professional fees as a result of the Nasdaq listing.
- Adjusted EBITDA was EUR €1.4 million (USD $1.7 million), a decrease of 22.7% compared to EUR €1.8 million (USD $2.2million) in Q3 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 4.7 basis points to 11.0%, reflecting increased salary and subcontractor costs as part of the Company’s investment in the expansion of its software development, product and management functions.
- Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021 was EUR €20.3 million (USD $24.0 million)
Raises Full Year 2021 Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA Guidance and Full Year 2022 Revenue Guidance
Reflecting the Company’s operating momentum related to operations in newer markets and an increasing number of customers, Bragg today raised its outlook for 2021 full year expected revenue to EUR €55-56 million (USD $65-66 million) and Adjusted EBITDA to EUR €6.6-6.8 million (USD $7.8-8.0 million), compared to its previously provided revenue and Adjusted EBITDA full year outlook of EUR €49 million (USD $57.8 million) and EUR €5.4 million (USD $6.4 million), respectively. In addition, the Company raised its full year 2022 revenue guidance to a new range of EUR €59-61 million (USD $70-72 million), compared to the initial expected range of EUR €54 million to EUR €56 million (USD $63.7 million to USD $66.1 million) which was provided on August 11, 2021 and provided Adjusted EBITDA guidance of EUR €6-7 million (USD $7.1-8.3 million).
Gaming
10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)
Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.
Recognizing Early Signs
“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:
Exhaustion and Irritability
Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.
Gaming Obsession
If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.
Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests
A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.
Emotional Volatility
Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.
Physical Strain
Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.
Neglecting Basic Needs
If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.
Creating a Supportive Environment
While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.
Teamwork and Setting Boundaries
“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.
Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.
Open Communication
Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.
Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”
Canada
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
Latest News
PENN Entertainment Launches New Hollywood Casino App in Pennsylvania
PENN Entertainment Inc. has launched its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app in Pennsylvania. Built on PENN’s proprietary technology platform, Hollywood Casino offers more than 700 iCasino games, a variety of daily promotions, and exciting jackpots.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop, customers in the Keystone State can access Hollywood Casino through either the ESPN BET app or through the new Hollywood Casino app using their same ESPN BET login credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms. PENN plans to launch Hollywood Casino in additional jurisdictions in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Hollywood Casino features a variety of online slots, table games and live dealer content, including bespoke live dealer tables and a dedicated “Casino Floor” lobby that allows users to easily find virtual versions of their favorite slot games from PENN’s retail properties. Hollywood Casino also features original titles from PENN Game Studios, PENN’s in-house casino game development studio that has produced a number of popular online games, including Legendary LarryTM and Wuji MinesTM.
“We’re excited to launch Hollywood Casino as a stand-alone app in Pennsylvania, giving our customers access to their favorite games in a dedicated, casino-first experience. With four Hollywood Casino properties in the state, the app leverages our trusted retail brand and creates a seamless connection between our online and retail gaming experiences. We look forward to bringing this enhanced Hollywood Casino experience to more iCasino markets in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment.
Hollywood Casino is also fully integrated with PENN Play, the Company’s omnichannel loyalty program that allows members to earn and redeem rewards, including PENN Cash, exclusive tier benefits and personalized services.
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