Canada
Bragg Gaming Group Fourth-Quarter Revenue Rises 50.3% to a Record €23.7 Million
Gross profit rises 61.6% to €13.0 million (US$14.0 million) reflecting higher revenue and 390 basis point improvement in gross profit margin to 54.9%
Adjusted EBITDA improves by 128.3% to €3.6 million (US$3.9 million)
Full-year 2022 revenue rises 45.3% to €84.7 million (US$91.1 million) and adjusted EBITDA grows 64.0% to €12.1 million (US$13.0 million)
Updates full-year 2023 guidance for revenue of €93-97 million (US$100.0-104.3 million) and adjusted EBITDA of €14.5-16.5 million (US$15.6-17.7 million)
Bragg Gaming Group, a global B2B content-driven iGaming technology provider, today reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022. The company also provided an update on its strategic growth initiatives and updated its growth targets for 2023 revenue and adjusted EBITDA.
Chief Executive Officer commentary:
“Bragg Gaming Group concluded a transformational 2022 with another quarter of record results as fourth quarter revenue, gross profit and adjusted EBITDA grew significantly compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and exceeded our prior expectations,” said Yaniv Sherman, Chief Executive Officer for Bragg Gaming Group. “In the fourth quarter of 2022, we generated year over year revenue growth of 50.3% to €23.7 million (US$25.5 million), a 61.6% increase in gross profit to €13.0 million (US$14.0 million), a 390-basis point improvement in gross profit margin to 54.9%, and a 128.3% increase in adjusted EBITDA to €3.6 million (US$3.9 million). These record results highlight Bragg Gaming Group’s ongoing substantial momentum as we continue to successfully diversify our operations from serving primarily central-European iGaming markets to become a global, content-led, iGaming solutions provider with extensive distribution across North America and Europe. Our successful execution on our operating priorities is also evident in our record full-year results, as revenue, gross profit and adjusted EBITDA grew 45.3%, 59.2% and 64.0%, respectively, over the 2021 full-year period.
“With the full integration of our Wild Streak Gaming and Spin Games acquisitions and our four game development studios hitting their stride and consistently growing their game development output, Bragg Gaming Group has the foundation to scale as a global business. Reflecting our content-led focus, since the beginning of 2022, we have launched our new proprietary and exclusive third-party content with six operators in three US markets as well as in multiple additional global iGaming markets.
“Our ability to generate consistent revenue and margin growth reflects our approach to differentiate our iGaming content by internally developing a steady stream of player-popular games (20 games across the globe in 2022) complemented by exclusive third-party games from leading development studios (23 games in 2022). This approach provides our operating partners with content that engages their players at higher levels as the peak revenue generation of our newest premium proprietary and third-party games has been excellent and the performance tail for these games is significantly longer than similar games. We are confident that the acceleration of our development of proprietary games and third-party exclusive games will help us gain further market share in our existing markets as well as in new markets, particularly in North America.
“We are executing well on our many growth opportunities to deliver profitable revenue growth and increasing cash flow going forward. In addition to our content focus, our growth drivers include our ability to provide an industry-leading PAM and our state-of-the art FUZE game-optimization technology to drive higher player engagement, which results in higher revenues and lifetime player value for iGaming operators. We also expect the development and introduction of proprietary games in North America and Europe will accelerate in the second half of 2023, which will further benefit our margins and drive our operating momentum. As a result, our outlook for 2023 revenue of €93-97 million (US$100.0-104.3 million) and adjusted EBITDA of €14.5-16.5 million (US$15.6-17.7 million) – with the midpoints of the ranges representing year-over-year growth of 12% and 28%, respectively – demonstrates the strength of our operating model. We are excited about the opportunities 2023 presents as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities to create long-term shareholder value.”
Fourth-quarter 2022 and recent business highlights:
* Bragg Gaming Group’s new content went live in Michigan with BetMGM
* Entered Belgium market with debut partner Napoleon Sports and Casino
* Entered into an agreement with Sega Sammy Creation Incorporated (SSC) for the exclusive rights to distribute select titles from SSC’s popular content portfolio to iGaming operators in the US, UK and other global markets
* The company’s new content recently went live in New Jersey with Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, DraftKings, Rush Street Interactive’s Betrivers.com, and Resorts Digital Gaming.
Fourth-quarter 2022 financial results and other key metrics highlights:
* Revenue increased by 50.3% to €23.7 million (US$25.5 million) compared to €15.8 million (US$17.0 million) in 4Q21.
* Wagering revenue generated by customers of €5.1 billion (US$5.5 billion) increased from €3.1 billion (US$3.3 billion) in 4Q21.
* Gross profit increased 61.6% to €13.0 million (US$14.0 million) from €8.0 million (US$8.6 million) in 4Q21, representing a gross profit margin of 54.9%. Gross profit in 4Q22 reflects a change in product mix towards turn-key Player Account Management (PAM) customers, managed services and proprietary content, resulting in improved gross profit and adjusted EBITDA compared to the year-ago period.
* Net loss for the period was €0.9 million (US$1.0 million), an improvement from a net loss of €2.0 million (US$2.2 million) in 4Q21, primarily due to the higher gross profit partially offset by an increase in total employee costs, depreciation and amortization, IT and hosting costs, transactional and exceptional costs, sales and marketing expense and other operational and travel costs.
* Adjusted EBITDA was €3.6 million (US$3.9 million), an increase of 128.3% compared to €1.6 million (US$1.7 million) in 4Q21, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.4%, compared to 10.1% in 4Q21.
2022 full-year financial results and other key metrics highlight:
* Revenue increased by 45.3% to €84.7 million (US$91.1 million) compared to €58.3 million (US$62.7 million) in 2021.
* Wagering revenue generated by customers of €17.7 billion (US$19.0 billion) increased from €14.3 billion (US$15.4 billion) in 4Q21.
* Gross profit increased 59.2% to €45.1 million (US$48.5 million) from €28.3 million (US$30.4 million) in 2021, representing a gross profit margin of 53.2%.
* Net loss for the period was €3.5 million (US$3.8 million), an improvement from a net loss of €7.5 million (US$8.1 million) in 2021, primarily due to the higher gross profit partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and a gain on the remeasurement of deferred consideration.
* Adjusted EBITDA was €12.1 million (US$13.0 million), an increase of 64.0% compared to €7.4 million (US$8.0 million) in 2021, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.2%, compared to 12.6% in 2021.
* Cash flow from operations was €5.8 million (US$6.2 million), an increase of €5.7 compared to €0.1 million (US$0.1 million) cash flow from operations in 2021.
* Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2022 was €11.3 million (US$12.2 million) and net working capital, excluding deferred consideration, was €6.6 million (US$7.1 million).
Updated full-year 2023 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance:
Bragg Gaming Group provided an update on its expectation for 2023 full-year revenue adjusted EBITDA growth with revenue expected to rise approximately 10% to 15% to a range of €93-97 million (US$100.0-104.3 million) and adjusted EBITDA expected to increase approximately 20% to 36% to a range of €14.5-16.5 million (US$15.6-17.7 million). Given the stronger than previously anticipated 4Q22 revenue and adjusted EBITDA, Bragg Gaming Group’s updated guidance reflects an increase from the initial expectations provided at the time the company reported 3Q22 results in November 2022.
Investor conference call:
The company will host a conference call today, March 21, 2023, at 8:30am Eastern Time, to discuss its fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 results. During the call, management will review a presentation that will be made available to download at https://Investors.Bragg.Group/Financials/Quarterly-Results/Default.aspx. To join the call, please use the below dial-in information:
Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number (US/Canada): (888) 210-4227
Participant Toll Dial-In Number (International): (646) 960-0341
United Kingdom: Toll-Free: +44 800 358 0970
United Kingdom: Toll Dial-In: +44.20.3433.3846
Conference ID: 2522980
Or join the webcast at https://Investors.Bragg.Group/Events-And-Presentations/Events/Default.aspx.
A replay of the call will be available until March 28, 2023, following the conclusion of the live call. In order to access the replay, dial (647) 362-9199 or (800) 770-2030 (toll-free) and use the passcode 2522980.
Hot on the heels of its most attended conference in history, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) is excited to announce that its 2025 conference will take place in Toronto, Canada, from October 20 to 23, 2025.
The event will be held in partnership with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) at the Westin Harbour Castle, offering stunning waterfront views and a premier, downtown Toronto location.
‘Fresh off the success of our Rome conference, we’re thrilled to continue the momentum with next year’s event in Toronto,’ said Ben Haden, IAGR President.
‘The IAGR 2025 conference promises to be another unparalleled opportunity for our global community to come together, collaborate and shape the future of gaming regulation. We’re looking forward to working with AGCO to bring it all together.’
AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr, added, ‘We’re excited to welcome IAGR and its members to Toronto. This partnership provides a great opportunity to share Ontario’s innovative regulatory practices and foster meaningful discussions that drive positive change in the industry.’
Stay tuned for registration details early next year.
ESE Entertainment Inc., a gaming company that provides a range of services to leading video game developers and publishers, has announced that it has acquired Bombee Global Entertainment Ltd. (Bombee Americas), the North American arm of Bombee Event Production AB, (Bombee), a global production company specialized in live production, special effects, broadcast, and event management for the gaming sector.
Bombee has successfully collaborated with ESE to bring its premier event production services and world class customer service to North America and beyond. The North American arm of Bombee, Bombee Americas, will continue to grow and scale in this new organizational structure under ESE, while maintaining its entire team and global support.
Konrad Wasiela, CEO of ESE, said: “Today marks the next stage of ESE—a 2.0 version of our company. With the acquisition of Bombee Americas, we are not only solidifying our presence in North America but also paving the way for growth and innovation in the gaming industry. This is a major step, positioning us to deliver even greater value to our partners and elevate the gaming experience for our clients globally. We’re thrilled about the opportunities ahead and the exceptional talent joining our team.”
Transaction Terms
The Acquisition was completed by way of a share purchase agreement (the SPA) among the Company, Bombee Americas, and the shareholders of Bombee Americas (the Vendors). Pursuant to the SPA, ESE acquired all of the outstanding shares of Bombee Americas in exchange for: (i) $750,000 in cash paid on closing, (ii) $375,000 in cash to be paid six (6) months following closing, subject to customary adjustments based on the working capital of Bombee Americas on closing, (iii) $375,000 in cash to be paid twelve (12) months following closing, and (iv) 30,000,000 common shares of ESE (the Consideration Shares), issued at a deemed issue price of $0.10 per share.
In connection with the Acquisition, the founders of Bombee Americas have signed three-year service agreements and will continue to run the business following the closing, along with the rest of the personnel of Bombee Americas who will remain in place, ensuring a smooth transition of operations. As part of the Acquisition, the Company has acquired the liabilities of Bombee Americas, mainly consisting of customary current obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business for Bombee Americas, which are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operations or financial position.
No finder’s fees were paid or payable in conjunction with the Acquisition.
The Acquisition was an arm’s length transaction within the meaning of the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) and constituted an “Expedited Acquisition” in accordance with Exchange Policy 5.3 – Acquisitions and Dispositions of Non-Cash Assets. The Acquisition remains subject to the final approval of the Exchange.
Canada
Suspected Digital Fraud Coming from Canada Up Nearly 11% Since H1 2023, Reveals New TransUnion Analysis
In the first half (H1) of 2024, Canada saw a significant increase in suspected Digital Fraud attempts, with nearly 5.74% of all attempted digital transactions where the consumer was located in Canada involving suspected Digital Fraud, revealed a new TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU) analysis. This is nearly an 11% year-over-year (YoY) rate increase from H1 2023, and TransUnion also documented an 11% increase in the volume of suspected Digital Fraud from Canada during this period, despite a less than a one percent (0.7%) YoY increase in the volume of transactions.
According to a recent TransUnion survey,1 more than half (54%) of Canadians said they were recently targeted by email, phone call or text message fraud attempts. Phishing was the most common scheme type (45%), followed by smishing (42%) and vishing (39%).
The increasing use of digital transactions, combined with rising suspected Digital Fraud attempts are also impacting businesses as they potentially face revenue losses and increased operational costs due to fraud. According to a TransUnion business survey for the H2 2024 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud report, 200 Canadian business leaders said their companies lost approximately 6% of equivalent revenue – representing $78 billion – over the past year due to fraud. The most prominent causes of fraud loss cited by them were:
- Scam/Authorized fraud (31%): Dishonest scheme intended to trick a person into giving up something of value (e.g., account access, money, information)
- Account takeover (19%): Unauthorized individuals taking over someone’s online account (e.g., bank, social media, email) without their permission
- Synthetic identity fraud (18%): Use of a combination of personal information to fabricate a person or entity to commit a dishonest act for financial or personal gain
TransUnion also found that suspected Digital Fraud attempts – where the consumer was transacting in Canada and targeted businesses globally – increased on average by 10.5% YoY in H1 2024 compared to H1 2023 and impacted all industries.
Top Three Industries Globally with Highest Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts Coming from Canada in H1 2024
- Gambling (online sports betting, poker, etc.) – 9.6%
- Retail – 9.2%
- Government – 7.7%
Top Three Industries Globally with Highest YoY Increase (H1 2024 vs H1 2023) in the Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts Coming from Canada
- Logistics – 172.9%
- Gambling – 79.3%
- Video gaming – 67.8%
“Protecting customers and their businesses from fraud is essential to enabling safe and tailored consumer experiences. These findings reveal that despite the good-faith efforts that are being undertaken by companies to identify and prevent fraud to date, fraudsters continue to evolve and it’s vital that fraud prevention methods keep up with the changing times,” said Patrick Boudreau, head of identity management and fraud solutions at TransUnion Canada.
“Businesses that aren’t already doing so should ensure that they are taking advantage of fraud prevention technologies such as identity verification, IP intelligence, device reputation and synthetic identity detection as critical components of their fraud prevention programs,” he added.
-
Latest News5 days agoLeading Brazilian Lottery Operator Grupo da Sorte Selects Optimove as CRM Marketing Solution to Accelerate Growth through Personalized Journey Orchestration
-
Latest News4 days agoBetRivers Introduces PropPacks, an Innovative Feature for the NBA Season
-
Latest News3 days agoProntoPaga Transforms its Operating Model in Brazil to Ensure Risk-Free Transactions
-
Compliance Updates3 days agoBrazilian Ministry of Finance and IBIA sign sports betting integrity agreement
-
Latest News2 days agoCarnival Corporation & PLC Fleet Go “All-In” With Galaxy Gaming’s Galaxy Table Games Progressives
-
Latest News2 days agoBrazilian Ministry of Finance and Sportradar Join Forces to Strengthen Integrity of Sports
-
Gambling in the USA1 day agoPhoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming Now Lighting Up Casino Floors
-
Latest News1 day agoPanel on the benefits of regulation in the Mexican iGaming market