Press Releases
Jamie Shea Urges United States Betting Brands to Embrace Player Education
Strive Gaming Chief Marketing Officer tells Xtremepush podcast Experts in the Room in-play betting has the potential to take off as it has in Europe
Sportsbooks in the United States must focus on educating bettors about the availability and benefits of in-play betting for a profitable future, according to Strive Gaming’s Chief Marketing Officer, Jamie Shea (pictured).
Speaking as a guest on a forthcoming edition of Xtremepush’s podcast series Experts in the Room, the industry leader and former VP of Sportsbook at DraftKings stressed that live betting has so far only reached a fraction of its potential in the country.
That’s despite it being more than five years since the first legal online bets in the United States outside of Nevada were placed with DraftKings in New Jersey.
Also key to profitability is a concerted push to retain expensively acquired players, Shea argues, with increased personalisation favored above expensive blanket bonusing.
“The education of the player is the best retention tool as it teaches them how to play,” said Shea, speaking to Xtremepush’s New Business Account Executive and podcast host, Will Hansen. “A lot of the time, customers just don’t even realize that certain bets exist. One of the things that’s driving me crazy right now in the United States industry is in-play. Why is that not bigger? Seventy per cent of bets should be in-play, as they are in Europe, because it’s fun and provides instant gratification.
“I would love to see that happen in the United States. We need to educate the players on how it works and where they can find it in an app and that’s where push notifications come in. Brands should be doing all they can to let the customer know that hey, there is this wager available and it’s a lot of fun. Every time that I’ve sat down with people and taught them how it works, they love it and it becomes their go-to.”
Shea also stressed that United States operators’ acquisition budgets need to be more in line with player lifetime values, a trend which is already in motion.
“After the first bet on August 1st, 2018, in New Jersey, it was a free-for-all,” she added. “Nobody knew what should be done or how it should be done, just that they wanted as many active customers as possible. And so it was a bonus here, a bonus there.
“Unfortunately, as everybody came to realize, this set the customer up with an expectation that isn’t realistic, because those offers can’t last forever. It also created a lot of promiscuity within the different brands through ‘promo hunters’ and it started to become a race to the bottom. Nobody was profitable.
“Having Strive Gaming and Xtremepush in the United States market allows for so much more targeted marketing, so that bonuses aren’t just thrown at everyone. It allows us to look at what resonates with certain player types as a targeted and measured approach.”
In line with the data-led approach to personalized offerings, Shea also stressed that detecting problematic player behavior is of paramount importance for United States-focused platform provider Strive Gaming.
“For me, it’s a very personal topic,” she said. “I grew up with my dad losing his business and that’s because gaming was not regulated. Nobody was texting him and asking him how he was doing back in 1984. One of the great things about having all of this data available is you can look to see, has someone changed their behavior dramatically?
“I’m very cognizant of player interactions with us. Our customer service team is extremely well-trained to notice when certain trigger words, for example, suggest a person might be having a problem. We can’t be their therapist. We can’t know everything they are thinking. But what we can do is provide the right tools to enable people to keep enjoying sports betting and iGaming, in a very responsible manner that isn’t going to affect their lives.”
Latest News
Galaxy Gaming® 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 PlayDigital™. IGT PlayDigital will license Galaxy’s premium table game content for IGT PlayDigital’s online content portfolio under a five-year agreement.
“I’m delighted to bring Galaxy games back to our valued partners at IGT,” said Jason McCulloch, Vice President of iGaming at Galaxy Gaming. “Our products complement each other strategically and given the impressive performance of IGT PlayDigital’s 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+3®, Perfect Pairs®, Buster Blackjack®, Lucky Lucky®, Lucky Ladies® and Caribbean Stud® — will continue to strengthen IGT PlayDigital’s already high-performing online table games portfolio.
“IGT PlayDigital is pleased to enhance our market-leading iGaming content portfolio with popular online table games from Galaxy Gaming,” said Gil Rotem, IGT PlayDigital President. “As evidenced by IGT PlayDigital’s high performing ‘IGT Blackjack’ 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.”
Latest News
ACR POKER’S 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 PKOs—a rapid progressive knockout tournament format that delivers high-speed play and big knockout prizes in tournaments that last just 45 minutes.
“If you’re a family man like me, finding time to play tournaments can be a challenge,” said ACR Pro and poker legend Chris Moneymaker. “ACR Poker’s Lightning PKOs are perfect for time-starved players who love fast-paced poker action and big knockout rewards without the long grind. Whether you’re playing on mobile or desktop, there’s 45-minute tournaments running around the clock, making it easy to find a game and join the excitement anytime.”
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 Poker’s 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, “Our record fourth quarter and full-year results were driven by our team’s 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 Company’s 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.”
“We capped an active and productive year during which we set the stage for continued strong growth in 2025 and beyond,” said Mr. Gillespie. “In 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.”
Elias Mark, Chief Financial Officer of Gambling.com Group, added, “Fourth 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.”
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 “Supplemental Information – Non-IFRS Financial Measures” 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 (“NDCs”)
- 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 ESPNBet’s 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 Company’s 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 Company’s 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 “Supplemental Information – Non-IFRS Financial Measures” and the tables at the end of this release for reconciliations to the comparable IFRS numbers. |
-
Latest News6 days agobet365 and Incentive Games Launch $10 Million ‘Bracket Challenge’ for 2025 Men’s College Basketball Tournament
-
Latest News6 days agoAeropay Joins the Coalition for Fantasy Sports
-
Latest News6 days agoUNLV’s PGA Golf Management University Program partners with Las Vegas-based AI technology company Evenplay to study the effects of rewards on skill level
-
Gambling in the USA6 days agoPENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone Hollywood Casino App in New Jersey
-
Latest News6 days agoBGaming Expands into Brazil with Pixbet Partnership
-
Latin America6 days agoSharpLink Gaming Reports Full Year 2024 Financial Results
-
Latest News5 days agoRG24seven Virtual Training Collaborates with AI Experts to Expand Responsible Gaming Courses
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoDCP Issues Summary Suspension of High5Games License for Conducting Illegal Gaming Activity