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Inspired Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

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Inspired Reports First Quarter 2019 ResultsReading Time: 7 minutes

 

  • Total Revenue for the First Quarter of $33.7 Million
  • Functional Currency1 Virtual Sports Revenue Increased 11.0% Year-over-Year
  • Net Operating Loss Narrows to $0.7 Million from $0.9 Million in the Prior Year
  • Functional Currency Adjusted EBITDA Growth of 18.5% Year-over-Year
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 Increased to $13.7 Million from $12.4 Million in the Prior Year
  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin3 Increased to 40.7% from 36.6% in the Prior Year
  • Cash Generation of $3.0 Million During the Quarter
  • North American Video Lottery Terminal (“VLT”) Business Expected to Commence Shipments in the Fourth Quarter 2019

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. reported financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

Total Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $33.7 million, a year-over-year decrease of $3.8 million, on a reported basis, driven mainly by adverse currency movements of $2.5 million, as well as a reduction in non-recurring software licenses and nil margin sales of hardware.  Excluding these sales (software licenses of $1.3 million and nil margin hardware of $3.6 million), revenue increased $3.6 million, or 11.0%, on a functional currency (£) basis, and $1.1 million, or 3.3%, on a reported basis.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $13.7 million, a year-over-year increase of 18.5% on a functional currency basis and 10.4% on a reported basis.  Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 40.7% from 36.6% in the prior year, primarily as a result of significant overhead savings, more profitable revenue mix, and more effective business processes.

“Our results for the quarter were in line with our guidance, driven by solid participation revenue, growth in Virtual Sports, and reduced overhead expenses,” said Lorne Weil, Executive Chairman of Inspired Entertainment.  “Most importantly, our high-margin Virtual Sports business, which includes Interactive, delivered a great underlying performance, increasing 11.0% on a functional currency basis.”

Mr. Weil continued, “As we move into the second quarter, we have begun to see the impact of the April implementation of the new £2 stake limit in the UK.  I applaud the efforts of our UK team, which has successfully remodeled and converted our games and software to satisfy the new requirements on an accelerated timetable.  Results to date, albeit only one month, are generally in line with what we were expecting and we continue to believe the projected impact of the reduction in the maximum FOBT betting stake on our Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $10 million to $11 million annually on a steady state basis.  We remain optimistic about our strategy to mitigate a portion of the potential impact.  However, with only one month of data, we are not yet prepared to predict either player adoption rates or the acceleration of the mitigants with greater specificity.”

“We continue to see strong growth in our Virtual Sports and Interactive businesses and we are extremely focused and encouraged by our business development activity across a number of key territories,” concluded Mr. Weil.  “In particular we have a unique opportunity and a clear strategy to build our VLT, Virtual Sports and Interactive businesses in North America and we expect to see more meaningful results starting in the fourth quarter of 2019 when we plan to commence shipments of VLTs into the market.”

Summary of Consolidated First Quarter 2019 Financial Results (unaudited)

















Functional





Qtr Ended



Currency

Currency





March 31

Change

Movement

Growth





2019

2018

(%)

2019

(%)

(In $ millions, except per share figures)













GAAP Measures:













Revenue



$      33.7

$       37.5

-10.1%

$        (2.5)

-3.5%

Net Operating Loss



$      (0.7)

$       (0.9)

NM2

$         0.1

NM

Net (loss)



$      (5.0)

$       (0.5)

NM

$         0.4

NM

Net (loss) per diluted share



$    (0.24)

$     (0.02)

NM





Non-GAAP Measures:













Adjusted Revenue1



$      33.7

$       33.8

-0.5%

$        (2.5)

6.8%

Adjusted EBITDA1



$      13.7

$       12.4

10.4%

$        (1.0)

18.5%

1Reconciliation to GAAP shown below.

2Percentage change is not meaningful.













Recent Highlights

Server Based Gaming (“SBG”)

  • End of Period Installed Base Increased 11.6% Year Over Year –Installed terminal base at the end of the period increased to 35,286 due to the continued terminal rollout in Greece, growth from new contract awards in the UK Licensed Betting Office (“LBO”) estate, and further machine growth in Italy.
  • Total OPAP Terminals Installed Increased to Over 7,300 – The roll out into Greece continued during the period, with an additional 500 terminals having been deployed on site and live as of March 31, 2019. The performance of our Greek terminals continues to be strong compared to those of other suppliers.
  • Growth in Italy Estate –Customer Gross Win per unit per day in Italy increased by 4.2% (in Euros) across all customers compared to the same period last year, due to continued improvement in games and account management. However, an increase in tax on revenue reduced Net Win per unit per day by 22%.
  • 125 Self Service Betting Terminals (“SSBTs”) sold and deployed in the UK – In addition to the hardware sale margin, these terminals also generate a recurring service fee.
  • 50 “Flex” B3 Terminals Sold to a Major Customer in the UK – Terminals were installed towards the end of the first quarter and will result in a recurring service fee and content revenue share to Inspired.
  • Over 100 “Sabre Hydra” Terminals Sold – These Electronic Table Games were sold to a major casino customer in the UK and are expected to be installed during the early half of 2019.

Virtual Sports

  • Additional Virtual Sports Operators – Number of Virtual Sports operators increased to 101 live worldwide (as of March 31, 2019), up 7.4% from the same time last year.
  • Launched Two Streams of Rush Football 2® with BetStars – Both scheduled and on-demand Virtual Sports launched online with BetStars, the international online sports betting brand of The Stars Group Inc., one of the world’s largest online gaming operators.
  • Launched Rush Football 2 with the Moroccan Lottery – Virtual Sports went live in Morocco via the Intralot platform in approximately 200 venues.
  • Inspired Named Virtual Supplier of the Year – The Gaming International Awards at ICE 2019 recognized Inspired as the Virtual Supplier of the Year.

Interactive

  • Number of Live Interactive Customers Increased to 35 – Two new Interactive customers launched during the quarter via the NYX platform.
  • Launched Proprietary Virtual Connect Platform with Genting Online – Virtual Horses, Dogs and Football went live in the UK on Genting’s online platform.
  • Renewed Bet365 Contract – Inspired to continue to provide Virtual Sports online to Bet365 for a further three years.
  • Signed Contract with BCLC to Provide Virtual Sports – New Interactive contract with British Columbia Lottery Corporation (“BCLC”) to supply Virtual Sports on demand, slots and table content.

“Now that the implementation of the £2 maximum stake in the UK is behind us, we are focused on mitigation efforts, including further streamlining of our organization, to more effectively align our resources.  We began this process proactively last quarter and I’m happy to report that we realized over 400 basis points of year-over-year improvement to our Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter,” said Stewart Baker, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Inspired.  “We have also seen a decrease in our capital expenditures due to lower levels of machine spending and software development, leading to positive cash flow in the quarter.”

Management Outlook and Commentary

As previously announced, the implementation of the reduction in the maximum FOBT betting stake mandated by the Triennial Review took place on April 1, 2019.  Management has made no changes to the outlook previously presented on the projected impact on Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $10 million to $11 million annually on a steady state basis, assuming exchange rates remain stable.  Outside of the UK FOBT business, management anticipates growth across its business units and more meaningful contributions from its North American business in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Overview of First Quarter Results

Total Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $33.7 million on a reported basis.  Revenue for the period decreased 3.5% year-over-year on a functional currency (£) basis, driven mainly by a reduction in SBG nil margin hardware and software license sales.

SBG revenue decreased by $2.4 million on a functional currency, or 8.5% at a constant rate, comprised of a reduction in service revenue of $1.2 million and reduction in hardware sales of $1.2 million on a functional currency at constant rate basis.  Total SBG Recurring Revenue increased 1.1% on a functional currency basis.

Virtual Sports revenue increased by $1.1 million on a functional currency basis, or 11.0% at a constant rate, due to growth in the UK and growth in new customer launches in the rest of the world, as well as one-off income from historic recurring revenues previously unreported to the Company. Total Virtual Sports Recurring Revenue increased 16.7% on a functional currency basis.

Adjusted Revenue, revenue excluding nil margin sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was relatively flat year-over-year on a reported basis and up 6.8% on a functional currency basis.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $13.7 million, a year-over-year increase of 18.5% on a functional currency (£) basis and an increase of 10.4% on a reported basis.  Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 40.7%, from 36.6% in the prior year, primarily as a result of overhead savings due to lower staff related costs from group restructuring.

SG&A expenses decreased by $0.9 million, or 5.6%, on a reported basis, to $14.7 million. This decrease was driven by staff related cost savings of $1.5 million.  These savings were offset by an increase in the costs of group restructure of $1.1 million (removed from Adjusted EBITDA) and a decrease in net labor capitalization and manufacturing recoveries of $0.7 million due to mix of projects and lower factory throughput as a result of fewer machines being built in the quarter.

On a reported basis, net operating result improved from a loss of $0.9 million in the prior period to a loss of $0.7 million, mainly due to savings in cost of sales and depreciation and amortization, partly offset by a decrease in revenue and increases in stock-based compensation, acquisition related transaction and SG&A expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 the Company reported a change in fair value of earnout liability of $2.3 million.  In the prior period, due to changes in share price, the corresponding figure was a $3.8 million gain, a $6.0 million difference.  On March 25, 2019 the shares relating to the earnout liability were issued and will no longer represent a liability to the Company.

 

About Inspired Entertainment, Inc.

Inspired is a global games technology company, supplying Virtual Sports, Mobile Gaming and Server Based Gaming systems with associated terminals and digital content to regulated lottery, betting and gaming operators around the world. Inspired currently operates approximately 30,000 digital gaming terminals and supplies its Virtual Sports products through more than 40,000 retail channels and over 100 websites, in approximately 35 gaming jurisdictions worldwide. Inspired employs more than 650 employees in the UK and elsewhere, developing and operating digital games and networks. Additional information can be found at www.inseinc.com.


Source: European Gaming Media
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Inspired Reports First Quarter 2019 Results

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The Untapped Potential of Localised Support January 2024

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Objective: Examine how customer experience shapes player retention and brand loyalty in iGaming, placing emphasis on the role of localised, high-quality support.

Outline:

  • Introduction: The growing focus on customer experience as a differentiator in iGaming.
  • The Value of Localised Support: Exploring how cultural nuances and language fluency enhance player satisfaction.
  • Flexibility in Resource Allocation: Meeting fluctuating demand without compromising quality.
  • Future Trends: How advancements in technology and localization will shape the next era of player engagement.

Questions for Exploration:

  1. How does high-quality, localised support impact player satisfaction and retention?
  2. What role does cultural understanding play in shaping effective customer interactions?
  3. How can operators balance flexibility with consistency in customer support?
  4. What emerging trends in customer experience should iGaming businesses prepare for?

Answer:

In the rapidly evolving iGaming industry, players have more choice than ever before—whether it’s brands, slots, game types, payment options, the list goes on. With so much competition, customer experience is quickly becoming a significant differentiator for operators. The ability to deliver a seamless, player-centric experience across multiple jurisdictions is not just a competitive advantage but a necessity in retaining players in this growingly saturated market.

Customer experience today goes far beyond just problem-solving for players. It encompasses proactive, personalised engagement, meaningful recommendations, and a culturally resonant approach. The operators that succeed in this space are those who maintain high standards across these elements, delivering them in a timely and localised manner. Localisation, in particular, is a key factor in turning good customer service into exceptional customer experiences.

So, why is localisation so important? At its core, successful customer support is built on trust. But building trust across diverse jurisdictions is not something that can be achieved through a single, uniform strategy. Methods of communication are a prime example. In Brazil, where the newly regulated market is flourishing, players may expect warm and conversational interactions. In contrast, many European players often favour more concise and formal communication. Recognising and adapting to these cultural nuances allows operators to foster a stronger connection with their entire player base.

Beyond communication style, localisation also plays a critical role in regulatory compliance. The iGaming industry is highly fragmented in terms of regulations, and players are increasingly aware of their rights. A customer service team that understands local legislation implicitly adds immense value, ensuring compliance while delivering tailored support. This not only reinforces trust but also strengthens the player’s respect for the brand.

At the same time, operators face the challenge of balancing high-quality customer support with the flexibility needed to respond to fluctuating demand. This is where RokkerX delivers measurable value. By offering scalable resource allocation and rigorous cross-functional training, we ensure our teams can adapt to surges in demand; whether it’s a major sporting event in a specific jurisdiction or global-scale activity, without compromising on quality. Our teams remain aligned with the core values of our clients’ brands, ensuring a customer-centric approach at all times.

Looking ahead, the iGaming industry is poised for further transformation, driven by advancements in technology and localisation. At RokkerX, we are committed to staying at the forefront of these changes to help our clients deliver exceptional experiences. Trends like the growing prominence of omnichannel communication, including social media and in-app messaging, and advancements in natural language processing (NLP) will enable operators to communicate with even greater precision and cultural nuance. Yet, the future will demand more than just technology. The ability to strike the right balance between tech-driven solutions and the human touch will be essential in creating meaningful connections with players.

As the industry evolves, the blend of cutting-edge technology, cultural understanding, and human expertise will define the next era of player engagement. By staying ahead of these trends, RokkerX ensures our clients are not only prepared for the future but thrive in it.

The post The Untapped Potential of Localised Support January 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Innovations Redefining iGaming: What Operators Need to Know

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The iGaming industry is advancing at breakneck speed, driven by technological innovation and evolving player expectations. Itai Zak, Executive Director of iGaming at Digicode, emphasizes the importance of bridging client aspirations with customized business solutions. Key trends shaping the future of iGaming include live dealer games, blockchain integration, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), enhanced personalization, and shifting regulatory environments. Let’s delve into how these trends influence the industry, presenting new opportunities while paving the way for future growth.

A Closer Look at Emerging Trends

  • Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games are revolutionizing the online gaming experience, blending the best aspects of land-based casinos with the convenience of virtual gaming. Players can now engage with real-life dealers via high-definition video streams, enhancing the social component of online gambling. This bridge between physical and virtual casinos introduces interactive features like live chat and immersive gameplay. Industry leaders like Evolution Gaming and NetEnt are setting new standards in player engagement with innovative game formats and top-tier studio setups, redefining the realism and appeal of live gaming.

  • Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Integration

Blockchain technology is transforming iGaming by offering unparalleled transparency and security. With blockchain’s ability to enable provably fair gaming, players can verify that each round is fair via an immutable ledger. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum facilitate faster, more secure transactions, catering to tech-savvy players who value privacy. Platforms like Bitcasino.io are leading the way, leveraging blockchain to ensure fairness and seamless payments. However, the rise of blockchain also attracts regulatory attention, requiring operators to balance innovation with compliance as governments navigate this new technology.

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and ML are instrumental in enhancing player experience and operational efficiency. AI algorithms analyze player behavior in real-time, offering personalized game recommendations and promotions. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots provide instant customer support, improving user satisfaction. AI-driven predictive analytics also help operators fine-tune marketing strategies based on player preferences. Companies like Bet365 are already using these technologies to stay ahead of the competition, offering more personalized and efficient gaming experiences.

  • Richer Personalization and Engagement

Personalization has become crucial for iGaming operators looking to boost player satisfaction and retention. By leveraging data analytics, companies can offer tailored game recommendations, dynamic bonuses, and individualized promotional offers. This level of engagement enhances the player experience and strengthens loyalty. Industry pioneers like DraftKings and FanDuel push the envelope by offering highly customized features, such as personalized fantasy sports leagues and bespoke betting options.

  • Regulatory Changes and Market Expansion

The constantly evolving regulatory landscape offers both challenges and opportunities for iGaming operators. As more regions legalize various forms of online gambling, companies gain access to new markets. With their large populations and increasing internet penetration, emerging markets like Brazil and Nigeria represent lucrative opportunities. However, navigating the diverse regulations in these markets requires agility and strict compliance with local laws to succeed.

  • Enhanced Payment Solutions

With digital transactions becoming the norm, the demand for fast, secure, and flexible payment methods is skyrocketing. From digital wallets to instant banking and cryptocurrencies, players expect payment solutions that offer convenience and security. This growing demand is driving innovation in payment processing, giving operators more opportunities to streamline the transaction process while building trust with users.

Future Implications

The Expanding Role of AI and Blockchain

AI and blockchain are not just current trends, but they are poised to play an even more significant role in iGaming’s future. As AI technology evolves, more sophisticated algorithms will emerge, enabling real-time adaptation to player behavior and preferences. Blockchain’s application may extend beyond transparency and security, transforming game mechanics and player interactions potentially redefining how games are designed and played.

Shifting Player Preferences

Player expectations will continue to evolve toward immersive, interactive experiences. As Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) become more mainstream, they will significantly influence the future of iGaming. Players will demand more engaging, lifelike environments, pushing the industry to create innovative game formats and features that offer deeper immersion and entertainment value.

Regulatory Developments

The regulatory environment will continue to evolve, and iGaming operators must stay agile to navigate future changes. New regulations may increasingly emphasize responsible gaming and player protection, influencing platform design and operational practices. A more harmonized regulatory framework across jurisdictions could provide stability while requiring operators to prioritize compliance.

Integrating Emerging Technologies

Technologies like 5G and edge computing are set to revolutionize iGaming by enabling faster, more reliable connectivity. This will allow for more complex game designs and real-time player interactions, opening new avenues for innovative gaming experiences. As these technologies mature, operators will have greater opportunities to differentiate their offerings. The potential of these emerging technologies to revolutionize iGaming is truly exciting and promising for the industry’s future.

Final Thoughts

The iGaming industry is on the cusp of significant transformations, driven by technological advancements and shifting player demands. Innovations like live dealer games, blockchain integration, AI, ML, and enhanced personalization are just the beginning. As the industry evolves, staying ahead of these trends will be critical for operators looking to thrive in an increasingly dynamic environment.

At Digicode, we are constantly exploring new technologies and refining our solutions to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our focus on adaptability and foresight ensures that our clients are not just keeping pace with the industry—they’re leading it.

The post Innovations Redefining iGaming: What Operators Need to Know appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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What makes Turbo Games’ provably fair games so special?

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A partnership between game developer Turbo Games and iGaming solution provider and aggregator Slotegrator began in November 2022 via the APIgrator game integration solution. Since then, the collaboration has been developing successfully — and now it’s time to analyze what made it successful.

Turbo Games has noticed how the new technologies spreading throughout the industry can work for the good of brand transparency and player loyalty: “We can already see how blockchain technology has made it possible to make betting checks more accessible to players. All you need is a blockchain-hash and a decoder service. We think we will continue to move in this direction. Many traditional online casinos do not offer the possibility to check the bet. Sooner or later we all have to come to this. Perhaps the development of artificial intelligence will help here, because we are already seeing its involvement in all spheres of human life.”

Turbo Games specializes in provably fair games. Provable fairness is a concept where players can verify their wins or losses using blockchain technology — the outcome of the game is dictated by a smart contract and is absolutely random, barring the possibility of any human involvement. Using cryptographic hashing algorithms, the gambling site and the player’s device both generate seeds (random strings of numbers). Players receive a key that allows them to check the results; if the results are the same as the game round they witnessed, it proves that there was no foul play.

According to statistics from Turbo Games, the audience for provably fair games is mostly between 18 and 25 years old. However, there are also players aged 35-40 who prefer traditional games but would like to try something new, and have turned their attention to provably fair games.

There are good odds that the technology of provably fair games will become more popular, if not even commonplace, because it gives players a feeling of transparency and proves that the business is trustworthy without the need to search through dozens of reviews. Whereas many innovations in iGaming simply add entertainment, provable fairness addresses security concerns and reassures players that they’re not being exploited, which is invaluable.

Provably fair games are beneficial for both players and online casinos. Vadim Potapenko, Head of Sales at Turbo Games, comments: “It often happens that the users are not satisfied with the result, because gambling is not only about big wins, but also possible losses. By allowing them to check the fairness of a bet, we make life easier for platforms and players. Of course, this allows us to communicate with partners and users that we work honestly and that’s why they should trust our games.”

Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator, adds that “this type of game is now becoming more and more popular and has great potential for both players and game providers in the future. On the part of the player, the advantage is that the player can always be sure that his game is fair and he can independently check any of his bets. And for the game provider, this also simplifies the process of implementing casino games, since now it will not be necessary to obtain the appropriate certificates from independent laboratories before launching new games, they can immediately enter the market with these games and where anyone can check the result and make sure that that there is no cheating with players. Many game providers are starting to look towards this type of game. And as far as I see, many operators are starting to think about adding these games.”

What do players in 2023 need? The iGaming industry is all about reputation and trust. Players have a huge number of platforms to choose from, making them pickier and pickier. There’s an abundance of forums where players leave reviews, so if players view a brand as untrustworthy, there are plenty of places they can share their opinion. Provable fairness not only stops that from happening, it provides evidence to the contrary, giving players something else to talk about.

Slotegrator also recommends investing time and effort into localization and creating an effective and detailed marketing strategy — before trying provably fair technology players need to get to the platform, and there is no acquisition without marketing.

 

 ABOUT SLOTEGRATOR

Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.

The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.

The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.

Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.

More information: https://slotegrator.pro/

 

ABOUT TURBO GAMES

Turbo Games — a provably fair games provider that belongs to Turbo Stars company — has an ambitious goal to establish widespread recognition throughout the iGaming world. Even though it is young, the company consists of professionals who have been working on the brand for over five years and are even planning to introduce a new brand for a wider audience soon.

Turbo Games also works in Europe, India, and South Africa, where the company sees the most potential and expects the same “hype” as in Brazil.

The portfolio of Turbo Games consists of 21 titles, including well-known games like Mines, Crash X, DoubleRoll, Hi-Lo, and Plinko. The studio releases a game every month. However, not all games are developed from scratch. Wicket Blast and Spin Strike, the last two releases, are based on cricket and the Indian Premier League. Crash X remains the most popular fast game in the Turbo Games portfolio, and the studio reports that crash games enjoy stable levels of popularity. Overall, the main focus of the brand is provably fair games.

More information: https://turbogames.io/

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