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Evolution Gaming – INTERIM REPORT FOR JANUARY-MARCH 2020

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Evolution released  its Interim Report for January-March 2020.

First quarter of 2020 (Q1 2019)

  • Operating revenues increased by 45% to EUR 115.1 million (79.3)
  • EBITDA increased by 79% to EUR 64.1 million (35.9), corresponding to a margin of 55.7% (45.3)
  • Profit for the period amounted to EUR 54.2 million (28.6)
  • Earnings per share before dilution amounted to EUR 0.30 (0.16)

Events during the first quarter of 2020

  • Continued high demand generates a positive effect on margin development.
  • Adaptation of operations as a result of covid-19 to ensure the operation and safety of employees.
  • Repurchase of 338,000 shares in order to improve the capital structure by reducing the capital, and thereby creating added shareholder value.

Summary of the first quarter 2020

Comments from Group CEO Martin Carlesund:

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“The spread of COVID-19 has put the world in an exceptional and challenging situation which has also meant operational trials for Evolution. So far, we have handled the situation in a good way, and financially, Evolution has started 2020 very strongly in terms of both growth and profitability.

Revenues for the first quarter amounted to EUR 115 million, an increase of 45 percent compared to the first quarter of 2019. EBITDA amounted to EUR 64 million with a margin of 55.7 percent. With a good financial start to the year, great confidence ahead of the upcoming product launches and a good momentum at the start of the second quarter, I am more certain of our objective for 2020 to improve the margin level compared to 2019. Together, all employees did a fantastic job during the first quarter. I am deeply grateful for the energy and determination with which we have taken up the challenge – we have step-by-step, methodically moved forward every day. Of course, this work continues as we work to stay ahead of the developing situation. Our main priorities in dealing with the COVID-19 situation are to minimize the risk of spreading the virus and to create a safe workplace for our employees as well as to maintain the operation for our operators. We continue to comply with all the requirements from the authorities in the countries we operate in, and in many cases we have taken more far-reaching initiatives. Thanks to the extensive measures that have been implemented in terms of social distancing, changed working processes and routines for our employees, our operations have been able to continue without any large negative effects. However, in several of our studios, we operate with fewer tables compared to normal, and our studios in Georgia and Spain have been temporarily closed during limited periods. During these periods, a large share of the traffic has been managed by the company’s other studios. To be a global company with sites across multiple territories has been an important factor during these times. With that said, our studios in Latvia and Malta are important hubs from which several of our most popular titles are broadcasted.

We have seen an increased and strong demand for our products all through the first quarter. During the end of the quarter the absence of sporting betting games likely also favoured growth in our products. This circumstance effects also the start of the second quarter and we now see many new players being introduced to the Live segment. All in all, this means that we have a very good start to the year so far, but there will be also continuous challenges as we have not seen the end of the development of COVID-19 yet.

We continue unabated with investments in both studios and new games. During ICE in London earlier this year, 12 new titles were announced, of which two went live during the first quarter; Speed Blackjack and Lightning Baccarat. Today, 23 April, we are launching Mega Ball – including a First Person version. Mega Ball is our first game in the lottery vertical. During its beta phase, the game has exhibited a high attraction and it will be interesting to follow the games development. In addition, we will extend our First Person portfolio with three more launching in the second quarter. Another two table games will also be launched during the quarter, Power Blackjack and Baccarat Multiplay.

The construction of our new studio in Pennsylvania continues but with a postponed timetable due to the COVID-19 situation. However, our aim to launch it before year-end remains. Michigan has accelerated its casino regulation process and we hope that the state soon will be the third regulated market in the US. In South Africa we have received a National Manufacturer license. The license means that Evolution now is able to offer its and the subsidiary Ezugi’s products to all licensed gaming operators in South Africa.

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To conclude, I am proud of how we have started off the year from a financial perspective, but even prouder of how we have handled these difficult times from an operational standpoint. All employees have showed that they are fast-paced, flexible and that even in hard circumstances they are able to maintain their focus on our given path; to continue to increase the gap to the competition and to strengthen our leading position.”

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LiveScore Group Announces Internal Restructuring as Part of Sustainable Growth Strategy

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LiveScore Group has announced an internal restructuring process, expected to impact more than 100 existing roles across multiple business locations, including London.

The changes are seen as a difficult yet important step for LiveScore Group, streamlining the business to create improved structures and a pathway to long-term sustainable growth. All impacted employees have been informed and are now subject to a confidential consultation process.

Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore Group, said: “On behalf of all Directors of LiveScore Group, and the relevant subsidiary companies, we are saddened by the difficult decision to commence an internal restructure of the business, a process which impacts a significant number of our people.

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“Whilst we celebrate our recent period of significant and exciting growth, we must now future-proof the organisation and ensure our internal structures allow us to achieve long-term and sustainable success.

“This is a hard time for all our people, as we say goodbye to colleagues who have played an important role in our journey across recent years.”

The announcement follows on from the recent news that LiveScore Malta Limited (part of LiveScore Group) is to withdraw its LiveScore Bet brand from the Netherlands following recent government tax increases in the market. The announcement includes those impacted by this. There will be no other customer impact in respect of any of the remaining LiveScore, LiveScore Bet or Virgin Bet sites globally.

The post LiveScore Group Announces Internal Restructuring as Part of Sustainable Growth Strategy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Pronet Gaming Appoints Alex Karaoulis as its New Commercial & Product Strategy Lead

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Pronet Gaming, an award-winning platform provider of full turnkey solutions, announced the appointment of Alexandros Karaoulis as its new Commercial & Product Strategy Lead.

With over 14 years of experience in the iGaming industry, Karaoulis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be instrumental in driving the company’s strategic initiatives forward.

Throughout his iGaming career, Karaoulis has held various senior roles with B2B sportsbook and casino providers, as well as with B2C operators. His extensive background in marketing and sales within the iGaming sector positions him as a true industry expert, ensuring that Pronet Gaming remains at the forefront of innovation in a rapidly evolving market.

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“I am thrilled to join Pronet Gaming and excited to fulfill my role in developing and executing sales strategies to drive the company’s revenue growth in key markets,” Karaoulis said.

With a track record in commercial strategies and driving product excellence, Karaoulis’ appointment is invaluable as Pronet Gaming now seeks to expand its footprint to Asia. His vision and deep understanding of the iGaming landscape equip him to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that the dynamic region presents.

“I want Pronet Gaming to lead the iGaming revolution by providing innovative, culturally tailored solutions that cater to the diverse and rapidly growing demands of the region. Through strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of local markets, we aim to empower operators to offer world-class gaming experiences that engage players and drive sustainable growth,” he added.

According to Karaoulis, Pronet Gaming is poised to make a splash in Asia by leveraging its advanced technology, flexible platform solutions and deep market expertise while adapting to the unique characteristics of the region.

“The key differentiation point of Pronet Gaming is that we have B2C experience, which greatly aids in understanding the needs of operators and helping them to improve and execute their strategy according to the market. I have worked in B2C roles for more than seven years in my iGaming Career and managed campaigns across various channels, optimised conversion funnels, and learned to use data to improve player acquisition and retention,” said Karaoulis.

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Karaoulis acknowledges that the marketing skills he has acquired from B2C experience are valuable in every B2B environment. As he dives into his new role at Pronet Gaming, Karaoulis aims to guide his operator clients on how to better market their own sites, including providing them with advice on effective acquisition strategies, content marketing and campaign structures that appeal to iGaming audiences.

“I also focus heavily on engagement strategies, loyalty programs, bonuses, and personalised offers to keep players active and returning. In my new B2B role, I will advise clients on best practices for player engagement, helping them adopt effective loyalty programs, personalised marketing, and retention tactics that drive player lifetime value to improve the end-player experience for our clients’ sites,” Karaoulis added.

The post Pronet Gaming Appoints Alex Karaoulis as its New Commercial & Product Strategy Lead appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Vbet Wins Best Online Casino Operator 2024 at SiGMA Europe 2024

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Vbet has been crowned the Best Online Casino Operator 2024 at the highly coveted SiGMA Europe event, cementing its position as a leader in the online gaming industry.

This achievement highlights Vbet’s commitment to providing an exceptional user experience by combining cutting-edge technology with a vast range of options and a secure process. The dedication to creating a responsible, enjoyable environment for players was recognised with this award, making this accolade even more significant. As Vbet continue to expand into new markets, the list of strategic partnerships grows alongside our constant drive to expand its offering. This award serves as a stepping stone on its path to reach more players and set new standards in the industry.

Arman Khachatryan, VBET’s Managing Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the Best Online Casino Operator award at SiGMA Europe 2024. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion, and effort of our entire team. Our mission has always been to deliver the highest quality experience in the safest environment possible to our users. This award not only recognizes our dedication to this mission but also motivates us to continue expanding into new markets and territories.”

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