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Aspire Global: Interim Report Second Quarter 2021
ALL-TIME HIGH REVENUES AND EBITDA IN Q2 2021
SECOND QUARTER
- Revenues increased by 27.7% to €55.8 million (43.7).
- EBITDA increased by 40.1% to €9.9 million (7.1).
- The EBITDA margin increased to 17.7% (16.1%).
- EBIT increased by 37.5% to €7.8 million (5.7).
- Earnings after tax increased 53.7% to €6.9 million (4.5).
- Earnings per share increased 56% to €0.14 (0.09).
SIX MONTHS
- Revenues increased by 34.2% to €103.9 million (77.4).
- EBITDA increased by 50.3% to €18.4 million (12.3).
- The EBITDA margin increased to 17.8% (15.8%).
- EBIT increased by 49.3% to €14.3 million (9.6).
- Earnings after tax increased 84.9% to €13.0 million (7.0).
- Earnings per share increased 93% to €0.27 (0.14).
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE QUARTER AND AFTER THE END OF THE QUARTER
- Revenues increased 27.7% from Q2 2020 driven by strong development in all segments and the acquisition of BtoBet, a leading sportsbook provider, in September 2020.
- Organic growth of 21.6% from Q2 2020.
- B2B revenues grew 24.4% from Q2 2020 with organic growth of 16.2%.
- Significant progress in sub-segments Aggregation and Games – Pariplay and Sports – BtoBet.
- Good progress in the US with deals covering game aggregation and proprietary games.
- Platform and managed services deal with Ireland’s biggest land-based casino group.
- Three deals covering Aspire Global’s complete offering for the launch of new brands in Europe and Latin America.
- First brand live with BtoBet’s sportsbook on Aspire Global’s platform.
- New license for games in Greece. Aspire Global now operates in 30 regulated markets.
- Sports deals signed with, among all, esports operator Luckbox.
- BuyWin, a new innovative tool, which addresses the new German regulation, was launched in July. BuyWin also gives a higher return to player and access to a wider range of content.
CEO COMMENTS
“WE ARE CONFIDENT TO REACH OUR 2021 FINANCIAL TARGETS”
Aspire Global reports its sixth consecutive quarter with solid growth. We made significant progress in the quarter by growing our business with both existing as well as new partners in the US, Europe, Latin America and Africa. Taking into account our strong business momentum and deal flow, we are confident to reach our 2021 financial targets.
Revenues increased by 27.7% from Q2 2020 to an all-time high €55.8 million, with organic growth of 21.6%. Growth was particularly strong in the UK and Ireland as well as in region rest of world which reflects our successful expansion in the Americas as well as the consolidation of BtoBet. It is especially gratifying to note the strong organic growth taking into account that Q2 2020 was positively impacted by the pandemic.
EBITDA increased by 40.1% to record high €9.9 million and the EBITDA margin improved to from 16.1% to 17.7%. The increased profitability is driven by strong topline growth, impressive performance in BtoBet and Pariplay, acquired in 2020 and 2019, respectively, as well as our continuous focus on cost control.
KEY WINS FOR OUR PLATFORM OFFERING
Our recent contract wins with new partners, covering Aspire Global’s complete iGaming offering, show that we are in the forefront of the industry. In June, we signed a deal with Stake.com for its upcoming launch of a new brand in the UK. Stake.com is an international, fast-growing casino and betting site with more than 30 billion bets every year. We are happy to support Stake.com with our complete offering in launching its new casino and betting site stake.co.uk in the large UK market. In April, we signed the deal with Luckster.com, a new multi-vertical brand founded by industry veterans, for its upcoming launch in Europe and Latin America. Two weeks ago, we signed an agreement with JNS Gaming which we will support in building a new, global casino and sports brand.
A key growth segment to us is landbased casinos that want to go online. We are proud to partner with Funfair Casino, Ireland’s biggest land-based casino group, and to support in taking their business online.
SUCCESS FOR BTOBET
Just shortly after our acquisition of BtoBet last fall, BtoBet announced a deal with Betfair in Colombia. Betfair launched its sportsbook in Q1 2021 and we can now see a satisfying development in deposits which demonstrates BtoBet’s capabilities. This mutually rewarding collaboration can open up for other opportunities and is a good case study of how Aspire Global approaches tier 1 operators.
Esports is a quickly growing segment and we are excited to team up with the award-winning esports operator Luckbox. BtoBet will be providing Luckbox with its cutting-edge sportsbook in European and Latin American countries. This will enable Luckbox to build an entirely bespoke player journey, customizing the sportsbook experience to its liking and providing players with a unique customer experience.
BtoBet’s proprietary sportsbook is a key competitive advantage when talking to new as well as existing partners. In the quarter, we initiated the first projects where partner brands will replace their existing sports solution with the BtoBet sportsbook and mid-August the first brand went live with BtoBet’s sportsbook on our platform. We expect the shift of partner brands to the BtoBet proprietary platform to positively impact revenues and margins throughout 2021.
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THE US
Our expansion plans for the US market are running according to plan. Since early August, we have Quincy Raven in place as the Managing Director of Aspire Global’s US operations. The US iGaming market is growing at an impressive rate, and we want to be at forefront of the developments. Quincy has vast experience and will focus on accelerating sales and setting up the relevant operations in order to make sure Aspire Global can establish a significant presence in the US.
In May, Pariplay signed a deal with Amelco that will integrate Pariplay’s premium Fusion
GROWTH IN NEW MARKETS
Aspire Global today operates in 30 regulated markets spanning Europe, the Americas and Africa. Our objective is to continue our growth in regulated markets, both with existing and new partners. We have a strong focus on gaining more certifications and licenses mainly in Europe and the Americas. In the Americas, we focus especially on the US and Brazil. In Europe we see a huge potential for our sportsbook. The introduction of our sportsbook offering has just started in the UK and we have certification processes ongoing in other key European markets. In June, Pariplay was granted a Greek suitability license and the license allows us to enter the Greek market for the first time.
NEW INNOVATIVE FEATURES
To stay at the forefront of the industry development, innovation is important to us. In order to meet the new requirements in the German market, we launched BuyWin in July. BuyWin addresses the new German regulation by a unique bet contribution on transactions, enabling operators to offer all the games German players are used to, at the standard, high RTP of 95-96%. The innovative tool delivers better player acquisition opportunities due to the higher RTP and wider range of gaming content. AspireEngage, our new CRM tool, was launched earlier this year and is a key contributor to the strong growth.
VALUE CREATING ACQUISITIONS
In Q2 2021, Pariplay reported revenue growth of over 72% and BtoBet of more than 105% with good profitability. These two acquisitions have significantly contributed to Aspire Global’s strong performance and have been essential in positioning Aspire Global as the powerhouse for iGaming operators. It is satisfying to see that Aspire Global has so clearly demonstrated its ability to make value creating acquisitions.
STRONG B2C GROWTH
Also in this quarter, the B2C segment demonstrated strong revenue growth. In March 2021, we initiated a review of the role of the B2C segment within the Group structure and we expect to finalize the review during the fall. The review will assist us to better assess our options to further accelerate its growth. Such a move could help improve Aspire Global’s overall margins and EBITDA and potentially support us in accelerating new B2B initiatives and enter fresh markets.
OUTLOOK
Aspire Global has consistently demonstrated its ability to execute its growth strategy and create value. We see tremendous growth opportunities by expanding with existing partners, gaining new partners and entering new markets. Aspire Global’s financial targets for 2021 are €200 million in revenue and €32 million in EBITDA which implies an EBITDA margin of 16%. Taking into account our strong business momentum and deal activity, we are confident that Aspire Global will reach its 2021 financial targets.
Tsachi Maimon, CEO
Latest News
DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus
DreamPlay’s ambitions go far beyond simple game development. With a new office in Limassol, the international iGaming solutions provider is expanding its presence in Europe and laying the foundations for a new philosophy of the iGaming business.
The location in Limassol was not chosen by chance – Cyprus has long become the European center of iGaming. It is here that key market players, large operators and financial structures supporting the industry are concentrated. And the high concentration of technology and talented developers allows DreamPlay to form its own ecosystem of talent.
If in the 2010s Cyprus became a hub for classic iGaming operators, today it is a point of attraction for technology companies that are betting on metaverses and the integration of games into a wider digital ecosystem. DreamPlay is one of those shaping this trend.
Google-style campus for game development talents
The DreamPlay office and campus in Limassol are part of the company’s international network of corporate campuses. Similar hubs already operate in Thailand, Bali, Peru, the UAE and Poland. They offer employees comfortable working conditions and the ability to move between locations, accommodation, meals, legal support for stays in different countries. And all this is at the expense of the company. -And the flexible work format and 4-day work week in the company helps DreamPlay talents maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s all about well-established business processes and taking care of the team.
It’s nice to know that you can come to the country, and there is a Dream Campus where friends, like-minded people and someone who can simply take care of you are waiting for you. They will meet you at the airport, give you a tour, accompany you on medical or legal issues. It’s all part of the team.
“iGaming is an industry of emotions. Therefore, the people who create it should work where they feel best. Therefore, in our campuses we create an environment where the team can feel maximum freedom for creativity, focus on creating new breakthrough products. And not be distracted by everyday issues. And we are sure that this gives us a strategic advantage, because we are sure that our employees have received better conditions than their colleagues in other companies. Comfort, flexibility and freedom are part of our global philosophy of DreamPlay,” shares DreamPlay CEO Alex Tkach.
What does this mean for the market?
Opening a DreamPlay office in Cyprus is a wise decision, as the company is preparing to enter new markets and partner with the largest iGaming players. It is also a signal to the entire market that the company is moving into the league of global players who dictate trends, rather than following them.
If today Cyprus is another platform for international expansion, then tomorrow DreamPlay may turn into one of the first technology companies in iGaming, operating on the principle of large IT holdings.
And this is where the main intrigue lies: will DreamPlay become the one who fundamentally rethinks the very nature of the industry?
The post DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
International Game Technology PLC
IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

International Game Technology PLC announced that it recently introduced its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game in the world’s most prolific video poker market: Las Vegas, Nev. Guests of Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino (Downtown Grand) in Downtown Las Vegas became the first players in the world to enjoy legendary IGT multi-hand video poker paired with the puzzle-solving, wheel-spinning fun of Wheel of Fortune via IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game.
“Becoming the first casino in the world to offer IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker was an exciting moment for Downtown Grand and one that generated palpable buzz and significant play on our gaming floor. For decades, our players have enjoyed IGT video poker and Wheel of Fortune slots, so combining the DNA of those two products to create something new is an exciting proposition for our players,” said Rick Coltor, Slots Manager at the Downtown Grand Las Vegas.
“Launching IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker in Las Vegas, the world’s largest video poker market, marked another important milestone in the rollout of our expanded Wheel of Fortune games portfolio. Our Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game delivers an ideal blend of proven multi-hand poker, jackpot excitement and the signature elements of Wheel of Fortune games that have propelled the theme’s success for more than 25 years,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming.
IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker is currently available on the CrystalCurve cabinet. Wheel of Fortune Video Poker incorporates the franchise’s famous puzzle-solving features and the iconic “Wheel Bonus” that has had players chanting “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” for decades. The multi-hand poker game is available in triple-play, five-play and ten-play configurations and can award players 30,000, 50,000 or 100,000 credits, respectively, for a dealt royal flush.
The post IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Frank Arthofer
MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment

MLB Players Inc., a commercial affiliate of the Major League Baseball Players Association, and OneTeam Partners announced they’ve reached a licensing agreement with PENN Entertainment.
The agreement designates PENN’s sports betting platforms – ESPN BET in the U.S. and theScore BET in Canada – as Officially Licensed Sportsbooks of MLBPI.
PENN now has the rights to use MLB player names, images and likenesses on its sports betting platforms, marketing assets and promotional campaigns.
The deal also includes PENN’s retail sportsbook operations (32 retail sportsbooks at its casino properties, including 19 under the ESPN BET brand).
Last fall, FanDuel and MLBPI reached a similar licensing agreement after the MLB players’ union sued FanDuel and Underdog Fantasy in New York Supreme Court, accusing them of using the names and likeness of ballplayers on their players without permission.
”As baseball season gets underway, we’re excited to offer fans an enhanced betting experience that includes player likenesses, expanded wagering options and a more dynamic product. Partnering with MLB Players Inc. strengthens our connection to the league and its star players and creates additional opportunities to engage fans throughout the season,” said Jason Birney, Vice President of Operations at PENN Interactive.
OneTeam Partners specializes in commercializing group licensing rights for professional athlates, and is a joint venture between the NFL Players Association, MLB Players Association, Women’s National Basketball Players Association, MLS Players Association, and U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association.
“By integrating MLB player rights into PENN Entertainment’s platforms, this partnership brings fans closer to the game while unlocking new business opportunities in sports betting. It highlights the growing influence of players in shaping premium, fan-focused betting experiences while enhancing player NIL rights and widening distribution,” said Frank Arthofer, President of OneTeam Partners.
The post MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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