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Sportradar Reports Strong Growth in Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021

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Fourth quarter revenue grew 41% while full year 2021 revenue grew 39%, exceeding Company’s outlook
Annual revenue surpasses €500 million for the first time in Company’s history
Company projects solid annual revenue growth of 18% to 25% in fiscal 2022
Secured multiyear partnerships with NHL, NBA, ITF, ICC, UEFA, Bundesliga

Sportradar Group AG, a leading global technology company enabling next generation engagement in sports, and the number one provider of business-to-business solutions to the global sports betting industry, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

Full Year 2021 Highlights and Annual Outlook

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  • Revenue for the full year of 2021 increased 39% to €561.2 million ($634.2 million)1 compared with the prior year, driven by strong growth across all business segments. Full year revenue exceeded the top end of the Company’s 2021 annual outlook range of €553 – €555 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 for the full year of 2021 increased 33% to €102.0 million ($115.3 million)1 compared with the prior year. Full year Adjusted EBITDA exceeded the top end of the Company’s 2021 annual outlook range of €99.5 – €101.5 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 for 2021 excluding Sportradar’s September 2021 Initial Public Offering (IPO) costs was €113.7 million ($128.5 million)1.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin2 for 2021 was 18% compared with 19% for 2020. Excluding IPO costs, Adjusted EBITDA margin was 20% for 2021.
  • Strong Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate2 increased to 125% for fiscal 2021 compared with 113% for fiscal 2020 highlighting the continued success of the Company’s cross-sell and upsell strategy across its global customer base.
  • Cash and cash equivalents totaled €742.8 million as of December 31, 2021. Total liquidity available for use at December 31, 2021, including undrawn credit facilities was €852.8 million.
  • Sportradar extended multiyear partnerships with the National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Bundesliga International, in addition to securing new deals with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). These deals reinforce Sportradar’s leadership as a trusted technology and data partner to the biggest leagues and federations around the world.
  • The Company provided an annual outlook for full-year 2022 for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA2. Revenue is expected to be in the range of €665.0 million to €700.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA2 is expected to be in the range of €123.0 million to €133.0 million. Please see the “Annual Financial Outlook” section of this press release for further details.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights

  • Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased 41% to €152.4 million ($172.2 million)1 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, driven by robust growth across all business segments.
  • Continued strong performance in the U.S. market with U.S. revenue increasing by 92% to €23.2 million ($26.2 million) 1 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased 14.0% to €21.4 million ($24.2 million)1 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin2 was 14% in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with 17% over the prior year primarily as a result of increased investment in content and technology, higher costs related to being a public company, as well as higher M&A costs.
  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased to (€22.5) million which resulted in a cash flow conversion2 of (105.1%) primarily as a result of additional interest from the Company’s senior secured term loan facility originating in November 2020, timing of sports data licensing payments to leagues, IPO related payments as well as higher costs associated with being a public company.

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1 For the convenience of the reader, we have translated Euros amounts in the tables below at the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 30, 2021, which was €1.00 to $1.13.
2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.

Key Financial Measures

In millions, in Euros Q4 Q4 Change FY FY Change
2021 2020 % 2021 2020 %
Revenue 152.4 108.0 41% 561.2 404.9 39%
Adjusted EBITDA2 21.4 18.8 14% 102.0 76.9 33%
Adjusted EBITDA margin2 14.0% 17.4% 18.2% 19.0%
Adjusted Free Cash Flow2 (22.5) 7.1 14.5 53.5 (73%)
Cash Flow Conversion2 (105.1%) 37.5% 14.3% 69.6%

Carsten Koerl, Chief Executive Officer of Sportradar said: “I am very pleased with our strong results, which illustrate how well we are delivering on our operational and growth plans. Importantly, we have good momentum going into our next fiscal year. We are continuing to invest in content, technology and people that will allow us to deliver profitable growth in line with our goals.

Koerl continued, “We are particularly pleased about more than doubling our year-over-year revenues in the United States, which continues its explosive sports betting growth story. Sportradar has been a leader in this market since 2014, and we’re now seeing the results of our early investment. We continue to see the enormous opportunity as sports betting becomes an increasingly integral part of the media entertainment fabric in the U.S.

Segment Information

RoW Betting

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  • Segment revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 30% to €82.2 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. This growth was driven primarily by uptake in our higher value-add offerings including Managed Betting Services (MBS) and Live Odds Services, which increased by 74% and 26% respectively. MBS experienced record turnover3 and Live Odds grew as a result of higher volume of sports coverage.
  • Segment Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 58% to €45.7 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 56% from 46% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 driven by growth in higher margin products.
  • Full year 2021 revenue grew 32% to €309.4 million compared with the prior year of 2020. Full year Adjusted EBITDA2 increased 49% to €177.0 million. Full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 57% from 51% in the prior year.

1 For the convenience of the reader, we have translated Euros amounts in the tables below at the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 30, 2021, which was €1.00 to $1.13.
2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.
3 Turnover is the total amount of stakes placed and accepted in betting.

RoW Audiovisual (AV)

  • Segment revenue increased in the fourth quarter of 2021 by 52% to €35.6 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.  This growth was primarily a result of increased volume of streaming services across all major sports.
  • Segment Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 77% to €9.9 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 28% from 24% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Full year 2021 revenue grew 32% to €140.2 million compared with the prior year of 2020. Full year Adjusted EBITDA2 increased 47% to €39.2 million. Full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 28% from 25% in the prior year.

United States

  • Segment revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 92% to €23.2 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. This growth was driven by our increased sales of U.S. Betting services as the underlying market and turnover3 grew. We also experienced strong adoption of our ad:s product, growth in U.S. Media and a positive impact from the acquisition of Synergy Sports.
  • Segment Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased to (€7.6) million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily due to increased investment in the Company’s league and team solutions focused business. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin2 decreased to (33%) from 11% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting the aforementioned increased investment.
  • Full year 2021 revenue grew 108% to €71.7 million compared with the prior year of 2020. Full year Adjusted EBITDA2 decreased 38% to (€22.6) million. Full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to (32%) from (48%) in the prior year.

Costs and Expenses

  • Personnel expenses in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by €12.7 million to €47.0 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily resulting from additional hires in the Company’s product and technology organizations (2,959 FTE in the fourth quarter of 2021 vs 2,366 FTE in the fourth quarter of 2020).
  • Other Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by €13.3 million to €27.2 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 mainly driven by higher travel and entertainment and marketing costs as pandemic restrictions eased, higher M&A costs as well as increased costs to implement a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
  • Total Sport rights costs in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by €8.8 million to €38.5 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily resulting from a normalized schedule in sports such as NBA, NHL and MLB, as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased.

2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.
3 Turnover is the total amount of stakes placed and accepted in betting.

Fourth Quarter Business Highlights

  • Sportradar and the NBA announced an expansive multiyear partnership agreement that will see the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and NBA G League use Sportradar’s global and wide-ranging capabilities to grow U.S. operations, increase their international footprint and drive fan engagement. This new partnership begins with the 2023-24 NBA season and provides the NBA with an equity stake in Sportradar.
  • The Company extended its long-term partnership with Bundesliga International, a subsidiary of DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, featuring a suite of AI-driven fan engagement tools which enable Genrmany’s top football league to better engage fans.
  • Sportradar also extended its partnership with Kambi, a leading global sports betting supplier. The deal reestablishes Sportradar as Kambi’s exclusive supplier of NBA, NHL, MLB, and college sports data in the US market.
  • Sportradar announced a new multi-year partnership with PointsBet, a premier global online gambling operator, that establishes Sportradar as PointsBet’s US supplier of choice for MLB, NBA, NHL, college football, and college basketball data.
  • Sportradar announced a partnership with UEFA’s as their exclusive authorized collector and distributor of data for betting purposes, as well as extending its role as UEFA’s official integrity partner. The Company secured this landmark agreement following UEFA’s first competitive tender process for its data distribution rights for betting purposes.
  • The Company strengthened its existing partnership with ITF with a three-year extension to serve as the ITF’s official data partner.
  • Sportradar was selected by the ICC making Sportradar its Official Data Distribution and Official Betting Live Streaming Partner. The partnership will create more opportunities for the ICC to engage with its fan base through Sportradar’s network of 1,000 media and sports-betting clients across 80 countries.
  • The Company underlined its commitment to protecting the integrity of sport with the launch of Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) free of charge. Sportradar Integrity services has utilized UFDS, to detect suspicious activity in 12 sports across more than 70 countries. Sportradar will begin delivering its UFDS bet monitoring service free of charge, to sports federations, sports leagues, and state authorities around the world, in its continued commitment to protecting the integrity of global sport and making the system accessible to all.
  • Sportradar announced significant high-profile hires to further strengthen its US team, including Andrew Bimson as North American Chief Operating Officer, Jim Brown as Head of Integrity Services & Harm Prevention and Rima Hyder as Head of Investor Relations.

Annual Financial Outlook

Sportradar is providing its outlook for fiscal 2022.

  • Revenue is expected to be in the range of €665.0 million to €700.0 million ($752.0 million to $791.0 million)1, representing growth of 18% to 25% over fiscal 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 is expected to be in the range of €123.0 million to €133.0 million ($139.0 million to $150.0 million) 1, representing growth of 21% to 30% over fiscal 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin2 is expected to be in the range of 18.5% to 19.0%, an improvement over the prior year.

1 For the convenience of the reader, we have translated Euros amounts in the tables below at the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 30, 2021, which was €1.00 to $1.13.
2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.

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Top Online Casino Trends to Watch: Megapari’s Expert Analysis

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Top Online Casino Trends to Watch: Megapari’s Expert Analysis

 

The gambling industry is evolving rapidly, bringing new opportunities and challenges daily. To help affiliates maximize their earnings by focusing on what truly engages players, experts from Megapari discuss the latest trends and key developments shaping the future of the sector in their newest article.

Megapari Partners is an affiliate platform that welcomes traffic from more than 50 geographical regions. With revenue shares of up to 50%, as well as CPA and hybrid options, the platform boasts an active partner base of over 30,000 affiliates.

When discussing the evolution of online casinos, Megapari emphasized the ongoing growth in the popularity of crash games. Although the mechanics of these games are not new and have been recognized within the industry for some time, Megapari notes that their popularity continues to rise. Leading providers have adapted to the overwhelming demand for this category of slots by introducing their own variations of the crash game mechanics. Games like Aviator and Aviatrix have solidified their positions in the platform’s Top 5 most popular slots, combining high RTP with appealing graphics and captivating gameplay. Compared to Q4 2023, Megapari has observed an increase in the popularity of crash slots more than 60%, further confirming the hypothesis of the ongoing expansion of these types of games.

Additionally, Megapari’s experts point to the significance of the “retention” rate in clicker slots. These types of slots gained popularity during the first half of 2024, attracting players with their incredibly simple mechanics. While it may be too early to compare the popularity of clickers with that of crash games, Megapari believes that in the second half of 2024, the industry will likely witness further growth in this category of slots.

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When it comes to classic and well-known mechanics, roulette games remain among the top preferences for players. American and European roulettes—classic games with familiar rules—continue to attract players with their straightforward and well-known gameplay. Despite the fact that roulettes have long been a staple among popular and widely recognized slots, Megapari has noted an increase in the popularity of this category of games, demonstrating that the appeal of classic games should not be underestimated.

Beyond the games themselves, the hardware used by players is also advancing, leading users to seek out slots with superior graphics. More and more providers are focusing not only on game mechanics but also on enhancing gameplay with visually stunning and immersive slots, such as Medusa by Spinomenal or Heist: Bank Rush. Complex animations and vibrant icons attract players, enriching their gaming experience with greater variety.

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The Role of Adaptive Soundtracks in Player Engagement

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Video slot games have come a long way from their humble beginnings. Today’s gaming experience is not just about graphics or slot gameplay; sound has also taken center stage, adding depth and enhancing player immersion. One aspect that has emerged as a slot game-changer is adaptive soundtracks. These dynamic musical scores adjust in real-time based on the player’s actions, emotions, or in-slot game events. This innovation has significantly impacted player engagement, contributing to a more immersive and interactive gaming experience.

What Are Adaptive Soundtracks?

An adaptive soundtrack refers to a musical score that changes depending on what’s happening in a slot online game. Unlike static soundtracks, which play in a loop or remain the same throughout the slot game, adaptive music evolves as players progress through different levels or encounter specific challenges. The changes in the soundtrack can reflect various in-slot game elements like mood shifts, action sequences, or environmental changes, helping to create a seamless experience.

In simpler terms, adaptive soundtracks adjust to the slot game’s flow. If a player is in a high-stress situation like a battle or chase, the music might intensify to heighten the feeling of urgency. On the other hand, if the player is exploring a peaceful environment, the music may slow down or become more calming. This dynamic nature of adaptive soundtracks plays a crucial role in how engaged a player feels while playing.

How Adaptive Soundtracks Work

Adaptive soundtracks rely on a system that monitors in-slot game events, player movements, and environmental changes. Based on specific triggers, the music shifts to suit the atmosphere or slot gameplay. This can be achieved through a variety of techniques:

  • Layering: The slot game’s soundtrack is composed of multiple layers of music. Depending on the situation, different layers are added or removed to create the right mood. For instance, in a stealth slot game, the soundtrack may begin with a light, suspenseful melody, but as enemies approach, an additional layer of percussion or a faster rhythm may be introduced to increase tension.
  • Transitioning: In some slot gacor games, rather than layering, the music transitions between different themes. For example, when a player enters a combat sequence, the tranquil exploration theme may fade out and a more intense battle score takes over. The shift is smooth, ensuring that the player doesn’t feel disconnected from the slot gameplay.
  • Reacting to Player Inputs: Some adaptive soundtracks are directly influenced by the player’s decisions. In role-playing slot games (RPGs), where players make moral choices, the music may shift to reflect the emotional weight of those decisions. A heroic act may bring in uplifting music, while a villainous choice might introduce darker, more ominous tones.

Why Soundtracks Matter in Gaming

Sound is an often overlooked but essential aspect of gaming. Without it, slot games would lose a significant layer of immersion and emotional depth. Music sets the mood, adds tension, and can guide players through complex narratives without using words.

Enhancing Emotional Connection

One of the primary ways adaptive soundtracks contribute to player engagement is by enhancing emotional connections. The music in a slot game can evoke a wide range of emotions, from excitement to fear, sadness, and triumph. By adjusting the soundtrack to match the player’s experience, adaptive soundtracks ensure that the emotional impact of the slot game is felt more strongly.

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For example, in horror slot games, sudden changes in music can signal an impending threat, causing players to feel anxious or on edge. In adventure slot games, a soaring soundtrack during a climactic moment can make players feel empowered or inspired. This emotional engagement is key to keeping players invested in the slot game.

Maintaining Immersion

Another critical factor in player engagement is immersion. When players are fully immersed in a slot game, they lose track of time and become deeply involved in the slot game world. Adaptive soundtracks help maintain this immersion by creating a consistent and reactive audio environment that responds to the player’s actions.

If the music didn’t change to reflect what’s happening in the slot game, players might feel disconnected or disoriented. Imagine playing a slot game where the music remains calm and peaceful during a high-stakes battle; it would break the immersion and reduce the overall intensity of the experience. By constantly evolving to match the slot gameplay, adaptive soundtracks keep players in the moment, making every action and decision feel significant.

Increasing Replayability

Replayability is an important aspect of modern slot games, and adaptive soundtracks can contribute to this in a big way. slot games with dynamic music systems offer a fresh experience each time a player plays, as the soundtrack can vary based on different actions or choices. This variability can make players want to come back and explore different possibilities, knowing that even the music will change to match their new path.

For instance, in slot games with branching narratives, the music will adapt to the storyline the player chooses, offering a unique soundtrack for each playthrough. This keeps the experience fresh and engaging, encouraging players to revisit the slot game multiple times.

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Conclusion

Adaptive soundtracks have transformed the gaming experience by enhancing emotional connections, maintaining immersion, and increasing replayability. By responding to in-slot game events and player actions, these dynamic soundtracks keep players engaged and invested in the slot game world. As technology evolves, the role of adaptive soundtracks in player engagement will only continue to grow, offering slot gamers an ever-deepening connection to the virtual worlds they explore.

From iconic titles like The Legend of Zelda to intense shooters like DOOM, adaptive soundtracks are proving to be a vital component of modern video slot game design, making each gaming experience truly unique and unforgett

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SOFTSWISS Joins Pink October Movement

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SOFTSWISS Joins Pink October Movement

 

SOFTSWISS, a global tech company with over 15 years of expertise in iGaming, supports the global Pink October initiative to attract attention to preventing breast cancer.

This year’s Pink October campaign at SOFTSWISS is themed “A Minute Today, a Future Ahead” and emphasises the importance of early detection and preventative care. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, and early diagnosis is key in the fight against the disease. When it is noticed early, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.

Early detection involves doing monthly breast self-exams and planning regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. Half of the 2,000 SOFTSWISS employees are women, and the company will refund each of them for ultrasounds and mammograms in October and November.

Pink October at SOFTSWISS offers a wide range of activities throughout the month. In addition to reimbursing for medical examinations, an online webinar on mental health will provide valuable insights for those who face the disease. To support the international charity movement “Butterfly Support Mission”, women from SOFTSWISS will take part in a themed race.

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The company’s employees also personally support the initiative. To further raise awareness, prominent female influencers from the SOFTSWISS community share information about the campaign across social media, amplifying the message of self-care and vigilance.

“Health is a crucial value beyond everything. Here, at SOFTSWISS, we aim to help and support our employees’ well-being and health every day. By promoting the Pink October initiative, we want to stress the importance of well-timed self-care and make this issue visible both within the iGaming industry and beyond,” shares Chief Marketing Officer at SOFTSWISS, Valentina Bagniya.

Notably, the iGaming industry recognised SOFTSWISS’ strong dedication to ensuring the best working conditions for its employees. A few weeks ago, SOFTSWISS received the esteemed accolade “Employer of the Year” at the SBC Awards.

Supporting the Pink October initiative for the second year in a row, SOFTSWISS continues to lead by example, emphasising the importance of preventive health measures and community support. Through this initiative, the company hopes to inspire its employees and society to take action today for a healthier tomorrow.

 

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About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

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