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INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY PLC REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2022 RESULTS
- Revenue of $1.02 billion, down 2% as reported and up 3% at constant currency, led by 23% growth in Global Gaming
- Operating income of $228 million; operating income margin of 22% at high end of outlook on substantial increase in Global Gaming profitability and resilience in Global Lottery margin
- Adjusted EBITDA of $409 million, in line with prior year’s record level at constant currency as Global Gaming performance offsets Lottery discrete benefits in the prior year; 40% adjusted EBITDA margin remains among the highest in Company history
- Recognized a non-operating expense of $150 million representing the probable loss associated with legal proceedings related to Double Down Interactive LLC and its social gaming business sold in 2017
- Diluted EPS from continuing operations of $(0.02); Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations of $0.57, up 78% from the prior year
- Compelling shareholder returns with $135 million deployed for cash dividends and share repurchases year-to-date
- Tightening full-year 2022 revenue outlook to reflect currency movements and perimeter impact from previously announced divestiture; reconfirming operating income margin outlook as fundamentals remain strong
International Game Technology PLC reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. Today, at 8:00 a.m. EDT, management will host a conference call and webcast to present the results; access details are provided below.
“Strong customer and player demand for IGT’s products and solutions drove some of our strongest profit results ever in the second quarter and first half of the year,” said Vince Sadusky, CEO of IGT. “Our business profile is supported by significant recurring revenue streams backed by long-term contracts and resilient end markets, providing a solid foundation on which to grow. We are laser focused on executing our strategic objectives and creating compelling value for our stakeholders.”
“Our first half results set us firmly on the path to achieving our 2022 financial targets,” said Max Chiara, CFO of IGT. “Rigor on costs and incremental revenue opportunities allow us to maintain our full-year operating income margin outlook despite unfavorable currency movements and macroeconomic challenges. At the same time, we are returning significant capital to shareholders via dividends and share repurchases.”
Overview of Consolidated Second Quarter 2022 Results
|
Quarter Ended |
Y/Y |
Constant |
|||
|
All amounts from continuing operations |
June 30, |
||||
|
2022 |
2021 |
||||
|
($ in millions) |
|||||
|
GAAP Financials: |
|||||
|
Revenue |
|||||
|
Global Lottery |
648 |
725 |
(11) % |
(4) % |
|
|
Global Gaming |
330 |
274 |
21 % |
23 % |
|
|
Digital & Betting |
43 |
42 |
1 % |
4 % |
|
|
Total revenue |
1,021 |
1,041 |
(2) % |
3 % |
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|||||
|
Global Lottery |
230 |
300 |
(23) % |
(16) % |
|
|
Global Gaming |
57 |
1 |
NM |
NM |
|
|
Digital & Betting |
8 |
9 |
(11) % |
(10) % |
|
|
Corporate support expense |
(29) |
(26) |
(11) % |
(26) % |
|
|
Other(1) |
(39) |
(40) |
3 % |
2 % |
|
|
Total operating income |
228 |
244 |
(7) % |
1 % |
|
|
Operating income margin |
22 % |
23 % |
|||
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
196 |
249 |
(21) % |
||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
673 |
639 |
5 % |
||
|
Earnings per share – diluted |
$(0.02) |
$(0.48) |
96 % |
||
|
Non-GAAP Financial Measures: |
|||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|||||
|
Global Lottery |
330 |
414 |
(20) % |
(13) % |
|
|
Global Gaming |
87 |
35 |
145 % |
150 % |
|
|
Digital & Betting |
12 |
13 |
(7) % |
(6) % |
|
|
Corporate support expense |
(20) |
(21) |
4 % |
(14) % |
|
|
Total Adjusted EBITDA |
409 |
442 |
(7) % |
(1) % |
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
40 % |
4 % |
|||
|
Adjusted earnings per share – diluted |
$0.57 |
$0.32 |
78 % |
||
|
Free cash flow |
117 |
176 |
(34) % |
||
|
Net debt |
5,722 |
6,312 |
(9) % |
||
|
(1) Primarily includes purchase price amortization |
|
Note: Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided at the end of this |
Key Highlights:
- Recently completed acquisition of iSoftBet, a leading iGaming content provider and third-party aggregator, greatly expanding the Company’s proprietary content library and providing a world-class game aggregation platform
- Won “Lottery Supplier of the Year” at 2022 SBC Awards North America in July
- Introduced high-performing Money Mania wide area progressive game to commercial gaming jurisdictions following a successful launch in tribal casinos
- Signed agreement with NUSTAR Resort & Casino to deploy IGT ADVANTAGE™ casino management system and a variety of leading games and cabinets
- Announced expanded sports betting partnership with SuperBook® Sports to Tennessee, the fourth state where IGT’s PlaySports platform is powering the SuperBook Sports mobile betting app
- Awarded a gold medal sustainability rating from EcoVadis, a leading sustainability rating agency
- Recently released 2021 Sustainability Report which outlines the Company’s demonstrated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance
Financial Highlights:
Consolidated revenue of $1.02 billion, down 2% as reported, or up 3% at constant currency, from $1.04 billion in the prior year
- Global Lottery revenue of $648 million compared to $725 million in the prior-year period, which included $70 million in prior-year benefits primarily from the closure of gaming halls in Italy
- Global Gaming revenue increases 21%, or 23% at constant currency, to $330 million, driven by strong U.S. & Canada replacement unit demand, higher average selling prices, and increased installed base yields
- Digital & Betting revenue of $43 million, stable with the prior year, as iCasino growth in the U.S. is partially offset by softness in other markets; North America sports betting market gross gaming revenue impacted by lower hold levels
Operating income of $228 million, down 7% as reported, or up 1% at constant currency, from $244 million in the prior-year period
- Global Lottery operating income down, primarily due to about $60 million related to prior-year benefits referenced above
- Global Gaming rises on higher revenue and profit flow through, partially offset by increased supply chain costs
- Digital & Betting operating income of $8 million was relatively stable with the prior year
Adjusted EBITDA of $409 million matches prior year’s record level at constant currency; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 40% remains among the highest in Company history
Net interest expense of $75 million compared to $91 million in the prior year, driven by lower average debt balances and interest rates
During the second quarter, the Company recognized a pre-tax non-operating expense of $150 million ($114 million after tax) representing the probable loss associated with ongoing litigation (Benson v. Double Down Interactive LLC, No. 2:18-cv-00525 (W.D. Wash.)) and associated claims related to Double Down Interactive LLC and its social gaming business sold in 2017 by International Game Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
Income tax benefit of $11 million compared to a provision of $32 million in the prior year, primarily driven by recognition of the non-operating expense mentioned above and foreign exchange losses in the prior year with no tax benefit
Income from continuing operations of $34 million versus a loss from continuing operations of $39 million in the prior-year period, driven by income tax benefit, gains in foreign exchange, and lower debt retirement costs
Net loss attributable to IGT PLC of $4 million compared to net income of $306 million in the prior year due to gain on sale and income from discontinued operations in the prior-year period
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to IGT PLC per diluted share of $0.02 compared to a net loss from continuing operations attributable to IGT per diluted share of $0.48 in the prior year, on higher net income; adjusted net income per diluted share increased 78% to $0.57
Net debt of $5.7 billion compared to $5.9 billion at December 31, 2021; Net debt leverage of 3.5x was stable compared to December 31, 2021
Cash and Liquidity Update
- Total liquidity of $2.1 billion as of June 30, 2022; $0.7 billion in unrestricted cash and $1.5 billion in additional borrowing capacity
- Executed amendment and extension of revolving credit facilities in July 2022
- Increased liquidity by $150 million to $1.83 billion and rebalanced EUR/USD mix to match operational exposure
- Extended maturities to July 2027
- Lowered interest margin and added ESG provision to allow for further potential reductions
- Raised annual permitted restricted payments basket from $300 million to $400 million at current credit rating; potential to increase to $550 million
Other Developments
The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share
- Ex-dividend date of August 15, 2022
- Record date of August 16, 2022
- Payment date of August 30, 2022
Repurchased 750,000 shares for $15 million in the second quarter at an average price of $20.48 per share; 2.2 million shares repurchased for $54 million on a year-to-date basis at an average price of $24.89 per share
The Company expects to close on the sale of its Italian proximity payments/commercial services business in mid-to-late September
Tightening Full-year Revenue Outlook for Currency Rates and Business Disposition; Introducing Third Quarter 2022 Outlook
Full Year
- Revenue of $4.1 billion – $4.2 billion
- Lowered high end of range by $100 million
- Reflecting changes in currency rates and impact from sale of Italian proximity payments/commercial services business in Q3’22
- Operating income margin of 20% – 22% remains unchanged
- Cash from operations of $850 – $950 million
- Lowered high end of range by $50 million
- Primarily driven by a working capital investment in higher inventory levels to proactively manage supply chain disruptions
- Capital expenditures of approximately $350 million, lowered by $50 million to adjust for updated timing of spending
- Free cash flow outlook remains unchanged
Third Quarter
- Revenue of approximately $1.0 billion – $1.1 billion
- Operating income margin of 18% – 20% includes approximately 150 – 200 basis point impact from project-related expenses
Outlook assumptions
- EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.00 in the second half of 2022
- Impact from sale of Italian proximity payments/commercial services business in mid-to-late September 2022
- Operating income margin includes approximately 150 – 200 basis point impact from project-related and restructuring expenses expected in the second half of 2022
Sports Information Services (SIS), the leading multi-content supplier of 24/7 live betting services, and Premier Greyhound Racing (PGR), the media rights company supplier of greyhound racing to the betting industry and direct to viewers, have collaborated to offer a revised race time schedule starting from 20 May.
Designed to protect the long-term future of UK greyhound racing, the new schedule will see morning fixtures start slightly later – moving from 10.47 to 11.01 and 10.54 to 11.09. Additionally, there will also be a slightly later start time for some evening fixtures aimed at a retail audience, with the first evening fixture now starting at 18.08.
Commenting on the improved schedule, Terry Mahoney, Head of Business Development at ARC, said: “The new race times will help make it easier for customers to navigate busy racing schedules as well as improving operations trackside. We will continue to listen, monitor, and adapt schedules where and when needed as we move forward to deliver the best service possible for betting operators as well as punters.”
Paul Witten, Managing Director at SIS, added: “We are passionate about delivering a greyhound racing service that benefits all of the sport’s stakeholders. Together with Premier Greyhound Raxing, we have introduced a revised racing schedule that benefits operators and their customers.
“Our approach to greyhound racing is grounded in sustainability and flexibility. This collaboration with fellow service providers allows everyone to enjoy all the high-quality action produced on a daily basis from tracks across the UK and Ireland.”
SIS has long-term agreements in place with bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred to deliver its greyhound content across UK and Irish retail and digital channels. SIS also promotes this content across dozens of leading international operators, as well as through SISRacing.tv.
PGR offers greyhound action, cards, video replays, results, news and info on greyhounds.attheraces.com, and regular live broadcasts on Sky Sports Racing. Premier Greyhound Racing is a joint venture between Arena Racing (ARC) and Entain, the global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment group. Between them, the two companies own nine of the 20 licensed British greyhound tracks and ARC manage the media rights for five independent tracks.
The post SIS and Premier Greyhound Racing reveal improved greyhound race time schedule appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
By Lorenzo Nardini, Head of Technical Compliance and Maths Services
In the dynamic world of online gaming, data plays a pivotal role. Databases containing personal and financial information, often referred to as “Safe” databases, serve as the backbone of any gaming platform.
In this short article, I focus on control databases (CDBs) – that is how Safe databases are referred to in the Dutch landscape – and why it is important to ensure their completeness, accuracy, and consistency through continuous data quality review. In any case, the topics here covered apply to most regulated markets.
Control databases contain critical information related to player accounts, financial transactions, game rules, and security protocols. Essentially, they ensure the smooth functioning of the entire gaming ecosystem. It is no wonder that the Dutch regulator (KSA) enforces specific technical regulations on them and often perform audits on these systems that can result also in fines in cases errors are detected.
Data quality review checks
Data quality review checks play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of control databases, ensuring continuous compliance. Here are some key reasons why they are essential:
- Accuracy and Consistency: Control databases handle vast amounts of data, including player profiles, game logs, and financial records. Ensuring accurate and consistent data is crucial for fair gameplay, financial transparency, and regulatory compliance.
- Player Experience: Imagine a player losing progress due to a database glitch or loss of connectivity. Such incidents can lead to frustration and loss of trust. Data quality checks ensure that the control database is correctly functional, and the information therein contained can be used to handle such incomplete games, enhancing the overall player experience.
- Regulatory Compliance: Gaming companies must adhere to strict regulations regarding data privacy, security, and fairness. Regular reviews ensure compliance with industry standards and legal requirements.
Most importantly, regular reviews can help gaming companies reducing the risk of an unsuccessful audit that could typically lead to a fine and negative PR.
Ideally, data quality reviews should be ongoing. Real-time monitoring is crucial for identifying issues promptly. Additionally, scheduled audits—monthly or quarterly—help catch any long-term discrepancies or trends.
Key areas of data quality reviews
When performing checks on the quality of CDBs, the following are the main areas to consider:
- Data Completeness: Ensure that all necessary fields are populated correctly. Missing or incomplete data can lead to errors downstream.
- Data Accuracy: Cross-check data against reliable sources. For example, player balances should match financial records.
- Data Consistency: Verify consistency across different databases and systems. Inconsistencies can cause confusion and operational inefficiencies.
Starting from the specific Dutch case and then expanding to other markets, here at ComplianceOne Group we have developed a data quality review service using our experience in dealing with this form of analysis. Leveraging feedback obtained directly from regulators, we created a testing procedure that performs the following:
- Tests on triggering reports from staging environment. We access the client’s staging environment with test accounts and perform actions that are aimed at triggering specific reports in the control database. We then check that these have been correctly generated and that they contain all necessary information, checking their accuracy against the back-office.
- Data quality tests on production environment. We download a large number of reports directly from production and run a battery of tests that we have designed and that is tailored specifically at checking completeness and consistency of the information contained in the control database.
All findings are promptly reported to the client and, if needed, we can assist with solving any issues found.
Conclusion
When I started being exposed to control databases, I understood that for many this is a very technical area and that maintaining this environment functioning correctly can be quite cumbersome. Nevertheless, a commitment to data quality is a necessary for ensuring continuous compliance of gaming platforms. If you are interested in running regular data quality reviews, or even just a one-time overall check, contact me and I will be happy to assist!
The post The Importance of Data Quality Review Checks in the Gaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
7777 gaming, a leading provider of digital gaming solutions, has announced a significant strategic partnership with Scientific Games a global leader in retail and digital lottery games, technology, analytics and services, to deliver digital lottery games through the SG Content Hub Partner Program.
The SG Content Hub Partner Program is a unique platform and game content partnership program featuring an expanding, highly curated selection of iLottery games from best-in-class, game studios worldwide in a variety of play styles appealing to all player types in multiple languages, as well as access to select licensed properties from the largest licensed brands portfolio in the lottery industry. Scientific Games currently serves 150 lotteries in 50 countries.
Elena Shaterova, Chief Commercial Officer at 7777 gaming, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Partnering with Scientific Games represents a significant milestone for 7777 gaming, solidifying our position as a global leader in digital lottery solutions. Through this collaboration, we are poised to deliver unparalleled gaming experiences to players worldwide, driving innovation and growth in the lottery industry.”
Steve Hickson, VP of Digital Games at Scientific Games commented: “We are delighted to welcome yet another top-class lottery game studio to the SG Content Hub Partner Program. The addition of 7777 gaming and their fantastic games aligns perfectly with our goal to make a variety of digital lottery content available to existing and new Scientific Games customers. Our SG Content Hub Partner Program is developing at pace as we continue to provide our customers with frictionless access to the very best content in the industry.”
The SG Content Hub Partner Program offers a one-stop solution for accessing multiple iLottery game studios, seamlessly integrating with a lottery’s existing gaming systems and iLottery technology. It streamlines operations, simplifies tech integrations, and enhances data analytics to drive game development and iLottery portfolio management.
7777 gaming is renowned for its ability to deliver high-quality iLottery games tailored to the unique requirements of different lotteries. The company ensures that its game content meets stringent government regulations and operators’ expectations for customization. With custom-made lottery concepts, 7777 gaming guarantees enhanced player satisfaction and fosters a deeper sense of connection and loyalty to the brand.
The post 7777 gaming signs a strategic iLottery content deal with Scientific Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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