lottery
Zeal Achieves Double-Digit Growth in 2023 and Raises Earnings to a Five-Year High
Zeal Network SE (Zeal), the leading German online provider of lottery products, today published its annual report for 2023 and once again presented strong top and bottom-line results. In the past financial year, the company increased its billings in the lottery sector by double digits to €843.3 million (2022: €758.4 million). Revenue also saw double-digit growth to €116.1 million (2022: €105.2 million). EBITDA reached a new five-year high of €32.9 million (2022: €31.7 million) despite a week jackpot environment. In addition, Zeal successfully launched its online games offering, thereby strengthening the basis for further business growth.
- Core business and customer base expanded, market share increased
- Billings and revenue increase by 11% and 10% respectively in 2023 compared to the previous year
- New online games business successfully launched – billings of around € 42 million already achieved
“In 2023, we further expanded our position as market leader,” the Chief Executive Officer for Zeal, Helmut Becker, said. “We are benefiting from our strong brands. Lotto24, for example, has developed into a winner’s factory, producing more record winners last year than any other lottery provider in Germany. Our strong top and bottom-line results and our market share, which has grown to 41.4%, show that we are on the right track. We are, therefore, looking to the future with determination and confidence.”
“The strong growth in our billings and revenue shows that we inspire our customers with our attractive and innovative product range,” the Chief Financial Officer for Zeal, Sebastian Bielski, said. “Our continuously growing customer base also proves that we have expanded our marketing activities in a targeted manner. At the same time, our successful start in the online games business clearly shows that we are in a position to successfully develop new business areas.”
Double-digit increase in revenue and billings in core business:
By increasing customer activity and intensifying marketing measures, the Zeal Group was able to increase lottery billings by 11% to €843.3 million in 2023 (2022: €758.4 million). Revenue from lotteries also rose accordingly by eight percent to €105.7 million (2022: €98.2 million). Adjusted for two major wins in the charity lottery freiheit+ (there were no major wins for this lottery in 2022), revenue from lotteries amounted to €105.7 million. At 12.8%, the gross margin from lotteries adjusted for major winnings was thus almost unchanged from the previous year (2022: 12.9%).
Successful start for online games:
In June 2023, Zeal went live with its online games offering via the web stores of its subsidiary Lotto24 AG and achieved billings of €41.6 million in its first year. Revenue generated with online games amounted to €3.0 million and EBITDA to €1.4 million.
Strong EBITDA despite investment in future growth:
Zeal acquired 597 thousand customers in the past financial year (2022: 703 thousand). The decline compared to the previous year can be attributed to the significantly worse jackpot situation. Due to the company’s strategic decision to invest in brand development through increased television advertising, marketing expenses of €36.0 million (2022: €34.1 million) were six percent higher than in the previous year.
Despite the increased investment in brand development and the launch of online games, EBITDA rose by 4% to €32.9 million (2022: €31.7 million).
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose the payment of a dividend of €1.10 per share (2022: basic dividend of €1.00 per share plus special dividend of €2.60) to the Annual General Meeting on May 28, 2024.
Outlook for 2024:
For the 2024 financial year, Zeal continues to plan to expand its market leadership as an online provider of lottery products, accelerate the growth of the newly-launched games offering and introduce new products in the charity lottery segment. The company expects revenue to be in the range of €140 million to €150 million in the 2024 financial year, assuming average jackpot development. Zeal expects EBITDA to be in the range of €38 million to €42 million.
Blockchain
Metalottery Launches Blockchain Lottery Revolution: Zero Fees, Instant Wins and Life-Changing Jackpots in Crypto
A brand-new online lottery portal built on blockchain technology is shaking things up in the world of chance. Metalottery, the first-ever decentralised blockchain lottery platform, officially launched, introducing a new era of transparent, thrilling and rewarding lottery gaming. By combining cutting-edge blockchain technology with the excitement of lotteries, Metalottery offers players unprecedented fairness, security and the potential to win life-changing prizes.
“Metalottery is not just another lottery; it’s a paradigm shift. We’re giving power back to the players by offering a transparent, secure, and exciting lottery experience that’s built for the web3 age,” Dioni Bouropoulos, COO of Poollotto Finance, said.
Unlike traditional lotteries, Metalottery uses Chainlink’s Verifiable Random Function (VRF) to ensure provably fair and unbiased results for every draw. And with new lottery rounds starting every 8 hours, players can enjoy the thrill of winning more often than ever before.
At the heart of Metalottery is the PLT token, the fuel of the platform’s ecosystem that players can use to purchase tickets. Metalottery makes purchasing Pool Lottery Token (PLT) available and straightforward on their website. Players can also spin the “Wheel of Fortune” for additional rewards as well as participate in a growing community of lottery enthusiasts on Telegram and Discord.
Bouropoulos added: “Our platform is designed to be inclusive and accessible to a global audience. By combining innovative technology with a user-friendly interface, we empower players to take control of their lottery journey. We are charging no fees for participation and all proceeds from tickets go towards the jackpot. Our goal is to build the biggest lottery community in the world.”
The post Metalottery Launches Blockchain Lottery Revolution: Zero Fees, Instant Wins and Life-Changing Jackpots in Crypto appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced a partnership with Canadian operator Loto-Québec, launching the Swedish gaming giant’s games into another Canadian province.
Already active in another Canadian province , this partnership sees Play’n GO’s content available in the province of Québec exclusively with Loto-Québec, a state-owned corporation, where online players now have access to titles such as Tome of Madness.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer, Play’n GO said: “At Play’n GO, we have always been clear in our vision to be active in every regulated market in the world, and this partnership with Loto-Québec is the next step on that journey.
“Our past success in Canada gives us confidence that players in Québec will enjoy the best Play’n GO content, and we look forward to many years of success with Loto-Québec in the province.”
Stéphane Martel, Head of Product and Innovation at Loto-Québec added: “As the sole iGaming operator in Québec, we pride ourselves on offering titles that truly add value to our platform, lotoquebec.com. We are happy to bring Play’n GO games to our players.”
lottery
Scientific Games Off to Epic Start With Launch of First GAME OF THRONES Lottery Scratch-off Game in the U.S.
Colorado Lottery Winners Will Be Lucky Participants in THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE Set to Take Place in Napa.
Scientific Games’ newest multi-state branded GAME OF THRONES Linked Games, developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, has kicked off successfully with GAME OF THRONES branded instant scratch, Fast Play and iLottery games offering players the chance to win prizes instantly, plus an opportunity to win an experiential prize package, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE.
Inspired by one of the most-watched HBO television series of all time and set to captivate the GAME OF THRONES fandom, THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE event will take place in a medieval-style castle winery in Napa Valley, California in 2025. Trip winners will be divided into seven “Houses”, such as House Targaryen, House Stark and House Lannister.
The event will include multiple rounds of brand-immersive games, giving trip winners a second chance to win their share of up to $7 million. The trip winners will get to cheer on their own “Champion” in a live jousting tournament, and one “Ruler” will be chosen from each house to play for prize money split amongst every member of the house.
The Colorado Lottery is the first U.S. lottery to launch a GAME OF THRONES-themed lottery Linked Game to give players in the state an opportunity to win the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The game achieved the highest first-week index of any of the Lottery’s $10 games launched in fiscal year 2024. It continues to lead, with four-week sales surpassing all other Colorado Lottery $10 games in fiscal year 2024 and most games in other price points, placing third behind a $20 and $50 game. THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE has limited availability remaining for North American lottery participation, with most of the current trip winner spots filled.
Tom Seaver, Director of the Colorado Lottery, said, “Our players are very excited to play the GAME OF THRONES scratch game. It’s been a great addition to our game lineup, and as the sales numbers show, it is performing really well for us.”
According to Scientific Games research, the GAME OF THRONES brand resonates especially well with younger adult players.
Tina Hoover, V.P. of Licensing for Scientific Games, said, “Our teams are continually innovating to make every lottery winners’ event unique and exciting. We worked with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment to create an immersive GAME OF THRONES-themed winners experience and to deliver a top-notch winners’ event that we’ve refined over the past 17 years doing prize trips for more than 5,000 lottery players. Based on the response we have received and participation so far for THE SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE, we are looking into a potential second trip opportunity.”
Scientific Games pioneered the lottery Linked Games concept in 2007 and games produced by the company offering the opportunity to win experiential prizes themed to brands like DEAL OR NO DEAL, MONOPOLY, THE PRICE IS RIGHT and WILLY WONKA represent more than USD$4.6 billion in retail sales to date.
With a portfolio representing more than 100 licensed brands, Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.
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