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Can Play’N GO Continue to Innovate in 2020?
Founded in Sweden back in 2005, Play’N GO is firmly established as one of the trail-blazing software houses that underpins the lucrative iGaming market in Europe.
The type of Play’N GO casinos found here offer a huge and diverse range of immersive games to players, and this is one of the key reasons why the iGaming market was able to produce a GGY of £5.3 billion in the year ending March 2019.
Play’N GO is also renowned as one of the most prolific and innovative software developers in the marketplace, as it looks to compete aggressively with rivals such as Microgaming, NetEnt and live casino giants Evolution Gaming.
In this post, we’ll appraise the success of this brand in 2019, while asking whether this can be sustained over the course of the next 12 months.
How Play’N GO Continued to Thrive in 2019
There’s no doubt that Play’N GO upped the ante in 2019, as it continued to eclipse all of its major rivals (both in terms of the volume of games launched and their mass appeal on the market).
To this end, the brand took the unprecedented step of launching two new titles on the same day last December, including an immersive slot called ‘Infernal Joker’ and an innovative poker iteration named ‘3-Hand Casino Hold ‘em’.
This is certainly a testament to the depth and quality of their underlying technology, while it also shows that the Play’N GO team is multitalented and capable of conceiving and designing games across a number of different verticals.
The introduction of 3-Hand Casino Hold ‘em is particularly interesting, as it added to Play’N GO’s increasingly diverse range and leverages modern technology that enables competitors to play three hands simultaneously at a single table.
These launches represented just the tip of the iceberg for Play’N GO in 2019, however, as August also saw them nominated for two prestigious awards at the Global Gaming Awards.
These awards were in their sixth year in 2019, with Play’N GO nominated primarily for the coveted ‘Digital Product of the Year’ for their server-based gaming solution OMNY.
This flexible platform delivers seamless multichannel gameplay for both operators and players alike, creating a scenario where game progress can be transferred across any land-based or digital device (including mobile) in real-time.
This nomination was just rewarded for the efforts that Play’N GO has made to deliver a seamless and tech-led gaming experience to players throughout Europe, while it’s also worth noting that the developer was simultaneously nominated for the ‘Slot Provider of the Year’.
Play’N GO had won this award for three years’ running prior to 2019, with the brand now firmly established as one of the very best slot game providers in the world.
What Does 2020 Have in Store for the Brand?
If the formative weeks of 2020 are anything to GO buy, we’d expect Play’N GO to achieve similar success, growth and levels of innovation over the course of the coming months.
This year is certainly set to be a record-breaking entity in terms of game launches, for example, with the five-reel ‘Legacy of Dead’ slot the first of 52 releases scheduled throughout 2020.
Staggeringly, this equates to launch for every single week of the year, while also highlights the incredible efficiency of the Play’N GO team and their ability to create easy-to-play slots with striking and popular themes.
Beyond this, 2020 will also see an evolution of the aforementioned OMNY platform, with this technology likely to gravitate towards the mainstream and create a more enjoyable gaming experience for players across the continent.
On a similar note, Play’N GO will continue to expand its scalable casino platform, which provides a secure and stable gambling solution for players who have a penchant for the developer’s slots and table games.
Having also partnered with Royal Casino back in 2018, the continued integration between these two entities will also offer players direct access to a huge range of games from trusted, third-party providers, ensuring that users can select from an ever greater choice GOing forward.
We will also see Play’N GO’s much-fabled Games Management Toolkit take center stage during the next 12 months, with this innovative platform providing administrative and promotional tools to help operators customize their players’ overall gaming experience.
This means that casino brands will most likely prioritize Play’N GO games over titles supplied by other providers, with players increasingly in the market for immersive games that offer genuine flexibility and can be easily configured.
FDJ UNITED, a leader in betting and gaming in Europe, has held its Investor Day to present its operational, ESG and financial goals under its “Play Forward 2028” strategic plan.
Stéphane Pallez, Chairwoman and CEO of FDJ UNITED, said: “FDJ UNITED has undergone a considerable transformation since its IPO, with financial and non-financial performance underscoring the success of our strategy for sustainable, profitable growth. 2025 is a pivotal year for the Group, with the consolidation of Kindred, the benefits of which are reflected in our ‘Play Forward 2028’ strategic plan. This plan opens a new chapter in our transformation, with the ambition of asserting our position as Europe’s leading responsible betting and gaming operator, based on a more diversified, more digital and more international business portfolio. ‘Play Forward 2028’ aims to continue to create value for our shareholders and all our stakeholders.”
FDJ UNITED Continues to Pursue Sustainable Value Creation
The Group’s performance in 2019-2024 demonstrated the relevance of its strategy, notably focused on expanding its digital and international presence, while maintaining solid business momentum at its points of sale in France.
As a result, the Group’s international presence now accounts for around 26% of its revenue, compared with 3% in 2019, and the share of digital revenue has risen from 5% to 35% over the period.
Between 2019 and 2024, through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, FDJ UNITED’s revenue increased by a factor of 1.8, to €3.8 billion,2 with average annual organic growth of over 5%. recurring EBITDA has increased by a factor of 2.3, to €964 million,2 equating to a recurring EBITDA margin that rose by nearly 500 basis points to over 25% in 2024.
This high level of profitability can be explained both by the operating leverage of FDJ UNITED’s businesses and by the performance-driven culture intrinsic to the Group.
Guidance for 2025 Confirmed
Taking into account the strong performance achieved in 2024, the impact in 2025 of the sharp increase in taxes on betting and gaming in France and the Netherlands as well as the stricter implementation of regulations in major markets, FDJ UNITED expects to see revenue remain stable over the financial year, compared to 2024 pro forma, and a recurring EBITDA margin of over 24%.
Solid Targets for 2028
Over the period 2025-2028, FDJ UNITED aims to assert its leadership in Europe as a responsible lottery, gaming and betting operator and expects to see:
• Average annual organic revenue growth of around 5%.
• Recurring EBITDA margin of over 26% by 2028.
Margin growth is driven by the operating leverage generated by business growth combined with the efficiency measures taken by FDJ UNITED, for a total impact over the 2025-2028 period of more than €120 million, more than half of which is attributable to the Online betting and gaming BU and nearly 40% to the French lottery and retail sports betting BU.
The Group will benefit from its past and future investments in the use of data and artificial intelligence to further improve the gaming range and player experience in a responsible manner.
• Recurring EBITDA to free cash flow conversion rate remaining above 80%.
• Cumulative capital expenditure of between €650 and €700 million, equating to an annual amount towards the lower end of the Group’s historical range of 4% to 5% of revenue.
• Net debt to recurring EBITDA ratio less than or equal to 2x, with Investment-Grade debt.
An Attractive Dividend Policy
FDJ UNITED is pursuing its attractive dividend policy, with year-on-year dividend growth reflecting its performance and medium-term outlook, based on a payout ratio of at least 75% of adjusted net profit.
Confirmed Non-financial Commitments
At the same time, FDJ UNITED plans to continue expanding its CSR initiatives and to maintain its non-financial performance at the highest level.
FDJ UNITED is therefore making a dual commitment, unique among betting and gaming operators, to:
• Continue to reduce the proportion of its revenue attributable to high-risk players. In addition to the highly promising results already achieved by both FDJ and Kindred before their tie-up, the Group is working on setting new targets, which will be shared in early 2026.
• Raise the level of its voluntary contribution to social and environmental causes to 5% of the Group’s reported net profit by 2030, compared with 2.7% in 2024.
Within this framework, FDJ UNITED announced an investment of €5 million in Averrhoa Nature-Based Solutions, a fund led by Ardian in partnership with aDryada aiming at restoring forests, wetlands and mangroves and contributing to carbon sequestration from the atmosphere while generating high-quality carbon credits.
The French lottery and retail sports betting BU is aiming to achieve sustainable, profitable growth in its pool of players, across its two distribution channels, complemented by an omnichannel approach.
The main driver of growth over the period 2025-2028 is expected to be the influx of more than one million additional players, compared with 27 million players in 2024. This influx will be driven both by the expansion of the point-of-sale network to cover large food retailers – which could account for 20% of the physical network by 2028, to offset closures in the traditional network of bar-tobacco-press outlets – and by the development of the online channel, which is expected to account for 20% of lottery revenue by 2028. At the same time, the Group’s omnichannel player account and its FDJ & Moi programme will help raise the share of identified players to over 25%.
The BU’s ambition is expected to result in:
• Average annual revenue growth in the low to mid-single digit, low single digit for points of sale and low to mid-teens for ilottery.
• Recurring EBITDA margin of over 35% by 2028.
The Online betting and gaming BU’s ambition is to expand its positions in all its markets, with rapid growth in revenue and even greater growth in profitability.
This responsible development is based on an engaging gaming experience supported by a differentiating marketing strategy, the unique scalable proprietary platform KSP, and greater operational efficiency to outperform the markets in which the Group is present and benefit from significant operating leverage.
The BU’s ambition is expected to result in:
• Growth in market share and stronger positioning in all geographic markets, with the aim of being in the top 3 in seven of its eight main European markets, for average annual revenue growth in the high single digit.
• Higher growth in recurring EBITDA, with a recurring EBITDA margin of over 30% by 2028.
The post FDJ UNITED Sets Ambitious Sustainability Objectives and Strategies for 2028 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Swedish Gambling Authority has initiated supervision to ensure that the requirements for procedures and drawing protocols are followed.
The purpose of the supervision is to check how the licensees comply with the provisions of Sections 7–8 (routines) and Section 9 (drawing protocol) in SIFS 2024:1.
The Swedish Gambling Authority’s regulations and general advice on draws outside gaming systems, SIFS 2024:1, came into force on 1 June 2024. The regulations state the requirements for draws outside gaming systems. For example, draws must be carried out according to established draw procedures. Draws outside a gaming system may only be made if the requirements in Sections 5–11 of SIFS 2024:1 are met.
Actors involved in supervision:
• AB Svenska Spel
• Folk Games Nonprofit Association
• Motorists’ Sobriety Association
• The National Pensioners’ Organisation
• Vaxjo Lakers Hockey.
The post Spelinspektionen: Supervision of Procedures and Drawing Protocols appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Million Games is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest video slot, Farm Frenzy, an engaging and light-hearted adventure set on the charming yet chaotic Golden Egg Farm. With captivating gameplay, stunning visuals, and a story straight from the countryside, Farm Frenzy promises players an immersive and rewarding gaming experience.
Set against the backdrop of rolling fields and whimsical chaos, Farm Frenzy takes players on a hunt for hidden treasures amidst the aftermath of a whirlwind that has stirred up the farm. Featuring 5 reels, 3 rows, and 20 paylines, the game is packed with thrilling features, including Harvest Free Spins, special symbols, and multiple opportunities for big wins.
Players will encounter:
- Harvest Free Spins: Triggered by landing the Bonus symbol, players win 15 Free Spins where farm animals enhance the gameplay for massive rewards.
- Special Symbols:
- Wild: Substitutes for all symbols, except the Free Spins symbol, for best possible payout.
- Wild Multipliers: Grant up to 20x Win Multipliers and then turn Wild.
- Extra Wilds: Add 1 or 2 extra Wilds to the reels, increasing winning chances.
The game’s storyline transports players to a once-idyllic farm now buzzing with energy after a whirlwind caused mayhem. With quirky animals, scattered treasures, and lively gameplay, players must help restore order to the Golden Egg Farm while uncovering hidden riches along the way.
Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games, expressed his excitement about the launch: “Farm Frenzy is a game that combines engaging storytelling, innovative features, and the thrill of discovering big rewards. Our team has worked tirelessly to deliver a game that’s not only fun to play but also provides a truly immersive experience. We’re confident that players will love this chaotic yet charming farm adventure.”
Designed for mobile-first gameplay, Farm Frenzy ensures smooth performance and vibrant visuals across all devices and screen orientations. With a medium volatility and 96.32% RTP, it offers a balanced gaming experience suitable for casual players and slot enthusiasts alike.
Farm Frenzy is now available on Million Games’ platform. Join the adventure and experience the chaos and charm of the Golden Egg Farm today!
The post Million Games Unveils Farm Frenzy: A Whirlwind Adventure on the Golden Egg Farm appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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