BetMGM Targets $500M EBITDA in 2026

Entain, the owner of betting firm Ladbrokes, announced that it aims to achieve a core profit of $500 million in 2026 for its U.S. sports-betting service, BetMGM, which it jointly owns with MGM Resorts.

The 2026 goal was set after BetMGM revealed it expects to be at the higher-end guidance for 2023. According to CEO Adam Greenblatt, revenue should be between $1.80 billion and $2.00 billion in the current financial year.

Greenblatt also said the operator sees 2024 as an “investment period,” having already proved profitability this year. While BetMGM expects to achieve a profitable H2 in 2023, the company expects negative EBITDA for 2024. It is, however, hoped the business will be EBITDA-positive in 2025.

BetMGM is now available in 28 markets in North America. Greenblatt noted North Carolina will be the brand’s next entry, with further opportunities in New York, Maryland, and Illinois.

As for market share, the CEO said BetMGM is now the third-largest online operator in the US, holding a 17% market share in total, behind only FanDuel and DraftKings.

To fortify BetMGM’s offerings, Entain completed the acquisition of US-based Angstrom Sports in July, with a potential consideration of up to £203 million ($256.3 million).

In addition to its partnership with MGM Resorts, Entain has been extending its footprint into Canada, the Netherlands, and other European regions through various acquisitions. The company continues to position itself strategically in response to evolving market dynamics.

The resurgence of live sporting events post-pandemic has contributed to the recovery of the online sports betting sector. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning in 2018 of a federal law prohibiting most states from engaging in sports betting, gambling firms have been intensifying their presence in the US.

However, Entain recently lowered its online profit margin forecast for 2023 after posting a revenue drop in Q3, leading to a decrease in its share value. Online net gaming revenue for the quarter was up 9% on a reported basis, but down 6% on a proforma basis.

This downward revision in profit margin is a reflection of some ongoing challenges faced by gambling firms, including stricter regulations and the impact of a cost-of-living crisis. In its announcement, Entain revealed that its online core profit margin for the year is expected to be approximately 25%, down from the 27.1% reported last year.

Entain has also set its sights on a return to growth in 2024. The operator expects that online net gaming revenue will start growing on a pro forma basis in the next year. Specifically, the company forecasts low single-digit growth in online gaming revenue, with online core profit margin expected to range between 24% and 25%.