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Financial summary

  • Revenue amounted to €43.2 (Q1 2020: 27.9) million for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 55%
  • Operating profit (EBIT) for the first quarter of 2021 was €18.7 (6.8) million, an increase of 173%, at a margin of 43.2% (24.5%)
  • Profit after tax amounted to €15.1 (4.8) million for the first quarter of 2021
  • Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2021 were €0.487 (0.156)
  • Cash flow from operating and investing activities (excluding working capital movements) amounted to €16.5 (4.1) million for the first quarter of 2021

Key highlights

  • Operator turnover index exceeded 1,000 mark for first time, equating to a x10 growth since Kambi’s first quarter post-listing in 2014
  • Strong revenue growth of 55% year-on-year at an operator trading margin of 8.5%
  • Continued US expansion with launches across a number of jurisdictions including Michigan, Illinois, Virginia and Arkansas – the latter became the 14th state in which Kambi provides regulated sports betting

“I’m pleased to report the exceptional performance we produced during the latter part of last year has continued into 2021, with significant growth across a range of KPIs including operator turnover, revenue and operating margin. We also continued our impressive commercial momentum with new partner signings and extensions in key target markets. The operator turnover index surpassed 1,000 for the first time after a record quarter which saw operator turnover more than double year-on-year, with the caveat of the final fortnight of Q1 2020 impacted by COVID-19. This strong performance was driven by a busy sporting calendar, including the end of the NFL season and the March Madness college basketball tournament, and more than compensated for the planned migration of a large proportion of 888’s business off the Kambi sportsbook in January.

Revenue growth was also exceptionally strong at 55%, with operator trading margin of 8.5% for the quarter. The business was once again able to demonstrate its scalability with an operating margin of 43%, which was particularly pleasing to see in a quarter played out in an environment more reflective of the pre-pandemic landscape, as we transition back to something more akin to normality.

From a commercial perspective, and as detailed in our previous report, we signed new partnerships with Racing & Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) and Casino Magic. Within weeks of signing with Casino Magic, our sportsbook was live in Neuquén, Argentina, strengthening our position in the promising South American market, while we continue to work with RWWA on the transition of its existing business to Kambi from its current provider. In addition to signing two new partners, it was great to strengthen our partnership with Napoleon Sports & Casino, and we look forward to building further on this long-term relationship in the years to come.

As ever, the quarter saw Kambi continue to support the expansion of partners across the globe, averaging a partner launch every week throughout the reporting period. In addition to the launch of Casino Magic, we supported US-facing partners in states including Michigan, Virginia, Illinois and Arkansas, with the latter becoming the 14th state in which Kambi is live and generating revenue. Although I’ve said it before, it’s worth repeating our market-leading excellence and reliability in the areas of integrations and launches, often working closely with regulators to ensure our partners are first or among the first to go live.

Regulation in the US continues to move at pace, with progress seen in a variety of states in recent weeks and months, perhaps most notably in New York, where the state has committed to adding online sports betting to its existing retail market. As the first company to process a regulated sports bet in New York, we’re of course monitoring the developing situation there closely and look forward to the publication of further details concerning the licensing framework in due course.

In the meantime, our teams are busy preparing for what will be a special summer of sports, with major events such as the delayed Euro 2020, Copa America and Olympic Games, as well as the return of annual summer tournaments including Wimbledon and The Open. In addition, this year should see a full MLB season played out, with a high volume of games to be played throughout the summer months. As always, our partners will have a first class offering across all sports and competitions, and as sports fans we have a lot to look forward to.”

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