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INTRALOT Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

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INTRALOT SA (RIC: INLr.AT, Bloomberg: INLOT GA), an international gaming solutions and operations leader, announces its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31st, 2021, prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Group Revenue at €102.0m in 1Q21 (+9.3% y-o-y).

 

EBITDA in 1Q21 at €24.4m (+55.4% y-o-y), while Adjusted EBITDA at €20.8m (+56.4% y-o-y).

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NIATMI (Net Income After Tax and Minority Interest) from continuing operations at €-7.3m, improved by 57.8% compared to a year ago.

 

North America operations, under Intralot Inc., achieved significant y-o-y growth (Revenue +21.8%, EBITDA +81.8%).

Group OPEX in 1Q21 is better by 8.3% y-o-y, with Greek entities OPEX lower by 25.7% y-o-y, without taking into consideration the capital structure optimization expenses.

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Operating Cash Flow at €21.6m in 1Q21 (+127.4% y-o-y).

 

Group Net CAPEX in 1Q21 was €2.9m, lower by 48.2% compared to a year ago.

 

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Group Cash at the end of 1Q21 at €90.6m.

 

Net Debt at €643.7m at the end of 1Q21.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic impact for 1Q21 has been restrained in the vicinity of €1.5m at Group’s EBITDA level.

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In May 2021, INTRALOT announced the sale of its 80% stake in “Intralot do Brasil”, to SAGA, the only other shareholder of Intralot do Brasil, holding 20% of the company, for a total cash consideration of €0.7m. INTRALOT will continue to provide its gaming technology to Intralot do Brasil following closing of the transaction.

 

Also in May 2021, INTRALOT announced that its subsidiary in The Netherlands INTRALOT BENELUX BV, in co-operation with the Nederlandse Loterij, completed the transition of the operator’s full gaming portfolio enabled by the innovative LotosX platform, and rolled out 4,300 Photon terminals along with its robust signage solution empowering further the retail channel of Nederlandse Loterij’s Lottery games and Sports Betting offering.

 

Group Headline Figures

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  (in € million) 1Q21 1Q20 % LTM  
  Change  
           
  Revenue (Turnover) 102.0 93.3 9.3% 373.5  
  GGR 80.5 74.3 8.3% 299.1  
  OPEX1 -23.2 -25.3 -8.3% -93.1  
  EBITDA2 24.4 15.7 55.4% 74.9  
  EBITDA Margin (% on 23.9% 16.8% +7.1pps 20.1%  
  Revenue)  
           
  EBITDA Margin (% on GGR) 30.3% 21.1% +9.2pps 25.0%  
  Adjusted EBITDA3 20.8 13.3 56.4% 63.3  
  Capital Structure -5.0 -0.3 -11.5  
  Optimization expenses  
           
  D&A -16.0 -18.2 -12.1% -66.3  
  EBT -3.4 -14.9 77.2% -82.6  
  EBT Margin (%) -3.3% -16.0% +12.7pps -22.1%  
  NIATMI from continuing -7.3 -17.3 57.8% -94.1  
  operations  
           
  Total Assets 612.1 755.3  
  Gross Debt 734.3 753.1  
  Net Debt 643.7 611.1  
  Operating Cash Flow from 21.6 9.5 127.4% 49.8  
  total operations  
           
  Net CAPEX -2.9 -5.6 -48.2% -33.3  
             

 

INTRALOT Chairman & CEO Sokratis P. Kokkalis noted:

“First quarter results show strong Revenue and EBITDA growth, driven by robust operational performance and successful implementation of cost containment measures, while maintaining a strong cash position. At the same time, we continue to sharpen our focus on strategic markets with higher margins, launch new operations, such as Croatia, and roll out our new product portfolio, overall pointing to a very healthy operational performance for 2021.”

 

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  • OPEX presented exclude the capital structure optimization expenses.

 

  • The Group defines “EBITDA” as “Operating Profit/(Loss) before tax” adjusted for the figures “Profit/(loss) from equity method consolidations”, “Profit/(loss) to net monetary position”, “Exchange Differences”, “Interest and related income”, “Interest and similar expenses”, “Income/(expenses) from participations and investments”, “Write-off and impairment loss of assets”, “Gain/(loss) from assets disposal”, “Reorganization costs” and “Assets’ depreciation and amortization”.

 

  • Calculated as Proportionate EBITDA of fully consolidated entities including EBITDA from equity investment in Taiwan.

 

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

 

REVENUE

Reported consolidated revenue posted an increase compared to 1Q20, leading to total revenue for the three-month period ended March 31st, 2021, of €102.0m (+9.3%).

 

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  • Lottery Games was the largest contributor to our top line, comprising 63.0% of our revenue, followed by Sports Betting contributing 19.1% to Group turnover. VLTs represented 8.7% and Technology contracts accounted as well for 8.7% of Group turnover, while Racing constituted the 0.5% of total revenue of 1Q21.

 

  • Reported consolidated revenue for the three-month period is higher by €8.7m year over year. The main factors that drove top line performance per Business Activity are:

 

  • €+1.3m (+3.9%) from our Licensed Operations (B2C) activity line, with the increase attributed mainly to higher revenue in:

 

  • Malta (€+2.8m),  with  the  variance attributable mainly to the COVID-19 impact at the end of the first quarter of 2020.

 

The increase in our Licensed Operations activity line was partially mitigated by the lower performance in:

 

  • other Licensed Operations (referring to Brazil and Argentina), which dropped by €-1.5m, impacted mainly by the FX currency translation.

 

  • €+5.3m (+65.4%) from our Management (B2B/ B2G) contracts activity line with the variance driven by:
  • the surplus from our Turkish operations (€+3.1m), driven by Bilyoner’s improved top line performance, favored by the strong growth of the online market. In 1Q21, the local Sports Betting market expanded close to 2.0 times y-o-y, with the online segment representing close to 92% of the market at the end of 1Q21. Performance in Euro terms was partially mitigated by the headwinds in Turkish lira (32.3% Euro appreciation versus a year ago – in YTD average terms),

 

  • the launch of US Sports Betting in Montana and Washington, D.C. in late 2020 (€+1.3m), and

 

  • Morocco’s (€+0.9m or +31.2% y-o-y) improved performance, due to the COVID-19 impact in late 1Q20.

 

  • €+2.1m (+4.0%) from our Technology and Support Services (B2B/ B2G) activity line, with the increase attributed mainly to:

 

  • our US operations’ increased revenue (€+5.5m), mainly driven by the strong growth in our Lottery operations, while further boosted by a significant jackpot in January 2021, despite the effect from the adverse USD movement (9.1% Euro appreciation versus a year ago — in YTD average terms) and the lower merchandise sales in the current period.

 

The increase in our Technology and Support Services activity line was partially mitigated by the lower performance in:

 

  • The Netherlands (€-1.2m), impacted by the revised commercial terms which affected half of the first quarter of 2020 vs. full quarter effect in 2021,

 

  • Australia (€-1.1m), driven mainly by one-off merchandise sales in 1Q20, as well as the phasing-out of COVID-19 impact, while partially offset by the favorable currency movement, and

 

  • sales from other jurisdictions (€-1.1m), impacted mainly by lower merchandise sales in the current period and the COVID-19 impact.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, revenue — net of the negative FX impact of €13.2m — reached €115.2m (+23.5% y-o-y).

 

GROSS GAMING REVENUE & Payout

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  • Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from continuing operations concluded at €80.5m in 1Q21, posting an increase of 8.3% (or €+6.2m) year over year, attributable to:

 

  • the increase in the non-payout related GGR (€+7.7m vs. 1Q20), driven mainly by the increased top line contribution of our US operations, as well as the improved performance of Bilyoner in the current period.

 

The GGR increase was partially counterbalanced by:

–     the drop in our payout related GGR (-10.9% y-o-y or €-1.5m), driven mainly by the higher average payout ratio across all licensed operations in 1Q21 and especially in Malta, combined with the adverse FX impact from our licensed operations in Latin America (+2.8% y-o-y on wagers from licensed operations4). 1Q21 Average Payout Ratio5 increased by 5.5pps vs. LY (64.0% vs. 58.5%), affected mainly by the higher weighted contribution from our operations in Malta.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, GGR — net of the negative FX impact of €10.1m — reached €90.6m (+21.9% y-o-y).

 

OPERATING EXPENSES6 & EBITDA7

  • Total Operating Expenses decreased by €2.1m (or 8.3%) in 1Q21 (€23.2m vs. €25.3m in 1Q20). The variance is largely driven by the lower operating expenses across many key regions, such as the US and Morocco, and especially in the HQ, following cost savings and COVID-19 mitigation actions. The decrease was further supported by lower D&A in the current period, while it was only partially offset by the higher advertising costs in Bilyoner.

 

  • Other Operating Income from continuing operations concluded at €5.5m, presenting an increase of 52.8% y-o-y (or €+1.9m), driven by higher equipment lease income in the USA.

 

  • EBITDA, from continuing operations, amounted to €24.4m in 1Q21, posting an increase of 4% (or €+8.7m) compared to the 1Q20 results from continuing operations. 1Q21 Organic performance8 was boosted by the significant growth of our US operations in both Lottery and the new Sports Betting stream, Bilyoner’s improved performance and the operating expenses containments across many jurisdictions. The EBITDA increase was partially counterbalanced by Malta’s higher average payout ratio in 1Q21, a one-off revenue recognition in Australia in 1Q20, the revised commercial terms in Netherlands, as well as the adverse FX impact8 of currencies movement across many key markets (mainly US and Turkey).

 

  • Licensed Operations Revenue also include a small portion of non-Payout related revenue, i.e., value-added services, which totaled €0.8m and €0.4m for 1Q21 and 1Q20, respectively.
  • Payout ratio calculation excludes the IFRS 15 impact for payments to customers.

 

  • Operating Expenses analysis excludes expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

  • EBITDA analysis excludes Depreciation & Amortization, and expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

  • CPI adjusted for Turkey and Argentina (proxy).

 

  • On a yearly basis, EBITDA margin on sales improved to 23.9%, compared to 16.8% in 1Q20 (+7.1pps), as a result of revenue growth (mainly in the US and Turkey), combined with operating expenses containments across many key regions (mainly in HQ, US and Morocco).

 

  • LTM EBITDA rose to €74.9m, up by 13.1% vs. FY20.

 

  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21, EBITDA, net of the negative FX impact of €3.9m, reached €28.3m (+80.3% y-o-y).

 

EBT / NIATMI

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  • EBT in 1Q21 totaled €-3.4m, compared to €-14.9m in 1Q20, with the key drivers of the improvement being:

 

  • the impact of the increased EBITDA (€+8.7m vs. 1Q20), as described above,

 

  • the better FX results (€+4.2m vs. 1Q20), as a result of the USD and other currencies movement against Euro, as well as the positive effect from the reclassification of FX reserves to Income Statement applying IFRS 10, and

 

  • the decreased D&A (€+2.2m), due to increased impairments in the previous periods.

 

With the increase at EBT level being partially offset by:

 

–  the higher capital structure optimization expenses in 1Q21 (€-4.7m).

 

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  • Constant currency basis: In 1Q21 EBΤ, adjusted for the FX impact, reached €+1.0m, from €-14.1m in 1Q20.

 

  • NIATMI from continuing operations in 1Q21 concluded at €-7.3m compared to €-17.3m in NIATMI from total operations in 1Q21 amounted to €-8.2m (improved by €9.4m vs. a year ago), including the performance of the discontinued operations in Bulgaria and Peru.

 

  • Constant currency basis: NIATMI (total operations) in 1Q21, on a constant currency basis, reached €-10.3m from €-17.4m in 1Q20.

 

CASH-FLOW

 

  • Operating Cash-flow in 1Q21 amounted to €21.6m, increased by €12.1m, compared to 1Q20. Excluding the operating cash-flow contribution of our discontinued operations (mainly Bulgaria) and the capital structure optimization expenses paid, the cash-flow from operating activities is higher by €15.9m vs. a year ago and is largely driven by the positive variance in Income Taxes paid (€+12.2m), attributed to Income Tax returns during the current period vs. payments in 1Q20, and the higher recorded EBITDA y-o-y from continuing operations (€+8.7m), while partially offset by the adverse working capital movement of €-5.5m (€-7.3m in 1Q21, vs. €-1.8m in 1Q20).

 

  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow9 in 1Q21 increased by €24.4m to €4.1m, compared to €-20.3m a year The main contributors to this variance were the positive swing in the Income Taxes Paid (€+12.2m), following an income tax return in 1Q21, the higher recorded EBITDA (€+8.7m y-o-y), and the lower Net Dividends paid (€+2.5m), driven mainly by Inteltek’s dividend paid in 1Q20 as part of settlement procedures after its contract discontinuation. Excluding Parent company tax audit payments and returns, as well as Inteltek’s contract discontinuation impact in the previous period, 1Q21 Adjusted Free Cash Flow stands at €-1.1m, or €+8.3m above 1Q20 levels.
  • Calculated as EBITDA – Maintenance CAPEX – Cash Taxes – Net Cash Finance Charges (excluding refinancing charges – Net Dividends Paid; all finance metrics exclude the impact of discontinued operations.

 

  • Net CAPEX in 1Q21 was €2.9m, compared to €5.6m in 1Q20, significantly decreased following the completion of prior years’ investments and projects. Headline CAPEX items in 1Q21 include €0.9m towards R&D and project pipeline delivery, and €0.9m in the US. All other net additions amount to €1.1m for 1Q21. Maintenance CAPEX accounted for €0.8m, or 28.0% of the overall capital expenditure in 1Q21, from €1.6m or 28.1% in 1Q20.

 

  • Net Debt, as of March 31st, 2021, stood at €643.7m, decreased by €7.4m compared to December 31st, 2020. The Net Debt movement was impacted primarily by the Net Investments (€-13.3m, referring mainly to Intralot de Peru sale impact), the bonds IFRS treatment positive effect (€-9.3m), as well as an income tax return in the first quarter of 2021 related to the Parent Company tax audit payments of the previous periods (€-5.2m). The Net Debt decrease was only partially offset by the Restricted Bank Deposits for the period (€+3.2m), the payments towards Capital Structure Optimization (€+3.1m), and the investments towards the growth of our business, mainly for our projects in the US and Croatia (€+1.9m). Normal course of business in the Net Debt movement reflects March coupon payments and the adverse Working Capital, that fully offset the positive Operating Cash Flows.

 

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IMPACT UPDATE

The economic fallout from COVID-19 continued to affect business activities in the beginning of 2021, and restrictions in most of the regions across the world were still enforced to cope with the spread of the pandemic. However, as vaccinations are progressing, governments have loosened COVID-19 measures after months of lockdowns, and gradually re-opened economic activities.

 

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Gaming market in most of the regions where we operate has started to improve, while US Lottery market shows high degree of resilience. Based on the current performance of our operations in the first months of 2021 and the actions undertaken by most of our subsidiaries, no significant EBITDA impact is expected post 1Q21 from the pandemic. In any case, the scale and magnitude of COVID-19 impact for 2021 is continuously assessed and all containment measures assumed in 2020 remain intact and have been enhanced in order to absorb the potential impact in the financial results of 2021. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the financial performance in 2021 will depend on future development of the pandemic and the efficiency of the actions taken by the governments. This uncertainty will require us to continually adapt our strategy and initiatives and continuously assess the situation.

 

The health and safety of our team remains our top priority. With this in mind, we have immediately complied with all measures imposed by local governments and used technology in order to immediately enable a substantive majority of our personnel to work and collaborate remotely, without affecting the performance and quality standards of the Group.

9

 

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RECENT/ SIGNIFICANT COMPANY DEVELOPMENTS

 

 

  • On January 14th, 2021, the Company announced that OPAP exercised its two-year extension option of the contract with INTRALOT for the continuation of the collaboration of the two companies in the field of numerical lotteries and services from August 2021 to July 2023.

 

  • On February 8th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that it has reached a binding agreement with Nexus Group in Peru to sell its entire stake of 20% in Intralot de Peru SA, an associate of INTRALOT Group, which was consolidated through the Equity method, for a cash consideration of USD 21.0m. In addition, the Company signed a three-year extension of its current contract with Intralot de Peru SA through 2024, to continue to provide its gaming technology and support services. The transaction was completed on February 24th, 2021, with the net cash consideration, after taxes and transaction expenses, amounting to USD 16.2m.

 

  • On March 23rd, 2021, INTRALOT announced the amendment of the contract of INTRALOT Maroc, a subsidiary of the INTRALOT Group acting as games operator in Morocco, with La Marocaine Des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS), a state lottery offering sports betting and other games of chance in Morocco, which was signed in June 2019. According to this amendment, counterparties agree to reduce the duration of the contract, which was initially effective for an 8-year term, ending 31/12/2022.

 

  • On May 14th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that it has reached a binding agreement with “SAGA CONSULTORIA E REPRESENTAÇÕES COMERCIAIS E EMPRESARIAIS” (“SAGA”) in Brazil to sell its entire stake in “Intralot do Brasil Comércio de Equipamentos e Programas de Computador LTDA” (“Intralot do Brasil”), representing 80% of the company’s voting capital. SAGA is the only other shareholder of Intralot do Brasil holding 20% of the company. INTRALOT will continue to provide its gaming technology to Intralot do Brasil following closing of the transaction. The total cash consideration for the stake sale amounts to €0.7m.

 

  • On May 26th, 2021, INTRALOT announced that its subsidiary in The Netherlands INTRALOT BENELUX BV, in co-operation with the Nederlandse Loterij, completed the transition of the operator’s full gaming portfolio enabled by the innovative LotosX platform. Additionally,

INTRALOT has rolled out 4,300 Photon terminals along with its robust signage solution empowering further the retail channel of Nederlandse Loterij’s Lottery games and Sports Betting offering.

10

 

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APPENDIX

 

Performance per Business Segment10

 

YTD Performance

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Performance per Geography

 

Revenue Breakdown

 

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(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %
    Change
         
Europe   34.4   39.0 -11.8%
Americas   55.0   49.7 10.7%
Other   16.8   14.0 20.0%
Eliminations   -4.2   -9.4
Total Consolidated Sales   102.0   93.3 9.3%

 

 

Gross Profit Breakdown

 

(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %
    Change
         
Europe   -1.8   2.5
Americas   14.4   9.1 58.2%
Other   14.2   9.8 44.9%
Eliminations   -0.7   -2.3
Total Consolidated Gross Profit   26.1   19.1 36.6%

 

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  • Part of the US revenue that concerns SB management, has been included under the category “Game Management”. The rest of the US revenue is included under the “Technology” business segment.

 

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Gross Margin Breakdown          
            %
      1Q21   1Q20
        Change
           
  Europe   -5.2%   6.4% -11.6pps
  Americas   26.2%   18.3% +7.9pps
  Other   84.5%   70.0% +14.5pps
  Total Consolidated Gross Margin   25.6%   20.5% +5.1pps

 

INTRALOT Parent Company results

 

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  • Revenue for the period decreased by 55.3%, to €4.6m, with the decrease attributable mainly to one-off equipment sales in 1Q20, as well as lower rendering of services towards the Group’s subsidiaries in the current period.

 

  • EBITDA shaped at €-4.5m from €-2.4m in 1Q20, variance affected mainly by the revenue decrease, while partially offset by the containments in the Company’s operating expenses.

 

  • Earnings after Taxes (EAT) at €-0.1m from €-10.2m in 1Q20.

 

 

(in € million)   1Q21   1Q20 %   LTM  
    Change    
               
Revenue   4.6   10.3 -55.3%   42.0  
Gross Profit   -3.1   0.1   12.3  
Other Operating Income       0.2  
OPEX11   -5.1   -6.9 -26.1%   -25.7  
EBITDA11   -4.5   -2.4 -87.5%   0.7  
EAT   -0.1   -10.2 99.0%   -30.5  
CAPEX (paid)   -0.5   -1.9 -73.7%   -6.4  

 

  • Operating Expenses and EBITDA presented exclude the expenditures related to capital structure optimization.

 

12

 

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

(in € million)   1Q21     1Q20 %       LTM    
        Change      
                     
Revenue   102.0     93.3 9.3%       373.5    
Gross Profit   26.1     19.1 36.6%       82.3    
Other Operating Income   5.5     3.6 52.8%       19.5    
OPEX   -23.2     -25.3 -8.3%       -93.1    
EBITDA   24.4     15.7 55.4%       74.9    
Margin   23.9%     16.8%   +7.1pps   20.1%    
Capital Structure Optimization   -5.0     -0.3       -11.5    
expenses                
                         
D&A   -16.0     -18.2 -12.1%       -66.3    
EBIT   3.4     -2.9       -2.8    
Interest expense (net)   -11.8     -12.0 1.7%       -48.2    
Exchange differences   3.7     -0.5       -5.4    
Other   1.3     0.5 160.0%       -26.2    
EBT   -3.4     -14.9 77.2%       -82.6    
NIATMI   -8.2     -17.6 53.4%       -96.8    
NIATMI continuing   -7.3     -17.3 57.8%       -94.1    
NIATMI discontinued   -0.9     -0.3 -200.0%       -2.7    
Group Statement of Financial Position                  
                     
(in € million)           1Q21       FY20  
                           
Tangible Assets           138.9     134.3    
Intangible Assets           200.7     202.0    
Other Non-Current Assets           19.4     19.2    
Inventories           24.2     25.7    
Trade and Other Short-term Receivables     138.3     151.5    
Cash and Cash Equivalents           90.6     100.0    
Assets Held for Sale               16.2    
Total Assets           612.1     648.9    
Share Capital           47.1     47.1    
Other Equity Elements           -270.6     -269.3    
Reserves from profit / (loss) recognized directly in other         -0.6    
comprehensive income and are related to assets held for sale          
               
Non-Controlling Interests           1.5     3.7    
Total Shareholders’ Equity           -222.0     -219.1    
Long-term Debt           480.5     476.2    
Provisions/ Other Long-term Liabilities           20.8     21.5    
Short-term Debt           253.8     274.9    
Other Short-term Liabilities           79.0     95.4    
Total Liabilities           834.1     868.0    
Total Equity and Liabilities           612.1     648.9    

 

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Group Statement of Cash Flows

 

  (in € million) 1Q21 1Q20
       
  EBT from continuing operations -3.4 -14.9
  EBT from discontinued operations 0.5
  Plus/less Adjustments 23.3 31.1
  Decrease/(increase) of Inventories -1.3 1.0
  Decrease/(increase) of Receivable Accounts 13.5 -0.2
  (Decrease)/increase of Payable Accounts -17.6 -2.0
  Income Tax Paid 6.6 -5.5
  Net Cash from Operating Activities 21.6 9.5
  Net CAPEX -2.9 -5.6
  (Purchases) / Sales of subsidiaries & other investments 13.3 -0.5
  Restricted bank deposits -3.2 -0.7
  Interest received 0.3 0.6
  Dividends received 1.0
  Net Cash from Investing Activities 7.5 -5.2
  Cash inflows from loans 27.5
  Repayment of loans -11.2 -27.2
  Repayment of Leasing Obligations -1.4 -1.8
  Interest and similar charges paid -21.4 -22.1
  Dividends paid -5.1 -7.9
  Net Cash from Financing Activities -39.1 -31.5
  Net increase / (decrease) in cash for the period -10.0 -27.2
  Exchange differences 0.6 -1.9
  Cash at the beginning of the period 100.0 171.1
  Cash at the end of the period from total operations 90.6 142.0
       

 

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7777 gaming signs a strategic iLottery content deal with Scientific Games

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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.

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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.

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The post 7777 gaming signs a strategic iLottery content deal with Scientific Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Atlas-IAC’s CEO Maxim Slobodyanyuk Talks Winning Strategies & Vision for Future Growth in the iGaming Sector

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Atlas-IAC, a Next-Generation iGaming platform, has been recognized as the Best Sports Betting Provider Of The Year and Rising Star In Sports Betting Technology  at the Prague Gaming & Tech Awards 2024. The GamingTECH Awards annually  determine industry excellence in Central and Eastern Europe. Maxim Slobodyanyuk, CEO of Atlas-IAC, tells about insights into Atlas-IAC’s innovative solutions that are reshaping the iGaming landscape and the core principles of partnership driving mutual evolution for both Atlas-IAC and its esteemed operators.

 

Congratulations on winning “Best Sports Betting Provider Of The Year” and “Rising Star In Sports Betting Technology” at the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2024! How does Atlas-IAC feel about receiving such prestigious recognition?

We take pride in being acknowledged as the best sports betting provider and the rising star in sports betting technology across Central and Eastern Europe. At the heart of our success lies a team of exceptional visionaries, developers, and business analytics  striving to elevate the industry to new heights of technological innovation and responsible gaming practices.

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I’d like to thank our great partners for choosing Atlas-IAC as their technology provider, and for subscribing to our core business principle — to evolve and grow together. Our win is our partners’ win as well.

To be the best sports betting provider entails a weighty responsibility, one we approach with unwavering dedication. These awards serve as a validation of our unwavering commitment to excellence and as a catalyst for renewed determination to shape the future of sports betting technology. We are grateful for recognition and remain resolutely committed to charting new horizons of success alongside our valued partners.

 

Could you provide insights into the strategies that drove Atlas-IAC’s success in the iGaming industry?

At Atlas-IAC, our success strategy revolves around building strong partnerships and establishing a notable presence in the competitive global entertainment technology market. We prioritize automation, which gives us an edge in emerging markets and allows us to onboard partners quickly and streamline operations.

Continuously improving our platform to offer a seamless Sportsbook API experience is a priority. Our aim is to deliver fast performance, smooth betting experiences, real-time risk management, advanced anti-fraud measures, and scalable solutions for partners worldwide.

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Staying up-to-date, enhancing our product, analyzing market and partner needs, and proactively responding to them are essential. Being the top technological partner is a strategy that consistently works for us.

 

How does Atlas-IAC’s in-house developed Sportsbook differentiate itself from competitors?

Atlas-IAC’s in-house developed Sportsbook sets us apart because we have full control over its features and can make rapid improvements. Features like Personal Odds Boost and Clever Margin allow for customized experiences tailored to our partners’ needs. We focus on personalization, ensuring the product aligns perfectly with each operator’s requirements. With a skilled team dedicated to our partners’ needs, we can promptly address requests and deliver effective solutions.

 

Atlas-IAC offers one of the most automated Sportsbook available in the market. How does automation enhance the experience for both operators and users?

Our fully automated Sportsbook API is efficient and user-friendly, enhancing engagement and retention. It’s equipped to handle high demand periods effectively and offers tools for precise betting management and reliable results. We can swiftly develop and integrate custom modules for partners, giving us a competitive edge. We prioritize meeting partners’ needs while delivering enjoyable experiences for players, fostering mutual benefit for all involved.

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What specific features or tools have been well-received by operators in the iGaming industry?

In the realm of iGaming, Atlas-IAC has garnered recognition for its remarkable adaptability and keen responsiveness to the requirements of our partners. Understanding the distinctive needs of each operator, we have crafted a tailored approach to ensure effective solutions.

One specific example of our successful tools is our Cashback feature, which serves as a versatile tool for promoting sporting events and enhancing player entertainment. This feature offers customizable settings based on specific sports, events, odds criteria, and frequency. With such flexibility, operators can effectively incentivize participation and elevate excitement levels among players.

In essence, the suite of features and tools offered by Atlas-IAC not only addresses the diverse needs of operators but also fuels engagement and growth within the iGaming industry.

 

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What are Atlas-IAC’s goals for continued innovation and growth in the iGaming sector?

Looking ahead, our primary aim is to continually push the boundaries of innovation while delivering outstanding value to our partners. We remain steadfast in our commitment to leading the charge in the iGaming sector, fostering sustainable growth, and championing responsible gaming practices. Our strategy revolves around staying agile, adapting to emerging trends, and catering to the unique needs of operators worldwide.

The evolving sports betting landscape of 2024 underscores the critical importance of adaptability and innovation. Operators must navigate this dynamic environment marked by technological advancements and regulatory shifts, and Atlas-IAC stands ready to assist them in this endeavor.

In terms of market focus, we are meticulously evaluating opportunities in LATAM, Eastern Europe, South-East Asia, and Africa. These regions offer significant growth potential, and our tailored strategy is geared towards effectively meeting the unique demands of these diverse markets.

The post Atlas-IAC’s CEO Maxim Slobodyanyuk Talks Winning Strategies & Vision for Future Growth in the iGaming Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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How to avoid failing at affiliate marketing in 2024?

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The evolving landscape of affiliate marketing within the iGaming ecosystem presents both opportunities and challenges due to regulatory shifts. Adapting to these changes is crucial to navigate the dynamic environment effectively. Slotegrator experts exploring strategies to avoid pitfalls globally and adopting adaptable approaches can optimize affiliate marketing amidst evolving regulations.

The iGaming industry has had to focus on a number of changes in the area of affiliate marketing –  as a result of regulatory and advertising changes.

Beyond that, it’s important to keep in mind another important key initiatives that include key components of a successful affiliate program:

  • The quality of the content the affiliate creates.
  • Regulations the affiliate or affiliate program might be subject to.
  • This is especially important if the affiliate expects a commission for every sign-up. If the affiliate is getting paid for every player they send your way, the players need to stay for a while for it to be worth it.
  • An ongoing analysis of the size and quality of traffic the affiliate is delivering you.

To know more about these points you can read an instruction from the Slotegrator Academy by link.

The changes have not only affected the regulatory environment of the iGaming industry, but also affiliate marketing as a result of the general changes. What is important to look out for?

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Slotegrator shares some regional specifics of affiliate marketing:

  • Asia is a diverse and dynamic region for affiliate marketing in the iGaming industry. Affiliates operating in Asia have to navigate complex regulatory conditions and varying cultural attitudes. Marketing managers have to employ strategies that prioritize mobile channelization, collaboration with opinion leaders, and compliance with local laws — all of which are essential to success.
  • Affiliate marketing in Africa is still in its early stages but is already showing significant potential. With the increasing availability of the internet and the spread of smartphones, the continent is opening up opportunities for affiliates to reach a fast-growing market. However, factors such as regulatory uncertainty, payment processing difficulties, and the cultural diversity of the region need to be taken into account.
  • In Latin America working with local affiliates who have a deep understanding of the regional market helps to better customize marketing campaigns and achieve higher conversion rates. Given the strict regulation of gambling in some Latin American countries, it is important to comply with local laws and advertising restrictions to avoid negative consequences.
  • Affiliate marketing in Europe is a dynamic and competitive landscape where effective strategies and a professional approach can ensure significant business success and growth in the iGaming sector. One of the important parts of affiliate marketing in Europe is the use of a variety of channels to build audiences. It helps to diversify and increase the flow of traffic to the partner’s site, which helps to increase conversion rates. Careful research of each country’s rules and restrictions is needed regarding the advertising and promotion of gambling.

Alyce Fabel from CasinoRIX, Slotegrator’s media partner, summarizes key aspects for affiliate companies to concentrate on.“As each year passes, affiliates must strive to improve and keep pace with the market. Competition is growing, regulations are evolving, and that brings changes to many regions. We can highlight five key points for affiliate companies to focus on:

  • Continuously search for and acquire new traffic channels. It’s crucial not to focus only on one channel; diversification is necessary. This has been particularly evident in the past year, with significant changes and updates in SEO and mobile traffic (iOS/Android applications).
  • Ensure content quality. As AI tools continue to advance, it’s essential not only to learn to apply them in work but also to differentiate content written by humans from AI-generated content (especially crucial for SEO projects).
  • Configure deep analytics. Constantly work on improving traffic quality and understand where to make enhancements. The standards for traffic quality are rising.
  • Provide added value. It’s time to start developing the product aspect as well, thinking not only as an affiliate but also about providing customers with additional value. This will also help in achieving higher-quality marketing.”

Cultivate relationships with partners. Build strong and lasting relationships, stay informed about all industry changes and news, and keep up with technologies and innovations. This is crucial for achieving high results.

And some words about the affiliate marketing trends as a compass to guide development efforts in this area in the right direction. Khoren Ispiryan, sales manager at Slotegrator, and the speaker of the latest Prague Gaming & TECH Summit ‘24, shares some insights:

  • “The best thing is to include real people in the affiliate marketing. To create an environment where bloggers, streamers and influencers will make a bigger impact on the end user behavior.
  • In 2024, gambling companies will continue to partner with influencers and other internet celebrities. These partnerships will be increasingly effective methods of attracting new audiences, promoting products, and increasing brand awareness.
  • Loyalty programs and other ways of enhancing the user experience will also be essential for the promotion of gambling websites.
  • The development of partner relationship management software will be a major priority. It will help improve usability for affiliate partners and enable better communication between companies and affiliates. For instance, Partnergrator from Slotegrator offers a solution for online gambling platform operators who face difficulties in tracking their affiliate program data. This innovative solution provides the ability to manage and analyze affiliate programs in real-time, using analytics to simplify the decision-making process.”

The post How to avoid failing at affiliate marketing in 2024? appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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