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Better Collective reports record revenue; strong growth in US business and media partnerships

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Interim report January 1 – December 31, 2021

Highlights fourth quarter 2021

  • Q4 Group Revenue grew by 44% to 52.8 mEUR (Q4 2020: 36.7 mEUR). Organic revenue growth was 25%
    • The continued large increase in NDCs sent on revenue share contracts has signif- icantly increased future recurring revenue (in Publishing business) but also had a short term dampening effect on revenue and earnings. Combined with an ex- ceptionally low sports win margin, we have estimated an effect of approximately 6 mEUR in the quarter compared to historical average.
  • Q4 Group EBITDA before special items increased 16% to 16.3 mEUR (Q4 2020: 14.1 mEUR). The Group EBITDA-margin before special items was 31% (Publishing 40% and Paid Media 5%).
  • Cash Flow from operations before special items was 13.5 mEUR (Q4 2020: 10.1 mEUR), an increase of 33%. The cash conversion was 82%. By the end of Q4, capital reserves stood at 33.5 mEUR of which cash of 30.1 mEUR and unused bank credit facilities of 3.4 mEUR.
  • New Depositing Customers (NDCs) were >267,000 in the quarter (growth of 74%). NDCs sent on revenue share contracts were >190,000 (growth of 69%).
  • On November 4, Better Collective completed the acquisition of the remaining 40% shares in the US based RotoGrinders Network at a total price of 33 mEUR.
  • On December 8, Better Collective initiated a share buyback program to cover future payments relating to completed acquisitions and incentive programs for up to 10 mEUR.

Financial highlights full year 2021

  • Revenue grew by 94% to 177.1 mEUR (FY 2020: 91.2 mEUR), with organic growth of 29%.
  • EBITDA before special items increased 46% to 55.8 mEUR (FY 2020: 38.2 mEUR). The EBITDA-margin before special items was 32% (Publishing 43% and Paid Media 8%).
  • Special items amounted to a cost of 16.7 mEUR (FY 2020: 0.1 mEUR). It includes an 11.5 mEUR adjustment of the contingent liability related to the 2019 acquisition of Rical LLC, treated as a P/L item under IFRS, as well as income related to an ad- justment of the variable payment recorded in connection with the acquisition of Dutch assets. M&A cost of 6.0 mEUR is related to M&A activities, primarily Action Network, and 2.5 mEUR cost of Management incentive program related to Action Network.
  • Cash Flow from operations before special items was 51.2 mEUR (FY 2020: 38.3 mEUR), an increase of 34%. Cash conversion rate before special items was 92%.
  • On May 26, 2021, Better Collective resolved on a directed share issue of 6.9 million shares, thereby raising gross proceeds of SEK 1,500 million and significantly in- creasing financial flexibility.
  • New Depositing Customers were >857,000 in 2021 (growth of 96%). NDCs sent on revenue share contracts were >607,000 (growth of 70%).

During 2021, Better Collective completed acquisitions of approximately 210 mEUR:

  • On January 1, 2021 Better Collective increased its ownership to 90% of the shares in Mindway AI that specialises in software solutions based on artificial intelligence and neuroscience for identifying, preventing and intervening in at-risk and problem gambling.
  • On March 31, 2021 Better Collective strengthened its position in the Swedish sports betting market by acquiring online sports betting media platform, Rekatochklart. com for 3.8 mEUR.
  • On May 28, Better Collective acquired leading US sports betting media platform, Action Network, for 196 mEUR (240 mUSD), gaining market leadership within sports betting media in the US.
  • On September 24, Better Collective acquired Soccernews.nl, a Dutch online sports betting community, in separate transactions for total upfront payments of 5.9 mEUR.

Significant events of the closure of the period

  • January revenue reached >26 mEUR, more than double vs. 2020, of which 69% was organic growth. Earnings (EBITDA before special items) were >11 mEUR. Performance was boosted by the market opening in the state of New York.
  • On January 21 2022, Better Collective entered into a media partnership with the New York Post to bring the best in commercial sports betting content to the pub- lication’s readership of more than 92 million unique users. The agreement covers the delivery of content, data, and statistics for the betting section of the New York Post. New York state opened for online sports betting on January 8, 2022. Better Collective is off to a great start across all assets, in particular Action Network.
  • On January 11, 2022 the share buyback program of 10 mEUR initiated on December 8, 2021 was completed with 532,482 shares accumulated under the program.
  • The board of directors have implemented a new Long Term Incentive Plan (LTI) for key employees in the Better Collective group (excluding the executive manage- ment). Grants under the new LTI will be in the form of performance share units and share options vesting over a 3-year period. The total value of the 2022 LTI grant program is 1.4 mEUR (Black-Scholes value) measured at the target level.

Jesper Søgaard, Co-founder & CEO of Better Collective, commented:

“An all-time high intake of NDCs and an overall strong performance of our business mark the ending of 2021 – a year of many new opportunities for Better Collective. We managed to deliver growth of 44% over that of last year’s Q4. Our US business delivered prime results following the start of the NFL season, and contributed almost 40% to the total quarterly Group revenue. “

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Financial targets 2021

The Group financial targets for 2021 for organic growth (29% vs target of >25%) and Operational Earnings/EBITDA (55.8 mEUR vs target of >55 mEUR) were met. Total revenue ended at 177 mEUR slightly below the target of >180 mEUR. Total revenue and earnings were, as mentioned, affected negatively by an exceptionally low sports win margin in Q4 as well as a high intake of NDCs, which has a short- term dampening effect on margins.

Financial targets 2022

The Board of Directors have decided on new financial targets for the Better Collective Group for the financial year 2022. Excluding potential new M&A-trans- actions:

  • Double-digit organic revenue growth of 15-25%
  • Operating profit (EBITDA before special items) of approx. 75 mEUR
  • Debt leverage (Net interest bearing debt/EBITDA) <3,0
  • High operational cash conversion rate expected to be maintained

Conference call

A telephone conference will be held at 10.00 a.m. CET today by CEO Jesper Søgaard and CFO Flemming Pedersen. The presentation will simultaneously be webcasted, and both the telephone conference and the webcast offer an opportunity to ask questions.

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The MeridianBet – Golden Matrix Transaction Secures Approval at GMGI Shareholder Assembly

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The MeridianBet Group, Southeast Europe’s leading Business-to-Consumer (B2C) sports betting and gaming group, operating in multiple markets across Europe, Africa and Latin America, announced that the shareholders of Golden Matrix Group (GMG), a developer, licensor and global operator of online gaming and eCommerce platforms, systems and gaming content, have voted to approve the acquisition of MeridianBet.

Commenting on the merger Zoran Milosevic, Chief Executive Officer of MeridianBet Group, said: “Today marks a major milestone for MeridianBet and I am thrilled that the shareholders of Golden Matrix have overwhelmingly voted in favor of the acquisition of MeridianBet. By joining forces, we are not only expanding our reach but enhancing our ability to provide customers with a diverse and comprehensive offering whilst creating a leading global betting group. I look forward to announcing the completion of the deal in due course.”

The post The MeridianBet – Golden Matrix Transaction Secures Approval at GMGI Shareholder Assembly appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BMM INNOVATION GROUP TO EXHIBIT AT THE INDIAN GAMING TRADESHOW (IGA) APRIL 10-11 AT THE ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER, DEMONSTRATING COMMITMENT TO TRIBAL PARTNERSHIPS, INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENT

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The BMM Innovation Group will exhibit in Booth No. 628

BMM Innovation Group (“BIG” or the Company), a technology conglomerate providing world-class services and cutting-edge solutions to the global gaming industry, today announced that the Company and its representatives are exhibiting, attending, and speaking at the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Tradeshow April 10-11 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. BIG, which includes BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training, will exhibit in Booth No. 628.

BMM Innovation Group Chief Marketing Officer Laura Olson-Reyes said, “The IGA event serves as a cornerstone in our ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships with Tribal stakeholders, understanding their evolving needs, and collectively driving innovation and progress in the industry. We are excited to engage in insightful discussions, share our expertise, and showcase our latest services that empower and protect Tribal enterprises.

Experts and thought leaders from BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training will be on hand at the booth to discuss the Companyߣs testing, certification, cybersecurity, and training solutions for land-based and digital Tribal markets.

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In a show of support for Tribal gaming, the BIG Group will be presenting a scholarship to the Tribal Gaming Protection Networkߣs NextGen initiative during the show. This initiative brings together a talented group of emerging leaders and young professionals in the Tribal gaming industry.

Olson-Reyes said, Éc;We are proud to have served Tribal gaming and supported its communities for more than 23 years, and we are honored to contribute to the Tribal Gaming Protection Network and its focus on creating a nurturing environment for young professionals to collaborate, learn, and lead in the Tribal gaming sector.

BIGߣs thought leaders will speak on several panels during the IGA conference:

  • 3 p.m. Monday, April 8 Room 204B: Amit Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of BIG Cyber, will present on Data Security and Privacy in AI-Enabled Casinos
  • 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 Room 203B: Sharma will speak on a panel on Tribal Gaming Security Standards ߝ why they matter and a possible roadmap to building a dedicated Tribal security gold standard
  • 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 Room 204A: Wendy Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of RG24seven Virtual Training, will speak on a panel focused on The Staffing Challenge: Innovative Approaches to Casino Workforce Management

Visit xpressreg.net to register for free entrance to the IGA trade show exhibits, courtesy of BMM.

 

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Casimaru.com Reinforces the Product with the New Free-Play Feature

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In the dynamic world of online casinos, Casimaru.com emerges as a standout player, captivating customers with its innovative approach to the online casino experience. Casimaru.com has recently introduced a game-changing feature to its platform – a free-play slot feature that is set to redefine the way new players enter the online casino world.

Casimaru.com, a leading online casino portal web site that has garnered attention for its exclusive offers, accurate information, and entertaining content. As a hub for both avid casino enthusiasts and beginners, Casimaru.com has become synonymous with a top-tier portal web site, listing numerous online casino sites that cater to players of varying preferences.

Recognizing the evolving demands of the online casino community, Casimaru.com has taken a significant step by introducing a new free-play slot. This strategic move aims to attract a broader audience, providing both novice and experienced players with the opportunity to explore the latest slot games without financial commitment.

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The free-play slot enhances the overall gaming experience, allowing users to familiarize themselves with the diverse array of games available on operators. Players can now engage in risk-free exploration, capturing the characteristics of various games and discovering new favorites.

Moreover, Casimaru.com hosts free tournaments by utilizing the free-play slot feature, further elevating the excitement for players. This innovative approach does not only adds an element of competition but also encourages players to immerse themselves in the online casino world. The free tournament serves as a gateway for players to experience the thrill and enjoyment of online gaming without any financial risk.

The free-play slot feature on Casimaru.com is made possible through collaboration with one of the leading game providers in the industry. This partnership ensures that the feature is not only enticing but also supported by high-quality, engaging content. By joining forces with a renowned game provider, Casimaru.com fortifies its position as a trailblazer in the online casino industry, providing players with the latest and most accurate information, as well as the highest quality gaming experience.

Ultimately, Casimaru.com sublimates the feature into even more effective opportunities for increased player engagement, drawing individuals into the world of online casinos and encouraging them to stick around for a more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.

The post Casimaru.com Reinforces the Product with the New Free-Play Feature appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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