Canada
Gambling.com Group Reports 2021 Financial Results
Gambling.com Group Limited, a leading provider of digital marketing services for the global online gambling industry, today announced its operating and financial results for the year and the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021.
2021 Financial Highlights
- North American revenue grew 89% to $7.5 million compared to $4.0 million for the prior year
- Revenue of $42.3 million grew 51% compared to $28.0 million for the prior year
- Net income of $12.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $15.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the prior year
- Adjusted EBITDA of $18.4 million increased 26% compared to $14.6 million for the prior year, representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 43%1
- Free cash flow of $8.4 million decreased 22% compared to $10.8 million for the prior year1
Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights
- North American revenue grew 56% to $2.2 million compared to $1.4 million in the same period for the prior year
- Revenue of $10.3 million remained consistent to $10.3 million in the same period for the prior year
- Net income of $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $8.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in the same period for the prior year
- Adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 million decreased 63% compared to $6.1 million in the same period for the prior year, representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 22%1
- Free cash flow of $(1.8 million) compared to $3.5 million for the prior year1
Business Highlights
- Completed successful public listing of ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Global Market in July 2021 under the ticker symbol “GAMB”
- Named the 2021 EGR Affiliate of the Year and 2021 SBC North America Casino Affiliate of the Year
- Delivered 117,000 new depositing customers in 2021 compared to 104,000 in 2020
- Launched several new U.S.- facing websites during 2021 and acquired an incredibly strong portfolio of U.S. specific domain names
- Announced the acquisition of RotoWire.com – a leader in U.S online fantasy sports – in December 2021 to leverage RotoWire’s high-quality traffic and drive substantial incremental sports betting affiliate revenue in the U.S., the acquisition was completed on January 1, 2022
- Announced media partnership with McClatchy in January 2022 to monetize the McClatchy portfolio of digital media assets through sports betting in 29 markets across 14 states
- Successfully entered the New York and Louisiana markets in January 2022
- Announced acquisition of BonusFinder.com in February 2022 to better position the Group for the upcoming market launch in Ontario and further strengthening the Group’s North American presence
“We grew our revenue in 2021 by 51% compared to the prior year, delivered an EBITDA margin of 43% and generated over $8 million of free cash flow as many other industry players struggled to find a path to sustainable profitability,” said Charles Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Gambling.com Group. “As we look towards 2022, we are encouraged by the strongest start to a year we have seen in our 15-year history. Helped by launches in New York and Louisiana, January was our best-single month performance ever – even before consolidating financial results from our recent acquisitions. Just in January, we have seen the total addressable market in North America expand by leaps and bounds and there is a clear path to additional state launches this year, along with the impending launch of Ontario next month. As B2C operators in the U.S. seek a path to sustainable profitability and evaluate their marketing spend going forward, we believe that the affiliate model is ideally positioned to provide operators with more effective, higher ROI investments where they can clearly attribute the source, profitability and lifetime value of a referred player. We view this shift as greatly benefitting the value of our performance marketing revenue model, and we are confident that these tailwinds support what we expect to be another year of record performance for the Group.”
2022 Outlook
Based on currently available information, the Group estimates that, for the full year 2022:
- Total revenue will be in the range of $71 million and $76 million; and
- Adjusted EBITDA will be in the range $22 million and $27 million1
Elias Mark, Chief Financial Officer of Gambling.com Group, added, “Our expectation for another year of record revenue and Adjusted EBITDA is supported primarily by our premier domain portfolio and our growing presence in the U.S. achieved through continuous investments in U.S-facing assets. Organic growth in North America is complemented by our recent acquisitions of RotoWire.com and BonusFinder.com as well as our initiatives to further our leadership in the more established markets that we currently serve. As we have stated, our Adjusted EBITDA margin may deviate from target in the short-term as we strategically invest to strengthen our U.S. footprint, which is reflected in our 2022 outlook. Nonetheless, our profitability metrics remain among the very best in the industry, and our free cash flow generation more than covers our organic growth initiatives and the acquisition of domain names and other assets. We entered 2022 on strong financial footing and are off to the best start to a year in the Company history led by strong growth in North America. We grew total revenue profitably by 51% in 2021 and we look forward to accelerate that rate of profitable growth in 2022.”
2021 – 2023 Financial Targets |
||
|
|
|
Total Revenue Growth |
|
> Average 40% |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 |
|
> Average 40% |
Leverage2 |
|
< Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA 2.5x3 |
1 Adjusted figures represent non-IFRS information. See “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” and the tables at the end of this release for an explanation of the adjustments and reconciliations to the comparable IFRS numbers.
2 Leverage is defined as Net Debt as a proportion of Adjusted EBITDA.
3 Net Debt is defined as Borrowings less Cash and Cash Equivalents.
2021 vs. 2020 Financial Highlights |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, except for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF |
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Operating expenses |
|
|
(30,931 |
) |
|
|
(16,849 |
) |
|
|
(14,082 |
) |
|
|
84 |
% |
Operating profit |
|
|
11,392 |
|
|
|
11,131 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
Income before tax |
|
|
12,164 |
|
|
|
10,752 |
|
|
|
1,412 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
Net income for the period attributable to the |
|
|
12,453 |
|
|
|
15,151 |
|
|
|
(2,698 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
(0.15 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
)% |
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, except Adjusted EBITDA Margin, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
18,356 |
|
|
|
14,608 |
|
|
|
3,748 |
|
|
|
26 |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
|
|
43 |
% |
|
|
52 |
% |
|
n/m |
|
|
n/m |
|
||
Free Cash Flow |
|
|
8,423 |
|
|
|
10,804 |
|
|
|
(2,381 |
) |
|
|
(22 |
)% |
n/m = not meaningful
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
New Depositing Customers (1) |
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
- We define New Depositing Customers, or NDCs, as unique referral of a player from our system to one of our customers that satisfied an agreed metric (typically making a deposit above a minimum threshold) with the customer, thereby triggering the right to a commission for us.
Revenue
Total revenue increased 51% to $42.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $28.0 million for the prior year. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased $13.4 million, or 46%. Revenue growth was organic. The increase was driven by both growth in NDCs and improved monetization of NDCs that we attribute to a combination of technology improvements and changes in product and market mix. NDCs increased 13% to 117,000 compared to 104,000 in the prior year.
Our revenue disaggregated by market is as follows:
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
U.K. and Ireland |
|
|
21,391 |
|
|
|
16,189 |
|
|
|
5,202 |
|
|
|
32 |
% |
Other Europe |
|
|
10,800 |
|
|
|
5,252 |
|
|
|
5,548 |
|
|
|
106 |
% |
North America |
|
|
7,484 |
|
|
|
3,959 |
|
|
|
3,525 |
|
|
|
89 |
% |
Rest of the world |
|
|
2,648 |
|
|
|
2,580 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Revenue increases were primarily driven by growth in revenue from the U.K. and Ireland, Other Europe, and North America.
Our revenue disaggregated by monetization is as follows:
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Hybrid commission |
|
|
15,616 |
|
|
|
14,738 |
|
|
|
878 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
Revenue share commission |
|
|
3,596 |
|
|
|
3,308 |
|
|
|
288 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
CPA commission |
|
|
18,591 |
|
|
|
9,047 |
|
|
|
9,544 |
|
|
|
105 |
% |
Other revenue |
|
|
4,520 |
|
|
|
887 |
|
|
|
3,633 |
|
|
|
410 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Revenue increases were driven primarily by additional Cost Per Acquisition, or CPA, commission and Other revenue. The increase in Other revenue was driven by bonuses related to achieving certain operator NDC performance targets and fixed fees.
Our revenue disaggregated by product type from which it is derived is as follows:
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Casino |
|
|
35,632 |
|
|
|
24,135 |
|
|
|
11,497 |
|
|
|
48 |
% |
Sports |
|
|
6,188 |
|
|
|
3,210 |
|
|
|
2,978 |
|
|
|
93 |
% |
Other |
|
|
503 |
|
|
|
635 |
|
|
|
(132 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
)% |
Total revenues |
|
|
42,323 |
|
|
|
27,980 |
|
|
|
14,343 |
|
|
|
51 |
% |
Revenue increases were driven by growth in revenue from casino and sports products.
Operating Expenses
|
|
YEAR ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
|
|
14,067 |
|
|
|
8,103 |
|
|
|
5,964 |
|
|
|
74 |
% |
Technology expenses |
|
|
3,947 |
|
|
|
2,503 |
|
|
|
1,444 |
|
|
|
58 |
% |
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
13,014 |
|
|
|
5,956 |
|
|
|
7,058 |
|
|
|
119 |
% |
Movements in credit losses allowance and write offs |
|
|
(97 |
) |
|
|
287 |
|
|
|
(384 |
) |
|
|
(134 |
)% |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
30,931 |
|
|
|
16,849 |
|
|
|
14,082 |
|
|
|
84 |
% |
Total operating expenses increased by $14.1 million to $30.9 million compared to $16.8 million in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, operating expenses increased by $13.5 million, or 77%. The increase was driven primarily by increased headcount across Sales and Marketing, Technology, and General and Administrative functions as we invest in the Company’s organic growth initiatives as well as increased administrative expenses associated with operating as a public company.
Sales and Marketing expenses totaled $14.1 million compared to $8.1 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount.
Technology expenses totaled $4.0 million compared to $2.5 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount partially offset by capitalized development costs.
General and Administrative expenses totaled $13.0 million compared to $6.0 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount, professional services, and insurance expenses.
Earnings
Adjusted EBITDA increased by 26% to $18.4 million compared to $14.6 million in the prior year representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 43%. The increase was driven primarily by increased revenue partly offset by increased operating expenses.
Operating profit remained relatively constant at $11.4 million compared to $11.1 million in 2020. Operating profit in 2021 was affected by non-recurring costs related to the public offering and future acquisitions by $2.6 million, and share based payments costs by $ 2.0 million ($0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in 2020).
Net income totaled $12.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to net income of $15.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, in the prior year. Net income in 2020 was positively affected by the recognition of deferred tax assets of $5.4 million and gain from bonds’ redemption of $1.4 million ($1.8 million and zero, respectively, in 2021).
Free Cash-flow
Total cash generated from operations of $14.0 million increased 28% compared to $10.9 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased adjusted EBITDA. Free cash flow totaled $8.4 million compared to $10.8 million in the prior year. The decline was the result of increased cash flow generated from operations offset by increased capital expenditures consisting primarily of the acquisition of domain names and capitalized development costs.
Balance Sheet |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
AS OF |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands, USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
51,047 |
|
|
|
8,225 |
|
|
|
42,822 |
|
|
|
521 |
% |
Working capital (2) |
|
|
46,714 |
|
|
|
10,059 |
|
|
|
36,655 |
|
|
|
364 |
% |
Total assets |
|
|
91,025 |
|
|
|
45,383 |
|
|
|
45,642 |
|
|
|
101 |
% |
Total borrowings |
|
|
5,944 |
|
|
|
5,960 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(0 |
)% |
Total liabilities |
|
|
11,116 |
|
|
|
11,171 |
|
|
|
(55 |
) |
|
|
(0 |
)% |
Total equity |
|
|
79,909 |
|
|
|
34,212 |
|
|
|
45,697 |
|
|
|
134 |
% |
- Working capital is defined as total current assets minus total current liabilities.
n/m = not meaningful
Cash balances as of December 31, 2021 totaled $51.0 million, an increase of $42.8 million compared to $8.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Working capital as of December 31, 2021 totaled $46.7 million, an increase of $36.6 million compared to $10.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
Total assets as of December 31, 2021 were $91.0 million compared to $45.4 million as of December 31, 2020. Total borrowings, including accrued interest, remained constant at $5.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Total liabilities decreased slightly as of December 31, 2021 to $11.1 million compared to $11.2 million as of December 31, 2020.
Total equity as of December 31, 2021 was $79.9 million compared to $34.2 million as of December 31, 2020.
The increases in working capital, total assets, and total equity were driven primarily by the net proceeds received from the IPO and operating profit and net income generated by the Company.
Fourth Quarter 2021 vs. Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, except for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF |
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Operating expenses |
|
|
(9,668 |
) |
|
|
(5,897 |
) |
|
|
(3,771 |
) |
|
|
64 |
% |
Operating profit |
|
|
623 |
|
|
|
4,370 |
|
|
|
(3,747 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
)% |
Income before tax |
|
|
1,311 |
|
|
|
3,489 |
|
|
|
(2,178 |
) |
|
|
(62 |
)% |
Net income for the period attributable to the |
|
|
867 |
|
|
|
8,541 |
|
|
|
(7,674 |
) |
|
|
(90 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(92 |
)% |
Net income per share attributable to ordinary |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
(94 |
)% |
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
2,272 |
|
|
|
6,115 |
|
|
|
(3,843 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
)% |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
60 |
% |
|
n/m |
|
|
|
(38 |
)% |
|
Free Cash Flow |
|
|
(1,811 |
) |
|
|
3,533 |
|
|
|
(5,344 |
) |
|
|
(151 |
)% |
n/m = not meaningful
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
New Depositing Customers (1) |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
)% |
- We define New Depositing Customers, or NDCs, as unique referral of a player from our system to one of our customers that satisfied an agreed metric (typically making a deposit above a minimum threshold) with the customer, thereby triggering the right to a commission for us.
Revenue
Total revenue in the fourth quarter remained relatively constant at $10.3 million. On a constant currency basis, revenue remained relatively constant. NDCs decreased 20% to 28,000 compared to 35,000 in the prior year. We attribute the improved monetization of NDCs to a combination of technology improvements and changes in product and market mix.
Our revenue disaggregated by market is as follows:
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
U.K. and Ireland |
|
|
5,226 |
|
|
|
5,780 |
|
|
|
(554 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
)% |
Other Europe |
|
|
2,260 |
|
|
|
2,299 |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
)% |
North America |
|
|
2,154 |
|
|
|
1,383 |
|
|
|
771 |
|
|
|
56 |
% |
Rest of the world |
|
|
651 |
|
|
|
805 |
|
|
|
(154 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
)% |
Total revenues |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Changes in revenue were driven by strong organic growth in our North American markets, offset by a decline in the U.K. and Ireland and, to a lesser extent, Other Europe and Rest of the world. U.K. and Ireland revenue was negatively affected by higher than usual volatility in organic search traffic. In the comparable period, U.K. and Ireland revenue was positively affected by increased demand coinciding with restrictive Covid-19 measures. Other Europe was negatively affected by regulatory changes in Germany implemented in July 2021 partly offset by growth in revenue from other European markets.
Our revenue disaggregated by monetization is as follows:
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Hybrid commission |
|
|
2,935 |
|
|
|
5,557 |
|
|
|
(2,622 |
) |
|
|
(47 |
)% |
Revenue share commission |
|
|
744 |
|
|
|
1,004 |
|
|
|
(260 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
)% |
CPA commission |
|
|
5,202 |
|
|
|
3,271 |
|
|
|
1,931 |
|
|
|
59 |
% |
Other revenue |
|
|
1,410 |
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
|
975 |
|
|
|
224 |
% |
Total revenues |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Revenue from CPA commission and Other revenue increased whereas revenue from hybrid and revenue share commission decreased. The changes in monetization were primarily a result of changes in market mix with a higher proportion of revenue from the U.S compared to the previous year. The increase in Other revenue was driven primarily by bonuses related to achieving certain operator NDC performance targets and fixed fees.
Our revenue disaggregated by product type from which it is derived is as follows:
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Casino |
|
|
8,466 |
|
|
|
8,846 |
|
|
|
(380 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
)% |
Sports |
|
|
1,769 |
|
|
|
1,160 |
|
|
|
609 |
|
|
|
53 |
% |
Other |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
(205 |
) |
|
|
(79 |
)% |
Total revenues |
|
|
10,291 |
|
|
|
10,267 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Revenue increases were driven by growth in revenue from sports products offset by a decrease in casino and other revenue.
Operating Expenses
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED |
|
|
CHANGE |
|
||||||||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
% |
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands USD, unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
|
|
4,632 |
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
|
|
2,190 |
|
|
|
90 |
% |
Technology expenses |
|
|
1,190 |
|
|
|
798 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
49 |
% |
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
3,877 |
|
|
|
2,609 |
|
|
|
1,268 |
|
|
|
49 |
% |
Movements in credit losses allowance and write offs |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
(165 |
)% |
Total operating expenses |
|
|
9,668 |
|
|
|
5,897 |
|
|
|
3,771 |
|
|
|
64 |
% |
Total operating expenses increased by $3.8 million to $9.7 million compared to $5.9 million in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, operating expenses increased by $3.6 million, or 58%. The increase was driven primarily by headcount across Sales and Marketing, Technology, and General and Administrative functions as we invest in the Company’s organic growth initiatives as well as increased administrative expenses associated with operating as a public company.
Sales and Marketing expenses totaled $4.6 million compared to $2.4 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount.
Technology expenses totaled $1.2 million compared to $0.8 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount partially offset by capitalized development costs.
General and Administrative expenses totaled $3.9 million compared to $2.6 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased wages and salary expenses associated with increased headcount, professional services, and insurance expenses.
Earnings
Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 63% to $2.3 million compared to $6.1 million in the prior year representing an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 22%. The decrease was driven by increased operating expenses.
Operating profit in the fourth quarter decreased 86% to $0.6 million compared to $4.4 million in 2020. The decrease was driven primarily by a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and an increase in share-based payments expense.
Net income in the fourth quarter totaled $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in the prior year. Net income in the forth quarter 2021 was positively affected by a USD/Euro foreign currency exchange gain of $1.1 million (zero in 2020). While net income in the fourth quarter of 2020 was positively affected by the recognition of deferred tax assets of $5.4 million (deferred tax asset reduction of $0.2 million in 2021).
Canada
Northern Super League Partners with Stats Perform

Stats Perform, the global leader in sports AI, data and technology, has announced an official data partnership with the Northern Super League (NSL). The partnership will allow world-leading Opta data to be collected live from every NSL league game for the next three years.
Beginning this month, the Northern Super League (NSL) establishes a new era in Canadian sport as the country’s first professional domestic women’s soccer league — an ambitious and transformative initiative co-founded by former Canadian international and Olympic medallist Diana Matheson. Its inaugural season kicks off on April 16 and will feature six teams who have assembled multinational player rosters with extensive club and international experience, including 100-cap Canadian internationals Desiree Scott and Quinn.
Once the action begins, detailed data from every on-ball event, including advanced AI-powered Opta Analytics metrics such as Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Assists (xA), will be captured and distributed via feeds and Stats Perform products, including OptaAI Studio. This will enable various broadcasters, publishers and rights holders to generate stories and insights throughout the NSL season and provide them straight to the league’s fans in real time.
As part of the agreement, the NSL’s League Office and every NSL club will also have access to Opta Search, part of OptaAI Studio. This will allow their content creators to leverage all Opta data collected during the NSL season in the creation of data-led stories on the stand-out performers, and will help them generate key talking points for publication on official league and club platforms. Opta Search will also empower the NSL’s media team to create a range of data visualizations, including player shot maps and touch maps, to visually illustrate the impact of different players’ on-field performances.
Christina Litz, NSL President, said: “We are thrilled to have Stats Perform on board as our official data partner. When we talk about detailed performance data in soccer, Opta is the gold standard, so we are delighted to have it powering each of our official digital channels. As the season progresses, we want to put the spotlight on all the on-field heroes who emerge and having access to world-class data will help us tell their stories and inspire a new generation of Canadian soccer fans.”
Steve Xeller, Chief Revenue Officer at Stats Perform, said: “Stats Perform has been a huge supporter of expansion leagues around the world, so we are very pleased to be partnering with NSL in the lead-up to their first domestic campaign. Seeing a fully professional women’s soccer league launch in Canada is an incredibly exciting development for the sport in North America and we see considerable potential in working proactively with the League’s Head Office to help the competition grow, using the power of AI and data-led storytelling to build fan communities across the continent.”
The post Northern Super League Partners with Stats Perform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Africa
INCENTIVE GAMES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AFRICA AND UK WITH LIGHT & WONDER
Leading B2B games provider, Incentive Games, today announced its new agreement with premium gaming company and content provider Light & Wonder, Inc.
Through this agreement, Incentive Games will distribute its premium pay-to-play games – including new arcade-style titles – to key global regulated markets including the USA, Canada, South Africa, UK, and within Europe via Light & Wonder’s extensive operator network. Additionally, Incentive Games’ popular free-to-play content will be made available to a wider audience through Light & Wonder’s content marketplace.
The agreement brings together two industry leaders in iGaming and the strengths of both companies to deliver exceptional player experiences and elevate customer engagement.
Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games said, “This agreement is a landmark moment in our company’s history. Previously, we’ve worked directly with major operators such as bet365, FanDuel, and Sky Bet. Now, we can distribute our games via Light & Wonder, an exceptional aggregator that we trust will handle our games with care.”
Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partners at Light & Wonder, said: “We are excited to work with Incentive Games, a leader in gamification solutions. We look forward to leveraging their innovative platform and bringing their customisable crash and fast game content to all major regulated markets.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AFRICA AND UK WITH LIGHT & WONDER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Aaron LaBerge
PENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone iCasino App, theScore Casino, in Ontario

PENN Entertainment announced that it has launched theScore Casino, a new stand-alone iCasino app in Ontario. The dedicated online casino experience leverages the popular theScore brand, which has been a mainstay in the Ontario market for decades. Now available on Android, iOS, and desktop, customers can login using their existing theScore Bet credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across online gaming platforms.
theScore Casino operates on the same cutting-edge proprietary technology platform as PENN’s online Hollywood Casino, which launched as a standalone product in the US in December. The product was recently ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US.
theScore Casino, also available within theScore Bet app, offers a variety of online slots, table games, and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house game development studio. theScore Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as Blue Jays Blackjack, an original title leveraging theScore Bet’s partnership with the Toronto Blue Jays.
“We’re excited to introduce our dedicated iCasino product in Ontario under the well-known and trusted theScore brand. We’ve built a strong online gaming foothold in the Ontario market and are primed to deliver an even better casino experience with our proven stand-alone app. Our customer-friendly platform features more than 1200 games, dozens of original titles and intuitive game play that distinguishes our product and positions us for even greater success,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive at PENN Entertainment.
The post PENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone iCasino App, theScore Casino, in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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