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Sportradar Reports Strong Growth in Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021

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Fourth quarter revenue grew 41% while full year 2021 revenue grew 39%, exceeding Company’s outlook
Annual revenue surpasses €500 million for the first time in Company’s history
Company projects solid annual revenue growth of 18% to 25% in fiscal 2022
Secured multiyear partnerships with NHL, NBA, ITF, ICC, UEFA, Bundesliga

Sportradar Group AG, a leading global technology company enabling next generation engagement in sports, and the number one provider of business-to-business solutions to the global sports betting industry, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

Full Year 2021 Highlights and Annual Outlook

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  • Revenue for the full year of 2021 increased 39% to €561.2 million ($634.2 million)1 compared with the prior year, driven by strong growth across all business segments. Full year revenue exceeded the top end of the Company’s 2021 annual outlook range of €553 – €555 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 for the full year of 2021 increased 33% to €102.0 million ($115.3 million)1 compared with the prior year. Full year Adjusted EBITDA exceeded the top end of the Company’s 2021 annual outlook range of €99.5 – €101.5 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 for 2021 excluding Sportradar’s September 2021 Initial Public Offering (IPO) costs was €113.7 million ($128.5 million)1.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin2 for 2021 was 18% compared with 19% for 2020. Excluding IPO costs, Adjusted EBITDA margin was 20% for 2021.
  • Strong Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate2 increased to 125% for fiscal 2021 compared with 113% for fiscal 2020 highlighting the continued success of the Company’s cross-sell and upsell strategy across its global customer base.
  • Cash and cash equivalents totaled €742.8 million as of December 31, 2021. Total liquidity available for use at December 31, 2021, including undrawn credit facilities was €852.8 million.
  • Sportradar extended multiyear partnerships with the National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Bundesliga International, in addition to securing new deals with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). These deals reinforce Sportradar’s leadership as a trusted technology and data partner to the biggest leagues and federations around the world.
  • The Company provided an annual outlook for full-year 2022 for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA2. Revenue is expected to be in the range of €665.0 million to €700.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA2 is expected to be in the range of €123.0 million to €133.0 million. Please see the “Annual Financial Outlook” section of this press release for further details.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights

  • Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased 41% to €152.4 million ($172.2 million)1 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, driven by robust growth across all business segments.
  • Continued strong performance in the U.S. market with U.S. revenue increasing by 92% to €23.2 million ($26.2 million) 1 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased 14.0% to €21.4 million ($24.2 million)1 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin2 was 14% in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared with 17% over the prior year primarily as a result of increased investment in content and technology, higher costs related to being a public company, as well as higher M&A costs.
  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased to (€22.5) million which resulted in a cash flow conversion2 of (105.1%) primarily as a result of additional interest from the Company’s senior secured term loan facility originating in November 2020, timing of sports data licensing payments to leagues, IPO related payments as well as higher costs associated with being a public company.

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1 For the convenience of the reader, we have translated Euros amounts in the tables below at the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 30, 2021, which was €1.00 to $1.13.
2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.

Key Financial Measures

In millions, in Euros Q4 Q4 Change FY FY Change
2021 2020 % 2021 2020 %
Revenue 152.4 108.0 41% 561.2 404.9 39%
Adjusted EBITDA2 21.4 18.8 14% 102.0 76.9 33%
Adjusted EBITDA margin2 14.0% 17.4% 18.2% 19.0%
Adjusted Free Cash Flow2 (22.5) 7.1 14.5 53.5 (73%)
Cash Flow Conversion2 (105.1%) 37.5% 14.3% 69.6%

Carsten Koerl, Chief Executive Officer of Sportradar said: “I am very pleased with our strong results, which illustrate how well we are delivering on our operational and growth plans. Importantly, we have good momentum going into our next fiscal year. We are continuing to invest in content, technology and people that will allow us to deliver profitable growth in line with our goals.

Koerl continued, “We are particularly pleased about more than doubling our year-over-year revenues in the United States, which continues its explosive sports betting growth story. Sportradar has been a leader in this market since 2014, and we’re now seeing the results of our early investment. We continue to see the enormous opportunity as sports betting becomes an increasingly integral part of the media entertainment fabric in the U.S.

Segment Information

RoW Betting

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  • Segment revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 30% to €82.2 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. This growth was driven primarily by uptake in our higher value-add offerings including Managed Betting Services (MBS) and Live Odds Services, which increased by 74% and 26% respectively. MBS experienced record turnover3 and Live Odds grew as a result of higher volume of sports coverage.
  • Segment Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 58% to €45.7 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 56% from 46% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 driven by growth in higher margin products.
  • Full year 2021 revenue grew 32% to €309.4 million compared with the prior year of 2020. Full year Adjusted EBITDA2 increased 49% to €177.0 million. Full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 57% from 51% in the prior year.

1 For the convenience of the reader, we have translated Euros amounts in the tables below at the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 30, 2021, which was €1.00 to $1.13.
2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.
3 Turnover is the total amount of stakes placed and accepted in betting.

RoW Audiovisual (AV)

  • Segment revenue increased in the fourth quarter of 2021 by 52% to €35.6 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.  This growth was primarily a result of increased volume of streaming services across all major sports.
  • Segment Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 77% to €9.9 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 28% from 24% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Full year 2021 revenue grew 32% to €140.2 million compared with the prior year of 2020. Full year Adjusted EBITDA2 increased 47% to €39.2 million. Full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to 28% from 25% in the prior year.

United States

  • Segment revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 92% to €23.2 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. This growth was driven by our increased sales of U.S. Betting services as the underlying market and turnover3 grew. We also experienced strong adoption of our ad:s product, growth in U.S. Media and a positive impact from the acquisition of Synergy Sports.
  • Segment Adjusted EBITDA2 in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased to (€7.6) million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily due to increased investment in the Company’s league and team solutions focused business. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin2 decreased to (33%) from 11% compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 reflecting the aforementioned increased investment.
  • Full year 2021 revenue grew 108% to €71.7 million compared with the prior year of 2020. Full year Adjusted EBITDA2 decreased 38% to (€22.6) million. Full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margin2 improved to (32%) from (48%) in the prior year.

Costs and Expenses

  • Personnel expenses in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by €12.7 million to €47.0 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily resulting from additional hires in the Company’s product and technology organizations (2,959 FTE in the fourth quarter of 2021 vs 2,366 FTE in the fourth quarter of 2020).
  • Other Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by €13.3 million to €27.2 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020 mainly driven by higher travel and entertainment and marketing costs as pandemic restrictions eased, higher M&A costs as well as increased costs to implement a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
  • Total Sport rights costs in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by €8.8 million to €38.5 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily resulting from a normalized schedule in sports such as NBA, NHL and MLB, as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased.

2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.
3 Turnover is the total amount of stakes placed and accepted in betting.

Fourth Quarter Business Highlights

  • Sportradar and the NBA announced an expansive multiyear partnership agreement that will see the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and NBA G League use Sportradar’s global and wide-ranging capabilities to grow U.S. operations, increase their international footprint and drive fan engagement. This new partnership begins with the 2023-24 NBA season and provides the NBA with an equity stake in Sportradar.
  • The Company extended its long-term partnership with Bundesliga International, a subsidiary of DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, featuring a suite of AI-driven fan engagement tools which enable Genrmany’s top football league to better engage fans.
  • Sportradar also extended its partnership with Kambi, a leading global sports betting supplier. The deal reestablishes Sportradar as Kambi’s exclusive supplier of NBA, NHL, MLB, and college sports data in the US market.
  • Sportradar announced a new multi-year partnership with PointsBet, a premier global online gambling operator, that establishes Sportradar as PointsBet’s US supplier of choice for MLB, NBA, NHL, college football, and college basketball data.
  • Sportradar announced a partnership with UEFA’s as their exclusive authorized collector and distributor of data for betting purposes, as well as extending its role as UEFA’s official integrity partner. The Company secured this landmark agreement following UEFA’s first competitive tender process for its data distribution rights for betting purposes.
  • The Company strengthened its existing partnership with ITF with a three-year extension to serve as the ITF’s official data partner.
  • Sportradar was selected by the ICC making Sportradar its Official Data Distribution and Official Betting Live Streaming Partner. The partnership will create more opportunities for the ICC to engage with its fan base through Sportradar’s network of 1,000 media and sports-betting clients across 80 countries.
  • The Company underlined its commitment to protecting the integrity of sport with the launch of Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) free of charge. Sportradar Integrity services has utilized UFDS, to detect suspicious activity in 12 sports across more than 70 countries. Sportradar will begin delivering its UFDS bet monitoring service free of charge, to sports federations, sports leagues, and state authorities around the world, in its continued commitment to protecting the integrity of global sport and making the system accessible to all.
  • Sportradar announced significant high-profile hires to further strengthen its US team, including Andrew Bimson as North American Chief Operating Officer, Jim Brown as Head of Integrity Services & Harm Prevention and Rima Hyder as Head of Investor Relations.

Annual Financial Outlook

Sportradar is providing its outlook for fiscal 2022.

  • Revenue is expected to be in the range of €665.0 million to €700.0 million ($752.0 million to $791.0 million)1, representing growth of 18% to 25% over fiscal 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 is expected to be in the range of €123.0 million to €133.0 million ($139.0 million to $150.0 million) 1, representing growth of 21% to 30% over fiscal 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin2 is expected to be in the range of 18.5% to 19.0%, an improvement over the prior year.

1 For the convenience of the reader, we have translated Euros amounts in the tables below at the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 30, 2021, which was €1.00 to $1.13.
2 Non-IFRS financial measure; see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Operating Metrics” and accompanying tables for further explanations and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to IFRS measures.

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USDT Casino Launches Industry-First ‘Sunday Brunch Free Spins’ with Zero Wagering Requirements

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USDT Casino has unveiled a groundbreaking promotion that is set to transform weekend gaming for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The innovative ‘Sunday Brunch Free Spins’ offer provides players with 20 free spins on Evoplay’s popular Food Feast slot, featuring zero wagering requirements and no maximum win limits.

This player-centric initiative marks a significant departure from traditional casino promotions, offering unprecedented flexibility and instant cashout capabilities for USDT players.

The promotion, available every Sunday, targets active players who have made at least one deposit during the previous week, with a minimum qualifying deposit of $20 USDT required to participate.

Key features of the Sunday Brunch Free Spins include:

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  • 20 Free Spins on Food Feast by Evoplay
  • Zero wagering requirements on all winnings
  • No maximum win limits
  • Instant cash rewards
  • Available exclusively for USDT players
  • Simple claim process via 24/7 Live Chat

The promotion demonstrates USDT Casino’s commitment to providing enhanced value to its crypto-focused player base while eliminating common friction points associated with traditional free spin offers.

Industry-Leading Player Benefits

Unlike conventional casino promotions that typically impose 35x-50x wagering requirements, USDT Casino’s Sunday Brunch Free Spins allows players to keep 100% of their winnings immediately. This approach aligns with the broader industry trend toward transparency and player-friendly terms.

The seamless claim process through Live Chat ensures instant reward delivery, eliminating delays commonly associated with promotional offers. Players can simply contact support on Sundays to receive their spins, with no additional verification steps required.

Setting New Standards in Crypto Gaming

USDT Casino’s innovative promotion arrives as the crypto gaming sector continues to evolve, with operators seeking differentiation through unique player offerings. The Sunday Brunch Free Spins program positions USDT Casino as a forward-thinking operator focused on customer satisfaction and retention.

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The promotion’s recurring weekly structure encourages consistent player engagement while rewarding loyalty without complex tier systems or restrictive conditions.

Michael Thompson, Head of Promotions at USDT Casino, stated, “Our Sunday Brunch Free Spins represent our commitment to creating genuine value for our players. By eliminating wagering requirements and win limits, we’re delivering an authentic, player-first experience that sets new standards in the crypto casino space.”

The promotion is now live and available every Sunday, with USDT Casino reserving the right to modify terms as needed. Players must agree to the casino’s fair play policy and promotion terms to participate.

About USDT Casino: USDT Casino is a leading cryptocurrency casino platform specialising in Tether (USDT) gaming solutions. The platform offers seamless crypto transactions, instant withdrawals, and a diverse game portfolio tailored for the modern digital gambler.

The post USDT Casino Launches Industry-First ‘Sunday Brunch Free Spins’ with Zero Wagering Requirements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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UK Gambling Commission Flags Deepfake-Fueled Money Laundering Threats in Online Gambling Sector

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has issued a warning about the growing threat of money laundering facilitated by artificial intelligence technologies, including deepfakes, and the rising use of crash games. As part of its regulatory mandate, the UKGC requires licensed operators to stay ahead of evolving cybersecurity risks or risk incurring fines and even losing their licenses. With AI-powered deception on the rise, the Commission urges tighter security protocols across all operator systems.

The need to tighten security 

Artificial intelligence has become more sophisticated, and some users are taking advantage of this to bypass due diligence checks. Players registering on mobile casino platforms are typically required to provide identity documents as part of KYC procedures under AML regulations. However, deepfake technology is now being used to bypass these verifications.

Criminals now use artificial intelligence to create deepfake videos, false documentation, and face swap images to facilitate money laundering. This is why the UK Gambling Commission has stated that all operators in the UK must work fast to retrain employees in assessing customer documents.

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In addition to AI threats, the UKGC continues to classify cryptocurrency as a high-risk channel for laundering illicit funds. Operators are reminded that all crypto transactions must be treated with enhanced due diligence, given their anonymity and growing association with financial crime.

The Commission also raised concerns over the rising popularity of crash games typically found on both licensed and unlicensed crypto casino platforms. Their short duration and rapid cash-out mechanics make it difficult for platforms to detect suspicious patterns, creating opportunities for high-risk laundering behavior to go unnoticed.

All operators were advised to implement appropriate procedures to identify suspicious patterns during the crash games. The UKGC shared an update that revealed that remote and non-remote casinos were providing unlicensed money service business facilities to third parties. These businesses included foreign currency exchange, with some customers attempting to deposit large denominations, such as 500-pound bills.

The Body considered such transactions a money laundering risk. It also noted that some individuals have been offered money to use their personal details to open multiple gambling accounts for criminals. This has been a source of concern for the commission as these accounts are being paid for without the third parties, knowing that they act as unlicensed betting intermediaries.

So far, two operators have been penalized for anti-money laundering and customer care failures. The erring operators were ordered to pay 375,000 pounds for AML breaches, while the bookmaker was fined 686,070 pounds.

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The UKGC also warns operators to avoid supply partners connected to illegal sites. This came from the observation that games developed by operators with software licenses were ending up on unlicensed websites. The UKGC warns that operators connected to black market supply chains may face direct penalties even if indirectly involved. As such, due diligence on third-party content providers is now not just advisable, but essential. These developments underscore a broader industry challenge: maintaining regulatory compliance amid fast-evolving digital threats.

The post UK Gambling Commission Flags Deepfake-Fueled Money Laundering Threats in Online Gambling Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Regulatory Roadblocks: The Future of Sweepstakes Gaming in the U.S.

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Sweepstakes gaming has become very popular in the United States, as it provides individuals with the opportunity to win prizes without the need for a purchase. As opposed to traditional gambling, which has been highly regulated, sweepstakes gaming operates under the gray area of the law, and as a result, it runs in a varied regulatory environment. As this form of entertainment continues to evolve, it is significant for operators, players, and policymakers to understand the regulatory challenges in order to shape its future.

Understanding Sweepstakes Gaming

Sweepstakes gaming allows users to participate in games and contests in which prizes are won. Sweepstakes are a bit different from traditional gambling. In normal gambling, individuals gamble money in hopes of winning, while in sweepstakes, you do not typically have to purchase anything for entry. The growth of new sweepstakes casinos platforms offering casino-style gameplay through promotional credits and free-entry mechanics has expanded the reach of the sweepstakes model, attracting users seeking low-risk entertainment alternatives.

However, the legitimacy of sweepstakes gambling differs from state to state, and all these various regulations form a set of laws that are confusing to both the operators and the players. New sweepstakes casinos typically have to contend with such convoluted regulation, as there are multiple regulations at the state level to comply with. This inconsistency could be challenging for operators to implement and may limit players from accessing this new and creative gaming experience.

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The Future of Sweepstakes Gaming in the U.S.

In spite of the regulatory hurdles, there are possible avenues that can potentially unlock a brighter future for sweepstakes gaming in the U.S.

  • Standardization of regulations

Nowadays, the legislation is different. Each state has different definitions, rules, and prerequisites for sweepstakes. This lack of uniformity can keep operators from entering the marketplace and confuse players about their rights and responsibilities. By promoting interstate collaboration to develop standardized regulations, the industry would benefit from more transparent compliance channels that make it easier to conduct business for emerging sweepstakes casinos. A standardized regulatory landscape would not only reduce legal uncertainties but also optimize consumer confidence, ensuring an open and fair gaming environment.

  • Innovation in Compliance

Compliance innovation involves using new solutions and technology to make the regulations of sweepstakes gaming simpler or better. As there is evolution in the industry, the traditional methods of performing compliance might no longer apply, hence becoming a hindrance in the manner in which operators comply with diverse state regulations. New solutions like blockchain and artificial intelligence can be explored to enhance transparency and accountability in sweepstakes gaming.

  • Consumer Education

Consumer education involves the offering of understandable, clear information to players about their rights, responsibilities, and types of games played. As the industry expands, it is very crucial to educate consumers so they know how the sweepstakes are conducted, the rules of play, and the possible risks. Educating players so they are well-informed will enable operators to build trust and achieve responsible gaming practices. Effective consumer education can diminish confusion regarding sweepstakes, resulting in a more secure and transparent gaming experience

The post Regulatory Roadblocks: The Future of Sweepstakes Gaming in the U.S. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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