Evolution Gaming: Year-end report 2019

Fourth quarter of 2019 (Q4 2018)

• Operating revenues increased by 51% to EUR 106.0 million (70.2)
• EBITDA increased by 77% to EUR 55.8 million (31.6), corresponding to a margin of 52.7% (45.0)
• Profit for the period amounted to EUR 46.8 million (25.5)
• Earnings per share before dilution amounted to EUR 0.26 (0.14)

Full-year 2019 (2018)

• Operating revenues increased by 49% to EUR 365.8 million (245.4)
• EBITDA increased by 70% to EUR 182.9 million (107.7), corresponding to a margin of 50.0% (43.9)
• Profit for the period amounted to EUR 149.7 million (83.5)
• Earnings per share before dilution amounted to EUR 0.83 (0.46)
• The Board proposes a dividend of EUR 0.42 per share (0.24)

Events during the fourth quarter of 2019

• Good leverage from investments made in 2019 has contributed to a continued high growth
• Several new customers signed – Flutter Entertainment with brands Paddy Power and Betfair, Parx Casino and Penn National Gaming
• Continued expansion in North America

Comments from CEO Martin Carlesund:

I am very satisfied to be able to present yet another strong quarter which summarises a successful 2019 for Evolution. The products we launched during the year - including new titles in the Game Show category - in combination with a continued strong market development and global demand, have contributed to a very high growth rate. Furthermore, we also experienced strong results from the investments in increased studio capacity we have made in recent years. Those factors, in combination with a constant pursuit of cost efficiency, has had a positive effect on our margin.

This year’s result trend has continued in the fourth quarter. Revenue in the fourth quarter amounted to EUR 106.0 million, an increase of 51 percent compared with the corresponding period last year. EBITDA amounted to EUR 55.8 million corresponding to a margin of 52.7 percent. The EBITDA margin for the full year reached 50 percent, the highest full-year margin in the company’s history and slightly surpassed our expectations from this summer which was 47-49 percent. For 2020, we expect to be able to maintain or slightly improve the margin level compared to 2019.

At the end of the fourth quarter, Evolution had more than 700 tables serving over 200 customers. During the quarter, we further strengthened our customer portfolio, including an agreement with Flutter Entertainment and its brands Paddy Power and Betfair. Our presence in the United States was also strengthened in the quarter through agreements with new operators in Pennsylvania and the process to build a studio in Pennsylvania is ongoing.

We see good opportunities for continued positive development in the US. In the quarter we have made additional investments in the studio in New Jersey to expand its capacity, our game portfolio and to meet the demand. It is also positive to note that during the quarter Michigan has taken important steps toward becoming a regulated casino market.

When you are reading this, we have recently finished this year’s edition of ICE London Gaming Fair - where we showcased 12 fantastic new titles. With ground-breaking games like 'Crazy Time' and 'Mega Ball', we will continue to expand the Game Show category and aim to attract new player groups to Live. Examples of innovations on show in table games are Instant Roulette, Power Blackjack and Speed Blackjack. The dice game Craps, an important strategic release primarily for the US market, will also be interesting to follow. These are some examples of how we through innovative product launches continue to drive the entire industry forward and confirms our position as the leading innovator in the gaming industry. I am convinced that the new game titles will be received well by both players and operators and contribute to further growth in 2020.

To summarise, I am proud of what we have achieved in 2019, which has been an outstanding year from both a financial and operational perspective. I am very impressed with what our employees achieve every day - we are now approximately 8,000 employees working together with our eternal mission; to increase the gap to the competitors by offering the market’s best solutions. 2020 has started well and I look forward to another exciting year!

Presentation for investors, analysts and the media 

CEO Martin Carlesund and CFO Jacob Kaplan will present the report and answer questions on Wednesday, 12 February 2020 at 09:00 a.m. CET via a telephone conference. The presentation will be in English and can also be followed online. Number for participation by telephone: +46 8 505 58 350 / +44 3333 00 92 61 / +1 833 526 8395. Follow the presentation at https://tv.streamfabriken.com/evolution-gaming-group-q4-2019

For further information, please contact CFO Jacob Kaplan, +46 708 62 33 94, ir@evolutiongaming.com. 

This information is such that Evolution Gaming Group AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, under the agency of the contact person set out above, on 12 February 2020, at 7.30 am CET.

Evolution Gaming develops, produces, markets and licenses fully-integrated B2B Live Casino solutions to gaming operators. Since its inception in 2006, Evolution has developed into a leading B2B provider with 200+ operators among its customers. The group currently employs about 8,000 people in studios across Europe and in North America. The parent company is based in Sweden and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm with the ticker EVO. Visit www.evolutiongaming.com for more information.