Gambling Industry Acquisitions and Financial News — Weekly Round-up for September 7, 2018

By Brian Cullingworth, Last updated Sep 7, 2018

Online Gambling Contracts At Novomatic

Online revenues reportedly only 3.9 percent of group total

Whilst online and land gambling group Novomatic has recently reported record sales and buoyant revenues overall, industry analysts have noted that the loss of German revenues has impacted the group’s online business, reducing its b2c and b2b revenue contribution to the group to just 3.9 percent.

“Novomatic’s online contraction also illustrates the dangers of trying to have one’s cake and eat it from a regulatory perspective – especially in ‘uncertain’ markets.” one analyst pointed out.

Online declines notwithstanding, Novomatic presented some impressive highlights in its H1-2018 report to end June this year, flagging:

• 12.6 percent year-on-year increase in revenue thanks to acquisition led growth;
• Record sales of Euro 1.3653 billion;
• EBITDA up 11.6 percent to Euro 318 million;
• EBIT up 23 percent at Euro 148.4 million;
• Headcount up at 26,230 – an increase of 694 employees.

“This pleasing result confirms our strategy of consolidating our market leadership in existing markets and of opening up new markets and technologies through acquisitions,” said CEO, Harald Neumann in his report.

Macau Gambling Revenues Up 17 Percent In August

Twenty-fifth month running of rising revenue

Asia’s gambling hub Macau enjoyed its twenty-fifth consecutive month of year-on-year revenue increases in August, with the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau reporting that gambling revenues grew 17 percent y-o-y to 26.6 billion patacas ($3.3 billion).

The increase was at the top end of analyst expectations.

Blueribbon Marketing Platform Complese First Funding Round

Enterprise founded by former Playtech executives secures investment funds to drive rapid growth

BlueRibbon, a start-up marketing platform that allows operators to unleash the full potential of jackpots, has completed its first funding round as it looks to ramp up the scale and scope of its product and business.

The company advised Wednesday that it has completed a funding round for an undisclosed sum that includes investment from Velo Capital Partners and Chris Ash, founder of Ash Gaming – an online gambling games developer which was sold to Playtech in 2011 (see previous InfoPowa report).

The statement reveals that the new funding will be used to further develop the BlueRibbon platform and to rapidly scale the business, founded by former Playtech executives and industry veterans Amir Askarov and Dan Fischer.

BlueRibbon allows operators to create, customise and control bespoke jackpots that are tailored to their business needs and cater to all player segments and preferences. This allows the operator for the first time to deliver bespoke jackpots and rewards which will be aligned with their business insights to improve KPI.

The platform is agnostic to any game or vertical or event, which means every bet or action on any product gives players a real chance of winning a jackpot prize. Operators will also be able to leverage the platform’s data insights and back office to build an engaging and rewarding experience for all types of player.

Amir Askarov said Wednesday: “BlueRibbon understands the industry landscape, the changes coming to regulated markets and the potential to drive huge growth in emerging jurisdictions such as the USA, and we look forward to working with new partners and to expand our offering in the coming months.”

Evan Hoff, Partner at Velo Capital Partners, said: “The investment in BlueRibbon continues our mandate of backing proven sector entrepreneurs with business models that meet the challenges of an evolving industry.”

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