Betsson AB (publ) year-end report 1 January - 31 December 2023

QUARTER OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023

• Group revenue was EUR 251.9 (220.6) million, an increase of 14%. Organic increase of 36%.
• Casino revenue increased by 25%. Sportsbook revenue decreased by 5% and the sportsbook margin was 6.2% (7.3%). 
• EBITDA was EUR 71.9 (51.1) million, an increase of 40%. The EBITDA margin was 28.6% (23.2%).
• Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 57.0 (40.0) million, an increase of 42%. The EBIT margin was 22.6% (18.1%).
• Net income was EUR 43.3 (32.7) million, corresponding to EUR 0.30 (0.26) per share.
• Operating cash flow was EUR 47.6 (75.5) million.
• Net debt was EUR -59.6 (-65.7) million.
• Active customers decreased by 6% to 1,345,129 (1,424,794).

FULL YEAR 2023

• Group revenue was EUR 948.2 (777.2) million, an increase of 22%. Organic increase of 40%.
• EBITDA was EUR 262.7 (172.4) million, an increase of 52%. The EBITDA margin was 27.7% (22.2%).
• Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 210.5 (131.2) million, an increase of 60%. The EBIT margin was 22.2% (16.9%).
• Net income was EUR 173.0 (114.7) million, corresponding to EUR 1.29 (0.87) per share.
• Operating cash flow was EUR 230.4 (178.7) million.
• The Board of Directors proposes to the AGM that EUR 88.5 (59.7) million, corresponding to EUR 0.645 (0.436) per share, should be distributed to shareholders through an automatic share redemption program in two installments.

CEO COMMENT

"A new record year for Betsson ended with continued high customer activity and record-strong figures in the fourth quarter"

Recently we celebrated the fact that it has been 60 years since the Group started to offer entertainment in the form of casino games, sports betting and other types of games. In recent decades, we have been leading the digitalisation of the gaming industry with the transition to online gaming. We continue to find our own ways and act as pioneers in everything we do. When we sum up the jubilee year 2023, we can look back on a new record year for Betsson. Several important strategic initiatives were taken to strengthen the product offering, manage risks through geographic diversification, and to create the conditions for continued profitable growth with an increased share of revenues from locally regulated markets.

For the full year 2023, revenue increased by 22 percent to EUR 948 million and operating profit (EBIT) increased by 60 percent to EUR 211 million, which corresponds to an operating margin of 22.2 percent. For the full year, operating cash flow amounted to EUR 230 million, which means that the year ended with a net cash position of EUR 60 million. The strong cash flows of the business and the solid balance sheet allow us to continue paying out attractive dividends to our shareholders and investing in future growth. The Board proposes a 48 percent increase in the dividend for 2023 to EUR 0.645 per share.

The high customer activity continued during the fourth quarter with new record levels in customer deposits and gaming turnover in both casino and sports betting. Once again, the Group reports the highest levels ever for revenue and operating profit, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of sequential growth. The growth rate compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year should be viewed in light of the fact that the comparative period included the World Cup in football.

The football results continued to be favourable for players with favorite wins and plenty of goals, leading to the quarter's sportsbook margin of 6.2 (7.3) percent being the lowest reading for a single quarter in the past two years. Our vision is to offer the best customer experience in the gaming industry and an important feature of this is that we always offer competitive odds and chances for our customers to win. This simply means that sometimes players win a bit more and the sportsbook margin varies from quarter to quarter, depending on the sports results.

The share of revenue from locally regulated markets continued to increase and amounted to 45.9% (34.2%) in the fourth quarter. We see a continued positive development where more countries introduce regulation to enable online gaming with local gaming licenses and reasonable conditions for players and operators. In 2024, Peru and Brazil are expected to introduce licensing systems for online gaming and Betsson is preparing to apply for gaming licenses in these markets.

Betsson's involvement in football continues and recently a shirt sponsorship agreement was signed with the biggest football club in Colombia, Atletico Nacional. In addition, a new collaboration was initiated in Greece, through which Betsson will have the naming rights to the classic and important cup in Greek football. 2024 will be a big year for football with both the European Championship and Copa America in the summer months, and we look forward to following the games together with fans, customers and employees.

I look forward to 2024 with confidence. Betsson is well positioned for continued value creation thanks to a strong financial position, proprietary technology, an attractive customer offering and – above all – our employees. I would like to thank our employees for all their great efforts in 2023 and also extend my gratitude to our shareholders for the trust they have shown.

PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR-END REPORT

Today at 9:00 CET, Betsson invites analysts, investors, and media to participate in the presentation of the year-end results. The results will be presented by CEO Pontus Lindwall and CFO Martin Öhman. The presentation will be held in English, followed by a Q&A session. Participants are welcome to join via the webcast or telephone conference.
Link to the webcast: https://ir.financialhearings.com/betsson-q4-report-2023
Link with information on how to participate in the telephone conference: 
https://financialhearings.com/event/46181

For further information, please contact:
Pontus Lindwall, President and CEO Betsson AB
[email protected]

Martin Öhman, CFO Betsson AB
[email protected]

This information is information that Betsson AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:30 CET on 15 February, 2024.

About Betsson AB
Betsson AB (publ) is a holding company that invests in and manages fast-growing companies within online gaming. The company is one of the largest in online gaming in Europe and has the ambition to outgrow the market, organically and through acquisitions. This should be done in a profitable and sustainable manner, and with local adaptations. Betsson AB is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (BETS B).