“I am pleased with the strategic progress we made throughout 2023 as we continue to build a strong foundation for growth over the coming years,” the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer for Kambi Group plc, Kristian Nylen, said.
Financial summary:
Revenue amounted to €44.3 (Q4 2022: 57.8) million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and €173.3 (2022: 166) million for the period January to December of 2023
Operating profit (EBIT excluding Items affecting comparability) for the fourth quarter of 2023 was €7.2 (18.7) million at a margin of 16.1% (32.3%) and €20.0 (34.8) million at a margin of 11.5% (20.9%) for the period January to December of 2023
EBITA (acq)* for the fourth quarter of 2023 was €8.5 (20.5) million at a margin of 19.2% (35.4%) and €25.2 (37.6) million at a margin of 14.6% (22.7%) for the period January to December of 2023
Cash flow (excluding working capital and M&A) amounted to €5.5 (17.9) million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and €15.0 (25.2) million for the period January to December of 2023
Earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2023 were €0.182 (0.491) and €0.488 (0.861) for the period January to December of 2023
Kambi Group plc has decided to communicate revenue guidance for 2024. Kambi Group plc estimates revenue for the full year to be €170 to €180 million
Kambi Group plc announced a share repurchase programme running from December 5, 2023, to May 21, 2024, up to a total of €2.8 million
The 2024 AGM will be held on May 21, 2024. The board proposes that no dividend is paid out
*EBITA (acq) = Earnings before interest, taxation and amortisation on acquired intangible assets
Key highlights:
Underlying turnover growth of 6% when excluding the impact from Penn Entertainment’s (Penn) online migration
Excluding the termination fee recorded in Q4 2022, revenue of €44.3 million represented a 2% decrease for the quarter and full year 2023 revenue of €173.3 million was a 13% increase against tough comparatives including the World Cup in Q4 2022 and the Penn online migration
Entered into long-term sportsbook platform agreements with Svenska Spel and LiveScore Group to power their respective brands. These partnerships leverage established customer bases and revenue streams with meaningful financial impact anticipated from H2 2024
Secured two additional European sportsbook partnerships including a long-term deal with fast-growing Dutch online casino operator 711 and a multi-channel partnership with Bingoal to provide superior sports betting technology in Belgium and the Netherlands
In November, Kambi Group plc co-founder and member of the board Anders Strom became Chair of the Board, succeeding Lars Stugemo
In January, Kambi Group plc’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Kristian Nylen notified the board of his intention to step down from his current position upon the appointment of a successor
Kambi Group plc today provides 2024 full year revenue guidance of €170 to €180 million. This full-year guidance is provided strictly on a one-off basis and Kambi Group plc does not intend to provide annual guidance for coming years.
Chief Executive Officer comment:
“The final quarter of 2023 saw Kambi Group plc conclude a year of strong strategic progress whilst navigating what remains a complex and challenging sports betting landscape. Revenue of €44.3 million in Q4 reflected a 2% year-on-year decline excluding the one-off termination fee from Penn recorded in Q4 2022, largely due to the loss of Penn’s online revenue. On a full-year basis, revenue increased 13% to €173.3 million when excluding the termination fee.
“As I look back on the year, I have two overriding takeaways, the first being I’m not satisfied with our financial performance. This performance was impacted by lower than anticipated revenue from Shape Games, smaller than expected revenue contributions from two of our largest partners and Bally’s more measured approach to marketing its sportsbook thus far. My second reflection is we made good progress in building the foundations that will ultimately lead to a much-improved financial performance in the future, giving me confidence we’re on the right path for the long-term.
“These foundations include the numerous partner signings and renewals made last year, headlined by the partnerships with Bally’s Corporation, LiveScore Group and Svenska Spel, which we expect to deliver a meaningful revenue contribution from H2 2024. We also continue to work on our modularisation capability and believe with Abios, Shape Games and now Tzeract, the positive commercial conversations we’re having with regards our strong product portfolio will increasingly bear fruit during the year ahead.
“On Shape Games, we recently took the decision to integrate it further into the business to make the most of the opportunities we see in combining the strengths of the Kambi Group plc and Shape Games UX teams. Meanwhile, another important element to financial performance is tight cost control, so it is pleasing today we can communicate a limited year-on-year cost increase for 2024. These are just some of the actions we have taken to put us in a stronger position moving forward.
“Having said that, it is important to note that challenges do continue to exist, including a slower roll-out of newly regulated sports betting markets. The outlook in certain markets has not been as promising as previously anticipated, particularly in California where 2028 now appears to be a more realistic timeline for regulation. In Brazil, we welcome the long-awaited regulation of the country’s sports betting market but are also mindful that the transition to a fully-licensed framework is unlikely before Q3 2024 and that new operators will face tough competition entering what is already a mature grey market with established sports betting brands.
“Meanwhile, in January, I communicated to the market of my intention to step down as Chief Executive Officer in 2024 and a search to find my successor is now underway. I want to emphasise that our long-term strategic direction remains unchanged and I am pleased with the milestones we achieved as a business throughout 2023. While there has indeed been a slowdown in regulatory-driven opportunities, we remain very positive about the long-term trajectory of Kambi Group plc. Our resilience, strategic progress and commitment to product excellence have set us up well for the future and, as we move forward, we do so with great optimism for the journey ahead.”
Anders Strom, who was appointed Chair of the Board in November of 2023, provides the following update on appointing a successor to Kristian Nylen:
“Following the announcement regarding our Chief Executive Officer in January of 2024, the board of Kambi Group plc has initiated the process of seeking a successor. The search is progressing according to plan, with the aim to finalise an appointment prior to the summer period. In the meantime, the company’s progress towards its long-term strategic objectives remains uninterrupted.”
You are invited to participate in a web presentation at 10.45 CET with Kambi Group plc’s Chief Executive Officer, Kristian Nylen, and Chief Financial Officer, David Kenyon. The presentation will be held in English and can be accessed using the link below. After the presentation there will be the opportunity to ask questions.
Dial-in number to the teleconference will be received by registering on the link below. After the registration you will be provided phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference: https:// Conference.FinancialHearings. com/teleconference/?id=50046435.
Link to report page: https:// www. Kambi. com/investors/financial-reports-and-presentations/
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