A significant gambling firm, Entain, witnessed a 7% surge in income during the last quarter of 2020, even amidst the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Their annual earnings are projected to achieve their stated objectives.
Entain’s online gains counterbalanced losses in physical stores. Full-year income is anticipated to be stable or rise by 1% when accounting for currency changes.
Departing CEO Shay Segev stated, “Our robust performance in a very challenging year was propelled by our varied business approach, which encompasses a broad spectrum of products, brands, locations, and distribution channels.”
This will be Segev’s final trading update as the head of the company. Jette Nygaard-Andersen, the current head of Entain’s board, will assume the role of CEO on January 21st.
The steady full-year income was fueled by the strong performance of their online wagering and gaming operations. Net gaming income climbed by 27% year-over-year, or 28% when adjusted for currency fluctuations.
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their sports wagering offerings, which were suspended from March to May, wagering levels were up 5% year-over-year, with income increasing by 24%. Gaming income grew by 29%.
This largely counterbalanced the retail difficulties, as Entain witnessed a majority of its holdings in the UK and Europe shuttered throughout 2020. Entain’s key markets all reported double-digit expansion throughout the year, with online operations profiting from the migration of retail customers due to store closures, except in Germany where revenue decreased due to regulatory shifts.
The operator clarified: “While we anticipate online volumes to diminish as stores reopen in our core online territories, the lasting effect of the pandemic is anticipated to have a beneficial effect on the global online gambling market, particularly for Entain’s brands, which we expect to surpass any permanent channel losses from our UK and European retail holdings.”
Entain’s growth in its core online business in 2020 was propelled by the strong performance of its joint venture with MGM Resorts, BetMGM, in the United States. Customer wagering at UK Ladbrokes and Coral stores decreased by 39%, with net gaming revenue down 36% on a like-for-like basis (excluding all closed stores from the prior year data). Meanwhile, European retail wagering fell by 44%, with revenue down 38% year-on-year.
Despite this disruption, the operator remarked that retail trade had quickly recuperated to “single-digit levels of pre-pandemic levels.” It stated this clearly showed that customers appreciate the in-store betting experience.
BetMGM has seen a rapid expansion across the United States, going from a handful of states to eleven in a single year. They introduced their online casino in Pennsylvania and mobile wagering in Tennessee towards the end of 2020. Before that, they had introduced sports wagering in Colorado and Indiana, and online gaming in West Virginia, early in 2020.
BetMGM is performing exceptionally well in the states where they operate, with a market share of approximately eighteen percent. Their online income has increased by a staggering one hundred and thirty percent year-on-year in 2020. They are anticipating surpassing their revenue guidance for the year, which was between one hundred and fifty million dollars and one hundred and sixty million dollars, with revenue for 2020 expected to be between one hundred and seventy-five million dollars and one hundred and eighty million dollars.
This success is partially attributed to the launch of a single nationwide application in October. This new application allows customers to access their accounts in any state where BetMGM is legal. Since September 2020, downloads have increased by seventy percent. They’ve also been diligently working to attract and retain customers, and have partnered with Yahoo Sports to assist with this.
“The final quarter was another excellent period for us, and we are truly excited about the progress we’re making in the US,” said Segev. “BetMGM is doing exceptionally well and is now operational in eleven states, with Michigan launching online services tomorrow.”
In the last quarter alone, the group’s income grew by seven percent. Online income increased by forty-one percent in the three months concluding December 31, 2020, marking the twentieth consecutive quarter of double-digit online growth for Entain.
Athletics are a significant force behind expansion, with control rising by 25%, income increasing by 59%, and gaming contributions climbing by 28%.
However, the retail sector continues to face challenges. Income in UK stores dropped by 38% and European retail income decreased by 57% as numerous nations reintroduced lockdown measures in the final quarter.
Entain secured sports betting licenses in Germany for its Bwin, Gamebookers, Ladbrokes, and Sportingbet brands in the final quarter, setting the stage for the launch of its online casino business.
The company stated that this provides legal certainty for a key market, although the new framework will lead to a reduction in sports betting income of roughly €40 million due to stringent regulations. Online casino EBITDA is projected to decline by approximately €70 million due to measures such as the €1 slot bet limit in 2021.
Entain accelerated its expansion into new markets in the final quarter, reaching an agreement to acquire Portuguese operator Bet.pt. Portugal’s online gambling market is expected to double to around €450 million by 2023, and Bet.pt’s strengths in sports betting, combined with Entain’s extensive gaming resources, position it favorably to capitalize on this growth.
Following the end of the year, Entain also made an offer of SEK 40 per share for Baltic-facing operator Enlabs, which was supported by the Optibet operator board.
This, coupled with the launch of Bwin in Colombia, further propels its objective of generating 100% of its income from regulated markets by 2023.
Toward the conclusion of 2020, a substantial portion of its earnings originated from sectors subject to government regulation or supervision.
During the final three months of the year, the company’s Advanced Responsibility and Care (ARC) initiative was bolstered by the recruitment of Dr. Mark Griffiths to evaluate its responsible gambling procedures and guidelines. In his new position, he will analyze data from its extensive customer base to formulate novel player protection measures.
“As always, we recognize our obligation to deliver the most secure experience for our clientele, guaranteeing their safety while utilizing our offerings. To achieve this objective, our innovative technology-driven Advanced Responsibility and Care program is ushering in a new era of player safeguarding,” stated Segev.
Looking toward the year 2021, Entain anticipates commencing the new year with robust momentum from the final quarter, particularly in the United States and key markets.
“Although the immediate future remains uncertain due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, we have entered 2021 with positive momentum and are more optimistic than ever about Entain’s long-term prospects,” Segev concluded.
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