Overview of Annual Performance
Evolution Gaming, a powerhouse in live casino solutions, capped off 2024 with impressive financial results, showcasing significant growth across key financial metrics. The company’s strategic initiatives and focus on operational efficiency drove a 23.1% surge in total operating revenues, reaching over €2.2 billion for the year. This performance highlights Evolution’s solid command over the iGaming sector and its ability to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for live casino experiences.
Quarterly Insights
The fourth quarter of 2024 was particularly strong for Evolution, with operating revenues jumping 31.5% to €625.3 million. This period also saw net revenues climb by 12.3%, indicating sustained profitability and market prowess. The end-of-year earnings reflect a well-executed strategy, despite a backdrop of operational challenges including cyber threats and market volatilities.
Financial Health and Forward-Looking Plans
Evolution’s EBITDA mirrored its revenue trend, with a 23.2% increase for the year, maintaining a robust margin of over 70%. The company’s profit also saw a noteworthy rise, topping €1.24 billion, up from €1.07 billion in the previous year. With earnings per share climbing from €5.01 to €5.94, shareholders have a strong outlook for future dividends and share repurchases, underscored by a proposed dividend of €2.80 per share for 2024.
Challenges and Adaptations
2024 was not without its challenges; Evolution faced sabotage at its Georgian studio and cyber-attacks in Asia. These issues prompted strategic shifts and adaptations, particularly with a renewed focus on regulated markets and technical safeguards. The CEO, Martin Carlesund, expressed a continued commitment to growth and market share expansion, despite these hurdles.
Regulatory and Market Developments
Evolution’s response to an evolving regulatory landscape demonstrates its agility and proactive approach. With more countries framing national regulations for online casinos, Evolution sees this as an opportunity to attract new users and solidify its market presence. The company’s licensing across various markets positions it well to leverage these regulatory changes for sustained growth.
Innovations and Roadmap for 2025
Looking ahead, Evolution is poised for further expansion with new studios planned in Brazil and the Philippines, reflecting a strategic investment in global markets. The company’s product roadmap for 2025 is filled with promising releases, including games with innovative mechanics aimed at a global audience, highlighting Evolution’s role as a trendsetter in the gaming industry.
Concluding Thoughts
Evolution Gaming’s performance in 2024 is a testament to its leadership in the online casino sector and its ability to navigate market complexities with finesse. As the company looks to 2025, its focus on innovation, regulatory compliance, and market expansion is expected to drive further success, cementing its position as a dominant force in the iGaming landscape.
Habanero, a renowned provider of premium slots and table games, has successfully obtained a supplier licence to operate in Greece’s booming online casino market. This strategic move allows the company to offer its full range of proprietary slot content to Greek players and establishes new partnerships with local online casino operators.
A Vibrant Market Awaits
Greece’s online gaming sector is poised for significant growth, with market projections estimating a rise to nearly $1.9 billion by 2029. Habanero’s entry into this market is timely, as the company looks to capitalize on a regulated environment that promises substantial expansion opportunities.
Game Portfolio Expansion
With the licence in hand, Greek casino enthusiasts will soon enjoy a variety of Habanero’s top-tier games, including popular titles like Hot Hot Fruit, Mystic Fortune Deluxe, and Zeus Deluxe. The recent release, Hyper Hues—a slot set in outer space offering 50 paylines and a maximum win worth 3,116 times the player’s wager—will also be available to the Greek audience.
Building on Global Success
This Greek licence marks another milestone following Habanero’s recent entries into Brazil and Peru, emphasizing the company’s commitment to broadening its global footprint in regulated markets. “Getting our Greek licence is another exciting milestone for us as we look to expand our reach into this vibrant market in 2025,” said Arcangelo Lonoce, Head of Business Development at Habanero.
Further News on Habanero’s Expansion
In related news, Habanero is enhacing its presence across several European territories through a collaboration with SkillOnNet, a major operator of over 40 online casino brands. Games like Hot Hot Fruit, Santa’s Village, and Zeus Deluxe will soon feature across SkillOnNet platforms such as PlayOJO, LuckyNiki, and Spin Genie.
SkillOnNet’s expansion into new markets continues to bring diverse gaming portfolios to a wide audience, demonstrated by their recent introduction of Slingo’s games in Spain and Peter & Sons’ games in Ontario. “Habanero is a truly global company, and we’re delighted to showcase its games to new audiences,” noted Jani Kontturi, Head of Games at SkillOnNet.
As Habanero continues to extend its reach, partnerships like these are pivotal in navigating the complex landscape of global online gambling, ensuring the brand remains a key player in the industry’s expansive growth. “Going live with SkillOnNet represents the next chapter in our growth story,” added Lonoce, highlighting the potential of these new ventures.
Kambi Group PLC, a Malta-based provider of sports betting technology, has officially gained approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission to operate in the state. The decision, made on January 30, 2025, grants Kambi a Manufacturer & Distributor License as well as an Information Services License, allowing it to offer its sportsbook platform on a business-to-business (B2B) basis.
Nevada, known for its stringent regulatory standards, represents a major opportunity for Kambi, which has been steadily expanding across the U.S. sports betting market since 2018.
Partnership with Bally’s Lake Tahoe Marks Initial Entry
Kambi’s first Nevada partnership will be with Bally’s Lake Tahoe, where the company plans to conduct a field trial of its retail sportsbook solution. While this marks the company’s official debut in the state, there are no immediate plans for expansion into Las Vegas. However, discussions have taken place regarding potential developments at the former Tropicana casino site, which could become home to a Major League Baseball stadium for the Oakland Athletics.
Operating as a B2B provider, Kambi does not manage player accounts or handle financial transactions directly. Instead, it supplies technology and risk management solutions to casino operators, enabling them to run their own sportsbooks.
Expanding U.S. Footprint
Kambi has already established a presence in 15 U.S. states and one Canadian province, serving over 45 operators. Its platform supports wagering on a range of sports, including soccer, basketball, eSports, and American football, processing over one billion bets annually.
CEO Werner Becher emphasized the significance of Nevada’s approval, calling it a validation of Kambi’s technological leadership and commitment to compliance. “Nevada is widely known as the gold standard for betting and gaming regulation, insisting on a standard that few companies can meet. This approval is a testament to our market-leading technology, regulatory expertise, and corporate integrity,” Becher said.
Regulatory Challenges and Future Prospects
Securing approval in Nevada was a lengthy process, with Kambi undergoing rigorous scrutiny by state regulators. The company’s executives attended multiple hearings with the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Gaming Commission to ensure compliance with local standards.
Kambi’s technology team is now focused on completing the field trial at Bally’s Lake Tahoe, with final testing by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) expected to conclude by mid-2025. The company sees Nevada as a key market in its long-term strategy to expand across the Americas.
With limited B2B competition in the state due to strict licensing requirements, Kambi’s entry into Nevada positions it as a strong player in the region. As the company continues to grow, it aims to further integrate its sportsbook technology with casino operators nationwide, reinforcing its role in the evolving U.S. sports betting landscape.
New Agreement Brings Popular Titles to UK Players
Jelly Entertainment has secured a major deal with Bally’s, enabling its portfolio of slot games to go live on the operator’s UK platforms, including Jackpotjoy and Virgin Games. The partnership introduces fan-favourite titles such as CleoPatrick and Witches Go Wild, alongside upcoming releases like Rookie Racer and The Night Train TwinWays.
This agreement marks another significant step in Jelly’s ongoing expansion within regulated markets. By integrating Jelly’s games into its UK operations, Bally’s aims to enhance its offering and provide players with an even more engaging selection of slots.
Craig Staples, VP of Product at Bally’s Interactive, commented on the collaboration: “Jelly has built a strong reputation in the UK market, and its games have quickly become player favourites. This partnership strengthens our portfolio with fresh, high-quality content that resonates with our audience.”
A Year of Strategic Growth for Jelly
The Bally’s partnership follows a period of rapid expansion for Jelly Entertainment. Earlier in 2024, the company entered the Italian market through an agreement with Microgame, making its games available to over 50 operators. Additionally, deals with EveryMatrix and Blokotech facilitated Jelly’s entry into European and Latin American markets, further broadening its international footprint.
Looking ahead to 2025, Jelly has set its sights on new opportunities in Ontario, Romania, and South Africa, reinforcing its commitment to global growth. To support this expansion, the company underwent internal restructuring in late 2024, appointing Steven Matsell as CEO to lead its strategic vision.
David Newstead, Chief Business Development Officer at Jelly, highlighted the significance of the Bally’s deal: “This partnership is a huge milestone for us. It not only raises our profile in the UK market but also reinforces the industry’s confidence in our content and innovation.”
Strengthening Market Position Through Key Partnerships
Beyond the UK, Jelly has been actively securing partnerships with major industry players. In 2024, the company joined forces with Scientific Games, leveraging its global content platform to reach players across Europe and North America. Scientific Games operates in over 50 countries, making this collaboration a crucial step in Jelly’s international strategy.
In addition, Jelly struck a deal with Light & Wonder, integrating its slot titles into one of the industry’s leading aggregation platforms. This agreement extended Jelly’s reach into regulated markets across the UK, Italy, and Spain, while also providing access to emerging markets like Colombia and Peru.
Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Digital Partnerships at Light & Wonder, praised the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring Jelly Entertainment’s high-quality content to our network. Supporting innovative and emerging developers is a priority for us, and Jelly’s engaging game portfolio is a fantastic addition.”
A Bright Future for Jelly Entertainment
Jelly Entertainment’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. With a series of strategic deals in place, the company is well-positioned to continue its rapid growth across multiple jurisdictions. The Bally’s agreement marks a significant milestone, ensuring that UK players have access to some of the most exciting slot titles in the market today.
As Jelly expands into new regions and strengthens its leadership team, it remains committed to delivering high-quality gaming experiences that resonate with players worldwide. With a strong foundation in place and a growing presence in key markets, Jelly is on track to become a major force in the online gaming industry.
Strategic Alliance Enhances Global Reach
BGaming, a dynamic player in the online gaming sector, has announced a strategic partnership with industry titan Playtech, one of the premier software providers globally. This collaboration will see BGaming’s diverse range of over 200 games integrated into Playtech’s Open Platform (POP), granting operators streamlined access to a wide array of high-quality gaming content.
A Milestone for Market Expansion
This alliance is a pivotal element of BGaming’s strategy to bolster its footprint across regulated markets internationally. By merging its extensive game catalog with Playtech’s platform, BGaming aims to tap into a broader player base across multiple regions. This move is anticipated to substantially boost BGaming’s visibility and reach, especially in areas where Playtech has a strong operational presence. Notable BGaming titles such as Aztec Clusters, Lucky 8 Merge Up, and Pop Zen will now be accessible to an expanded audience on both mobile and desktop platforms.
Playtech, established in 1999 and now a public entity, remains a leading figure in providing comprehensive gaming software solutions worldwide. The company’s vast library, featuring over 3,000 games, is further enriched by BGaming’s innovative offerings. This integration is slated to support BGaming’s aggressive growth objectives for 2025 while solidifying its status as a reputable source of premium online gaming content.
Olga Levshina, Chief Commercial Officer at BGaming, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to embark on this journey with Playtech, a renowned name in the gaming sector known for its quality content. As we continue to realize our growth ambitions, we’re pleased to offer Playtech’s partners our diverse portfolio that caters to a variety of player preferences across different markets.”
BGaming’s Recent Ventures and Innovations
Prior to this partnership, BGaming had already been making significant inroads into various regulated markets. Recent deals, like the one with Solverde.pt in Portugal, underscore BGaming’s commitment to extending its market influence. Earlier successes in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Armenia, and Slovakia throughout 2024 further underscore its growing impact in the international gaming scene.
With this latest agreement with Playtech, BGaming not only consolidates its existing market presence but also sets the stage for further expansion in 2025. This collaboration is positioned as a key driver for BGaming’s continued growth and success in the gaming industry.
Spotlight on New Releases: Winter Fishing Club
In its quest to diversify its offerings, BGaming remains at the forefront of game innovation. A notable addition to its repertoire is the Winter Fishing Club, a novel ice fishing simulator that brings a unique twist to the beloved fishing game genre. Building on the success of the original Fishing Club, this new installment introduces a winter-themed backdrop with first-person gameplay and enhanced interactive features.
In Winter Fishing Club, players engage in a virtual ice fishing adventure, aiming to hook fish-shaped multipliers through an immersive experience that includes underwater animations and responsive gameplay mechanics. Yulia Aliakseyeva, Chief Product Officer at BGaming, highlighted the game’s appeal, noting, “The casual and immersive first-person approach of Winter Fishing Club distinguishes it in the crowded market of fishing-themed games.” The game boasts medium-low volatility, an RTP of 97.16%, and potential multipliers up to 3,000x, catering to players seeking both relaxation and significant rewards.
The introduction of such innovative games reinforces BGaming’s commitment to providing engaging and diverse gaming experiences, which are essential for retaining and expanding its user base in the competitive online gaming landscape.
