Betclic Everest Group witnessed a substantial surge in new users during the initial nine months of the current year, with both income and earnings exhibiting double-digit expansion.
Betclic Everest experienced robust growth in the third quarter despite Bet-at-home’s challenges.
FL Entertainment, the group’s parent entity, reported that its Betclic and Bet-at-home brands generated €718.5 million ($765.8 million/£626.4 million) in earnings for the year concluding on September 30. The nine-month figure displayed a 21.3% year-over-year increase at constant exchange rates. Revenue expanded by 17.3% in the third quarter.
All segments contributed to this performance, with each segment experiencing double-digit growth. Sports wagering remains its largest segment, representing 78% of revenue. However, it was the slowest expanding area during the period.
Sports wagering revenue grew 16.7% at constant exchange rates to €558.4 million. FL stated that this performance was particularly strong considering the robust comparison with the third quarter of 2022, as the FIFA World Cup at the end of 2022 led to an earlier-than-usual commencement of the UEFA Champions League in the third quarter of 2022.
Online casino was the fastest-growing area, increasing by 48.7% to €106.9 million. While poker remains the smallest segment, it expanded by 25.3% to €43.7 million during the period.
Betclic is ascending, Bet-at-home is declining
The Betclic brand was the driving force behind the growth, while Bet-at-home recently reduced its revenue projections for fiscal year 2023.
This is a result of a string of unfortunate sporting event outcomes.
Income rose by 22%, at present exchange rates, excluding the discontinued Bet-at-home venture. This was fueled by the ongoing robust performance of Betclic, which expanded by 24%, while Bet-at-home decreased by 14%. Bet-at-home’s UK permit was suspended in July 2022, and it withdrew from Austria and Malta in 2021.
The organization continued to record strong player momentum, with new unique active players rising by 34%.
Adjusted EBITDA was €472.9 million, up 8.1% and 6.9% at constant and current exchange rates, respectively.
Profitability was affected by a 7.5% increase in overall group expenses to €1.4 billion. This was driven by higher gaming taxes.
The gaming business contributed €132 million to the group’s operating profit, unchanged compared to the first nine months of 2022.
Betclic anticipates new app to pay off
Looking ahead, FL expects the positive momentum in its betting division to continue in the final quarter of 2023. The firm stated this will be driven by continued growth and retention of unique active players, as well as the anticipated impact of the new Betclic app. While unfavorable sporting event results in October impacted the industry as a whole, the company stated the impact has begun to reverse.
FL Group overall revenue climbed 5.6% to €2.9 billion. The group, which owns global television production company Banijay, saw adjusted EBITDA increase 6.9% to €472.9 million.
François Riahi, the head honcho at FL, stated, “We’ve had a fantastic initial nine months of 2023. Our entertainment sector is performing admirably, with robust revenue expansion and earnings.
“Online sports wagering and gaming are flourishing across the spectrum. We’re concentrating on drawing in and retaining new participants, and our new application has been a smashing success. It’s enhanced our offerings and simplified things for our patrons.
“Betclic is also the inaugural firm outside of the United Kingdom to secure GamCare’s Safe Gambling accreditation. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to responsible gaming.”
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