During the year 2020, Entain’s internet-based business expansion balanced out the losses experienced in its physical operations.
The gambling giant, Entain, witnessed a 7% rise in revenue during the final quarter of 2020, compared to the same period the previous year. This occurred despite disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). The company anticipates that its full-year revenue will fall within its stated objectives.
Entain’s online business growth in 2020 offset losses in its physical operations. The company expects full-year revenue to be stable, or to increase by 1% when adjusted for currency fluctuations.
“The strong performance we achieved in an exceptionally challenging year is a testament to the highly diversified nature of our business model,” remarked Shay Segev, the departing CEO of Entain. His comments highlighted the company’s broad range of products, brands, geographical reach, and distribution channels.
The fourth-quarter and full-year trading update will mark Segev’s final appearance as CEO. Entain director Jette Nygaard-Andersen (pictured below) has been appointed as his successor, effective today (January 21).
The stable full-year revenue was driven by robust performance in the company’s online betting and gaming operations. These operations saw a 27% increase in net gaming revenue year-on-year, or 28% when adjusted for currency fluctuations.
Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its sports betting business, which was suspended from March to May, stakes increased by 5% year-on-year. Revenue from this segment rose by 24%. Meanwhile, gaming revenue increased by 29%.
This largely balanced out the retail struggles as Entain’s shops in the UK and much of Europe were shut down throughout 2020. Despite this disruption, the operator remarked that retail trading swiftly returned to “single-digit levels of pre-pandemic levels”. It stated this clearly demonstrated customers enjoyed the in-store betting experience.
Excluding Germany, where income declined due to regulatory adjustments, all of Entain’s key markets witnessed double-digit growth throughout the year, with online operations profiting from the movement of retail customers due to store closures. Customer betting at Ladbrokes and Coral shops in the UK dropped by 39%, with net gaming income down 36% year-on-year (excluding all closed stores from the previous year figures). Meanwhile, European retail betting decreased by 44%, with revenue down 38% year-on-year.
“Although we anticipate online volumes to decline as stores reopen in our core online territories, the lasting impact of the pandemic is anticipated to have a positive 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 stores,” the operator explained.
Entain’s growth in its core online business in 2020 was driven by the strong performance of its joint venture with MGM Resorts, BetMGM, in the US.
BetMGM has broadened its presence to eleven states in the final three months of 2020. They introduced online casinos in Pennsylvania and mobile wagering in Tennessee. This followed the introduction of sports betting in Colorado and Indiana earlier in 2020, as well as online gaming in West Virginia.
BetMGM’s market share has expanded to approximately eighteen percent in the states where they operate. Online earnings increased by one hundred thirty percent year-over-year in 2020. The joint venture is on track to surpass the operator’s full-year revenue forecast of one hundred fifty million to one hundred sixty million dollars made after the third quarter. 2020 revenue is projected to be between one hundred seventy-five million and one hundred eighty million dollars.
This was driven by the launch of a single nationwide application in October. The new product allows users to access their accounts in any regulated state. Downloads have surged by seventy percent since September 2020. Customer acquisition and retention efforts were also strengthened by a deep integration with media partner Yahoo Sports.
“The fourth quarter was another successful period for us, and we are particularly enthusiastic about the momentum we are witnessing in the United States,” said Segev. “BetMGM continues to grow from strength to strength, and is now active in eleven states, with Michigan going live tomorrow.”
Looking at the fourth quarter alone, the group’s NGR increased by seven percent. Online revenue increased by forty-one percent in the three months ending December 31, 2020, marking the twentieth consecutive quarter of double-digit online growth for Entain.
The expansion of athletic activities fueled this pattern, with control rising 25%, income surging 59%, and gaming contributions increasing by 28%.
However, retail continued to face difficulties. Income in UK stores declined by 38% and European retail income dropped by 57% due to renewed closures in many nations during the final quarter.
In the final quarter, Entain also received sports betting licenses for its German Bwin, Gamebookers, Ladbrokes, and Sportingbet brands, which will initiate a transition period during which it can begin providing online casino games.
The organization stated this brings legal certainty to a key market, although the new framework will reduce sports betting income by approximately €40 million due to strict regulations. Online casino EBITDA is anticipated to decrease by approximately €70 million due to measures such as the €1 slot limit implemented in 2021.
Entain intensified its expansion into new markets in the final quarter, reaching an agreement to acquire Portuguese operator Bet.pt. The Portuguese online gambling market is expected to double in value to around €450 million by 2023, and Bet.pt’s strength in sports betting, combined with Entain’s extensive gaming assets, positions it well to take advantage of this growth.
After the conclusion of the year, Entain also made an offer of SEK 40 per share for Enlabs, the Baltic-facing operator of Optibet, which was supported by the operator’s board.
This, combined with the launch of Bwin in Colombia, further advances its objective of generating 100% of its income from regulated markets by 2023.
At the close of 2020, nearly all of the company’s income originated from areas subject to government oversight or regulation.
During the final three months of the year, the company bolstered its Advanced Responsibility and Care (ARC) plan by employing Dr. Mark Griffiths to examine its responsible gaming procedures and guidelines. In his new position, he will analyze data from a vast number of users to create enhanced player safeguards.
“As a company, we are deeply committed to providing the most secure experience for our clientele when they utilize our offerings, and our innovative technology-driven Advanced Responsibility and Care program is ushering in a new era of player protection,” stated Segev.
Looking towards 2021, Entain expressed confidence in a strong start fueled by the positive performance of the last quarter, particularly in the United States and key markets.
“Although the short-term outlook remains uncertain due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, we have entered 2021 with positive momentum and remain optimistic about the long-term prospects for Entain,” Segev concluded.
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