Evolution has announced significant growth in its third-quarter results, highlighting a 19% increase in net gaming revenue (NGR) in constant currency. This surge is largely attributed to robust gains in the live casino segment. Total operating revenues reached €579 million, reflecting a remarkable 27.9% rise, bolstered by a one-time reduction in earn-out liability amounting to €59.7 million.
Live Casino and RNG Performance
The live casino segment continues to thrive, showing a double-digit growth rate of 16% year-on-year. During the quarter, Evolution launched new tables in both Colombia and the Czech Republic, contributing to this impressive performance.
In contrast, the random number generator (RNG) sector, which includes renowned brands like NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, and NoLimit City, showed promising recovery with an 8.5% growth to €72.5 million. This figure also marked an increase from the €70.3 million recorded in the previous quarter. CEO Martin Carlesund stated, “We are beginning to see the results of our incremental improvements in the RNG offering.” Earlier in the year, the company had initiated a turnaround strategy for its RNG products, focusing on increasing game releases and enhancing features for better gameplay.
However, not all news was positive. The ongoing strike action at Evolution’s Georgia studio, which began in July, has created challenges for the company. Carlesund reported that the studio currently operates at 60% capacity due to the strike, involving around 550 employees. He explained, “We are able to offset lost capacity using other studios to limit the impact on our customers, but overall, the disruption has had a negative effect.” Regulus Partners noted that this situation has “clearly impacted both growth and margin,” stressing that Georgia’s operations are crucial as they account for 40% of the group’s total capacity.
Despite these challenges, the Georgia studio remains integral to Evolution’s operations. Regulus remarked, “Georgia is too big and historically too efficient to be easily replaced.” With a dealer pool of approximately 7,000, the studio is vital compared to the next largest, Latvia, which employs around 3,200.
In Asia, Evolution faces cybersecurity threats, with recent attacks targeting its video distribution systems. Carlesund assured stakeholders that the company has strengthened its cybersecurity measures to counter these threats. He noted, “We continue to see attacks, and we will continue to aggressively scale up countermeasures.” Regulus cautioned that ongoing cyber-attacks could signal a turbulent period for Evolution’s operations in the region, especially in light of the recent closure of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Despite these obstacles, Evolution’s revenue in Asia climbed from €172.1 million last year to €202.2 million, reflecting a 17.5% increase. Overall, the group’s EBITDA rose by 30.3% to €415.3 million, achieving a profit of €328.6 million during the quarter. This strong performance underscores Evolution’s resilience and adaptability in a dynamic market environment.
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