Flutter Entertainment anticipates a significant surge in revenue for the final three months of 2022. They attribute this growth to their rapidly expanding operations in the United States and other international markets.
Flutter’s projected revenue for the third quarter is estimated at £1.89 billion (€2.17 billion/$2.18 billion), a substantial increase from the £1.44 billion generated during the same period last year.
When adjusted for inflation, their sales are projected to climb by 82%.
Flutter attributes this growth to their US operations, where they anticipate a 114% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $598 million. This makes the US their largest market.
They highlight the strong performance of their sports betting division, with sales rising by 106%. This growth is fueled by increased customer acquisition in states where they have launched sports betting operations, particularly since the start of the new NFL season.
Their online gambling business in the US is also expected to expand by 36%. This growth is driven by increased monthly active users and the introduction of new games, including FanDuel Casino’s daily reward machines.
In other areas, the United Kingdom and Ireland were Flutter’s biggest markets before Flutter, with earnings predicted to reach £509 million in the third quarter, a 4% increase year-over-year and a 3% increase at a constant exchange rate.
Online earnings are expected to rise by 4% to £443 million, as gaming earnings increased by 29% due to continued strong momentum from players. However, sports earnings are anticipated to fall by 11% year-over-year as last year’s period included earnings from the European Football Championship.
Retail earnings in the UK and Ireland are expected to decline by 3% to £66 million, as warm weather resulted in lower foot traffic. Retail sports earnings are expected to decrease by 3% and gaming earnings by 2%.
Sisal Acquisition
Flutter’s global business – led by the PokerStars brand – is predicted to grow by 43% at a constant exchange rate to £466 million, driven by the acquisition of Italy’s Sisal in early August. The total international earnings include two months of earnings from Sisal.
Furthermore, Flutter stated that Australian earnings are expected to decline by 14% year-over-year and 21% at a constant exchange rate to £319 million. Despite the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sportsbet has maintained strong player retention, but lower player engagement, coupled with weather-related racing disruptions, has resulted in a decrease in earnings.
The firm has elevated its annual projections for its American operations, now anticipating earnings between £2.45 billion and £2.65 billion this year, a rise from the prior estimated range of £2.3 billion to £2.5 billion. The adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) loss is projected to remain consistent with the prior forecast of £2.35 billion to £2.85 billion.
Excluding the United States, the group’s adjusted EBITDA is expected to stay within the previously set range of £1.29 billion to £1.39 billion.
The chief executive, Peter Jackson, stated: “The company has produced a robust third quarter, with both revenue and average monthly participants increasing by 11%. Our American division is now the largest, with revenue reaching $700 million, a surge of 82%. Our “consolidate and invest” international markets have witnessed healthy growth, along with the acquisition of Sisal in August, driving revenue expansion outside the United States.
“We are highly satisfied with the performance of the American division since the commencement of the NFL season in September, and we now have over 1 million players on average every NFL Sunday. Moreover, we have observed an increase in customer retention as our parlay product has gained popularity, following the start of the NBA season.
“Outside the United States, we welcomed Italy’s leading gaming operator, Sisal, to our international division this quarter, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with the team to expand the business in Italy and other international markets.”
Flutter-Fox Court Decision
Jackson also brought up this week’s news, where a mediator in New York decided that media giant Fox Corporation can take advantage of an opportunity to purchase a significant portion of Flutter’s FanDuel from a $22 billion evaluation.
Fox now has a decade to take advantage of this opportunity, beginning in December 2020, to buy 18.5% of the stake, but subject to a 5% yearly compounded value adjustment. The transaction can only be settled in full with cash, and if Fox does not take advantage of the opportunity within the given time frame, it will expire.
As of November 4th, the option price was set at $4.1 billion. This includes a $3.7 billion exercise price for 18.6% of FanDuel, plus a 5% yearly value adjustment, bringing the total value of FanDuel to $22 billion.
The court also stated that it would determine the conditions of Fox’s participation in a potential FanDuel initial public offering in 2023.
“We are satisfied with the successful mediation process with Fox regarding the option price for its acquisition of 18.6% of FanDuel,” Jackson stated. “This confirms our stance on this matter, that FanDuel’s value is based on its fair market value on December 3, 2020, at $20 billion, and provides crucial clarity on the substantial cost of entry into the top betting business in the United States.
“Looking ahead, our product and geographic diversification, as well as our casual customer base, positions us for future growth.”
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