Entain plc (LON:ENT) has provided its BETMGM first half 2024 update.
BetMGM LLC, one of the leading sports betting and iGaming operators across North America, jointly owned by Entain plc and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM), has provided an update on First Half 2024 performance.
Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of BetMGM, commented:
“The first half of this year has been very important in laying the groundwork for BetMGM’s future. 2024 is a year of investment, focusing on improving our customer experience and stepping up our level of investment in players. We are encouraged to see this strategy delivering accelerating momentum. We have exceeded our goals for both acquisition and retention, which should lead to higher year-over-year revenue growth for the second half of this year into 2025.
Our online sportsbook players have been enjoying Angstrom-enabled product capabilities since the start of the baseball season, and we look forward to players enjoying this across our wider sports offering leading into the NFL season. We are also very excited to bring our unique omnichannel opportunities to players by fully leveraging MGM Resorts’ presence in Las Vegas. Single Account Single Wallet will be an important driver of the customer experience, with Nevada marking its completion ahead of the NFL season. Our iGaming business continues to perform strongly with attractive returns, and to maximize this strength and momentum, we plan to deploy additional marketing in the back half of this year. Our execution roadmap, building momentum and prospects ahead all support our confidence in BetMGM’s strong future.”
1H 2024 Update
- 1H 2024 financial performance demonstrating accelerating momentum through the year
o Net revenue from operations of $1.0 billion, up 6% versus prior year1,2
– 2Q net revenue growth of 9% YoY, up from 3% in 1Q
– 2Q online sports betting NGR per active up 16% YoY
– 2Q iGaming average monthly actives growth of 18% YoY, up from 9% in 1Q, with no new state launches
o EBITDA consistent with expectations of 2024 being an investment year, supporting customer acquisition and enhanced player experience initiatives
– Encouraging online sportsbook CPAs of FTDs driven by successful Super Bowl campaign
– 1H EBITDA of -$123 million2
- Established as a leading operator in North America, live in 29 markets with access to 52% of adult population3
o Continued geographic footprint expansion, with BetMGM launch of digital sports betting in North Carolina in March and district-wide in the District of Columbia in July
o 13% GGR market share in the U.S. and Ontario across Sports Betting and iGaming4
o Demonstrates stabilization and continued strength in iGaming with approximately 22% market share5
- Continued focus on operational execution, delivering improved app, product capabilities, and market-leading partnerships across both digital sports and iGaming
o Enhanced Sports Product and Technology
– Further integration of Angstrom capabilities with new markets and features for MLB and back end of NBA seasons, provided by fully in-house single game parlay (“SGP”) and SGP+ products
– Improved player experiences with enhanced betting and SGP+ journeys, landing pages and new features including live bet tracking
- Actives who placed an MLB SGP bet this season up 40% YoY6
- Volume of weekly MLB SGP bets doubled versus last year6
o Leadership in iGaming
– Market-leading jackpots – New Jersey jackpot of over $5 million expected to be the largest regulated U.S. online jackpot ever paid
– Launched exclusive games and innovative reward mechanics with top suppliers, including GameCode and White Hat Gaming
– Launched BetMGM Arcade, the home for Ônon-traditional’ content including LuckyTap and Crash-style games
o Best-in-Class Marketing Partnerships
– Integration of partnerships with X, Marriott Bonvoy, and Associated Press
– Successful Super Bowl campaign with citywide takeover of Las Vegas and iconic commercial featuring Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky and Vince Vaughn
– Exclusive ambassadorship with Brian Christopher Slots for all online regulated markets
- Ongoing commitment to player safety, prioritizing responsible gambling across our business
o Founding member of the newly established Responsible Online Gaming Association (“ROGA”), which brings together the largest U.S. online sports betting and gaming operators to develop and advance responsible gaming practices
o Expanded the Kindbridge Health program to eight additional jurisdictions, offering self-excluded individuals referrals for problem gambling treatment
o Research and funding support via sponsorship for the International Center for Responsible Gaming
- Award recognition, including
o EGR North America’s awards for both Employer and Sports Betting Operator of the Year
o Top 20 for Best Workplaces in New YorkTM by Fortune
o Hashtag Sports awards for both Best Sports Betting Partnership (X/Twitter) and Best Communications Strategy
Outlook
- As announced on December 4, 2023, BetMGM’s strategic roadmap assigned 2024 as an investment year, supporting enhanced player experiences and improved sportsbook product to drive long-term value for stakeholders
- Coupled with an improving sportsbook offering, and building on BetMGM’s iGaming strength which already delivers over $400 million contribution annually, expectation of greater than planned marketing investment in iGaming in 2H this year7
o Additional investment expected to be funded by bank debt
- Consistent with expectation of 2024 as an investment year, expect H2 EBITDA to be similar to H1
- Pipeline of exciting opportunities ahead including key milestones:
o On track for Angstrom capabilities to be fully integrated across MLB, NBA and NFL offerings ahead of 2024 NFL season
o Single Account Single Wallet (SASW) rollout expected to be completed with Nevada in place prior to the 2024 NFL season
– Enabling BetMGM customers in MGM Resorts properties, representing 13 million room nights annually, to sign up at one of BetMGM’s eight retail sportsbooks and return to their home state with the same wallet
– Completing the integration of player wallets across all BetMGM markets and empowering the final Las Vegas unlock for BetMGM
- Investment in our execution roadmap, accelerating momentum and opportunities ahead all support our confidence in BetMGM’s pathway to $500 million EBITDA in the coming years
Notes:
1: 1H 2024 net revenue for BetMGM on a GAAP basis is expected to be approximately $978 million, including approximately $30 million primarily related to Nevada MGM Resorts operations for which BetMGM records on a net basis as BetMGM is considered to be the agent in the Nevada transactions for GAAP purposes.
2: 1H 2024 net revenue and EBITDA figures are unaudited.
3: BetMGM operates iGaming and Online Sports Betting in five markets and Sports Betting only (combined online and retail) in 24 markets.
4: Consolidated GGR market share consists of last three months ending May or June 2024 as latest reported for U.S. sports betting markets where BetMGM was active (online and retail), last three months ending June 2024 for U.S. iGaming markets where BetMGM was active, and last three months ending June 2024 for the Ontario market; internal estimates used where operator-specific results are unavailable.
5: iGaming GGR market share reflects the three-month period through June 2024.
6: Engagement data for the MLB season for the period 3/20/24 to 7/17/24.
7: Contribution Profit reflects Net Gaming Revenue minus direct costs (excluding depreciation and amortization and people costs) considered under GAAP presentation of Gross Profit plus marketing acquisition spend.
Entain plc is a FTSE100 company and is one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups, operating both online and in the retail sector. The Group has a 50/50 joint venture, BetMGM, a leader in sports betting and iGaming in the US. Entain provides the technology and capabilities which power BetMGM as well as exclusive games and products, specially developed at its in-house gaming studios.
