Operating revenues increased by 49% to EUR 365.8 million and EBITDA increased by 70% to EUR 182.9 million. Profit for the period amounted to EUR 149.7 million.
Good leverage from investments made in 2019 has contributed to a continued high growth with several new customers signed including Flutter Entertainment with brands Paddy Power and Betfair, Parx Casino and Penn National Gaming.
CEO Martin Carlesund commented, “I am very satisfied to be able to present yet another strong quarter which summarises a successful 2019 for Evolution. The products we launched during the year – including new titles in the Game Show category – in combination with a continued strong market development and global demand, have contributed to a very high growth rate. Furthermore, we also experienced strong results from the investments in increased studio capacity we have made in recent years. Those factors, in combination with a constant pursuit of cost efficiency, has had a positive effect on our margin.
This year’s result trend has continued in the fourth quarter. Revenue in the fourth quarter amounted to EUR 106.0 million, an increase of 51 percent compared with the corresponding period last year. EBITDA amounted to EUR 55.8 million corresponding to a margin of 52.7 percent. The EBITDA margin for the full year reached 50 percent, the highest full-year margin in the company’s history and slightly surpassed our expectations from this summer which was 47-49 percent. For 2020, we expect to be able to maintain or slightly improve the margin level compared to 2019.
At the end of the fourth quarter, Evolution had more than 700 tables serving over 200 customers. During the quarter, we further strengthened our customer portfolio, including an agreement with Flutter Entertainment and its brands Paddy Power and Betfair. Our presence in the United States was also strengthened in the quarter through agreements with new operators in Pennsylvania and the process to build a studio in Pennsylvania is ongoing.
We see good opportunities for continued positive development in the US. In the quarter we have made additional investments in the studio in New Jersey to expand its capacity, our game portfolio and to meet the demand. It is also positive to note that during the quarter Michigan has taken important steps toward becoming a regulated casino market.”
