Aristocrat reports FY26 growth and names Dafne Guisard as next CEO
The gaming group reported a 9.9 per cent increase in normalised net profit after tax and confirmed that Guisard will succeed Trevor Croker in April 2027
Key takeaways:
- Aristocrat’s normalised NPAT rose 9.9 per cent in constant currency to AU$1.45bn (US$992m) in FY26.
- Revenue increased 3.8 per cent in constant currency to AU$6.09bn (US$4.17bn).
- Aristocrat Gaming expanded its installed base by approximately 6,500 units and reached 39 per cent market share.
- Dafne Guisard will succeed Trevor Croker as CEO in April 2027, subject to regulatory pre-approvals.
- Aristocrat expects further NPATA growth in FY27, supported by momentum across its three business segments.
Australia.- Aristocrat Leisure has reported revenue growth and higher earnings for the 2026 financial year, while announcing a leadership transition that will see Dafne Guisard take over as CEO in April 2027.
For the year ended September 30, 2026, Aristocrat recorded revenue of AU$6.09bn (US$4.17bn), down 3.2 per cent in reported currency but up 3.8 per cent in constant currency. Normalised net profit after tax (NPAT) increased 9.9 per cent in constant currency to AU$1.45bn (US$992m), while normalised NPATA reached AU$1.58bn (US$1.08bn), up 9.7 per cent. Adjusted earnings per share rose 13 per cent on a constant-currency basis.
EBITA increased 7.9 per cent in constant currency to AU$2.24bn (US$1.53bn), with the group’s EBITA margin rising to 36.7 per cent, compared with 35.5 per cent in FY25.
Aristocrat Gaming remained the group’s largest business, generating revenue of AU$4.02bn (US$2.75bn), up 1.5 per cent, and profit of AU$2.21bn (US$1.51bn). Its installed base expanded by approximately 6,500 units, while market share reached 39 per cent.
The Product Madness Social Casino business recorded revenue of US$1.08bn, up 2.2 per cent, and profit of US$521.4m, an increase of 7 per cent. Its market share rose to 24 per cent, while direct-to-consumer channels accounted for 27 per cent of Social Casino revenue, reaching 30 per cent in the second half.
Aristocrat Interactive generated revenue of US$457.2m, up 3.4 per cent, although profit declined by 6.2 per cent to US$122.6m. Growth was led by Content and iLottery, partly offset by Platforms. The company highlighted the launch of the Lightning Link brand in Content and new iLottery operations in Massachusetts and Michigan. Aristocrat also returned approximately AU$1.9bn (US$1.30bn) to shareholders through dividends and on-market share buy-backs during the year.
Guisard to succeed Croker in April 2027
Aristocrat announced that current CEO and managing director Trevor Croker intends to retire in April 2027 after 18 years in senior leadership positions at the company and more than a decade as CEO. Dafne Guisard has been named as his successor, subject regulatory approval. Guisard joined the company in early 2026 as chief commercial officer for EMEA and subsequently took responsibility for Product Madness.
Before joining Aristocrat, Guisard served as chief operating officer at Entain and held the position of chief strategy, digital and transformation officer at Kraft Heinz. She will relocate from London to Las Vegas to take up the role, while Croker will remain with the company to support the transition for 12 months following the announcement.
Chairman Neil Chatfield, said: “The Board considers Dafne the ideal choice to succeed Trevor. Dafne is an outstanding product and people-focused executive with a strong commitment to customers. She has an exceptional track record of delivering growth and transformation across multiple complex consumer industries, with global experience, and deep product and technology skills.
“The Board has also been impressed with Dafne’s outstanding personal integrity and leadership impact. In addition, the Board has had regard to the benefits of an internal appointment, including performance continuity and scope for a seamless transition. We are delighted to name Dafne Guisard CEO (elect), and look forward to her leadership of Aristocrat’s next phase of growth and success.”
