Betsson finances highlight rising cost pressures
The Swedish gaming operator’s EBIT and EBITDA slipped amid tax rises in several markets.
Sweden.- The Stockholm-listed online gambling operator Betsson has published its full-year financial report, revealing a decline in EBITDA and operating income. The results are indicative of the mounting pressures of increased taxation and rising operational costs that many operators are likely to confront in the months ahead.
EBIT and EBITDA were both down 1 per cent year-on-year to €253.1m and €313.7m. respectively. That’s despite an 8 per cent revenue increase to €1.2bn. The dip in profitability was attributed to higher gaming duties and lower B2B revenue due to one partner’s dip in income. It also cited investments in product and technology.
The increased tax pressure was the result of rate hikes in several markets, including France, where the tax on sports betting gross gaming revenue has risen from 54.9 to 59.3 per cent, and Peru, where a 1 per cent levy has been imposed on wagers.
Betsson’s tax obligations have grown as it increases its focus on regulated markets, which now account for 68 per cent of its revenue, a rise from 60 per cent in 2024. The impact was being felt by the final quarter, in which revenue was down 1 per cent at €303.9m, EBITDA down 20 per cent at €69.3m and operating income down 24 per cent at €53.2m.
CEO Pontus Lindwall said: “We continued to invest in the product and technology organisation to strengthen the customer experience and our long-term competitiveness, which meant higher personnel costs.”
He stressed that regionally, Betsson saw solid continued growth in Western Europe and Latin America in Q4 despite a slowdown in the Nordic region and CEECA. The company also saw record player activity, with 1.4 million active customers.
Lindwall said: “Our strong financial position provides us with good conditions to invest in long-term, profitable growth and to deliver returns for our shareholders.”
“Looking ahead, we are entering 2026 with a number of activities that provide good conditions for growth. We are also looking forward with great anticipation to the FIFA World Cup, where a record number of matches and participating nations will create exciting opportunities for betting and for attracting new customers. The investments made in recent years as well as our pipeline of projects for 2026 support our ambition to continue to generate long-term shareholder value.”
It’s been reported that Betsson is considering buying Yolo Group’s Sportsbet.io and Bitcasino.io.
