Amaya experienced a phenomenal 2016, demolishing their prior earnings benchmark.
This Canadian gaming powerhouse, renowned for its ownership of online poker platforms PokerStars and Full Tilt, witnessed a surge in user numbers and effectively reduced expenditures. This potent combination resulted in a substantial leap in their financial results compared to 2015.
They amassed a staggering $1.15 billion in overall revenue, an 8% increase over the preceding year. Their adjusted EBITDA also received a healthy 14% boost, hitting $52.41 billion. Even more remarkable is their turnaround from a $2 million deficit in 2015 to a $1.36 billion profit in 2016 – a remarkable 777% surge! Their adjusted net earnings also saw a robust 26% rise, reaching $36.67 billion.
Even on a quarterly basis, Amaya maintained momentum. In the final quarter of 2016, their revenue ascended nearly 6% to reach $31.04 billion.
Amaya’s CEO, Rafi Ashkenazi, credited this triumph to tactical adjustments made to their poker platforms and customer acquisition tactics. These modifications helped overturn some unfavorable trends and ignited organic expansion. They also observed impressive outcomes from their casino products, surpassing projections even with minimal marketing, due to a strong emphasis on cross-selling to their current clientele. Ashkenazi added that they are continuing to develop and broaden their sports wagering offerings, indicating even greater potential for expansion in the times ahead.
The robust financial results of the company have enabled them to lessen the impact of risks tied to international currencies, decrease their borrowing costs, and settle existing deferred payment responsibilities at a faster pace. This emphasis on their fiscal well-being permits them to maintain their pursuit of their quartet of key objectives. They anticipate capitalizing on the positive trend from 2016 and continuing to implement their plan in 2017.
Amaya’s solid showing has prompted them to project earnings ranging from $1.2 billion to $1.26 billion in 2017. Furthermore, they anticipate adjusted EBITDA to fall between $560 million and $580 million.