Fintech
EVERI REPORTS RECORD SECOND QUARTER 2022 RESULTS
Everi Holdings Inc. (NYSE: EVRI) (“Everi” or the “Company”), a premier provider of land-based and digital casino gaming content and products, financial technology and player loyalty solutions, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. Everi also reiterated its full year outlook for Net income, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow.
Second Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights
- Revenues grew 14% to an all-time quarterly record $197.2 million from $172.6 million in the 2021 second quarter, reflecting a 7% increase in recurring revenues to a quarterly record $139.7 million and a 37% increase in sales of gaming machines and FinTech hardware.
- Income before income tax increased 16% to a record $42.3 million compared to $36.6 million a year ago.
- Net income was $32.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $36.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the 2021 second quarter, as the provision for income taxes increased $9.3 million in the 2022 second quarter related to the reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the 2021 fourth quarter; cash taxes paid were essentially flat at $0.1 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased to an all-time quarterly record $94.4 million compared to $92.5 million in the 2021 second quarter.
- Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, rose 26% to $49.5 million from $39.2 million in the 2021 second quarter.
- Repurchased 2.0 million shares of stock for $33.3 million in the 2022 second quarter.
Randy Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Everi, said, “Our strong operating momentum continued in the second quarter, as we delivered all-time quarterly record revenues, income before income tax, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. These record financial results were driven by another consecutive quarter of record recurring revenues for both our Games and FinTech businesses despite the very challenging year-over-year comparison for these operations, as last year’s results included the significant benefit from casino reopening activities and financial stimulus payments provided to consumers.
“Our second quarter Games segment results include our highest-ever quarterly level of gaming machines sold, which increased 40% to 1,957 units; and the 13th consecutive quarterly sequential increase in our installed base of gaming operations units. Our ongoing investments in the development of differentiated cabinets and expansion of our games portfolio continues to drive increases in our installed base, strong Daily Win per Unit, and growth in our ship share of units sold. In particular, the record number of units sold in the quarter reinforces our confidence in our ability to achieve our 15% ship share target over the next several years.
“Our FinTech segment is achieving similar success, as it generated record revenues, operating income and Adjusted EBITDA for the third consecutive quarter. The record quarterly performance was driven by increased revenues from financial access services, which included more than $10 billion of funding delivered to our customers’ casino floors for the second consecutive quarter, a record number of kiosk sales, and ongoing organic growth of our Loyalty and RegTech solutions. These results demonstrate our ability to offer industry-leading, integrated solutions that help drive increases in same-store activity and cost efficiencies for our customers. With our planned introductions of additional innovative products to our Digital Neighborhood of integrated solutions, our FinTech business is positioned to deliver consistent growth.
“Our top-line growth and focus on operational excellence continues to result in strong Free Cash Flow generation, which reached $49.5 million in the 2022 second quarter and $101.1 million for the first six months of 2022. We remain focused on allocating our higher Free Cash Flow to further grow the business through prudent investments in product development, as well as with acquisitions of businesses and technologies that continue to expand the scale and scope of our product offerings and/or drive our entry into new product categories and geographical markets. As reflected in the growing contributions of our Loyalty products, our return-focused approach to acquisitions benefits our operating performance. We expect recent acquisitions, which have expanded our addressable market to include opportunities in Australia and Historical Horse Racing gaming devices, will deliver similar benefits over time. Our Free Cash Flow performance, liquidity, and strong balance sheet also enabled us to opportunistically act on our share repurchase program in the second quarter given our view that our current valuation does not fully reflect the strength of our business and our outlook for ongoing growth.”
Consolidated Full Quarter Comparative Results (unaudited) |
As of and for the Three Months |
|||
2022 |
2021 |
||
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
|||
Revenue |
$ 197.2 |
$ 172.6 |
|
Operating income (1) |
$ 54.5 |
$ 54.4 |
|
Net income (1) |
$ 32.5 |
$ 36.2 |
|
Net earnings per diluted share (1) |
$ 0.33 |
$ 0.36 |
|
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding |
98.7 |
100.0 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (2) |
$ 94.4 |
$ 92.5 |
|
Free Cash Flow (2) |
$ 49.5 |
$ 39.2 |
|
Principal amount of outstanding debt |
$ 995.5 |
$ 1,144.6 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 238.1 |
$ 340.4 |
|
Net Cash Position (3) |
$ 93.1 |
$ 196.6 |
(1) |
Operating income, net income, and net earnings per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2022, included $0.7 million for office and warehouse consolidation costs, and $0.9 million in professional fees associated with acquisitions and for non-recurring litigation costs. |
(2) |
For a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow, see the Unaudited Reconciliation of Selected Financial GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures provided toward the end of this release. |
(3) |
For a reconciliation of Net Cash Position to Cash and Cash Equivalents, see the Unaudited Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents to Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available toward the end of this release. |
Second Quarter 2022 Results Overview
Revenues for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022 increased 14% to $197.2 million compared to $172.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. Recurring revenues grew 7% to $139.7 million and revenues from non-recurring sales increased 37% to $57.5 million.
Operating income for the 2022 second quarter was $54.5 million compared to $54.4 million in the prior-year period, and net income was $32.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $36.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021. The provision for income taxes increased $9.3 million in the 2022 second quarter related to the reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the 2021 fourth quarter. Operating margin declined from the prior-year period, reflecting a change in the revenue mix as a result of substantially greater growth in gaming machine and FinTech hardware sales year over year together with a lower margin on machine and hardware sales due to increased supply chain costs, higher operating costs that reflect the additions of acquisitions, and higher research and development expense that supports the Company’s focus on increased internal, new product development. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $94.4 million from $92.5 million in the prior-year period.
Free Cash Flow increased to $49.5 million from $39.2 million in the year-ago period, reflecting higher Adjusted EBITDA and lower cash interest paid, partially offset by higher capital expenditures.
Games Segment Full Quarter Comparative Results (unaudited) |
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|||
2022 |
2021 |
||
(in millions, except unit amounts and prices) |
|||
Games revenues |
|||
Gaming operations – Land-based casinos |
$ 68.2 |
$ 69.6 |
|
Gaming operations – Digital iGaming |
5.8 |
3.6 |
|
Gaming operations – Total |
74.0 |
73.2 |
|
Gaming equipment and systems |
38.3 |
26.1 |
|
Gaming other |
— |
— |
|
Games total revenues |
$ 112.3 |
$ 99.3 |
|
Operating income (1) |
$ 28.9 |
$ 30.6 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (2) |
$ 58.7 |
$ 60.4 |
|
Capital expenditures |
$ 28.9 |
$ 21.3 |
|
Gaming operations information: |
|||
Units installed at period end: |
|||
Class II |
9,792 |
9,422 |
|
Class III |
7,672 |
6,829 |
|
Total installed base at period end (3) |
17,464 |
16,251 |
|
Premium units (3) |
8,355 |
6,961 |
|
Average units installed during period (3) |
17,362 |
16,088 |
|
Daily win per unit (“DWPU”) (4) |
$ 39.94 |
$ 45.66 |
|
Unit sales information: |
|||
Units sold |
1,957 |
1,402 |
|
Average sales price (“ASP”) |
$ 18,800 |
$ 17,894 |
(1) |
Operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2022, included $0.7 million for office and warehouse consolidation costs and professional fees associated with acquisitions. |
(2) |
For a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA, see the Unaudited Reconciliation of Selected Financial GAAP to Non-GAAP measures provided toward the end of this release. |
(3) |
The ending and average installed base include all units, whether or not casinos were open and whether or not the games were active. |
(4) |
Daily win per unit reflects the total of all units installed at casinos, inclusive of casinos closed due to the COVID pandemic and inactive units, where such units would have recorded no revenue and excludes the impact of the direct costs associated with the Company’s wide-area progressive jackpot expense. |
2022 Second Quarter Games Segment Highlights
Games segment revenues grew 13% to a record $112.3 million compared to $99.3 million in the second quarter of 2021, primarily driven by record sales of gaming machines and ongoing growth in digital gaming revenues.
Operating income was $28.9 million compared to $30.6 million in the second quarter of 2021, reflecting higher revenues from machine sales, offset by lower margins on the machine sales due to increased supply chain costs as well as higher operating expenses, including increased costs associated with acquisitions and higher research and development expense, reflecting an acceleration in games development to support a path to a targeted future 15% ship share of gaming machines sold. Adjusted EBITDA was $58.7 million compared to $60.4 million in the second quarter of 2021. Revenues from the recent acquisitions of Intuicode Gaming and certain assets of Atlas Gaming (Australia) contributed $1.4 million in the 2022 second quarter.
Gaming operations revenues were $74.0 million compared to $73.2 million a year ago, and increased 5% on a quarterly sequential basis.
- The installed base reached a record 17,464 units as of June 30, 2022; representing a year-over-year increase of 7%, or 1,213 units. The installed base increased by 136 units on a quarterly sequential basis.
- The premium portion of the installed base increased by 20%, or 1,394 units, year over year and by 276 units on a quarterly sequential basis to a record 8,355 units. This was the 16th consecutive quarterly sequential increase in premium units. Growth was driven in part by continued placements of Cashnado™ units, the initial installations of Smokin’ Hot Stuff Fire and Ice™, the Company’s popular premium mechanical reel games, and its Wide-area Progressive (“WAP”) gaming machines.
- Daily Win per Unit (“DWPU”) was $39.94 in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $45.66 in the second quarter of 2021. DWPU in the year-ago period included the significant benefit of government stimulus payments coupled with pent-up demand as COVID vaccinations increased and consumers began to return to normalized activities. DWPU improved on a quarterly sequential basis from $39.76 in the 2022 first quarter.
- Gaming operations revenues from digital gaming rose 61% to $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2021, and increased 5% on a quarterly sequential basis. Digital revenue growth reflects the continued growth and expanded base of iGaming operator sites featuring Everi’s games along with a growing library of available slot content, as well as going live in Ontario, Canada with nine operator sites as of June 30, 2022.
Gaming equipment and systems revenues generated from the sale of gaming machines and other related parts and equipment increased 47% to $38.3 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $26.1 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- The Company sold an all-time record 1,957 gaming machines at an average selling price (“ASP”) of $18,800 in the 2022 second quarter, up 555 units, or 40%, from 1,402 units sold at an ASP of $17,894 in the 2021 second quarter, which had included a larger-than-average number of unit sales for new casino openings and expansions. Unit growth reflects the Company’s estimation of an improved industry ship share driven by the popularity of an expanding game library supporting the Empire Flex™ video reel cabinet, ongoing demand for the Player Classic™ mechanical reel cabinet, and sales of the newly launched Player Classic Signature™ mechanical reel cabinet.
Financial Technology Solutions Segment Full Quarter Comparative Results (unaudited) |
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|||
2022* |
2021* |
||
(in millions, unless otherwise noted) |
|||
FinTech revenues |
|||
Financial access services |
$ 50.9 |
$ 44.8 |
|
Software and other |
19.0 |
15.6 |
|
Hardware |
15.0 |
12.8 |
|
FinTech total revenues |
$ 84.9 |
$ 73.2 |
|
Operating income (1) |
$ 25.7 |
$ 23.8 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (2) |
$ 35.7 |
$ 32.1 |
|
Capital expenditures |
$ 7.5 |
$ 7.9 |
|
Value of financial access transactions: |
|||
Funds advanced |
$ 2,661.1 |
$ 2,210.9 |
|
Funds dispensed |
7,511.0 |
6,960.1 |
|
Check warranty |
439.1 |
378.8 |
|
Total value processed |
$ 10,611.2 |
$ 9,549.8 |
|
Number of financial access transactions: |
|||
Funds advanced |
3.5 |
3.3 |
|
Funds dispensed |
28.6 |
28.4 |
|
Check warranty |
1.2 |
0.9 |
|
Total transactions completed |
33.3 |
32.6 |
* |
Rounding may cause variances. |
(1) |
Operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2022, included $0.9 million for professional fees associated with certain acquisitions and non-recurring litigation costs. |
(2) |
For a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA, see the Unaudited Reconciliation of Selected Financial GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures provided toward the end of this release. |
2022 Second Quarter Financial Technology Solutions (“FinTech”) Segment Highlights
FinTech revenues for the 2022 second quarter increased 16% to an all-time quarterly record $84.9 million compared to $73.2 million in the 2021 second quarter, reflecting a 14% increase in financial access services, a 22% increase in software and other revenues, and a 17% improvement in revenues from hardware sales. Revenues from the recent acquisition of ecash Holdings (Australia) contributed $4.2 million in the 2022 second quarter.
Operating income increased 8% to $25.7 million in the 2022 second quarter compared to $23.8 million in the prior-year period, reflecting a benefit from higher revenues partially offset by increased research and development expense primarily in support of new and enhanced Loyalty products, the Company’s digital CashClub Wallet®, and new RegTech products and software. Adjusted EBITDA rose 11% to $35.7 million compared to $32.1 million in the 2021 second quarter.
- Financial access services revenues, which include cashless and cash-dispensing debit and credit card transactions and check services, was a quarterly record $50.9 million, a 14% increase compared with the 2021 second quarter, reflecting continued strength in financial funding transactions at casinos, as well as growth from new customer additions. The number of completed financial transactions increased 2% year over year and for the second consecutive quarter delivered more than $10 billion of funding to customers’ casino floors, representing a year-over-year funding increase of 11%. The Company’s CashClub Wallet digital technology is currently deployed across six jurisdictions at 19 casinos, with 20 additional casino properties under various stages of deployment.
- Software and other revenues, which include Loyalty and RegTech software, product subscriptions, kiosk maintenance services, and other revenues, rose 22% to $19.0 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $15.6 million in the second quarter 2021. Approximately 78% and 80% of software and other revenues were of a recurring nature in the 2022 and 2021 second quarter periods, respectively.
- Hardware sales revenues increased 17% to a record $15.0 million compared to $12.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. The record level of self-service kiosks and other cash access hardware products sold in the quarter reflect significant continued demand for the Company’s hardware and software solutions that deliver optimal performance and cost efficiencies to casino operators, including voucher redemption kiosks sold in Australia as a result of the ecash Holdings acquisition.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
- As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $238.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, and its Net Cash Position was $93.1 million.
- The Company repurchased 2.0 million shares of its common stock for total consideration of $33.3 million during the quarter, and as of June 30, 2022, had $116.7 million remaining under the Board’s $150 million authorization announced on May 10, 2022.
- In the 2022 second quarter, the Company paid $14.1 million for the initial purchase price payment and the net working capital payment related to the acquisition of Intuicode Gaming, $6.0 million of consideration related to the acquisition of certain assets of ecash Holdings and $2.0 million related to the acquisition of certain assets of XUVI.
Outlook
Reflecting the operating performance in the first half of the year and the Company’s expectations for continued operating execution over the balance of the year driven by demand for its products, Everi reiterated its full year 2022 guidance for net income of $125 million to $132 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $368 million to $378 million and Free Cash Flow of $187 million to $200 million.
The Company’s year-to-date results have not reflected, and its updated guidance does not contemplate, any additional material impact from a pandemic-related setback or other macroeconomic effect, such as recessionary or inflationary influence on consumer spending, a material supply chain disruption, or other changes in global market conditions. A summary and reconciliation of the full year 2022 financial targets are included in a supplemental table at the end of this release.
Investor Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host an investor conference call to discuss its 2022 second quarter results at 11:00 a.m. EDT (8:00 a.m. PDT) today. The conference call may be accessed live by phone by dialing (201) 689-8471. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET today and may be accessed by dialing (412) 317-6671; the PIN number is 13730679. A replay will be available until August 10, 2022. The call also will be webcast live and archived on www.everi.com (select “Investors” followed by “Events & Contact”).
Non-GAAP Financial Information
In order to enhance investor understanding of the underlying trends in our business, our cash balance, and cash available for our operating needs, and to provide for better comparability between periods in different years, we are providing in this press release Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available, which are not measures of our financial performance or position under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures should be read in conjunction with our net earnings, operating income, and cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP. With respect to Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available, these measures should be read in conjunction with cash and cash equivalents prepared in accordance with GAAP.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, loss on extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock compensation expense, accretion of contract rights, write-downs of inventory, property and equipment and intangible assets, employee severance costs and other related expenses, litigation settlement received net of legal costs, foreign exchange loss, asset acquisition expense, non-recurring professional fees, certain litigation costs, and one-time charges. We present Adjusted EBITDA, as we use this measure to manage our business and consider this measure to be supplemental to our operating performance. We also make certain compensation decisions based, in part, on our operating performance, as measured by Adjusted EBITDA; and our current credit facility and existing senior unsecured notes require us to comply with a consolidated secured leverage ratio that includes performance metrics substantially similar to Adjusted EBITDA.
We define Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash paid for interest, cash paid for capital expenditures, cash paid for placement fees, and cash paid for taxes net of refunds. We present Free Cash Flow as a measure of performance and believe it provides investors with another indicator of our operating performance. It should not be inferred that the entire Free Cash Flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures.
A reconciliation of the Company’s net income (loss) per GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow is included in the Unaudited Reconciliation of Selected Financial GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures provided at the end of this release. Additionally, a reconciliation of each segment’s operating income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is also included. On a segment level, operating income per GAAP, rather than net earnings per GAAP, is reconciled to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as the Company does not report net earnings by segment. Management believes that this presentation is meaningful to investors in evaluating the performance of the Company’s segments.
We define (i) Net Cash Position as cash and cash equivalents plus settlement receivables less settlement liabilities and (ii) Net Cash Available as Net Cash Position plus undrawn amounts available under our revolving credit facility. We present Net Cash Position because our cash position, as measured by cash and cash equivalents, depends upon changes in settlement receivables and the timing of payments related to settlement liabilities. As such, our cash and cash equivalents can change substantially based upon the timing of our receipt of payments for settlement receivables and payments we make to customers for our settlement liabilities. We present Net Cash Available as management monitors this amount in connection with its forecasting of cash flows and future cash requirements.
A reconciliation of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents per GAAP to Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available is included in the Unaudited Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents to Net Cash Position and Net Cash Available provided at the end of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, but instead are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions, as of the date this press release is issued. Forward-looking statements often, but do not always, contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim to,” “designed to,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “goal,” “target,” “future,” “assume,” “estimate,” “indication,” “seek,” “project,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “favorably positioned,” or “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, which are based only on information currently available to us and only as of the date hereof.
Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding our ability to execute on key initiatives and deliver ongoing operating and financial improvements, including guidance related to 2022 financial and operational metrics; regain or maintain revenue, earnings and Free Cash Flow momentum; sustain our overall growth; drive growth of the gaming operations installed base and DWPU; continue expanding the portions of the gaming floor the Company’s games address, including into the Historical Horse Racing category of gaming devices and the Company’s overall targeted ship share of gaming machines sold; successfully perform obligations required by acquisition agreements; and create incremental value for our shareholders, as well as statements regarding our expectations for the industry environment and the adoption of our products and technologies.
Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are often difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: trends, developments, and uncertainties impacting our business, including our ability to withstand: global supply chain disruption; inflationary impact on supply chain costs; changes in global market, business and regulatory conditions arising as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, including any related public health confidence and availability of discretionary spending income of casino patrons, as well as expectations for the re-opening of casinos; product innovations that address customer needs in a new and evolving operating environment; to regain or maintain revenue, earnings, and cash flow momentum, and to enhance shareholder value in the long-term; trends in gaming establishment and patron usage of our products; benefits realized by using our products and services; benefits and/or costs associated with mergers, acquisitions, and/or strategic alliances; product development, including the release of new game features, additional games, and system releases in the future; regulatory approvals; gaming and financial regulatory and legal, card association, and statutory compliance and changes; the implementation of new or amended card association and payment network rules or interpretations; consumer collection activities; competition (including consolidations); tax liabilities; goodwill impairment charges; international expansion; resolution of litigation or government investigations; our dividend policy; new customer contracts and contract renewals; financial performance and results of operations (including revenue, expenses, margins, earnings, cash flow, and capital expenditures); inflationary impact on labor costs and retention; interest rates and interest expense; borrowings and debt repayments; and equity incentive activity and compensation expense.
Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements, and important factors that could cause them to do so include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to generate profits in the future and to create incremental value for shareholders; our ability to withstand inflationary and other factors that pressure discretionary consumer spending; our ability to execute on mergers, acquisitions and/or strategic alliances, including our ability to integrate and operate such acquisitions or alliances consistent with our forecasts in order to achieve future growth; our ability to execute on key initiatives and deliver ongoing improvements; expectations regarding growth for the Company’s installed base and daily win per unit; expectations regarding placement fee arrangements; inaccuracies in underlying operating assumptions; the impact of the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) global pandemic on our business, operations and financial condition, including (i) actions taken by international, federal, state, tribal and municipal governmental and regulatory agencies to contain the COVID-19 public health emergency or mitigate its impact, (ii) the direct and indirect economic effects of COVID-19 and measures to contain it, including directives, orders or similar actions by international, federal, state, tribal and municipal governmental and regulatory agencies to regulate freedom of movement and business operations such as travel restrictions, border closures, business closures, limitations on public gatherings, quarantines and shelter-in-place orders as well as re-opening safety protocols; changes in global market, business, and regulatory conditions arising as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic; our history of net losses and our ability to generate profits in the future; our leverage and the related covenants that restrict our operations; our ability to withstand unanticipated impacts of a pandemic outbreak of uncertain duration; our ability to withstand the loss of revenue during the closure of our customers’ facilities; our ability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, fund working capital, and capital expenditures; our ability to maintain our current customers; expectations regarding customers’ preferences and demands for future product and service offerings; the overall growth of the gaming industry, if any; our ability to replace revenue associated with terminated contracts; margin degradation from contract renewals; our ability to comply with the Europay, MasterCard, and Visa global standard for cards equipped with security chip technology; our ability to successfully introduce new products and services, including third-party licensed content; gaming establishment and patron preferences; failure to control product development costs and create successful new products; anticipated sales performance; our ability to prevent, mitigate, or timely recover from cybersecurity breaches, attacks, and compromises; national and international economic and industry conditions; changes in gaming regulatory, card association, and statutory requirements; regulatory and licensing difficulties, competitive pressures and changes in the competitive environment; operational limitations; gaming market contraction; changes to tax laws; uncertainty of litigation outcomes; interest rate fluctuations; business prospects; unanticipated expenses or capital needs; technological obsolescence and our ability to adapt to evolving technologies; our ability to comply with our debt covenants and service outstanding debt; employee hiring, turnover, and retention; our ability to comply with regulatory requirements under the Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) Data Security Standards and maintain our certified status; and those other risks and uncertainties discussed in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Annual Report”). Given these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information contained in this press release will in fact transpire or prove to be accurate.
This press release should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and with the information included in our other press releases, reports and other filings with the SEC. Understanding the information contained in these filings is important in order to fully understand our reported financial results and our business outlook for future periods.
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations
The fintech landscape continues to redefine itself, driven by innovation, partnerships, and groundbreaking strategies. Today’s roundup focuses on the latest digital wallet offerings, evolving payment trends, strategic collaborations, and notable funding achievements. This editorial explores the broader implications of these developments, casting light on how they shape the future of fintech and beyond.
Beacon’s Digital Wallet for Immigrants: A Gateway to Financial Inclusion
Beacon Financial, a leading player in financial technology, recently launched a digital wallet tailored to meet the unique needs of immigrants moving to Canada. This offering bridges a critical gap, enabling seamless financial integration for newcomers navigating a foreign system.
By combining intuitive technology with user-centric features, Beacon aims to empower immigrants with tools for payments, savings, and remittances. This aligns with the growing demand for tailored financial products that resonate with specific demographics.
Op-Ed Insight:
Financial inclusion is more than just a buzzword; it’s a moral imperative in the fintech space. Products like Beacon’s digital wallet highlight the industry’s potential to create tangible change. As global migration trends increase, such offerings could inspire similar initiatives worldwide.
Source: Fintech Futures.
Juniper Research Highlights 2025’s Payment Trends
Juniper Research’s latest report unveils pivotal payment trends poised to dominate in 2025. Central themes include the adoption of instant payment networks, a surge in embedded finance solutions, and the rise of crypto-backed financial products.
The research underscores the rapid adoption of real-time payment systems, fueled by increasing consumer demand for speed and efficiency. Meanwhile, embedded finance promises to blur the lines between traditional banking and non-financial services, delivering personalized and context-specific solutions.
Op-Ed Insight:
As the lines between financial services and technology continue to blur, these trends emphasize the industry’s shift toward convenience and personalization. The growing role of crypto-based solutions reflects an evolving consumer mindset, where decentralization and digital-first experiences gain precedence.
Source: Juniper Research.
MeaWallet and Integrated Finance Partner to Revolutionize Digital Wallets
MeaWallet, a prominent fintech solutions provider, has partnered with Integrated Finance to advance digital wallet capabilities and secure card data access for fintech companies. This collaboration focuses on empowering fintechs to deliver better, safer digital payment experiences.
MeaWallet’s role as a technology enabler aligns seamlessly with Integrated Finance’s goal of simplifying complex financial infrastructures. Together, they aim to create scalable, robust platforms for secure payment solutions.
Op-Ed Insight:
Partnerships like this underscore the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. As security concerns grow in tandem with digital payment adoption, solutions addressing these challenges are essential for maintaining consumer trust. The fintech ecosystem thrives when synergy and innovation coalesce.
Source: MeaWallet News.
Nucleus Security Among Deloitte’s Fastest-Growing Companies
Nucleus Security has achieved a remarkable milestone, ranking 85th on Deloitte’s 2024 Technology Fast 500 list. This achievement is attributed to its robust cybersecurity solutions, which cater to the increasingly digital fintech environment.
With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, fintech companies are under immense pressure to safeguard their platforms. Nucleus Security’s growth reflects the rising demand for comprehensive, scalable security solutions that protect sensitive financial data.
Op-Ed Insight:
In a digital-first world, robust cybersecurity isn’t optional—it’s fundamental. The recognition of companies like Nucleus Security signals the growing importance of protecting fintech infrastructure as the industry scales globally.
Source: PR Newswire.
OpenYield Secures Funding to Transform the Bond Market
OpenYield has announced a successful funding round, aiming to revolutionize the bond market through innovative technology. The platform promises greater transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in fixed-income investments.
This funding underscores the growing appetite for digitizing traditionally opaque financial markets. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, OpenYield seeks to democratize bond investments, making them accessible to a broader audience.
Op-Ed Insight:
The bond market, long viewed as complex and inaccessible, is ripe for disruption. OpenYield’s efforts to modernize this space highlight fintech’s transformative potential to democratize finance and empower individual investors.
Source: PR Newswire.
Key Takeaways: Shaping the Future of Fintech
Today’s developments underscore several critical themes in the fintech landscape:
- Personalization and Inclusion: Products like Beacon’s wallet highlight the importance of understanding and addressing specific user needs.
- Collaborative Ecosystems: Partnerships, like that of MeaWallet and Integrated Finance, emphasize the power of collaboration in solving industry challenges.
- Emerging Technologies: Juniper Research’s predictions affirm the continued influence of blockchain, embedded finance, and instant payment networks.
- Security at the Core: The recognition of Nucleus Security underscores the essential role of cybersecurity in fintech.
- Market Transformation: OpenYield’s funding signifies the ongoing disruption of traditional financial markets, paving the way for broader accessibility.
The post Fintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Industry Updates, Innovations, and Strategic Moves
As fintech continues to reshape the global financial landscape, today’s briefing highlights pivotal developments, strategic expansions, and innovative launches across the industry. This op-ed explores the latest advancements with commentary on their potential impacts and challenges.
Finastra Data Breach: A Wake-Up Call for Fintech Security
Source: KrebsOnSecurity
The cybersecurity landscape is buzzing after Finastra, one of the largest financial technology providers globally, confirmed an investigation into a potential data breach. Reports suggest unauthorized access to its systems, raising concerns about data security across its client base, which includes thousands of banks and financial institutions worldwide.
Implications and Challenges
While the details of the breach remain sparse, this incident underscores a glaring vulnerability in the fintech sector—cybersecurity. As financial services increasingly rely on interconnected ecosystems, breaches like these threaten not only individual institutions but also the trust customers place in fintech platforms.
The key takeaway for the fintech industry is clear: proactive cybersecurity strategies must go beyond compliance. Real-time threat detection, robust encryption standards, and regular audits are no longer optional but essential for maintaining operational integrity.
Future Considerations
This breach could trigger a domino effect, prompting regulators to tighten security standards and requiring fintech companies to double down on investments in data protection. Startups and mid-tier players, often lacking extensive cybersecurity budgets, may face significant pressure to keep pace.
PayPal Resurrects Money Pooling Feature
Source: TechCrunch
In a bid to stay ahead of the competition, PayPal is reintroducing its Money Pooling feature, a popular tool that was discontinued in 2021. The feature allows users to pool funds collectively, catering to families, small businesses, and social groups.
Strategic Revival
This move reflects PayPal’s commitment to customer-centric innovation. By reinstating a feature beloved by its user base, the company seeks to reclaim market share lost to emerging competitors offering similar functionalities.
Broader Industry Impacts
Money pooling represents a broader trend in fintech—customized solutions that cater to niche needs. This reintroduction may inspire competitors like Venmo and CashApp to refine their collaborative payment offerings.
While this move strengthens PayPal’s ecosystem, its success will depend on seamless integration with existing services and robust fraud prevention mechanisms to avoid abuse of the feature.
Santander Expands Fintech Reach in Mexico
Source: Yahoo Finance
Santander is making waves in the Latin American fintech space with the launch of a dedicated fintech unit in Mexico. The initiative aims to capitalize on Mexico’s growing fintech adoption and digital payments market, valued at billions of dollars annually.
Strategic Significance
Santander’s expansion into Mexico highlights the region’s untapped potential. Latin America is a burgeoning market for fintech, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, a youthful demographic, and demand for accessible financial services.
Challenges on the Horizon
While Mexico offers immense opportunities, regulatory complexities and market competition from local players like Clip and Konfío pose significant challenges. Santander will need to blend its global expertise with local adaptability to succeed in this dynamic market.
2024 Global Fintech Awards: Spotlighting Excellence
Source: PRNewswire
Benzinga has announced the winners of the 2024 Global Fintech Awards, honoring companies and individuals driving innovation in financial technology. This year’s winners spanned categories like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and payment solutions.
Recognizing Industry Leaders
Awards like these highlight the collaborative spirit and entrepreneurial drive fueling fintech growth. Recognizing trailblazers not only motivates incumbents but also inspires startups to push the boundaries of innovation.
What It Means for the Ecosystem
The awards also bring attention to emerging technologies. Categories such as blockchain and AI signal the industry’s continued focus on leveraging cutting-edge tech for efficiency and scalability.
Commonwealth Central Credit Union Partners with Jack Henry
Source: FinTech Futures
Commonwealth Central Credit Union (CCCU) has announced a partnership with Jack Henry, a leading financial technology provider, for a comprehensive tech upgrade. The collaboration focuses on enhancing member experience through improved digital services.
Modernizing Member Experiences
Credit unions have often lagged behind major banks in adopting advanced digital solutions. By partnering with Jack Henry, CCCU aims to bridge this gap, offering members streamlined services such as mobile banking, automated lending, and personalized financial tools.
A Growing Trend
This partnership reflects a broader trend in the financial industry—credit unions and smaller banks embracing fintech to remain competitive. As customer expectations evolve, partnerships like this may become the norm rather than the exception.
Key Takeaways for the Fintech Industry
- Cybersecurity is Critical: The Finastra breach underscores the need for robust security measures.
- Innovation Drives Loyalty: PayPal’s revival of its Money Pooling feature highlights the importance of listening to customers.
- Regional Opportunities: Santander’s expansion into Mexico showcases the untapped potential of emerging markets.
- Recognition Matters: Awards like Benzinga’s provide valuable visibility for companies and individuals shaping the industry.
- Partnerships Foster Growth: Collaborations between credit unions and fintech companies signify a trend towards modernized financial solutions.
The post Fintech Pulse: Industry Updates, Innovations, and Strategic Moves appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Milestones, Partnerships, and Transformations in Fintech
The fintech sector continues its relentless drive toward innovation and market dominance. Today’s highlights include a record-breaking customer milestone for Revolut, groundbreaking fintech solutions for women in the EU, open entries for the PayTech Awards 2025, implications of political shifts on funding, and notable recognition at the US FinTech Awards.
Revolut Hits 50 Million Customers: A Global Fintech Giant’s Milestone
Source: Revolut
Revolut, the UK-based financial super app, has achieved a monumental feat: surpassing 50 million customers worldwide. This milestone underscores its position as a leader in the global fintech landscape, furthering its ambition to create the world’s first truly global bank.
Key to this success has been Revolut’s strategy of expanding its offerings, from banking to travel and crypto services, all within a seamless user experience. The company’s recent ventures into emerging markets such as Latin America and Asia demonstrate its intent to bridge financial services gaps while retaining competitive differentiation through technology.
This milestone is not just a triumph for Revolut but a signal of fintech’s capacity to redefine traditional banking. It reinforces the narrative that digital-first strategies, customer-centric innovation, and international scalability can challenge long-standing financial institutions.
PayTech Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence in Innovation
Source: FinTech Futures
The PayTech Awards 2025 are officially open for entries, promising to spotlight the brightest minds and most innovative projects in the payment technology sector. These awards are a testament to the industry’s commitment to advancing secure, seamless, and scalable payment systems.
This year, the focus is on emerging technologies that redefine how businesses and consumers interact financially. Categories will recognize achievements across multiple domains, including sustainability in payments, AI-driven solutions, and partnerships that push boundaries.
As fintech companies prepare their entries, the awards provide a timely reminder of the sector’s ongoing evolution and the collaborative efforts required to achieve meaningful breakthroughs.
U.S. Politics and the Fintech Sector: A New Era of Funding?
Source: American Banker
The U.S. fintech sector might witness an infusion of optimism as speculation about a second Trump presidency gains momentum. The Trump-era policies of deregulation and venture capital encouragement are remembered as catalysts for unprecedented fintech growth during his first term.
While it remains uncertain how regulatory landscapes will shift, the possibility of a more relaxed approach toward fintech compliance could rejuvenate funding inflows. Investors and startups alike are watching closely, weighing the potential benefits against long-term risks tied to reduced oversight.
A politically charged backdrop often spells volatility, but for fintech, it may also spell opportunity. Preparing to adapt quickly will be crucial for startups and established players in the face of any regulatory pivot.
Klara AI and Unlimit: Addressing the €1.3 Trillion Female Economy
Source: FF News
Klara AI has teamed up with Unlimit to launch a fintech solution aimed at empowering women across the EU. This collaboration targets the €1.3 trillion female economy by addressing the unique financial needs of women entrepreneurs and consumers.
The solution promises to integrate AI-powered tools with streamlined financial management services, enabling users to access credit, manage investments, and scale businesses effectively. By tailoring services to the underserved female demographic, the partnership hopes to drive financial inclusion and support economic growth.
This initiative stands as a blueprint for fintechs exploring niche markets, proving that innovation tailored to specific segments can yield transformative results.
Autire: Accounting Tech of the Year at US FinTech Awards
Source: Business Wire
Autire, a rising star in financial technology, has been crowned ‘Accounting Tech of the Year’ at the US FinTech Awards 2024. The award recognizes Autire’s ability to blend cutting-edge AI with intuitive user interfaces, delivering unparalleled accounting solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Autire’s platform has gained traction for automating complex accounting tasks, ensuring compliance, and delivering actionable insights through real-time analytics. Its emphasis on reducing administrative burdens for SMEs has been particularly impactful, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on growth rather than bookkeeping.
The recognition not only cements Autire’s reputation but also highlights the role of AI-driven accounting solutions in reshaping business operations globally.
Final Thoughts: A Fintech Revolution in Full Swing
From customer milestones to policy-driven opportunities, the fintech ecosystem is in constant evolution. Revolut’s ascent to 50 million users signals growing consumer trust in digital platforms. The PayTech Awards continue to inspire innovation, while political shifts could redefine the regulatory landscape. Initiatives like Klara AI and Unlimit emphasize the power of targeted solutions, and companies like Autire show how niche technologies can achieve broad impact.
The next phase of fintech growth will likely hinge on inclusivity, adaptability, and innovation—pillars that today’s news stories exemplify.
The post Fintech Pulse: Milestones, Partnerships, and Transformations in Fintech appeared first on .
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