Super Group Announces Exit from U.S. Sportsbook Markets

Rhea-AI Summary

Super Group (SGHC), parent company of Betway and Spin, has announced plans to exit the U.S. sportsbook market after an internal review revealed no long-term profitability. The group, operating in nine states, will collaborate with regulators and partners to close its sportsbook operations. However, it will retain its iGaming presence, managing two brands in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Jackpot City. According to CEO Neal Menashe, the decision aligns with the company's strategy to focus on profitable markets. The closure will incur costs, to be detailed in the next earnings call, but it won't impact the company's capital or operational plans. Non-U.S. earnings will remain unaffected.

Positive

• Continued iGaming operations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, focusing on profitable markets.
• No impact on previously communicated capital allocation or operating plans.
• Non-U.S. earnings remain unaffected by the U.S. sportsbook exit.

Negative

• Costs and charges associated with the closure of U.S. sportsbook operations.

Market Research Analyst

The decision by Super Group to exit the U.S. sportsbook market highlights a strategic pivot. Given the intense competition and the high customer acquisition costs in the U.S. sports betting market, it's understandable that Super Group sees limited profitability prospects here.

Maintaining their iGaming presence in New Jersey and Pennsylvania is significant as these are lucrative markets with a different competitive landscape. The iGaming segment typically offers higher margins compared to sports betting, due to predictable revenue streams and lower operational costs. For example, Jackpot City has a strong brand presence and a loyal customer base, which could translate to sustained revenue without the need for aggressive marketing spend.

In the short-term, this move might be seen as a retreat, but long-term investors could view it positively if Super Group re-invests these resources into more profitable ventures. It will also be important to monitor the upcoming quarterly earnings call for further financial implications and strategic insights.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, the exit from the U.S. sportsbook market will likely incur some immediate costs and charges. Management has indicated these will be detailed in the next quarterly earnings call. However, it’s noteworthy that these costs will not affect the company’s capital allocation or operating plans, implying a well-structured financial cushion.

Considering that Super Group's primary revenue is generated from its iGaming operations, the exit can be seen as a rational reallocation of resources. It is important to recognize the potential financial benefits of this shift. By cutting losses in an unprofitable segment, Super Group can enhance its overall financial health and focus on more promising areas. This approach aligns with effective capital redeployment strategies that many successful businesses adopt.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Super Group (SGHC) Limited (NYSE: SGHC), the parent company of Betway, a leading online sports betting and gaming business, and Spin, the multi-brand online casino, today announced that, following the completion of an extensive internal review, the company intends to undertake an exit plan for its sportsbook product in the United States.

The company, along with relevant regulators and partners, will shortly begin the process to fully close its U.S. sportsbook operations in the nine states in which it is currently live. Super Group will, however, maintain its iGaming presence in the U.S. and plans to operate two iGaming brands from its Spin portfolio (including Jackpot City) in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Chief Executive Officer Neal Menashe commented: “As a global business, we constantly evaluate the optimal use of our resources across all markets in which we operate. We have recently concluded an extensive review of our U.S. operations and, at present, we do not see a long-term path to profitability for the sportsbook product.”

“The vast majority of Super Group’s revenue is generated in iGaming and, in line with that strategy, we will continue to offer our leading casino product in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We are open to expanding our U.S. footprint if the right investment or strategic opportunities arise.”

Super Group expects to incur costs and charges in connection with the closure of its U.S. sportsbook operation, information about which will be provided by management during the next quarterly earnings call, scheduled for early August. Such costs and charges, while not insignificant, will not have any impact on Super Group’s previously communicated capital allocation or operating plans. Non-U.S. earnings, which have historically been reported separately, will not be negatively impacted by this closure.

About Super Group (SGHC) Limited

Super Group (SGHC) Limited is the holding company for leading global online sports betting and gaming businesses: Betway, a premier online sports betting brand, and Spin, a multi-brand online casino offering. The group is licensed in multiple jurisdictions, with leading positions in key markets throughout Europe, the Americas and Africa. The group’s sports betting and online gaming offerings are underpinned by its scale and leading technology, enabling fast and effective entry into new markets. Its proprietary marketing and data analytics engine empowers it to responsibly provide a unique and personalized customer experience. Super Group has been ranked number 6 in the EGR Power 50 for the last two years. For more information, visit www.sghc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding Super Group’s intention to close its sportsbook operations in the United States, including expectations for incurring and disclosing associated costs and charges, Super Group’s plans for its iGaming presence in the United States, and other statements that are not historical fact. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities; (ii) the ability to maintain the listing of Super Group’s securities on a national securities exchange; (iii) changes in the competitive and regulated industries in which Super Group operates; (iv) variations in operating performance across competitors; (v) changes in laws and regulations affecting Super Group’s business; (vi) Super Group’s inability to meet or exceed its financial projections; (vii) changes in general economic conditions; (viii) changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; (ix) future global, regional or local economic and market conditions affecting the sports betting and gaming industry; (x) changes in existing laws and regulations, or their interpretation or enforcement, or the regulatory climate with respect to the sports betting and gaming industry; (xi) the ability of Super Group’s customers to deposit funds in order to participate in Super Group’s gaming products; (xii) compliance with regulatory requirements in a particular regulated jurisdiction, or Super Group’s ability to successfully obtain a license or permit applied for in a particular regulated jurisdiction, or maintain, renew or expand existing licenses; (xiii) the technological solutions Super Group has in place to block customers in certain jurisdictions, including jurisdictions where Super Group’s business is illegal, or which are sanctioned by countries in which Super Group operates from accessing its offerings; (xiv) Super Group’s ability to restrict and manage betting limits at the individual customer level based on individual customer profiles and risk level to the enterprise; (xv) the ability by Super Group’s key executives, certain employees or other individuals related to the business, including significant shareholders, to obtain the necessary licenses or comply with individual regulatory obligations in certain jurisdictions; (xvi) protection or enforcement of Super Group’s intellectual property rights, the confidentiality of its trade secrets and confidential information, or the costs involved in protecting or enforcing Super Group’s intellectual property rights and confidential information; (xvii) compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws in Super Group’s collection, storage and use, including sharing and international transfers, of personal data; (xviii) failures, errors, defects or disruptions in Super Group’s information technology and other systems and platforms; (xix) Super Group’s ability to develop new products, services, and solutions, bring them to market in a timely manner, and make enhancements to its platform; (xx) Super Group’s ability to maintain and grow its market share, including its ability to enter new markets and acquire and retain paying customers; (xxi) the success, including win or hold rates, of existing and future online betting and gaming products; (xxii) competition within the broader entertainment industry; (xxiii) Super Group’s reliance on strategic relationships with land based casinos, sports teams, event planners, local licensing partners and advertisers; (xxiv) events or media coverage relating to, or the popularity of, online betting and gaming industry; (xxv) trading, liability management and pricing risk related to Super Group’s participation in the sports betting and gaming industry; (xxvi) accessibility to the services of banks, credit card issuers and payment processing services providers due to the nature of Super Group’s business; (xxvii) the regulatory approvals related to proposed acquisitions and the integration of the acquired businesses; and (xxviii) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time for Super Group including those under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024, and in Super Group’s other filings with the SEC. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in other documents filed or that may be filed by Super Group from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Super Group assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Super Group does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240708232597/en/

Investors:

investors@sghc.com



Media:

media@sghc.com

Source: Super Group (SGHC) Limited

FAQ

Why is Super Group (SGHC) exiting the U.S. sportsbook market?

Super Group (SGHC) decided to exit the U.S. sportsbook market due to an extensive internal review that revealed no long-term path to profitability for the product.

What will happen to Super Group's iGaming operations in the U.S.?

Super Group will continue its iGaming operations, managing two brands in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Jackpot City.

Will the closure of the U.S. sportsbook affect Super Group's non-U.S. earnings?

No, the closure of the U.S. sportsbook will not negatively impact Super Group's non-U.S. earnings.

When will details about the costs of closing the U.S. sportsbook be provided?

Details about the costs and charges associated with the closure will be provided during the next quarterly earnings call scheduled for early August.

What is the stock symbol for Super Group?

The stock symbol for Super Group is SGHC.