Kambi, in Q1 2024, reported a revenue of €43.2 million, a slight 2 percent decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. The majority of this revenue, approximately 90 percent, was generated from sportsbook operations, with the remaining portion attributed to modularised odds feeds.

Despite the slight dip in revenue, Kambi’s EBITDA increased by 10 percent year-on-year, reaching €14 million. The operating profit for the quarter was €4.4 million, a 2 percentdecrease from the previous year, with a margin of 10.2 percent. The earnings per share for the quarter were €0.107, and the board proposed no dividend payout.

Kambi’s operator turnover index, a measure of its clients’ quarterly turnover, decreased by 16.3 percent compared to Q1 2023. This was primarily due to the migration of Penn’s online business in July 2023. However, excluding Penn’s online contribution in Q1 2023, turnover increased by 3% across the global network and by 9 percent in the Americas. The operator trading margin in Q1 was 9 percent, driven by favourable basketball results, compared to 8.2 percent in the same period last year.

In Q1, Kambi extended its retail sportsbook partnership with Penn until 31 December 2025, replacing the previous agreement set to end in July 2024. Kambi also partnered with Inspired Entertainment, a provider of virtual sports products, to integrate the company’s offering into its sportsbook platform. This is in line with Kambi’s wider strategy to open up its platform and deliver for partners through third-party services.

Kambi CEO Kristian Nylén, (pictured above=, who announced his intention to step down once a successor is appointed, expressed satisfaction with the Q1 results. He highlighted the successful launch of LiveScore Group’s Kambi-powered sportsbook in Nigeria and the Netherlands. Looking ahead, Nylén anticipates further launches, particularly in the UK, in preparation for upcoming sporting events like Euro 2024 and Copa América.

Nylén mentioned that Kambi has made good progress in opening up its platform to provide greater flexibility and choice for partners. An initial step in this process was integrating external content into the Kambi platform to meet product requirements for certain partner signings in 2023. In Q1, Kambi added Inspired Entertainment’s virtual sports games to the platform, creating an additional revenue stream. More recently, the firm integrated racing provider BetMakers, enhancing Kambi’s horse and greyhound racing products.

As part of the ongoing modularisation strategy, Kambi announced AI trading division Tzeract’s first commercial agreement with operator kwiff. This will enable Kambi to provide modular odds feeds via a single API integration, granting operators access to Kambi’s full library of sports odds.

Although Nylén suggested Kambi had “built solid foundations for the future”, the company expects 2024 to be a “transitional year.” The supplier said revenue will be impacted by Penn’s online migration, recently renewed contracts with Kindred and several other partners. Kambi is also reviewing its 2027 financial targets due to a slowdown in sports betting regulation. Despite these challenges, Kambi remains optimistic about its future prospects.

The joint venture entity overseeing the development of Japan's inaugural integrated resort (IR) in Osaka, known as , has successfully secured a substantial loan agreement with a consortium of banks. The €3.1 billion loan agreement represents a significant step forward for the ambitious project. 

Osaka IR Corporation, a partnership between US-based casino giant MGM Resorts International and local partner ORIX Corporation, will collaborate with MUFG Bank Ltd and Mitsui Banking Corporation on what has been hailed as Japan's largest co-financing arrangement by a group of banks. Additionally, two companies associated with Hankyu Hanshin Holdings have also committed to investment in the project. 

Under an implementation agreement sanctioned by Japan's central government, the initial investment in the Osaka IR is projected to reach around JPY1.27 trillion (€7.62 billion). The resort's anticipated is slated for 2030, marking a transformative milestone for Japan's gaming and hospitality industry. 

Progress and preparatory works 

Preparatory land works on the Yumeshima Island site commenced in December, with measures to prevent liquefaction and strengthen the foundation underway. These efforts, costing JPY25.5 billion (€161 million), are expected to continue throughout the upcoming Osaka Expo in 2025, with completion scheduled by April 2027. 

MGM's commitment extends beyond the integrated resort project, with the company sponsoring the United States Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the pavilion were recently held, showcasing MGM's dedication to fostering international partnerships and cultural exchange. 

Upon completion in 2030, MGM's Osaka integrated resort is poised to become a premier destination, featuring Japan's sole legal casino, 2,500 hotel rooms spanning three renowned brands, 730,000 square feet of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) space, and tourism facilities showcasing the vibrant culture and attractions of Osaka and Japan at large. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 3 – 5 June. Find all the details .

is currently engaged in discussions with Berjaya and Genting Group regarding the possibility of establishing a casino in Forest City, located in Johor, a state located south of the country and known for beaches and rainforest.  

Forest City, often referred to as the nation's 'ghost city,' was initially unveiled in 2006 as part of a 20-year development project funded by a consortium of primarily mainland Chinese real estate developers. 

The massive $100 billion (€93.5 billion) property project, which also involves the nation's monarch as a shareholder, has garnered attention from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. A recent Bloomberg report said that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held preliminary discussions with Vincent Tan, the founder of Berjaya Corp, and Lim Kok Thay from Genting Group regarding the proposed casino venture. 

Despite the discussions, uncertainties loom over the potential project due to 's predominantly Muslim population and cultural aversion to gambling. The Muslim-majority nation's stance on gambling presents a significant hurdle to the establishment of a casino, raising questions about the feasibility of the proposed venture. 

Notably, the country's King holds a substantial stake of over 20 percent in the Forest City joint venture, which is overseen by developer Country Garden. Additionally, King Ibrahim has interests in Berjaya Assets Bhd, while his daughter serves as the Chair of Berjaya Corp. King Ibrahim recently ascended to the throne in January, adding complexity to the political landscape surrounding potential developments in Forest City. 

If the discussions lead to concrete agreements, the establishment of a casino in Forest City would mark Malaysia's second-ever casino licence. However, the project's realization hinges on navigating cultural sensitivities, regulatory considerations, and political dynamics within the Southeast Asian country. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 3 – 5 June. Find all the details .

David Einhorn, co-founder of Greenlight Capital and a seasoned hedge fund investor, has strategically invested in Penn Entertainment amidst market volatility. This significant investment, made in the first quarter of this year, is a part of Einhorn’s ongoing efforts to diversify his portfolio.

Einhorn’s investment in Penn Entertainment has sparked curiosity about the future governance of such gambling giants. The trend of activist hedge funds influencing casino operators is reshaping the industry, and Einhorn’s recent move aligns with this shift. Given his style of investment history, insiders say it’s plausible that Einhorn may take an active role in Penn’s governance. As these developments unfold, the casino sector is keenly observing the potential implications. The question that lingers is whether the future of the gambling industry will be dictated by the strategic moves of hedge funds.

In a similar vein, led by former Goldman Sachs banker Parag Vora, also took a proactive stance in Penn Entertainment. With an 18.5 percent stake in the company, HG Vora also requested the appointment of directors to Penn’s board, signalling its intent to influence the company’s decision-making. This move came following concerns over Penn Entertainment’s undervalued stock, which experienced a 16 percent decline throughout 2023. Vora expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s board structure and strategic direction, calling for immediate changes.. The intervention led to a nearly immediate 4.8 percent surge in the share price. This move ignited discussions about the

Over the first quarter of this year, Einhorn has been building a significant stake in Penn Entertainment. Despite the stock’s value declining from $22.69 to $17.44 per share, largely due to investor skepticism following Penn’s challenging acquisition of Barstool Sports, Einhorn remains optimistic. He sees potential in sports betting and believes that if Penn executes it correctly, it could significantly boost the company’s shares.

In the fourth quarter, geopolitical risks led Einhorn to pause his new stock acquisitions, a move he referred to as a “buyer’s strike”. Despite this, his hedge fund managed to yield a 4.9 percent return in the first quarter of 2024, contrasting with the S&P 500’s 10.6 percent gain during the same period.

Einhorn’s investment prowess extends beyond Penn Entertainment. He revealed a first-quarter stake in HP, anticipating an AI-driven personal computer adoption cycle. He also ventured into the biotech sector, taking new stakes in Roivant Sciences and the Class A shares of Liberty Global (LBTYA).

Einhorn’s strategies reflect his adaptability and foresight in a volatile market. His faith in Penn Entertainment’s potential in sports betting, coupled with his investments in tech and biotech sectors, underscores his vision for future market trends. As the gambling market, particularly sports betting, continues to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how Einhorn’s investments unfold. Will the future of the gambling industry be dictated by the strategic moves of hedge funds like Greenlight Capital? The answer remains to be seen.