Release Date: May 07, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
- Flutter Entertainment PLC (FLUT, Financial) reported a significant year-over-year net income growth of 289% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 20% in Q1 2025.
- The company's US business is driving a step change in earnings, with AMPs growing to more than 4.3 million in the quarter.
- Flutter's international business demonstrated strong performances, particularly in SEA and India, contributing to overall revenue growth.
- The acquisition of SNAI in Italy is expected to rapidly realize operational and financial benefits, enhancing Flutter's scale in the region.
- Flutter's proprietary pricing capability continues to drive market-leading sportsbook products, with a structural gross revenue margin progression reaching 14.1% in the quarter.
Negative Points
- Basketball handle growth was lower than anticipated, impacting overall sports betting performance.
- The company faced challenges in Brazil due to regulatory changes, affecting customer activation and registration processes.
- US sports results were customer-friendly in Q1, driven by an unprecedented number of winning favorites during March Madness, impacting revenue.
- Net cash from operating activities decreased by 44%, and free cash flow reduced by 52% year-over-year, impacted by a decrease in player deposit liabilities.
- The company is facing structural challenges in the Australian racing industry, affecting racing handle trends.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you elaborate on the specific basketball-related factors affecting handle, and confirm if you've seen a handle acceleration in Q2?
A: Peter Jackson, CEO: Handle in the quarter was in line with expectations, though we saw some weakness in basketball. However, NFL and MLB performances were strong. For Q2, handle is performing well, factoring in North Carolina's inclusion last year. In iGaming, we're ahead of competitors with strong product delivery and unique content.
Q: What are the near-term integration plans for SNAI in Italy, and how fast can you see omnichannel benefits?
A: Rob Coldrake, CFO: We're confident about the synergy plan with SNAI, expecting EUR 70 million in synergies over three years. Key decisions on organization and technology have been made, and we expect to see benefits quickly with a strong local team in place.
Q: How do you view the balance of handle growth versus promotion, and what could offset a potential slowdown in handle growth?
A: Rob Coldrake, CFO: We maintain a disciplined approach to customer generosity and focus on net revenue as the key metric. While some competitors show high generosity levels, we believe these are unsustainable. Our strategy remains focused on long-term net revenue growth.
Q: Can you discuss the strategic merits of bidding for the Italian Lotto, and what are the expected benefits?
A: Rob Coldrake, CFO: The Italian Lotto offers a unique opportunity to cement our leadership in Italy. It's a low-risk, highly profitable concession with significant digital growth potential. The deal would be highly synergistic, with compelling financial returns if successful.
Q: How do you assess the maturity of customer penetration in the US, and are there any states approaching saturation?
A: Peter Jackson, CEO: We haven't reached saturation in any state. New eligible customers emerge annually, and we continue to see good growth in penetration across existing states. There's no indication of hitting a saturation point yet.
Q: How is the integration of Your Way progressing, and what are the future plans for this pricing capability?
A: Peter Jackson, CEO: Your Way is just one component of our new pricing capability. We plan to expand its use across more sports and introduce additional features. This is a long-term initiative with exciting developments ahead.
Q: Can you provide insights into the impact of economic softness on your business, and any potential opportunities it presents?
A: Peter Jackson, CEO: Historically, economic softness hasn't impacted our business significantly. Consumers may trade down but still enjoy betting. We've seen strong growth in segments like Tombola during challenging times, indicating resilience.
Q: What are your thoughts on the prediction markets and their potential impact on your business?
A: Peter Jackson, CEO: We operate the world's largest sports betting exchange and are evaluating the potential of prediction markets. While they offer opportunities, they don't match the excitement of Parlay products. We're exploring options with our experienced team.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
