Stockholm-listed Aspire Global has reported a 14.7% per cent increase in revenue to €50.9m for the forth quarter 2021. Full year revenues increased by 31.8% to €213.3 million. Full year EBITDA increased by 29.2% to €35.0 million.

It also reported earnings after tax (before €59.7 million net capital gain on B2C divestment) increased 72.0% to €22.6 million. Earnings per share increased 64.3% to €0.49 (0.28) and €1.77 incl. capital gain from divestment of B2C segment.

Tsachi Maimon, CEO of Aspire Global said: Aspire Global has made an amazing journey in recent years with substantial organic growth supplemented by value creating acquisitions. NeoGames’ bid of SEK 111 per share means that our share has increased by 270% since the introduction on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in July 2017. The offer by NeoGames, a technology-driven provider of end-to-end iLottery solutions, is a natural step for Aspire Global and a strategic fit.

Aspire Global’s entire operations will form a new iGaming division within NeoGames. The objective of the combination is to generate significant long-term value for both sets of shareholders, by creating synergies and capitalizing on the key strengths of our two companies and positioning them both for expansion in new and existing markets.

We believe that the irrevocable commitment by a significant portion of our shareholders to elect to receive the entirety of the equity component of the deal, subject to proration, suggests strong conviction in the future of the two companies. Not only is this a strategic fit, it is also a strong cultural fit, as significant parts of both management teams worked together extensively during NeoGames’ inception.

By the divestment of our B2C segment 1 December 2021, we made additional significant strategic move to become a clearly focused B2B company. By this streamlining of the business, we not only become stronger but also more profitable. During the year, excluding the B2C segment, revenues increased by 31.5% to €158.3 million and EBITDA increased by 45.2% to €30.4 million in 2021 with an EBITDA margin of 19.2%. B2B organic revenue growth in 2021 amounted to 26.6%. These are record high numbers that we are proud of and they reflect the professionalism, drive and commitment of the Aspire Global team. It is also with satisfaction that I can note that we have well exceeded our financial targets for 2021.

We had a strong development during all quarters in 2021 and revenues, excluding B2C, increased 24.4% in Q4. The numbers in Q4 2021 were impacted negatively by new regulations in certain European countries as well as unusually favourable player results in Sports during October, while the inclusion of the divested B2C brands on a “net royalties” basis in December 2021 had a positive impact.