GVC Holdings enjoys double-digit growth in Q1

UK-listed online gambling operator GVC Holdings enjoyed double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2017, as the company’s turnaround of the Bwin.party brands continues to gain momentum.

On Thursday, GVC issued a trading update covering the three months ending March 31, which showed pro forma daily net gaming revenue rising 13% year-on-year to €2.68m, while group net gaming revenue was up 12% to €241m for the quarter. The numbers have been adjusted to assume full Q1 2016 contributions from the Bwin.party brands, which GVC officially acquired midway through that quarter.

Daily sports betting turnover at the Bwin and Sportingbet brands was flat at €12.9m but sports revenue was up 12% to €948k as margins improved 1.1 points to 9.6% despite punter-friendly results at the end of March. The company credited improved marketing and product following GVC’s acquisition of the previously underperforming Bwin.party brands.

Gaming/other daily net gaming revenue was up 19% to €1m, while games brands improved 4% to €615k, with the much-maligned PartyPoker operation singled out for showing particularly positive momentum. The B2B/Non-core segment was up 17% to €115k.