Investment Thesis:
- U.S. growth opportunity– the U.S. online sports betting market continues to open following the 2018 supreme court ruling which legalise the industry. Market growth estimates forecast the industry to grow to US$51bn by 2033.
- Strong management team with a solid track record – the ability to grow market share in a competitive and mature market of Australia gives us some confidence the management team have the right strategy in place to build share in the U.S.
- Proprietary technology stack – The speed and usability are key differentiating factors. PBH operates proprietary technology, which it developed inhouse. This means new modifications and updates are easier to implement (i.e., more control) with inhouse tech versus outsourced (i.e., having to go to an external provider each time with an update).
- Cross sell opportunities with iGaming – PBH’s recently launched iGaming product (online casino) is already highlighting cross-sell opportunities to its customers.
Key Risks:
- Rising competitive pressures
- Adverse regulatory change in key operating jurisdictions (Australia / U.S.)
- Loss of market share in key regions or growth rate fails to meet market expectations
- Higher than expected costs – especially around investment in sales & marketing to drive market share
- Trading on high PE-multiples / valuations means the Company is more prone to share price volatility
- Cyber-attack on PBH’s platform
Key highlights:
- PBH’s FY21 results were largely in line with expectations, with group revenue up +159% to $194.7m and gross profit up +129% to $87.6m YoY.
- The recently launched iGaming product represents another growth opportunity (backed by a strong management team), with management noting that ~71% of all iGaming players have placed an in-play wager and 40% of cash active clients have placed an iGaming bet since launch.
- The more mature market of Australia still has room to grow, with PointsBet, the no. 5 player (by online market share) and management still targeting 10% online market share by 2025.
- Group normalised EBITDA for the year was a loss of $156.1m vs loss of $37.6m in the pcp, as PBH continues to invest in the business to scale the U.S. business and invests in its technology stack.
- Australian Trading segment reported revenue of $150.7m (vs $68.2m in pcp) and EBITDA of $9.2m (vs $6.9m in the pcp).
- USA segment reported revenue of $42.3m (vs $7.0m in pcp) and EBITDA loss of $149.6m (vs loss of $38.2m in pcp). During the year, PBH operational in six U.S. states: New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan.
- Balance sheet is in a good position to support investment in growth, with pro forma cash balance of $665.2m (post the July 21 capital raising).
Company Description:
PointsBet Holdings Ltd (PBH), founded in 2015, is a corporate bookmaker with operations in Australia and the United States (New Jersey, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana). PointsBet has developed a scalable cloud-based wagering platform which offers customers sports and racing wagering products. PBH’s key products include fixed odds sports, fixed odds racing and PointsBetting.
General Advice Warning
Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.