Konami gaming segment sees half-year business profit jump 154.5pct

Japan’s Konami Group Corp reported a 154.5-percent year-on-year increase in business profit at its gaming and systems division for the six months to September 30, supported by higher gaming machine sales. Segmental business profit reached approximately JPY2.41 billion (US$15.3 million), compared with JPY949 million a year earlier. Revenue for gaming and systems rose 41.3 percent year-on-year, to JPY25.11 billion, according to the group’s Thursday announcements. Operating profit margin for the segment was circa 10 percent, versus 5 percent in the prior-year period. The entertainment conglomerate’s gaming and systems division includes the supply of casino slot machines and casino floor-management systems. It operates outside Japan via Konami Australia Pty Ltd and U.S.-based Konami Gaming Inc. Konami Group said the increase in gaming machine unit sales was driven by the performance of its Solstice 49C cabinet, which features a curved, 49-inch ultra-high-definition display. The group said its “Bomberman” slot series maintained its performance and led sales in North America. In Australia, the “Dragon Rush” and “Bull Rush Stampede” series continued to be “well received”, according to the company. The parent described the North American and Australian gaming markets as stable, with new casino openings and replacement demand at existing properties creating placement opportunities for casino machines. The supplier showcased two additions to its Solstice cabinet range – Solstice 27 and Solstice SuperNova – at the recent Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States. Konami Gaming said earlier this month it was targeting the fourth quarter of 2026 for the release of both machines. Solstice 27 features two 27-inch displays and is to debut with “Bull Blitz Rampage”. The larger Solstice SuperNova has a 75-inch C-curve display and is to launch with “Dragon’s Law Super Fortune”. In casino management systems, Konami Group said adoption of its “Synkros” platform had expanded across casino properties and cruise ships operated by Carnival Corp. More than 150,000 slot machines were now connected to the system, according to the group. The group maintained its gaming and systems segment forecast for the financial year ending March 31, 2027, at JPY46 billion for revenue, and JPY6.5 billion for business profit. Group-wide revenue for the six months to September 30, rose 37.0 percent year-on-year, to nearly JPY307.98 billion. Profit attributable to owners of the parent increased 70.5 percent, to just under JPY79.24 billion. Konami Group raised its full-year group revenue forecast to JPY583 billion, from JPY505 billion, citing stronger-than-expected performance in its digital entertainment business. Its annual net profit forecast increased to JPY135 billion, from JPY101 billion. The group declared an interim dividend of JPY112 per share, payable on November 19. Its annual dividend forecast was raised to JPY299 per share, from JPY224.