Playtech H1 EBITDA Jumps 77% Driven by US Growth

Playtech (LSE: PTEC) reported a 77% jump in adjusted EBITDA for H1 2026, with rapid North American growth helping the company to comfortably beat analysts’ expectations. Playtech’s performance in the US helped the company to strong growth in H1 2026. (Image: Playtech) Revenue increased 10% to €425.1 million ($494.6 million), compared with €387 million ($450.2 million) a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA reached €162.5 million ($189.1 million), up from €91.6 million ($106.6 million). B2B accounted for the majority of the revenues, and increased 14% to €394.8 million ($459.3 million), while adjusted B2B EBITDA climbed 75% to €128.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin from operations increased to 30%, from 19%. Free cash flow also surged to €101 million ($117.5 million), compared with €6.6 million in H1 2025. Playtech said the results represented its third upgrade during 2026, with CEO Mor Weizer noting that the half was “significantly ahead of our expectations at the start of the year.” Hard Rock Digital Powers North American Surge Weizer singled out the “outstanding performance” in the US, driven by Playtech’s partnership with Hard Rock Digital. US and Canada revenue rose 161%, or 176% at constant currency. Playtech said the increase was largely driven by a new motor racing and slot hybrid product that has performed strongly with Hard Rock Bet in Florida. The product uses outcomes from historical motor-racing events rather than random number generator mechanics. Playtech cautioned that the unusually strong contribution will “normalise at a more sustainable level” during H2. Playtech’s investment in Hard Rock Digital has also risen sharply in value. Playtech invested around €80 million in 2023 for a low-single-digit stake. That holding was valued at €246.7 million ($287 million) at the end of June. The company has also expanded its regulated iGaming presence to six US states. It launched with Fanatics across multiple states, FanDuel in West Virginia, and Bet365 in Michigan. Weizer also noted “excellent growth” in Latin America, helped by a revised agreement with Caliente Interactive. Latin America revenue grew 29% on an underlying basis. Playtech received €37.4 million in gross dividends from Caliente Interactive during H1. The supplier maintained FY2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance above €270 million ($314.2 million). However, it expects H2 EBITDA to come in below H1. That reflects the normalization of Hard Rock Bet revenue, continued investment in Brazil, and a full-half impact from higher UK Remote Gaming Duty. Playtech Says Report Supports Black Cube Findings Playtech used its H1 results to make a public case in its ongoing legal dispute with Evolution, focusing on new details from a report Evolution itself commissioned. The Spectrum Report has now been filed in full on the New Jersey court docket. Playtech said Evolution had resisted its public disclosure for months. According to Playtech, the report is important because it “corroborates fundamental aspects of the Black Cube investigation.” The company also said Spectrum “identifies significant concerns regarding Evolution’s compliance and monitoring practices.” Playtech also said the report records that Evolution “did not provide certain data requested by Spectrum to assess other serious allegations.” Evolution commissioned Spectrum with the aim of rebutting the controversial 2021 Black Cube investigation. Playtech was identified in October 2025 as the party that commissioned Black Cube. Evolution alleges that the original report contained false or misleading claims that were circulated to regulators, lawyers and media to damage its business. The post Playtech H1 EBITDA Jumps 77% Driven by US Growth appeared first on Casino.org.