Top 5 FTSE gambling stocks of 2021
Highlights
- The gambling sector witnessed a shift towards online betting during the pandemic.
- For online betting, adults aged over-65 were the fastest-growing age bracket, rising by 4.8 per cent between Sep 2019 to Sep 2021.
The gambling sector witnessed a shift towards online betting amid lockdowns restrictions since the onset of the pandemic.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP), online betting by adults aged over 65 was the fastest-growing age group between Sep 2019 to Sep 2021, rising by 4.8 per cent. The second fastest-growing age bracket was 45- to 54-year-old, rising by 4.5 per cent during the same period.
Let us take a look at the top FTSE listed stock in the casino and gambling sub-sector having a one-year return of over 20 per cent:
- Webis Holdings PLC (LON: WEB)
Webis Holdings is a holding company in the tech and gaming sector. It provides online betting services through its subsidiaries. It is a part of the FTSE AIM All-Share index.
The group’s online betting business WatchandWager.com received an Advanced Deposit Wagering license approval for the West Virginia Racing Commission on 18 May for a period of one year. However, the license will be renewable on an annual basis.
The group has given shareholders a return of 113.86 per cent in the past one year, as of 31 December. Its market capitalisation stood at £12.98 million.
- Playtech PLC (LON: PTEC)
Playtech, an FTSE 250 index constituent, is a gambling software development business.
In October, Australia based gambling machine maker, Aristocrat Leisure, had made a potential takeover offer for Playtech worth about US$ 3.7 billion. Aristocrat had said it expects the deal completion will occur in Q2 2022.
The group has given shareholders a return of 75.58 per cent in the past one year, as of 31 December. Its market capitalisation stood at £2,239.47 million.
- Gaming Realms PLC (LON: GMR)
Gaming Realms is a UK-based gaming company involved in casinos and other related services. It is a part of the FTSE AIM All-Share index.
The group’s total revenue in H1 2021 was at £7.7 million, higher by 50 per cent from £5.2 million reported in H1 2020. The H1 2021 adjusted EBITDA stood at £2.7 million, higher by 116 per cent from £1.2 million of H1 2020.
The group has given shareholders a return of 42.07 per cent in the past one year, as of 31 December. Its market capitalisation stood at £91.84 million.
- Sportech PLC (LON: SPO)
Sportech is a betting technology business and a constituent of the FTSE AIM All-Share index.
The group’s H1 2021 revenue stood at £13.4 million, which was higher by 70.3 per cent from £7.9 million in H1 2020 (on a constant currency basis).
The group’s H1 2021 gross profit was at £7.1 million, higher by 59.4 per cent, from £4.4 million in the previous year.
The group has given shareholders a return of 45.25 per cent in the past one year, as of 31 December. Its market capitalisation stood at £38.00 million.
- B90 Holdings PLC (LON: B90)
AIM-listed firm B90 Holdings is involved in the marketing of sports betting and other activities.
The group’s revenues, for the six months ended on 30 June, increased by 26 per cent to EUR 404,686, compared to EUR 321,089 in the same period a year before.
The group has given shareholders a return of 115.00 per cent in the past one year, as of 31 December. Its market capitalisation stood at £24.13 million.