Betsson Group Reports Record Regulated Revenue Following Ten Year Strategic Expansion into Italian Market

Betsson CEO Pontus Lindwall credits a 10-year Italy strategy for record regulated revenue despite a 3% dip in total group turnover.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:50 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from iGB

Strategic Persistence Secures Profitability in the Italian Market

The recent quarterly earnings for Betsson highlight the culmination of a decade long investment strategy within the Italian digital gaming sector. CEO Pontus Lindwall noted that building a profitable B2C presence requires extensive time to develop brand awareness and local teams, often starting from a zero base. In Italy, the company absorbed costs and negative profits for approximately ten years before achieving its current profitable status. This long term approach has resulted in record levels of turnover and deposits within Western Europe for the first quarter of 2026.

Regulated Market Transition as a Core Corporate Priority

A significant shift in Betsson's revenue mix saw locally regulated markets accounting for 73 percent of total group income, a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year. Lindwall emphasized that moving away from point of supply regulation toward local compliance is a foundational element of the company's long term vision. This strategy aims to secure a dominant position as more global jurisdictions tighten oversight. The quarter established a new record for regulated revenue, signaling a successful pivot toward more stable, legally authorized income streams.

Financial Performance Tempered by B2B and Casino Declines

Despite the success in Italy, total group revenue experienced a 3 percent year on year decline, reaching 285.3 million euros. This dip was largely attributed to underperformance in the company's B2B segment and a 4 percent decrease in casino revenue. Furthermore, EBITDA fell by 36 percent to 50 million euros, down from 77.7 million euros in the same quarter last year. While sportsbook revenue saw a modest 1 percent increase, the overall financial results reflect the challenges of balancing growth in new regions against fluctuations in established product categories.