Gaming Realms PLC Announces H1 2026 Pre-Close Trading Update
Rhea-AI Summary
Gaming Realms (PSDMF) issued a pre-close update for H1 2026, expecting Group revenue of approximately £15.5 million (H125: £16.0 million) and Adjusted EBITDA of about £6.6 million (H125: £7.5 million).
Excluding non-core brand licensing, which fell to £0.7 million from £2.4 million after a prior multi-year renewal, core revenue rose around 9% and Adjusted EBITDA about 16%. UK revenues grew 3% despite Remote Gaming Duty rising from 21% to 40%, with UK gross gaming revenue now above pre-staking-limit levels. Internationally, Gaming Realms launched content in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Peru, expanded in Spain with William Hill, and released 11 new games, including three from its new Lucky Lunar studio. Net cash was £13.5 million after returning £6.0 million via share buybacks, and the company reported confidence in meeting full-year market expectations, supported by a post-period launch in Alberta, taking its regulated market count to 33.
Positive
- Core revenue +9% year-on-year excluding non-core brand licensing
- Core Adjusted EBITDA +16% year-on-year on comparable basis
- UK revenue +3% despite Remote Gaming Duty increase to 40%
- Net cash £13.5m after £6.0m share buyback in H1 2026
- 11 new games launched, including three from Lucky Lunar studio
- 33 regulated markets for content distribution after Alberta launch
Negative
- Headline Group revenue down to £15.5m from £16.0m in H125
- Group Adjusted EBITDA down to £6.6m from £7.5m in H125
- Non-core brand licensing revenue fell to £0.7m from £2.4m
- Remote Gaming Duty in UK increased to 40% from 21% from April 2026
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Continued growth in core Content Licensing business with adjusted EBITDA up
UK returns to growth following Remote Gaming Duty increase
LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / July 28, 2026 / Gaming Realms plc (AIM:GMR), the developer and licensor of mobile-focused gaming content, is pleased to announce its pre-close trading update for the six months ended 30 June 2026 ("H126" or the "Period").
Highlights:
Group revenue expected to be approx. £15.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA £6.6 million
Core business revenue and Adjusted EBITDA up
9% and16% respectivelyUK revenues up
3% despite Remote Gaming Duty ("RGD") increasing from21% to40% from 1 April 2026UK gross gaming revenue now above levels prior to RGD increase
Further international expansion in Canada, South America, Africa and Europe
11 new games released
Net cash at the end of the Period of £13.5 million after £6.0 million returned to shareholders via share buyback programme
The Board is confident in the outlook for the second half of 2026 and remains on track to meet full year market expectations
After another strong period, the Board expects to report Group revenue of approximately £15.5 million (H125: £16.0 million) and Adjusted EBITDA of approximately £6.6 million (H125: £7.5 million).
The year-on-year movement in Group revenue and Adjusted EBITDA reflects a reduction in H1 26 non-core brand licensing revenue to £0.7 million (H125: £2.4 million). Excluding brand licensing, which had a significant multi-year brand licensing renewal in the prior period, Group revenue increased by approximately £1.2 million, or c.
In the UK, the increase in RGD to
During the Period, the Group continued to expand its international footprint, launching content in four new markets; Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Peru, as well as expanding further into Spain with William Hill. The Group also released 11 new games during the Period, including three from its newly established Lucky Lunar studio, further broadening and diversifying its content portfolio.
Net cash at the end of the Period was £13.5 million, after £6.0 million was returned to shareholders through the Group's ongoing share buyback programme, reflecting the continued strong cash generation of the business.
Post-period, the Group successfully launched its content in Alberta, Canada, on the first day of the province's newly regulated iGaming market. Alberta represents a significant opportunity for the Group, given its population and the strength of the Group's existing relationships with North American partners. This launch takes the total number of regulated markets in which the Group distributes its content to 33.
The Board is confident in the outlook for the second half of 2026 and remains on track to meet full year market expectations. Our core licensing business continues to deliver strong growth in North America, supported by the addition of Alberta as a newly regulated market. Combined with further market regulation and a robust pipeline of new game launches, we expect this positive momentum to continue.
Mark Segal, Chief Executive Officer of Gaming Realms, commented:
"We are pleased with our continued progress in the first half of 2026. Our core business delivered strong underlying growth, with revenue up around
"Our international expansion continues at pace, with new launches across Africa and into Peru taking us to 32 regulated markets by the end of the Period, while the launch of our new Lucky Lunar studio and eleven new game releases underline the strength and depth of our content pipeline. We remain confident in the Group's growth strategy and our ability to continue delivering value for shareholders in the second half of the year and beyond."
*Adjusted EBITDA is stated before share-based payments.
For further information please contact:
Gaming Realms plc
Michael Buckley, Executive Chairman 0845 123 3773
Mark Segal, CEO
Peel Hunt LLP - NOMAD and Joint Broker 020 7418 8900
George Sellar
Andrew Clark
Investec Bank plc - Joint Broker 020 7597 4000
James Hopton
Lydia Zychowska
Yellow Jersey 07747 788 221
Charles Goodwin
Annabelle Wills
About Gaming Realms
Gaming Realms creates and licenses innovative games for mobile, with operations in the U.K., U.S., Canada and Malta. Through its unique IP and brands, Gaming Realms is bringing together media, entertainment and gaming assets in new game formats. As the creator of a variety of SlingoTM, bingo, slots and other games, we use our proprietary data platform to build and engage global audiences. The Gaming Realms management team includes accomplished entrepreneurs and experienced executives from a wide range of leading gaming and media companies.
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SOURCE: Gaming Realms PLC
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire