Gaming device maker and licensed Nevada online poker technology provider Shuffle Master Inc. saw profits rise 14% to $10.4m in its fiscal Q3, building on the solid momentum from its second quarter. Overall revenues rose 8.7% to $63.4m, while total recurring revenue rose 12% to $30m, a company record and the 15th consecutive quarter of recurring revenue growth. Adjusted EBITDA came in 9% higher at $21.2m.
Total Utility revenue was up 8% to $24.4m thanks to increased shuffler leases in the US and significant shuffler sales to a casino customer in Macau. Total proprietary table games revenue was up 18% to $13m as the progressive installed base increased by 356 units to 1,139. Electronic table systems revenue fell 11% to $6.1m due to a 29% decrease in sales and lower average prices per unit. Electronic gaming machines (EGM) revenue was up 11% to $20m thanks to a 150-unit sale to a customer in the Philippines that helped bring the total EGM placement to 1,050.
Shuffle Master competitor Bally Technologies – which has its own Nevada online poker provider license and is already providing the back end for free-play site GoldenNuggetPoker.com – was recently awarded a core service associate certificate by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). Bally is also awaiting approval of its Gibraltar license application, clearly eager to capitalize on its February acquisition of Chiligaming’s B2B iGaming platform by striking deals with a number of European operators.
Bally also recently announced a licensing deal with auto racing outfit NASCAR, the first “world-class” licensed brand Bally has carried across its games and systems business. The NASCAR progressive slot machine – which plays on fans’ affinity for famous drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and others – will make its debut at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Oct. 2-4 in Las Vegas. The G2E will also mark Bally’s debut of its Elite Bonusing Suite’s Virtual Racing NASCAR product. Frankly, we’re surprised it took this long for someone to connect NASCAR with slot machine reels – fans of both appear quite comfortable watching things go endlessly round in circles.
