Lottomatica has achieved a record high market share in the Italian online sector, reporting group revenue of €1.72 billion for the first nine months of 2026. This growth was underscored by the company’s online market share, which climbed to 32.4% in September alone.
In the third quarter of 2026, Lottomatica averaged a market share of 31.7%, reflecting a 0.9% year-on-year increase, fueled by a 2.1% rise in its iSports sector. The iGaming segment also saw an uptick of 0.6%.
The operator noted that €35.2 billion was wagered during the first nine months of the year, an 8% increase compared to the previous year, contributing to a 5% rise in group revenue. Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased to €3.52 billion, marking a 2% growth, while adjusted EBITDA surged 8% to reach €665 million.
Operating cash flow grew to €544.9 million, up from €504 million in the same period in 2025, while net financial debt stood at €2.16 billion as of September. Lottomatica maintained its guidance for fiscal year 2026, predicting adjusted EBITDA will fall within the upper end of its target range of €940 million to €980 million.
CEO Guglielmo Angelozzi emphasized the company’s solid quarterly performance, highlighting continued growth in both online and sports betting. "The third quarter of 2026 marks another strong quarter for Lottomatica, with double-digit growth in Online and Sports volumes, and in Adjusted EBITDA normalized (+17% YoY at normalized payout)," he stated.
Looking forward, Angelozzi expressed confidence in the company’s growth trajectory, citing favorable market dynamics and the execution of Lottomatica's strategy.
While online revenues surged 13% year-on-year to €780.82 million, other segments faced challenges. Revenue from Lottomatica’s sports franchise dipped 1% to €376.68 million, even as bets grew by 11%. This decline was largely attributed to favorable payouts for players. In a different context, if the sports betting payout was normalized to 80.5%, the sports franchise revenue would have increased by 13%. Moreover, the gaming franchise revenue decreased by 2% to €560.28 million.
As Lottomatica holds a significant retail presence, upcoming changes in Italy’s 2027 budget bill could impact its operations. Recently sent to parliament, the bill proposes raising the PREU machine levy on slot machines from 24% to 25% starting January 1, and increasing the levy on video lottery terminals from 8.6% to 9.6%. However, slots that pay out at least 70% in prizes will benefit from a reduced rate of 20%, with both the maximum stake per slot game and maximum prizes set to double to €2 and €200, respectively.
Additionally, Angelozzi highlighted a significant strategic development with the announcement of a merger with Cirsa. This merger, expected to finalize in the second quarter of next year, would position Lottomatica as the second-largest publicly listed gaming and sports betting operator globally. In its recent presentation, the company noted that integration workstreams are already in motion, and it aims to be fully prepared to implement the integration plan upon closing the deal. Financing has been secured and the next hurdle is to obtain further approvals, with Cirsa scheduling an extraordinary general meeting for November 30.
