Betsson AB Q2 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

The following is excerpted from the question-and-answer section of the transcript.

Question: Georg Attling - Pareto Securities AS, Research Division - Analyst : Congrats on a very strong quarter. Just my first question would be on the personnel costs, which are up 15% sequentially. Is this just a result of the wage pressure from inflation or are there any other factors that contribute to the increased personnel costs?

Question: Georg Attling - Pareto Securities AS, Research Division - Analyst : Okay. And then on the B2B side in the U.S., would you say that the sportsbook is completely ready to launch if you find the right customers or are there any other plans you have to make before it's completely ready? And also on the discussions with potential customers, could you just explain how these discussions are going and what feedback you're getting from the potential customers on the B2B follow-up?

Question: Georg Attling - Pareto Securities AS, Research Division - Analyst : Okay. And just a follow-up on that. Now that you've built the -- adapted the sportsbook to the U.S. market, do you think that you could further launch that in other regions like in LatAm or in Europe potentially or is it even for the longer term strictly to the U.S? REFINITIV STREETEVENTS | www.refinitiv.com | Contact Us consent of Refinitiv. 'Refinitiv' and the Refinitiv logo are registered trademarks of Refinitiv and its affiliated companies. JULY 21, 2022 / 8:00AM, BETSb.ST - Q2 2022 Betsson AB Earnings Call

Question: Georg Attling - Pareto Securities AS, Research Division - Analyst : Okay. And then just a final question from me on the bond. I know the size hasn't increased drastically, but it's still quite a big bond considering your balance sheet even adjusted for the bond and this obviously carries cost in terms of interest. Can you just explain the rationale for having this big liquidity? Is it to -- do you see like better M&A potential or opportunities now or how come you want to have such strong liquidity?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : I hope you can hear me.

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : Just on the trends in the market and your Q2 growth performance aside, sort of what trends are you seeing in the market now given the weaker macro picture?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : Okay. And I think that might be different from companies Max and the other. But if you look at past crisis, what were the key lessons that you learned from them?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : That's helpful color. And on the U.S., we discussed it a little bit already. But assuming that you will find a partner for your sportsbook, how quickly do you think that you could plug in and be up and running with B2B revenues?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : Okay. And you have ongoing discussions, is that fair to assume?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : And how do you feel about the competitive landscape for sportsbook systems as of today in that market?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : Okay. Jesper, while you are there, I want to ask you what are the trends now in Malta when it comes to for example the recruitment potential, salary inflations, competitive environment for new employees and finally also the regulatory trends down there with the tax situation, et cetera?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : Okay. And my final question is on Latin America. What would you say are the key drivers? Is it the existing markets or is it new ones?

Question: Martin Arnell - DNB Markets, Research Division - Analyst : And what could be the markets that you enter next in that region?