BC
Bally's Corp (BALY)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 revenue was $589.2M, down 4.7% year over year; Casinos & Resorts rose 2.6% to $351.2M, while International Interactive fell 18.3% to $191.7M due to 2024 Asia divestiture; North America Interactive grew 12.5% to $44.5M .
- Pro forma combined revenue declined to $611.1M vs $674.7M in Q1 2024; Casinos & Resorts Adjusted EBITDAR rose 6.3% to $95.1M, while International Interactive Adjusted EBITDAR fell 7.7% to $77.1M; North America Interactive remained loss-making at -$6.6M .
- Versus S&P Global consensus: revenue was a slight miss ($589.2M vs $594.5M*), EBITDA missed ($80.7M* vs $99.2M*), but Primary EPS was a significant beat (+$1.47* vs -$0.68*)—reflecting non-GAAP/normalized EPS dynamics post merger and purchase accounting; the company did not disclose EPS in the release .
- Liquidity and leverage: cash was $209.7M and net long-term debt $3.43B at quarter-end; a new $500M 11% senior secured note and swaps hedged interest rate/currency exposures; $135M was drawn on the revolver .
- No earnings call was held (second consecutive quarter), limiting real-time Q&A; stock reaction the day of the release was roughly flat to slightly down intraday per media tracking .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Casinos & Resorts segment delivered 2.6% revenue growth and Adjusted EBITDAR up 6.3% to $95.1M, aided by Queen asset additions and operational initiatives to drive efficiencies and margins .
- U.K. online continued strength: U.K. revenue +4.9% (+5.6% cc), with robust player retention/monetization and Spain growth after easing of ad restrictions, supporting International Interactive ex-divested markets growth of 7.7% YoY .
- Strategic portfolio actions and integration: completion of Standard General/Queen transactions expanded domestic scale; ongoing construction of the permanent Chicago casino with GLPI support; announced AUD $200M commitment to Star (partly funded in April) to potentially own ~38% post conversion .
Quotes
- “These initiatives are focused on driving operating efficiencies, profitable top line growth and improving operating margins…” — CEO Robeson Reeves .
- “We continue to see relative stability across our C&R operations.” — CEO Robeson Reeves .
- “International Interactive revenue demonstrated continued strength in our U.K. operations.” — CEO Robeson Reeves .
What Went Wrong
- International Interactive reported -18.3% YoY revenue due to Asia business divestiture; segment Adjusted EBITDAR declined 7.7% to $77.1M .
- North America Interactive remained loss-making at -$6.6M Adjusted EBITDAR; while revenue grew, profitability lagged given platform, marketing, and scaling dynamics .
- Weather and competitive supply impacted regional markets; RI traffic disruptions and Chicago temporary fine-tuning; Atlantic City required leadership changes to improve performance .
Financial Results
Company-Level Performance vs Prior Periods
Values with asterisk (*) retrieved from S&P Global.
Notes
- Sequential revenue improved vs Q4 2024 (+1.5%), but remained below Q3 levels; margins rebounded from Q4 lows as operations normalized and Queen assets contributed .
- EPS data in the press release was not disclosed; S&P Global fundamentals indicate GAAP diluted EPS still negative, reflecting merger accounting and financing costs .
Q1 2025 Actuals vs S&P Global Consensus
Values with asterisk (*) retrieved from S&P Global.
Interpretation
- Slight top-line miss and EBITDA shortfall reflect softer International Interactive due to portfolio changes and regional headwinds; the large EPS “beat” aligns with Primary/normalized EPS mechanics post predecessor/successor accounting and may not reflect GAAP EPS trajectory .
Segment Breakdown (Pro Forma Combined)
KPIs and Balance Sheet/Cash Flow
Guidance Changes
Notes: Company reiterates non-GAAP policy that it does not reconcile forward-looking Adjusted EBITDAR due to inability to forecast certain items .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
No Q1 2025 earnings call transcript is available; media and company notices indicate no call was held (also cancelled for Q4 2024) .
Management Commentary
- “The team has overcome some traffic impacts in Rhode Island through marketing interventions… we expect improvements in Atlantic City based on recent leadership changes.” — CEO Robeson Reeves .
- “International Interactive revenue demonstrated continued strength in our U.K. operations… Excluding revenue from the divested markets and licensing revenue recognized, International Interactive revenue grew 7.7% year over year.” — CEO Robeson Reeves .
- “Bally’s AUD $200 million investment [in Star]… upon conversion, could result in Bally’s owning approximately 38% of Star.” — CEO Robeson Reeves .
- Segment recast to align with strategic growth initiatives and decision-making; prior periods reclassified for comparability .
Q&A Highlights
- No Q&A; the company did not hold an earnings call for Q1 2025 (and cancelled Q4 2024 call), limiting real-time guidance clarifications and tone assessment .
Estimates Context
- Revenue modestly missed S&P Global consensus ($589.2M vs $594.5M*). EBITDA missed ($80.7M* vs $99.2M*). Primary EPS showed a large beat (+$1.47* vs -$0.68*), likely reflecting normalized EPS treatment amid predecessor/successor accounting and non-GAAP adjustments post-merger; GAAP diluted EPS remained negative per S&P fundamentals, and the company did not disclose EPS in its release .
Values with asterisk (*) retrieved from S&P Global.
Where estimates may adjust
- Expect modest downward revisions to EBITDA and potentially revenue for near term given International Interactive reset and NA Interactive profitability lag; EPS models may diverge (normalized vs GAAP) until post-merger purchase accounting items and financing costs stabilize .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Integration of Queen assets is boosting C&R scale and Adjusted EBITDAR, but regional headwinds (weather, RI traffic, AC stabilization) temper flow-through; operating initiatives should support margins in 2025 .
- International Interactive is undergoing portfolio quality upgrade—ex-divested growth and U.K. resilience support margins—but headline revenue declines persist due to Asia divestiture .
- NA Interactive revenue growth continues with iGaming and BallyBet presence in 11 states; profitability remains the key unlock as platform/product optimization proceeds .
- Chicago permanent casino is a core medium-term catalyst; GLPI partnership and construction progress de-risk execution; temporary facility continues database building .
- Balance sheet: increased leverage post transactions and notes issuance; revolver draw and hedging reduce rate/currency risk; cash improved QoQ—focus on disciplined capital allocation and project ROI .
- The lack of an earnings call limits immediate guidance clarity and narrative control; near-term stock moves may anchor to press release metrics and media interpretations rather than management’s live tone .
- Strategic investment in Star offers optionality for value creation but requires approvals and execution discipline; reduced commitment to AUD $200M mitigates funding risk .
Values with asterisk (*) retrieved from S&P Global.