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Rush Street Interactive, Inc. (RSI)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 delivered 21% year-over-year revenue growth to $262.4M and record Adjusted EBITDA of $33.2M, with North American iCasino markets leading and disciplined marketing driving leverage; full-year 2025 revenue ($1.01B–$1.08B) and Adjusted EBITDA ($115M–$135M) guidance was reiterated .
- Gross margin expanded vs prior year to 34.9% (125 bps increase), reflecting revenue diversification and growth in more profitable markets; marketing spend was $38.8M (15% of revenue), indicating continued efficiency .
- Management flagged temporary headwinds from Colombia’s 19% VAT on deposits, absorbing via higher bonusing to maintain share; upside to revenue/EBITDA if the tax is repealed sooner than year-end .
- Near-term cadence: revenue likely lower in Q2 and Q3 than Q1, then strongest in Q4, driven by lapping Delaware launch and Colombia VAT timing; catalysts include poker multi-state liquidity expansion and product innovations (PropPacks) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record profitability: Adjusted EBITDA reached $33.2M (+95% YoY), with North American iCasino strength and disciplined spend supporting leverage .
- Market-led growth: Michigan revenue up 40%, Delaware >80% YoY in first comparable quarter, New Jersey +27%; management emphasized innovation and player experience as the driver of momentum .
- MAU growth and monetization: NA MAUs 203k (+17% YoY) with ARPMAU $368 (+3% YoY); LatAm MAUs 354k (+61% YoY) despite tax changes in Colombia .
- Quote: “Our Adjusted EBITDA reached a record $33 million…driven by our commitment to innovation and enhancing the quality of our player experience, alongside efficient acquisition and retention of high-value players.” — Richard Schwartz, CEO .
What Went Wrong
- Sportsbook headwinds: Player-friendly outcomes (Eagles Super Bowl, March Madness) pressured OSB hold despite product mix improvements .
- Colombia VAT impact: Despite ~55% GGR growth in local currency, net revenue in March fell YoY and was flat in April due to higher bonusing; LatAm ARPMAU dropped to $36 vs $44 last year .
- Guidance cadence: Mgmt highlighted revenue likely dipping in Q2/Q3 vs Q1 owing to full-quarter impact of Colombia VAT and tougher Delaware comps, moderating near-term top-line trajectory .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown (Q1 2025):
KPIs by region:
Balance sheet and capital actions:
- Unrestricted cash: $228M; no debt .
- Share repurchases: ~500k shares at $10.35 avg in-Q1; additional 234k at $10.55 post-quarter; $42M remaining under $50M authorization .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Strategy and differentiation: “We continue to achieve strong results by prioritizing innovation and the quality of our player experience, while…acquisition and retention of high-value players.” — Richard Schwartz .
- Colombia tax approach: “We have been absorbing the tax through higher bonusing rather than passing the cost on to our players…retain our market share, maintain strong player activity…albeit with lower NGR.” — Richard Schwartz .
- Guidance cadence: “Revenue would be lower in Q2 and Q3 than…Q1 and then Q4 would be the largest revenue quarter of the year.” — Kyle Sauers .
- Capital allocation: “We repurchased approximately 500,000 shares…leaving approximately $42 million remaining on our repurchase program.” — Kyle Sauers .
Q&A Highlights
- Colombia VAT impact and share retention: Net revenue down slightly YoY in March and flat in April despite ~55% GGR growth; strategy aims to retain share via targeted bonusing and reduced deposit turnover .
- Delaware trajectory and TAM: Growth to moderate as comps lap, but TAM could approach ~$300M GGR in a few years; continued strong execution .
- Poker expansion: Multi-state liquidity enhances cross-sell; positioning poker as an amenity to drive casino/sports engagement, supported by brand ambassadors .
- Sports hold/product mix: Continued improvements from parlays/props and merchandising; despite Q1 headwinds, margin structure trending better .
- Guidance color: Assumes Colombia VAT through year; upside to revenue/EBITDA if repealed early; revenue cadence biased to Q4 .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q1 2025 EPS and revenue was unavailable via S&P Global at the time of this analysis; therefore, no beat/miss vs estimates can be determined for Q1 2025 [Values retrieved from S&P Global].
- Given reiterated FY 2025 guidance and Q1 outperformance in North American iCasino, directional estimate revisions may skew modestly positive for FY EBITDA, with Colombia VAT path as the main variable .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Q1 momentum with record Adjusted EBITDA and strong NA iCasino execution supports confidence in reiterated FY 2025 guidance; leverage on marketing/G&A remains intact .
- Colombia VAT is the primary near-term headwind to net revenue; court rulings by late May/June could unlock upside to FY revenue/EBITDA if VAT is curtailed sooner than expected .
- Expect intra-year revenue cadence: softer Q2/Q3 vs Q1, then strongest Q4; trading setups around guidance reaffirmations and regulatory updates are likely catalysts .
- Delaware remains a structural growth market (post-launch normalization), while Michigan and New Jersey continue to contribute meaningfully; portfolio diversification by state mitigates localized pressures .
- Product-led improvements (SGP/props, PropPacks) and poker cross-sell expand hold and engagement, supporting margin trajectory in OSB and iCasino .
- Balance sheet strength (no debt, $228M cash) and buyback capacity ($42M remaining) provide optionality for capital returns and selective M&A .
- Monitor legalization momentum (e.g., Alberta Bill 48) and competitive tax dynamics; RSI’s focus on regulated markets and in-house tech positions it well for incremental market openings .
Other Relevant Press Releases (Q1 timing and subsequent catalysts)
- Earnings call scheduling and access details (April 10) .
- Product innovation—PropPacks expansion to MLB (May 29) .
- Poker multi-state liquidity expansion (June 10), with NJ planned later in the year .