Betsson H1 2026 Profit Falls as World Cup Lifts Revenue

Betsson grew revenue in the first half of 2026 but reported a sharp fall in profit, as higher taxes and a weaker B2B business outweighed a FIFA World Cup boost to betting. The Stockholm-listed operator posted second-quarter revenue of about 310 million euros, up on the prior year, while first-half EBITDA fell around 33 percent and operating income dropped by more than 40 percent. Latin America revenue surged 32 percent to record levels, cushioning the earnings decline.

The results, published on 17 July 2026, capture a company growing its top line while its margins compress. Betsson entered 2026 having already flagged a tougher tax environment, and the first half shows the operator leaning on regulated growth markets and a World Cup summer to keep revenue moving even as reported profit slides.

What did Betsson report for H1 2026?

Betsson reported first-half revenue of roughly 595 million euros, higher than a year earlier, alongside EBITDA of about 108 million euros, down around 33 percent, and operating income of about 76 million euros, down more than 40 percent. The pattern is consistent across the half and the quarter: revenue up, earnings down. Management attributes the profit squeeze to a higher tax burden and softer B2B performance.

How did the second quarter perform?

Second-quarter revenue came in at about 310 million euros, an increase on the same period in 2025. Quarterly EBITDA of roughly 58 million euros was down about 31 percent, and operating income of about 42 million euros fell around 39 percent. The quarter benefited from the FIFA World Cup, which kicked off in June and lifted sportsbook activity across several of Betsson's markets.

What are the key numbers?

• Q2 2026 revenue: about 310 million euros, up year on year (Betsson interim report).
• H1 2026 EBITDA: about 108 million euros, down roughly 33 percent (Betsson interim report).
• H1 operating income: about 76 million euros, down more than 40 percent (Betsson interim report).
• Latin America revenue: up 32 percent to record levels (Betsson interim report).

What did Betsson's CEO say?

Chief executive Pontus Lindwall pointed to healthy underlying growth in the customer-facing business and singled out the World Cup as a positive factor for the quarter.

The second quarter was characterised by continued healthy growth in our B2C business, positively impacted by the FIFA World Cup that kicked off in June, said Pontus Lindwall, chief executive of Betsson.

How big was the World Cup effect?

The tournament provided a clear tailwind, especially in Latin America. Betsson said the World Cup drove high activity among both new and existing customers and contributed to record regional revenue. The 2026 edition, co-hosted across North America and expanded to more teams, has been a commercial event for the whole sector, and Betsson's Latin American exposure positioned it well to capture the surge in wagering.

Why did profit fall if revenue grew?

Profit fell mainly because of higher taxes and a weaker business-to-business division. Betsson has flagged rising gambling taxes across several markets as a drag on the bottom line, and its B2B revenue came in below the prior year, weighing on group profitability. The result is classic margin compression: more money coming in the front door, but a larger share of it consumed by tax and by softness in a higher-margin segment.

Which regions drove the result?

Latin America was the standout, with revenue up 32 percent to record levels and Peru and Argentina among the strongest performers. Italy delivered all-time-high revenue, led by casino, while Betsson also reported positive development in the Baltics, Georgia and Croatia and higher revenue in France. That geographic spread is central to Betsson's strategy of balancing mature European markets against faster-growing regulated territories.

How did casino and sportsbook compare?

Growth was modest in both core products. Casino revenue rose about 2 percent and sportsbook revenue about 1 percent, so the headline revenue gain leaned heavily on regional mix and the World Cup rather than a broad surge in either vertical. The relatively even split underlines that Betsson's first-half story is about where it operates as much as what it sells.

Metric	H1 2026	Change year on year
Revenue	About 595 million euros	Higher
EBITDA	About 108 million euros	Down about 33 percent
Operating income	About 76 million euros	Down more than 40 percent
Latin America revenue	Record level	Up 32 percent
Casino revenue	Growth	Up about 2 percent
Sportsbook revenue	Growth	Up about 1 percent

How does this compare with rivals?

Betsson's mix of rising revenue and falling profit echoes a wider theme in the sector, where operators are growing volumes while heavier taxation eats into earnings. Swedish peer Svenska Spel recently posted a strong second quarter, and across the industry the World Cup lifted wagering even as tax changes reshaped the profit picture. The common thread in 2026 results is that top-line strength no longer guarantees earnings growth.

What is the outlook for the rest of 2026?

Betsson heads into the second half with momentum in Latin America and a full World Cup quarter behind it, but the same tax pressures that hit the first half remain in place. The key questions are whether B2B stabilises and whether the operator can convert World Cup customer acquisition into lasting activity once the tournament fades. Management's tone suggests confidence in the B2C engine, with the caveat that margins will stay under pressure while tax costs are elevated.

Updated July 2026

Figures are drawn from Betsson's interim report for the first half of 2026 and are rounded. This article will be updated if the company revises any figure. Reported by the iGaming Daily Newsroom.

Frequently asked questions

Did Betsson make more or less money in H1 2026?

Betsson grew revenue but reported lower profit. First-half EBITDA fell about 33 percent and operating income dropped by more than 40 percent, even as revenue rose.

How much did the World Cup help Betsson?

The FIFA World Cup, which kicked off in June, boosted second-quarter activity, especially in Latin America, where revenue rose 32 percent to record levels.

Why did Betsson's profit fall?

Higher gambling taxes and a weaker B2B division cut into earnings. Together they offset the revenue gains from the customer-facing business.

Which markets performed best for Betsson?

Latin America led, with Peru and Argentina strongest, while Italy posted all-time-high revenue driven by casino.

Who is Betsson's CEO?

Pontus Lindwall is chief executive of Betsson and commented on the first-half results.