Americas growth powers Playtech’s strong 2026 start
Table of contents
- Playtech reports strong trading across the US, Mexico and select European markets for January to April 2026.
- Live casino segment records solid performance as returns on multi-year investments accelerate.
- Senior independent director Ian Penrose announces intention to step down from the board.
Playtech has reported an “excellent” start to 2026, with trading across the first four months of the year surpassing expectations in the Americas and delivering continued momentum in Live casino.
The update was published on Wednesday, 20 May, ahead of the company’s Annual General Meeting.
Americas leads growth
The trading update covers Playtech‘s performance in the first four months of 2026, with the company continuing to outperform expectations across the Americas region, driven by strength in the US and Mexico.
The company noted continued strength in the US, Mexico and certain European markets, as well as a solid performance in live casino. US and Canada revenue jumped 64% to €21.8 million in H1 2025, a run-rate that management says is now translating into meaningful profitability contributions.
Playtech stopped short of revealing specific financial figures for the current period but offered qualitative insight into its performance.
Mor Weizer, chief executive of Playtech, said:
“We have made an excellent start to 2026, with strong trading in the first four months of the year reflecting continued momentum in regulated markets, notably the Americas and certain European markets.”
Weizer also addressed the company’s partnership in Mexico. Playtech signed a new agreement with Mexico-facing partner Caliente in September 2024 regarding the companies’ Caliplay joint venture, which has been a core area of growth for the supplier.
“Our partnership with Caliente Interactive in Mexico continues to perform strongly, with the upcoming World Cup representing a significant opportunity to further strengthen Caliente’s leadership position in the market,” Weizer added.
“Performance in the US, in particular, has been encouraging, as returns on our investments over recent years continue to accelerate and contribute meaningfully to profitability.”
The update follows a series of positive signals on the Americas. In its March trading update, Playtech said growth in the Americas was “ahead of expectations,” with US revenue up 100%.
The company’s FY25 results and February trading update both flagged the outperformance as a structural trend rather than a one-off.
Board change announced
Ian Penrose has notified the company of his intention to step down from the board.
At the request of chairman John Gleasure, Penrose has agreed to remain as a non-executive director, senior independent director and chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee until after the publication of the group’s final results for the year ending 31 December 2026.
Gleasure, non-executive chairman of Playtech, said:
“Ian has brought deep global industry experience to Playtech, and has always shown total commitment and dedication during what will have been almost nine years of service to Playtech. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Analyst reaction
Shares in Playtech were trading 3.51% higher at 375.95 pence in London on Wednesday.
Full-year 2026 EBITDA consensus estimates, which have already risen 15% year-to-date, may continue to edge higher on a low-single-digit basis. Consensus currently forecasts EBITDA of €217 million for full-year 2026, up 10% year on year.
One open question remains the operational review of its UK white label business.
CFO Chris McGinnis launched a review of the Sun Bingo operation during the FY2025 earnings call in March 2026, following the increase in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% on 1 April, a rate McGinnis said makes the business unprofitable. No update on that review was included in Wednesday’s statement.
For operators and investors, the trajectory points firmly towards the Americas as Playtech’s primary growth engine heading into the second half of 2026.
The FIFA World Cup, scheduled to kick off in the United States, Canada and Mexico in June, could provide a further near-term catalyst, particularly for the Caliplay business in Mexico, and will be a closely watched test of whether commercial momentum can be sustained at scale.
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