LONDON — Gambling software and technology giant Playtech PLC has reported a stronger-than-expected start to the fiscal year 2026, driven by a massive acceleration in its regulated market expansion across the Americas.
In a trading update released ahead of the company’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Playtech confirmed that its operations from January 1 to April 30 have significantly outpaced initial internal forecasts. The London-listed firm pointed to continued, heavy momentum in the United States and Mexico, paired with an exceptionally resilient performance from its global Live Casino division.
The robust 2026 kickoff follows a transitional 2025 financial year, which saw a 10% dip in year-on-year revenue to €763.6 million, largely due to structural modifications regarding its strategic partnership with Mexico’s Caliente Interactive. However, the heavy investments made over recent years in the Western Hemisphere are now translating directly into bottom-line profitability. In the US alone, Playtech’s revenue nearly doubled, backed by new iGaming state entries and expanded partnerships with operators like Hard Rock Digital.
“Performance in the US, in particular, has been highly encouraging, as returns on our investments over recent years continue to accelerate and contribute meaningfully to profitability,” said Playtech CEO Mor Weizer. “Despite ongoing sector headwinds, the combination of Playtech’s strong expansion in regulated markets, diversified footprint, and highly scalable technology leaves the group well-positioned to capture the significant market opportunities ahead.”
Following the announcement, institutional confidence surged, with major banking firms including Jefferies, Citi, and Deutsche Bank upgrading their price targets for Playtech stock (PTEC). The company has reiterated its confident medium-term target of achieving adjusted EBITDA between €250 million and €300 million, signaling a dominant rebound for the rest of 2026.
