Playtech shares have jumped 17.9% following the gaming supplier’s trading update for H1 2026, which bosses said was “significantly ahead of market expectations”.
The update, published on Wednesday, 9 July, cited Playtech’s strong performance in the US, in addition to “continued strength in Mexico, Colombia and certain European markets” in H1 2026.
The London-listed firm’s share price sits at £3.77 at the time of writing.
Strong performance in the Americas was also highlighted during the company’s previous trading update prior to its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May.
Playtech estimates adjusted EBITDA for H1 to exceed €155m.
Looking ahead to the second half of the year, management said it expects adjusted EBITDA from July to December to be lower than H1.
This was partly attributed to an expectation that revenue tied to Playtech’s Hard Rock Digital deal – built around Past Motor Racing Results – would settle into a lower but more sustainable run‑rate through H2 2026 and into 2027.
Playtech also noted “a significant partnership” in the Brazilian market, which is expected to launch in H2 and start contributing to company growth from 2027 onwards.
The supplier also said it will continue to absorb the impact of the increase of remote gaming duty (RGD) in the UK as the year progresses.
RGD increased from 21% to 40% in April 2026, as announced during the Autumn Budget.
In turn, adjusted EBITDA for the year is expected to reach at least €270m, with such a figure being “significantly above the current analyst consensus”.
The company is expected to release its interim results for H1 2026 on 10 September.
Playtech CEO Mor Weizer attested that the company will “continue to further establish itself in regulated and regulating markets” during the rest of the year.
He said: “We achieved an excellent performance in the first half of 2026, reflecting continued momentum in regulated markets, notably the Americas and certain European markets.
“Performance in the US, driven by our partnership with Hard Rock Digital, has been exceptionally strong, and we are delighted to see returns on our investments over recent years accelerate and contribute significantly to profitability and cash flow.
“Playtech continues to further establish itself in regulated and regulating markets going into the second half of the year, and we are pleased with the progress towards our medium-term targets. We look forward to publishing our interim results in a few weeks.”
H1 has also seen developments in Playtech’s ongoing legal dispute with Evolution over the report published by Israeli intelligence firm Black Cube in 2021.
Last month, the Superior Court of New Jersey denied Evolution’s request to add Playtech as an additional defendant to the libel lawsuit.
As a result, Evolution will have to go through with its existing Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA) hearing with Black Cube and law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky in November 2026.
Upon completion of the hearing, Evolution could still choose to take further action and look to add Playtech to the lawsuit once again.
The post Playtech shares jump 20% with H1 trading “significantly ahead of market expectations” first appeared on EGR Intel.
Latest trading update from the gaming giant cites strong performances in the US and South America, with adjusted EBITDA for the year expected to be at least €270m
The post Playtech shares jump 20% with H1 trading “significantly ahead of market expectations” first appeared on EGR Intel.