Gentoo_Penguin
Gentoo_Penguin

Gentoo Media triggers strategic review following Q1 losses 

Gentoo Media Plc’s leadership is confident in its abilities as a standalone business as a strategic review of cost controls, including a forthcoming headcount reduction, is initiated.

Q1 trading saw the Stockholm and Oslo-listed media firm post revenues of €24.8m, down 11% on 2024 comparatives of €28m. Management sees the quarter as a period of strategic adjustment for Gentoo’s media portfolio, accommodating regulatory changes in Brazil and terminating “low-value” channels.

Of significance, Gentoo has vowed to reduce its publishing portfolio to approximately 70 websites, focusing only on those that demonstrate high organic traffic potential, brand equity, or monetisation capacity.

The strategic shift was reflected in a downturn in KPIs, as first-time depositors (FTDs) fell by 24% year-on-year (95,000 vs. 125,000 in Q1 2024), as Gentoo pivoted towards “higher-value markets at the cost of overall player volume.”

Group EBITDA stood at €8.2m before special items, down 39% from €13.5m in the prior year, with Gentoo’s EBITDA margin declining from 48% to 33%.

In the short term, Gentoo is rebalancing its Brazilian strategy due to regulatory adjustments following the activation of the Bets regime on 1 January 2025.

Positively, Gentoo maintained Q1 player deposits at €180m. However, the income efficiency of revenue share contracts has declined due to compliance adjustments – a headwind viewed as temporary by management.

SBC News Gentoo Media triggers strategic review following Q1 losses 
Jonas Warrer: Gentoo Media

Gentoo CEO Jonas Warrer explained: “While Q1 reflects short-term disruption, especially in Brazil, we are already executing on a leaner, more focused strategy. The strategic shifts taken were deliberate and essential. We expect improved margins and growth to resume in the second half of 2025. Our vision is to lead with execution, innovation, and sustainable growth.”

Brazil aside, Gentoo continues to re-optimise its portfolio of media assets to stabilise income performance – a process underscored by the sharp €1.9m year-on-year revenue decline at Casinotopsonline, which weighed on the publishing division despite growth from stronger performers such as WSN.com and AskGamblers.com.

Entering Q2, Gentoo has begun executing a cost-base efficiency programme that includes a reduction in corporate headcount. The programme began in April, though Gentoo has not disclosed the number of roles affected.

These changes are expected to deliver significant run-rate savings in H2 2025 and beyond, as Gentoo closed Q1 2025 reporting a net loss of €2.7m.

Warrer concluded: “In April, we implemented significant organisational changes, including a broad reduction in headcount across the group. While these decisions were difficult, they were essential to reduce complexity and create the right foundation for future growth. We expect these changes to yield substantial annualised cost savings and unlock synergies from past acquisitions.”

Check Also

four figures under magnifying glass

People moves in iGaming as Entain & Gentoo add to senior leadership

Entain and Gentoo Media have both announced two new appointments, strengthening their individual senior leadership …

Gentoo Media

Gentoo eyeing up more M&A opportunities in post-GiG era

Leadership of Gentoo Media stated that the firm will pursue strategic acquisitions to build on …

SBC News GiG books €28m loss on 2024 accounts to begin standalone journey

GiG books €28m loss on 2024 accounts to begin standalone journey

A standalone GiG Software Plc aims to drive growth from a commercial pipeline of €75m …