Flutter Entertainment plc
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Mar 4, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Mar 4, 2025
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Flutter Entertainment plc (the “Company” or “Flutter”) and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”) is a global online sports betting and iGaming entity, operating some of the world’s most innovative, diverse and distinctive online sports betting and gaming brands such as FanDuel, Sky Betting & Gaming, Sportsbet, PokerStars, Paddy Power, Sisal, tombola, Betfair, TVG, Junglee Games, Adjarabet and MaxBet. As of December 31, 2024, the Group offers its products in over 100 countries. The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the Republic of Ireland with operational headquarters in New York.
Public Listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
On January 29, 2024, the Company completed its registration process with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") for public trading. On May 31, 2024, the Group moved its primary listing to the NYSE following the approval of shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on May 1, 2024. In addition, the Company maintains a listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company cancelled the secondary listing of its ordinary shares on Euronext Dublin with effect from January 29, 2024.
- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation — The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These consolidated financial statements do not constitute statutory financial statements for the purpose of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland. Our statutory financial statements for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, upon which our independent auditors have expressed an unqualified opinion, have been previously delivered to the Registrar of Companies and, in the case of the 2024 financial statements, which are not yet published, are expected to be delivered to the Registrar of Companies within 56 days of our annual return date in 2025.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, the impairment assessment of acquired goodwill and intangible assets, determination of the valuation of level 3 financial instruments relating to the redeemable non-controlling interest at fair value, the Fox Option, the valuation of intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination, deferred tax assets and liabilities, unrecognized tax benefits and the determination of loss contingencies. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and other subsidiaries where the Company directly or indirectly holds a controlling interest. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fair Value Measurements — Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair values. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The authoritative guidance on fair value measurements establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements as follows:
Level 1— Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date;
Level 2 — Inputs are observable, (other than Level 1 quoted prices) unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities; and
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market data for the related assets or liabilities.
The categorization of a financial instrument within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis relate primarily to (i) assets and liabilities acquired in connection with business combinations, and (ii) long lived assets and goodwill, which are remeasured when the fair value is below carrying value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these assets, the Group does not periodically adjust carrying value to fair value, except in the event of impairment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and highly liquid investments with an original contractual maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less and excludes customer monies, which are disclosed as Player Deposits. Cash and cash equivalents were $1,531 million as of December 31, 2024 and $1,497 million as of December 31, 2023, which comprise cash and call deposits with an original maturity of three months or less and money market funds.
Player Deposits – Cash and Cash Equivalents — Player deposits represent cash deposited by players in order to engage in our revenue-generating offerings and are held in various segregated bank accounts maintained and legally owned by the Group, but not used by the Group for general corporate purposes. The corresponding liability is recorded in player deposit liability, which represents the balances of players of the various platforms. A substantial portion of the player deposits which have a corresponding liability relating to our sports betting and iGaming operations are restricted from general corporate use by local licensing rules. Player deposits—cash and cash equivalents were $1,930 million as of December 31, 2024, and $1,752 million as of December 31, 2023.
Concentration of Credit Risk— Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and player deposits. The Group maintains cash and cash equivalents with various domestic and foreign financial institutions of high credit quality.
The Group performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of all relevant institutions through regular monitoring of credit ratings, credit default swaps and other public information, and takes action to adjust exposures to ensure that exposures to lower rated counter parties are kept to an acceptable level.
The Group’s sports betting and iGaming businesses are predominately cash and card businesses requiring players to pay in advance of the Group satisfying its performance obligation. Accounts receivable predominately consist of receivables from the Group’s point of sales affiliates in Italy. Procedures and controls exist in selection of point of sale affiliates with limits in place for acceptance of wagers on gaming terminals when applicable as well as daily checks on credit trends including blocking gaming terminals if there are unpaid amounts. During the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, the Group did not have any players that account for 10% or more of total revenues. Accounts receivable, net were $98 million as of December 31, 2024 and $90 million as of December 31, 2023.
Business Combinations — The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with ASC 805, which requires assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Any fair value of purchase consideration in excess of the fair value of the assets acquired less liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are determined based upon the valuation of the acquired business and involve management making significant estimates and assumptions.
Property and Equipment, net — Property and equipment, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided for using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Costs of maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or sale, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss).
The estimated useful lives for property and equipment categories are as follows:
| Asset Class | Useful Life |
|---|---|
| Equipment | 1 to 10 years |
| Furniture and fixtures | 3 to 10 years |
| Leasehold improvements | Shorter of the useful life of the leasehold improvements and the remaining lease term except if there is a transfer of ownership or an option to purchase the underlying asset which Flutter is reasonably certain to exercise, in which case leasehold improvements will be amortized over their useful life |
| Buildings: Freehold | 25 to 50 years |
| Land | Not depreciated |
The Group reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the long-lived asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount being the excess of the carrying value of the impaired asset over its fair value.
Intangible Assets, net– The Group’s intangible assets consist of trademarks, licenses, customer relationships, broadcasting and wagering rights, computer software and technology and software development costs. License fees incurred in connection with the application and subsequent renewal of licenses are capitalized. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination, such as trademarks, customer relationships and platform technology, are recognized at fair value at the acquisition date. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life except for customer relationships which are amortized based on the estimated customer attrition rates.
Finite lived intangible assets including capitalized software are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. An impairment expense is recognized when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the asset’s carrying amount being the excess of the carrying value of the impaired asset over its fair value.
| Asset Class | Useful Life |
|---|---|
| Trademarks | 8 to 20 years |
| Licenses | 2 to 20 years |
| Customer relationships | 4 to 20 years, based on estimated customer attrition rates |
| Computer software and technology | 2 to 5 years |
| Development expenditure | 3 to 5 years |
The Group capitalizes the costs incurred to develop software for internal use, pursuant to ASC 350-40, Intangibles, Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software, during the application development stage, which include costs to design the software configuration and interfaces, coding, installation and testing. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage along with post implementation stages of internal use software are expensed as incurred. Costs capitalized as internal use software are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 3 to 5 years and are included in cost of sales within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss).
Leases — The Group has lease agreements primarily for offices, retail stores, data centers and marketing arrangements. At contract inception, the Group determines if a contract is or contains a lease and whether it is an operating or finance lease. The Group recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of the lease unless external economic factors exist such that renewals are reasonably certain. In those instances, the renewal period would be included in the lease term to determine the period in which to recognize the lease expense. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Group elected the practical expedient to account for each lease component (e.g., the right to use office space) and the associated non-lease components (e.g., maintenance services) as a single lease component.
Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets of businesses acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Group has elected to begin with qualitative assessment, commonly referred to as “Step 0,” to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This qualitative assessment may include, but is not limited to, reviewing factors such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, entity-specific financial performance and other events, such as changes in the Group’s management, strategy and primary user base.
If the Group determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying amount, then the Group performs the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, no further analysis is required; otherwise, any excess of the goodwill carrying amount over the implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss, and the carrying value of goodwill is written down to fair value.
Long-term Debt— The Group’s long-term debt includes term loans, senior notes and a revolving credit facility. The term loans and senior notes are recorded at par value less debt issuance costs, which are recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the debt. The discount, premium and issuance costs associated with the term loans and senior notes are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the debt as a non-cash charge to interest expense. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility, if any, are recognized at principal balance plus accrued interest based upon stated interest rates. Long-term debt is presented as current if the liability is due to be settled within 12 months after the balance sheet date, unless the Group has the ability and intention to refinance on a long-term basis. In the event a debt is modified, the Group evaluates the transaction under ASC 470-50-40, Debt Modifications and Extinguishments. If the new debt terms are substantially different from the original debt terms, the original debt is accounted for as being extinguished and a new debt instrument will be recognized. If the new debt terms are not substantially different from the original debt terms, the transaction will be accounted for as a modification of the original debt terms.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — The Group uses derivative financial instruments for risk management and risk mitigation purposes. As such, any change in cash flows associated with derivative instruments are expected to be offset by changes in cash flows related to the hedged item. All derivatives are recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the other current assets, other non-current assets, other current liabilities, and other non-current liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss), other income/ (expense), net depending on the nature of the underlying exposure, whether the derivative is formally designated as a hedge and, if designated, the extent to which the hedge is effective. For undesignated hedges and designated cash flow hedges, this is primarily within the cash provided by operations component of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For designated net investment hedges, this is within the cash provided by investing activities component of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For the Company’s cash flow hedges, which use cross currency interest rate swaps to mitigate the risk of fluctuation of coupon and principal cash flows due to changes in foreign currency and interest rates related to the Group's hedged long-term debt, the related cash flows are reflected within the net cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Income Taxes— The Group accounts for income tax expense under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to operating loss carry-forwards and temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the related assets and liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in the income tax rates on deferred tax asset and liability balances is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such rate change. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
The Group records unrecognized tax benefits from tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return on the basis of applying a two-step process. First, the tax position is evaluated to determine the likelihood that it will be sustained upon external examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. If the tax position is deemed more-likely-than-not to be sustained, the tax position is then assessed to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the Group’s consolidated financial statements. The amount of the benefit that the Group recognizes is the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Group recognizes interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax benefit (expense).
Commitments and Contingencies — The Group is subject to various legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to uncertainty. The Group records an estimated loss from a loss contingency, with a corresponding charge to income, if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where there is a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred, the Group provides disclosure of such contingencies.
Revenue Recognition — The Group, in accordance with ASC, Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, recognizes revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring the control of promised goods or services to a customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Group expects to be entitled for those goods or services using a five-step process.
The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:
Identify the contract, or contracts, with the customer;
Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
Determine the transaction price;
Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract; and
Recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies performance obligations by transferring the promised good or services.
The Group is engaged in the business of digital sports entertainment and gaming, earning its revenue predominantly from two types of gaming products: peer-to-business (“P2B”) and peer-to-peer (“P2P”). The Group’s P2B products involve players playing against the Group and P2P products involve players playing/betting against each other and not against the Group, and the Group makes a commission on the games. The P2B products include a range of games of chance such as sportsbook, online casino, bingo and machine gaming terminals. The P2P products include betting and exchanges, such as Betfair Exchange, horseracing TVG, DFS, pari-mutuel wagering and poker. The Group’s main revenue streams are as below:
Sportsbook involves the player placing a bet (wager) on various types of sporting events at fixed odds determined by the Group. Bets are made in advance of the sporting event that will determine the outcome of the wager. The player places their bet in the custody of the Group until the event occurs and the result of the sporting event is determined, which will be at some time in the future.
The Group has an obligation to honor the outcome of the sporting event and to pay out an amount equal to the stated odds assigned at the time of the bet if the player wins. These elements to the Group’s obligation (honoring the outcome and paying out an amount) are not separable and are considered one performance obligation by the Group.
For a single wager, revenue represents the net win or loss from a sporting event, net of new player incentives and player retention incentives. Odds are set based on statistical probabilities such that the Group expects to realize a net win from the aggregation of all individual bets with players over time.
Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied which corresponds to the occurrence of the sporting event to which the betting relates, at which time recognition of the net win or net loss is recorded.
iGaming (including iGaming, Poker, and Lottery)
iGaming consists of a full suite of casino and online games such as roulette, blackjack, slot games, bingo, rummy and other card games. Casino games involve players placing wagers to play an online game against the Group. Games are designed to function and determine the outcome of the bet without the intervention of the Group and with only the player making decisions around their bet and the options given in the game. The Group generates revenue through the gross bets placed less payouts on winning bets, which is also referred to as “hold.”
The Group has an obligation to honor the outcome of the game and to pay out an amount equal to the stated odds if the player wins the game. These elements to the Group’s obligation (honoring the outcome and paying out an amount) are not separable and are considered one performance obligation by the Group. For a single wager, revenue represents the net win or loss from a game, net of new player incentives and player retention incentives. Individual online games are designed and function in such a manner that the Group expects to realize a net win from the aggregation of all the individual gaming transactions with a player over the relationship based on statistical probabilities. The Group’s performance obligations are satisfied upon the outcome of the game within a few minutes of the placement of the bet by the player at which time net win or net loss is determined and revenue is recognized at that time.
Poker
Online poker is a peer-to-peer game offered through multiple platforms within the Group where individuals engage in game play against other individuals, not against the Group. Players play against each other in either ring games (i.e., games for cash on a hand-by-hand basis) or in tournaments (i.e., players play against each other for tournament chips with prize money distributed to the last remaining competitors) or variations thereof. The Group collects a percentage of a game’s wagers, known as the rake, up to a capped amount in ring games and a tournament entry fee for scheduled tournaments and sit and go tournaments.
The Group’s performance obligation is to operate the ring games and tournaments in accordance with the rules, tabulate the results and pay out players based on the ring games’ and tournaments’ results. These elements to the Group’s obligation are not separable and are considered one performance obligation by the Group.
For ring games, revenue (the rake) is recognized at the conclusion of each poker hand. For tournaments, revenue from entry fees revenue is recognized when the tournament has concluded.
The Group operates a tiered loyalty program named PokerStars Rewards. Players earn a fixed amount of rewards points for everyone currency unit in entry fees for scheduled tournaments and rake. Chests are awarded for a fixed number of rewards points with the number of rewards points required for a chest varying based on tiers. Chests expire after 30 days if unopened. Players in the higher tiers are also entitled to participate in monthly poker challenges with the points targets and rewards personalized based on the players playing history in the form of star coins. Star coins can be exchanged by players for cash, bonuses or other rewards. Star coins expire if a play does not earn any reward points within asix-month rolling period.
PokerStars Rewards provides players with a material right that they would not receive without entering in game play against other individuals on the PokerStars platform and is treated by the Group as a performance obligation. The reward points are initially recognized as a contract liability with the Group allocating a portion of the rake and entry fee based on the relative standalone selling price. Revenue is recognized when the player exchanges the star coins for cash, bonuses, or other rewards. Revenue from star coins that are not expected to be redeemed is recognized in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by players.
Lottery
The Group is the lottery operator in Italy, Turkey, and Morocco and has a wide-ranging portfolio of draw-based (National Totalizer Numeric Gaming (“NTNG”)) products and instant lottery games that are distributed through affiliated sales points which consists of third-party sales points (coffee shops, tobacco shops, newsstands) and online, through the Group’s websites and apps and other online resellers authorized by the official regulatory bodies in these four markets.
The Group’s obligation for NTNG products includes designing new games, managing the operation and infrastructure of NTNG products, developing the distribution network and marketing support for NTNG products, acting as the national totalizator, and providing services for players and winners. These elements to the Group’s obligation of operating a draw-based lottery are not separable and are considered one performance obligation composed of a series of distinct services (i.e., days of service) that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the relevant local gaming authority, the Group’s customer.
The Group satisfies its performance obligation and recognizes revenue over time because the local gaming authority simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided as the Group performs the services. As consideration for operating the NTNG products on the local gaming authority’s behalf, the Group earns a fixed percentage of the draw-based lottery ticket sales made through its distribution network.
Where NTNG products are distributed through the Group’s websites and apps, the Group also earns a reseller commission. Reseller commission is recognized when the sale is concluded through the Group’s websites and apps. The Group also earns a facility fee from affiliated sales points. This is a fee for a portfolio of different services which includes marketing services and technical support. Revenue from facility fee is recognized over the facility service contract period.
The Group’s obligation for instant lottery games includes designing, printing and selling instant lottery products and providing the comprehensive services necessary to operate integrated instant product operations including: (i) instant products planning, monitoring and management systems functions, (ii) warehousing, inventory management and distribution functions, and (iii) marketing and game support functions. These elements to the Group’s obligation of operating instant lottery games are not separable and are considered one performance obligation composed of a series of distinct services (i.e., days of service) that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the relevant local gaming authority, the Group’s customer.
The Group satisfies its performance obligation and recognizes revenue over time because the local gaming authority simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided as the Group performs the services. As consideration for operating the instant lottery products on behalf of the local gaming authority, the Group earns a pre-determined percentage of the lottery ticket sales.
Other Revenue (including Exchange betting, Pari-mutuel wagering and Other)
Exchange betting
The Group’s betting exchange offers a platform for players to bet on the outcome of discrete sporting events. The platform offers players the opportunity to ‘back’ (bets than an outcome will occur) and ‘lay’ (bets that the outcome will not occur) with players betting against each other and not against the Group. The platform supports ‘in play’ betting (betting that takes place after an event has started and up to its conclusion) and ‘cash out’ which is a way for players to lock in a profit, or cut your losses, without having to wait for the event to finish. The Group earns a commission on the players winnings, net of discount which vary based on a players betting activity.
The Group’s performance obligation is to provide access to the platform, facilitate the placement of wagers including getting players matched at the best available odds through its exchange platform, and settle the wagers based on the results of the event to which the betting relates. These elements to the Group’s obligation are not separable and are considered one performance obligation by the Group. As such, revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied which corresponds to the occurrence of the event to which the betting relates, at which time recognition of the commission is recorded.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel wagers on horse and greyhound races are accepted through the Group’s wagering systems. Wagers placed through the wagering systems are sent into commingled pools at the host racetrack and are subject to all host racetrack rules and restrictions. The Group receives a fee for the wagers it has brought to the pool and does not collect anything else when a bettor loses, nor does it pay additional amounts (from its funds) when a bettor wins.
The Group is an agent in these transactions and records revenue on a net basis as it is merely offering access to the pool and simulcasting the event (the performance obligation). Revenue represents a percentage of amount of the wager (“handle”) from pari-mutuel wagers on horse and greyhound races. The percentage fee earned by the Group depends on the racetrack, type of wager accepted and the associated state regulations. Revenue is recognized only at the conclusion of the race, at which point all bettors are paid through the Group from the pool of funds based on closing odds of the applicable race. Revenue is stated net of new player incentives and player retention incentives.
Other
The Group’s Daily Fantasy Sports is a platform offering fantasy sports contests and fantasy sports tournaments which enables players to use their skill and knowledge of relevant professional sports information and the fantasy sports rules to compete against one another for prizes announced in advance of the event. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when the contest ends or when each round is completed over the period of the tournament.
The Group sponsors certain live poker tours and events, uses its industry expertise to provide consultancy and support services to the casinos that operate the events, and has marketing arrangements for branded poker rooms at various locations around the world. The Group also provides customers with other media and advertising services, and limited content development services with revenue generated by way of affiliate commissions, revenue share arrangements and advertising income as applicable. Revenue is recognized upon satisfying the applicable performance obligations, at a point in time or over time as applicable.
Revenue from sponsorships represents advertising campaigns for customers who become a presenting sponsor at events, which is recognized over the period of the sponsored event.
Interest revenue is earned from player deposits held in segregated bank accounts, which is accrued on a monthly basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable. While this is not revenue earned from contracts with players, interest revenue on player deposits is presented in revenue since it is earned on funds that are held as part of the Group’s revenue generating activities.
Contract balances
Contract assets and liabilities represent the differences in the timing of revenue recognition from the receipt of cash from the players. The Group’s contract assets balance is highly immaterial as the players are mostly required to pay in advance of the Group satisfying its performance obligation. Contract liabilities arise because of open sports betting positions, undrawn and unclaimed lottery prizes, and deferred revenue relating to loyalty points.
Cost of Sales — Cost of sales primarily consists of certain gaming taxes, annual license fees, platform costs directly associated with revenue-generating activities, including those costs that were originally capitalized for internally developed software, payments to third parties for providing market access, royalty fees for the use of casino games, payment processing fees, direct costs of sponsorships, usage costs including data services, revenue share payments made to third parties that refer players to the platform (“affiliates”), payments for geolocation services of online players and amortization of certain capitalized development costs related to the Group’s platforms. Cost of sales also includes compensation, employee benefits and share-based compensation of revenue-associated personnel, including technology personnel engaged in the maintenance of the platforms. It also includes property costs and utility costs for retail stores.
Technology, Research and Development Expenses —Technology, research and development expenses include compensation, employee benefits and share-based compensation for technology developers and product management employees as well as fees paid to outside consultants and other technology related service providers engaged in improving the appearance and speed of, the manner in which the Group categorizes and displays products on, and player interaction with, the Group’s online sports betting and gaming platform, the Group’s internal reporting tools, network security and data encryption systems, together with scoping, planning, visioning and targeting research and development efforts (preliminary project stage), of new or enhanced product offerings. These expenses are not directly associated with revenue earning activities and are intended to improve and facilitate the customer experience, ensure the quality and safety of the customer experience on the Group’s online sports betting and gaming platform and protect and maintain the Group’s reputation. Research and development expenses also include depreciation and amortization related to computer equipment and software used in the above activities together with equipment lease expenses, connectivity expenses, office facilities and related office facility maintenance costs related to the above activities.
Sales and Marketing Expenses— Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of expenses associated with advertising, sponsorships, market research, promotional activities, amortization of trademarks and customer relations, and the compensation of sales and marketing personnel, including share-based compensation expenses. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss). During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, advertising costs were $1,966 million, $1,703 million and $1,626 million, respectively.
General and Administrative Expenses — General and administrative expenses include compensation, employee benefits and share-based compensation for executive management, finance administration, legal and compliance, and human resources, facility costs, professional service fees and other general overhead costs.
Share-Based Compensation — The Group measures and records the expense related to share-based payment awards to employees based on the fair value of such awards as determined on the date of grant. The Group recognizes share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the individual grant, generally equal to the vesting period using the straight-line method. For share options with performance conditions, the Group records compensation expense when it is deemed probable that the performance condition will be met. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur.
Defined Contribution Plan— The Group offers various defined contribution plans under which the Company matches a portion of employee contributions each pay period, subject to maximum aggregate matching amounts, or contributes based on local legislative rates for eligible employees. Total defined contribution plan expense was $135 million, $107 million and $85 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Foreign Currency — The reporting currency of the Group is U.S. dollar. The Group determines the functional currency of each subsidiary in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, based on the currency of the primary economic environment in which each subsidiary operates. Items included in the financial statements of such subsidiaries are measured using that functional currency. The Group periodically re-assesses its operations to determine if previous conclusions are still valid. Changes in functional currencies are applied prospectively if the operations encounter a significant and permanent change.
For the subsidiaries where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar at the exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the exchange rates at the date of the transaction. All differences are recorded in other income / (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss).
For subsidiaries where the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, the Group uses the period-end exchange rates to translate assets and liabilities, the average monthly exchange rates to translate revenue and expenses, and historical exchange rates to translate equity accounts into U.S. dollar. The Group records translation gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) as a component of equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Earnings / Loss per Share — Basic earnings / loss per share is computed by dividing net profit / loss attributable to Flutter’s shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of shares has been adjusted for amounts held as treasury shares and amounts (if any) held by the Paddy Power Betfair plc Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”). Diluted earnings / (loss) per share is determined by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. Where any potential ordinary shares would have the effect of decreasing a loss per share, they have not been treated as dilutive. On redeemable non-controlling interests, the group utilizes the two-class method to compute earnings / (loss) per share. Under the two-class method, net profit / (loss) attributable to Flutter’s shareholders is adjusted immediately to recognize redeemable non-controlling interests at their redemption values. These adjustments represent ‘in substance’ dividend distributions to the non-controlling interest holders, in line with their contractual rights to receive redemption amounts that do not represent fair value of the applicable shares.
Redeemable Non-controlling Interests — Redeemable non-controlling interests are equity interests in subsidiaries that are redeemable outside of the Group’s control either for cash, Flutter’s own ordinary share, subsidiary’s equity interests, or other assets. These interests are classified as mezzanine equity and adjusted each reporting period for income (or loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest. An adjustment is then made to reflect the carrying value of non-controlling interests to the higher of the initial carrying amount adjusted for cumulative earnings allocations, or redemption value at each reporting date through retained earnings.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In fiscal 2024, the Group adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions, which clarifies the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, when measuring the fair value of an equity security subject to contractual restrictions and (ASU 2023-01), Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements, which requires leasehold improvements associated with common control leases to be amortized over the useful life to the common control group. The adoption of these new standards did not have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
Additionally, in fiscal 2024, the Group adopted ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires a public entity to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis and to provide in interim periods all disclosures about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires, among other things, additional disclosures primarily related to the income tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The expanded annual disclosures are effective for the year ending December 31, 2025. The Group is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2023-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and whether we will apply the standard prospectively or retrospectively.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-01, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): which clarifies how an entity determines whether a profit interest or similar award is (1) within the scope of ASC 718 or (2) not a share-based payment arrangement and therefore within the scope of other guidance. The ASU’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, including interim periods within those years with early adoption permitted. While the Group is continuing to assess the timing of adoption and the potential impacts of ASU 2024-01, it does not expect ASU 2024-01 to have a material effect on the Group’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40), which requires disclosure, in the notes to consolidated financial statements, of specified information about certain costs and expenses. The ASU’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027 with early adoption permitted. The Group is currently assessing the timing of adoption and the potential impacts of ASU 2024-03. The impact of the adoption will be limited to disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
- SEGMENTS AND DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE
The Group hasfour reportable segments:
U.S.
UK & Ireland;
International; and
Australia
U.S.
The U.S. segment offers sports betting, casino, DFS and horse racing wagering products to players across various states in the United States, mainly online but with sports betting services also provided through a small number of retail outlets and certain online products in the province of Ontario in Canada. The U.S. division consists of the following brands: FanDuel and TVG. Effective January 1, 2024, subsequent to our decision to close the sports betting platform FOX Bet, we reorganized how the PokerStars (U.S.) business is managed which resulted in a change in operating segment composition. As of the end of fiscal 2024, FanDuel online sportsbook was available in 23 states, FanDuel online casino was available in 5 states, FanDuel paid DFS offering was available in 44 states, FanDuel or TVG online horse racing product was available in 32 states, FanDuel free-to-play products were available in all 50 states.
UK & Ireland
The UK & Ireland (“UKI”) segment offers sports betting (sportsbook), iGaming products (games, casino, bingo and poker) and other products (exchange betting) through the Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair and tombola brands. Although the UKI brands mostly operate online, this division also included our 563 Paddy Power betting shops in the United Kingdom and Ireland as of December 31, 2024.
The International segment includes operations in over 100 global markets and offers sports betting, casino, poker, rummy and lottery, mainly online. Sisal, the leading iGaming operator in Italy, is the largest brand in the International division following its acquisition in August 2022. The International division also includes PokerStars, Betfair International, Adjarabet, Junglee Games and most recently MaxBet. In January 2024, we acquired an initial 51% controlling stake in MaxBet, a leading omni-channel sports betting and gaming operator in Serbia. In addition, effective January 1, 2024, subsequent to our decision to close the sports betting platform FOX Bet, we reorganized how the PokerStars (U.S.) business is managed which resulted in a change in operating segment composition. From January 1, 2024, PokerStars (U.S.) is included in the International segment as opposed to the U.S. segment. The Group continues to diversify internationally and is taking its online offering into regulated markets with a strong gambling culture and a competitive tax framework under which the Group has the ability to offer a broad betting and iGaming product range.
The Australia segment offers online sports betting products through the Sportsbet brand, which operates exclusively in Australia and offers a wide range of betting products and experiences across local and global horse racing, sports, entertainment and major events.
The Group's chief operating decision makers (“CODMs”) are the Group's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The CODMs use Adjusted EBITDA to allocate resources for each operating segment predominantly in the annual budget and forecasting process.The CODMs evaluate performance based on the Adjusted EBITDA of each operating segment by comparing actual results to previously forecasted financial information on a monthly basis. Adjusted EBITDA of each segment is defined as net income (loss) before income tax expense, other (expense) income net, interest expense net, depreciation and amortization, transaction fees and associated costs, restructuring and integration costs, legal settlements, gaming taxes expenses, impairment of property and equity and intangible assets and share-based compensation charge.
Beginning January 1, 2024, the Group revised its definition of Adjusted EBITDA, which is the segment measurement used to evaluate performance and allocate resources. The definition of Adjusted EBITDA now excludes share-based compensation as management believes inclusion of share-based compensation can obscure underlying business trends as share-based compensation could vary widely among companies due to differing plans that result in companies using share-based compensation awards differently, both in type and quantity of awards granted.
Segment results for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, have been revised to reflect the change in operating segment measurement and change in operating segment composition.
The Group manages its assets on a total company basis, not by operating segment. Therefore, the CODMs do not regularly review any asset information by operating segment and accordingly, the Group does not report asset information by operating segment.
The following tables present the Group’s segment information:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Revenue | |||
| U.S. | |||
| Sportsbook | $4,013 | $3,072 | $2,100 |
| iGaming | 1,524 | 1,045 | 687 |
| Other | 261 | 287 | 316 |
| U.S. segment revenue | 5,798 | 4,404 | 3,103 |
| UKI | |||
| Sportsbook | 1,691 | 1,463 | 1,323 |
| iGaming | 1,741 | 1,404 | 1,189 |
| Other | 166 | 180 | 152 |
| UKI segment revenue | 3,598 | 3,047 | 2,664 |
| International | |||
| Sportsbook | 730 | 603 | 335 |
| iGaming | 2,389 | 2,172 | 1,696 |
| Other | 138 | 117 | 107 |
| International segment revenue | 3,257 | 2,892 | 2,138 |
| Australia | |||
| Sportsbook | 1,395 | 1,447 | 1,558 |
| Australia segment revenue | 1,395 | 1,447 | 1,558 |
| Total reportable segment revenue | $14,048 | $11,790 | $9,463 |
iGaming revenue includes iGaming, Poker and Lottery.
The information below summarizes revenue by geographical market for the year ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| U.S. | $5,729 | $4,391 | $3,176 |
| UK | 3,279 | 2,740 | 2,397 |
| Ireland | 304 | 305 | 283 |
| Australia | 1,397 | 1,447 | 1,558 |
| Italy | 1,484 | 1,352 | 690 |
| Rest of the world | 1,855 | 1,555 | 1,359 |
| Total revenue | $14,048 | $11,790 | $9,463 |
The following table shows the reconciliation of reportable segment Adjusted EBITDA to income (loss) before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| U.S. | $507 | $232 | $(175) |
| UKI | 1,117 | 911 | 776 |
| International | 653 | 562 | 328 |
| Australia | 295 | 357 | 485 |
| Reportable segment adjusted EBITDA | 2,572 | 2,062 | 1,414 |
| Unallocated corporate overhead1 | (215) | (187) | (126) |
| Depreciation and amortization | (1,097) | (1,285) | (1,075) |
| Share-based compensation expense | (202) | (190) | (181) |
| Legal settlements2 | — | — | 44 |
| Transaction fees and associated costs3 | (54) | (92) | (43) |
| Restructuring and integration costs4 | (135) | (132) | (121) |
| Other (expense) income, net | (434) | (157) | 5 |
| Interest expense, net | (419) | (385) | (212) |
| Impairment | — | (725) | — |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $16 | $(1,091) | $(295) |
1 Unallocated corporate overhead includes shared technology, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses that are not allocated to specific segments.
2 During the year ended December 31, 2022, the settlement oftwo separate legacy TSG litigation matters in the International and Australian divisions resulted in the release of various legal provisions and an Income Statement credit of $44 million.
3 Fees primarily associated with (i) advisory fees related to implementation of internal controls, information system changes and other strategic advisory related to the change in the primary listing of the Group, and transaction costs for Snaitech and NSX for the year ended December 31, 2024; (ii) transaction fees related to the listing of Flutter’s ordinary shares in the U.S. of $86 million for the year ended December 31, 2023; and (iii) Fox Option arbitration proceedings of $30 million and acquisition-related costs in connection with tombola and Sisal of $11 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
4 During the year ended December 31, 2024, costs of $135 million primarily relate to various restructuring and other strategic initiatives to drive synergies. These actions include efforts to consolidate and integrate our technology infrastructure, back-office functions and relocate certain operations to lower cost locations. It also includes business process re-engineering cost, planning and design of target operating models for the Group's enabling functions and discovery and planning related to the Group’s anticipated migration to a new enterprise resource planning system. The costs primarily include severance expenses, advisory fees and temporary staffing costs. The programs are expected to run until 2027. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, costs primarily related to restructuring and other strategic initiatives to drive increased synergies arising primarily from the acquisitions of TSG and Sisal.
These actions included efforts to consolidate and integrate our technology infrastructure, back-office functions and relocate certain operations to lower cost locations. The costs primarily included severance expenses, advisory fees and temporary staffing costs. Costs also included implementation costs of an enterprise resource planning system that could not be capitalized.
The following table shows the significant segment expense categories that are regularly provided to the CODMs and included in segment profit and loss for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| U.S. | |||
| Revenue | $5,798 | $4,404 | $3,103 |
| Cost of sales(1) | (3,353) | (2,534) | (1,787) |
| Technology, research and development expenses(2) | (270) | (196) | (108) |
| Sales & marketing expenses(3) | (1,278) | (1,150) | (1,142) |
| General and administrative expenses(4) | (390) | (292) | (241) |
| Total U.S. adjusted EBITDA | $507 | $232 | $(175) |
| UKI | |||
| Revenue | $3,598 | $3,047 | $2,664 |
| Cost of sales(1) | (1,287) | (1,113) | (978) |
| Technology, research and development expenses(2) | (162) | (155) | (135) |
| Sales & marketing expenses(3) | (700) | (591) | (542) |
| General and administrative expenses(4) | (332) | (277) | (233) |
| Total UKI adjusted EBITDA | $1,117 | $911 | $776 |
| International | |||
| Revenue | $3,257 | $2,892 | $2,138 |
| Cost of sales(1) | (1,521) | (1,342) | (951) |
| Technology, research and development expenses(2) | (207) | (206) | (168) |
| Sales & marketing expenses(3) | (471) | (456) | (484) |
| General and administrative expenses(4) | (405) | (326) | (207) |
| Total International adjusted EBITDA | $653 | $562 | $328 |
| Australia | |||
| Revenue | $1,395 | $1,447 | $1,558 |
| Cost of sales(1) | (763) | (763) | (754) |
| Technology, research and development expenses(2) | (34) | (32) | (28) |
| Sales & marketing expenses(3) | (223) | (225) | (229) |
| General and administrative expenses(4) | (80) | (70) | (62) |
| Total Australia adjusted EBITDA | $295 | $357 | $485 |
(1)Reportable segment cost of sales excludes amortization of certain capitalized development costs, share-based compensation of revenue-associated personnel and restructuring and integration cost directly associated with revenue-generating activities.
(2)Reportable segment technology, research and development expenses excludes share-based compensation for technology developers and product management employees, depreciation and amortization related to computer equipment and software not directly associated with revenue earning activities and restructuring and integration costs.
(3) Reportable segment sales and marketing expenses exclude amortization of trademarks and customer relations, share-based compensation expenses of sales and marketing personnel and restructuring and integration costs.
(4)Reportable segment general and administrative expenses exclude share-based compensation for executive management, finance administration, legal and compliance, and human resources, depreciation and amortization, transaction fees and associated costs and restructuring and integration costs.
The following table shows depreciation and amortization excluding amortization of acquired intangibles and share-based compensation expenses, excluding share-based compensation for the Group's executive management, finance, legal and compliance, and human resources functions by reportable segment that are regularly provided to the CODMs for review for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| U.S. | |||
| Depreciation and amortization excluding amortization of acquired intangible | $104 | $98 | $58 |
| Share-based compensation expense | 95 | 102 | 82 |
| Total U.S. | $199 | $200 | $140 |
| UKI | |||
| Depreciation and amortization excluding amortization of acquired intangible | $113 | $105 | $111 |
| Share-based compensation expense | 32 | 23 | 19 |
| Total UKI | $145 | $128 | $130 |
| International | |||
| Depreciation and amortization excluding amortization of acquired intangible | $222 | $208 | $120 |
| Share-based compensation expense | 31 | 30 | 58 |
| Total International | $253 | $238 | $178 |
| Australia | |||
| Depreciation and amortization excluding amortization of acquired intangible | $47 | $37 | $30 |
| Share-based compensation expense | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Total Australia | $57 | $45 | $38 |
The information below summarizes long-lived assets by geographic market as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| U.S. | $123 | $126 |
| UK | 99 | 82 |
| Ireland | 70 | 58 |
| Australia | 9 | 8 |
| Italy | 93 | 110 |
| Rest of the world | 99 | 87 |
| Long-lived assets | $493 | $471 |
- OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET
The following table shows the detail of other (expense) income, net for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) | $15 | $43 | $(162) |
| Fair value (loss) gain on derivative instruments | (2) | 7 | 152 |
| Fair value gain on contingent consideration | 3 | — | — |
| Loss on settlement of long-term debt | (7) | (6) | (65) |
| Financing related fees not eligible for capitalization | (8) | (29) | (9) |
| Loss on disposal | (7) | (5) | — |
| Fair value (loss) gain on Fox Option Liability | (426) | (165) | 83 |
| Fair value (loss) gain on investment | (2) | (2) | 6 |
| Total other (expense) income, net | $(434) | $(157) | $5 |
- INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
The following table shows the detail of interest expense, net for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Interest and amortization of debt discount and expense on long-term debt, bank guarantees | $(480) | $(424) | $(216) |
| Other interest expense | (10) | (6) | (3) |
| Interest income | 71 | 45 | 7 |
| Total interest expense, net | $(419) | $(385) | $(212) |
- INCOME TAXES
Income (loss) before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 consists of the following:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Ireland | $(292) | $144 | $298 |
| United States | 115 | (264) | (429) |
| Other countries | 193 | (971) | (164) |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $16 | $(1,091) | $(295) |
The components of income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 consists of the following:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Current: | |||
| Ireland | $7 | $44 | $42 |
| U.S. federal | (3) | (1) | — |
| U.S. state | 4 | 6 | (1) |
| Other countries | 194 | 203 | 179 |
| Total current tax expense | 202 | 252 | 220 |
| Deferred: | |||
| Ireland | $2 | $1 | $(7) |
| U.S. federal | (200) | — | — |
| U.S. state | (47) | — | — |
| Other countries | (103) | (133) | (138) |
| Total deferred tax (benefit) | (348) | (132) | (145) |
| Total income tax (benefit) expense | $(146) | $120 | $75 |
There is no income tax (benefit) expense recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
The reconciliation between the Irish statutory income tax rate, the trading income tax rate of our country of domicile, and our actual effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Irish corporation trading tax rate of | 12.5% | (12.5)% | (12.5)% |
| Depreciation on non-qualifying property and equipment | 8.9% | 0.1% | (1.6)% |
| Effect of different statutory income tax rates in foreign jurisdictions | 226.0% | 4.7% | (8.8)% |
| Non-deductible expenses | 230.5% | 1.5% | 9.8% |
| Non-deductible expenses (non-taxable) Fox option expense (income) | 606.1% | 3.6% | (3.9%) |
| Non-taxable income | (219.9)% | (1.6)% | (0.6)% |
| Recognition of deferred tax on internal asset transfers | —% | —% | (16.5)% |
| Effect of changes in statutory income tax rates | 1.7% | 0.1% | (0.8%) |
| Change in valuation allowance | (1444.5%) | 12.1% | 57.1% |
| Under (over) provision in prior year | (333.8%) | 3.0% | 3.2% |
| Actual effective tax rate | (912.5)% | 11.0% | 25.4% |
The Group’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 is materially impacted by (i) the change in valuation allowance of $178 million, primarily related to the release in U.S. federal and state valuation allowance; (ii) favorable changes in provision to return adjustments; and (iii) the effect of expenses which are not deductible for income tax purposes. The Group’s effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, was materially impacted by (i) change in valuation allowance (year ended December 31, 2023: $133 million; year ended December 31, 2022: $11 million) from our assessment of the future recoverability of deferred tax assets primarily in the U.S. and Netherlands; and (ii) the effect of expenses which are not deductible for income tax purposes.
The OECD is co-ordinating negotiations to implement a global minimum corporate tax of 15% for companies with global revenues and profits above certain thresholds (referred to as Pillar Two). Certain aspects of Pillar Two were effective from January 1, 2024 and other aspects are effective from January 1, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024 the Group incurred insignificant income tax expense in connection with Pillar Two. Under GAAP, the OECD Pillar Two rules are considered an alternative minimum tax and therefore deferred taxes were not recognized or adjusted for the estimated effects of the minimum tax.
The components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Deferred tax assets | ||
| Property and equipment | $39 | $29 |
| Irish deferred amortization deductions | 65 | 34 |
| Share-based compensation | 44 | 63 |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | 850 | 881 |
| Other | 226 | 168 |
| Total deferred tax assets | 1,224 | 1,175 |
| Valuation allowance | (878) | (1,067) |
| Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | 346 | 108 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||
| Intangible assets | (684) | (886) |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (684) | (886) |
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $(338) | $(778) |
Deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset at December 31, 2024 and 2023 to the extent they relate to the same tax-paying component. Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is a deferred tax asset of $267 million (December 31, 2023: $24 million) and a deferred tax liability of $605 million (December 31, 2023: $802 million).The movement in the valuation allowance balance differs from the amount in the effective rate reconciliation due to adjustments affecting balance sheet only items and foreign currency.
The deferred tax liability in relation to intangible assets disclosed above primarily relates to acquisition accounting-related intangibles. This deferred tax liability will unwind as the intangible assets are amortized over their useful economic life.
The deferred tax asset arising on share-based compensation relates to future tax deductions the Group expects to receive in relation to share-based payment plans operated by the Group to reward its employees. The asset is measured at the tax rate expected to apply when the temporary difference reverses.
The movement in the valuation allowance was comprised of the following as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Balance Beginning of year | $1,067 | $1,069 | $1,102 |
| Increase recognized in income tax expense | 80 | 172 | 83 |
| Decrease recognized in income tax expense | (306) | (39) | (72) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (11) | (56) | (44) |
| Recognized in income tax expense - adjustment in relation to prior years | 48 | — | — |
| Written off deferred tax assets | — | (79) | — |
| Net change in the valuation allowance | (189) | (2) | (33) |
| Balance End of year | $878 | $1,067 | $1,069 |
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Group recorded a net valuation allowance reduction of $178 million (comprising a valuation allowance release related to federal and state deferred tax assets of $247 million with respect to one of our key U.S. tax-paying components, $50 million tax benefit from current year utilization of deferred tax assets, partially offset by an increase in valuation allowance primarily due to current year operating losses in various jurisdictions). The valuation allowance release was the result of positive evidence of forecasted future taxable income and current year utilization of a portion of our deferred tax assets. The Group evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets each reporting period and establishes a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more-likely-than-not to be realized. The Group considers all available positive and negative evidence, including historical operating losses, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies when evaluating the need for a valuation.
The Group has net operating loss carryforwards of $3,025 million as of December 31, 2024. Of these, $7 million expire between 2025 and 2033, $71 million expire between 2034 and 2043 and $2,947 million carry forward indefinitely. The Group considers all available positive and negative evidence, including historical operating losses, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies when evaluating the need for a valuation allowance.
A valuation allowance has been recorded against deferred tax assets of $878 million (December 31, 2023: $1,067 million). This is on the basis that there is insufficient certainty of there being future taxable profits in the relevant jurisdictions and therefore the assets will not be realizable. The timing of recognition is a key area of judgement in the current period.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Group has written off deferred tax assets of $79 million relating to net operating loss carryforward. A full valuation allowance was previously recorded in relation to the deferred tax asset for these net operating loss carryforward and therefore there is no net effect of this within the income tax expenses for the year.
As of December 31, 2024, foreign earnings of $126 million have been retained by the Group’s foreign subsidiaries that meet the indefinite reinvestment reversal criteria and for which the related deferred tax liability has not been recognized. Upon repatriation of those earnings, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Group could be subject to withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries of $9 million.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties:
| As of December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of the year | $129 | $237 | $188 |
| Increases for tax positions of prior years | 36 | 9 | — |
| Decreases for tax positions of prior years | (2) | (131) | (1) |
| Increases for tax positions of the current year | 5 | 6 | 82 |
| Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations | (8) | (3) | (4) |
| Settlements | (5) | — | (6) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (2) | 11 | (22) |
| Unrecognized tax benefits at the end of the year | $153 | $129 | $237 |
Details of a tax dispute in relation to operations in Italy are provided in Note 21.
We have received a discovery assessment from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs authority (“HMRC”) relating to an intragroup transfer of intellectual property from the United Kingdom to United States for the period ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2024, we are in the process of appealing this assessment and recognized a liability for the estimated settlement which is included in the Group’s unrecognized tax benefits table. We do not expect to resolve this matter in the near term and will continue to reassess the recognition and measurement criteria of the tax position. While the Group believes that we have strong arguments, there can be no assurance this matter will be resolved favorably.
We recognize interest and penalties related to income taxes, if applicable, as income tax expense. The total amounts of interest and penalties recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) were $5 million (year ended December 31, 2023: $5 million; year ended December 31, 2022: $1 million). The total amounts of interest and penalties recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were $10 million (year ended December 31, 2023: $9 million).
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate are $153 million.
It is reasonably possible that $11 million of unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized by the end of 2025 as a result of lapse of the statute of limitations.
In addition to filing federal and national income tax returns, the Group files income tax returns in numerous states and other subnational jurisdictions that impose an income tax. The Group is no longer subject to Irish taxing authority examination for years prior to 2020. Income tax years for 2021 onwards remain subject to examination by the U.S. federal Internal Revenue Service. Earlier periods will remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service as the net operating losses from those years are utilized.
- EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of the Group’s basic and diluted earnings (loss) per ordinary share attributable to the Group:
| Year ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions except per share amounts) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Numerator | |||
| Net income (loss) | $162 | $(1,211) | $(370) |
| Net gain (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests. | 53 | 13 | (1) |
| Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest to redemption value. | 66 | (2) | 63 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Flutter shareholders | $43 | $(1,222) | $(432) |
| Denominator | |||
| Basic weighted average outstanding shares | 178 | 177 | 177 |
| Effect of dilutive share awards | 2 | — | — |
| Diluted weighted average outstanding | 180 | 177 | 177 |
| Earnings (Loss) per share | |||
| Basic | 0.24 | (6.89) | (2.44) |
| Diluted | 0.24 | (6.89) | (2.44) |
The number of options excluded from the diluted weighted average number of ordinary share calculation due to their effect being anti-dilutive is 242,692 (2023:3,007,889, 2022:2,537,536).
- PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| Year ended December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | $267 | $205 |
| Derivative financial assets | 41 | — |
| Income taxes receivable | 119 | 59 |
| Value-added tax and goods and services tax | 54 | 82 |
| Other receivables | 126 | 97 |
| Total prepaid expenses and other current assets | $607 | $443 |
- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Computer equipment | $320 | $581 |
| Fixtures and fittings | 287 | 356 |
| Land, buildings and leasehold improvements | 250 | 301 |
| Property and equipment – Cost | $857 | $1,238 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | 364 | 767 |
| Property and equipment – net | $493 | $471 |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, was $99 million, $141 million and $107 million, respectively.
- GOODWILL
The following table shows changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| ($ in millions) | UKI | International | Australia | U.S. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2022 | $7,290 | $4,510 | $627 | $817 | $13,244 |
| Additions | — | (34) | — | — | (34) |
| Foreign Exchange | 380 | 156 | (1) | — | 535 |
| December 31, 2023 | 7,670 | 4,632 | 626 | 817 | 13,745 |
| Additions | — | 126 | — | 9 | 135 |
| Foreign Exchange | (124) | (347) | (57) | — | (528) |
| December 31, 2024 | $7,546 | $4,411 | $569 | $826 | $13,352 |
Goodwill Impairment Testing
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Group elected to perform the annual impairment test based on a qualitative approach on all of its reporting units. After evaluating and weighing all relevant events and circumstances, the Group concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of any of its reporting units is less than its carrying amount as of the date of the assessment.
In 2023, the Group performed a qualitative test for all reporting units that carried goodwill. The qualitative testing conducted in 2023 concluded thatno goodwill impairment existed for U.S., UKI and Australia. For International, the Group performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The result of this test indicated that no goodwill impairment existed for International.
- INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| WeightedAverageUsefulLife(Years) · As of December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) · 2024 · 2023 | |||
| Computer software and technology | 2.6 | $1,234 | $1,283 |
| Licenses | 8.2 | 423 | 475 |
| Development expenditure | 3.1 | 1,274 | 1,174 |
| Trademarks | 15.6 | 3,753 | 3,753 |
| Customer relationships | 6.3 | 4,464 | 4,558 |
| Other | 14.9 | 177 | 186 |
| Gross carrying value | 11,325 | 11,429 | |
| Computer software and technology | 917 | 929 | |
| Licenses | 146 | 159 | |
| Development expenditure | 713 | 722 | |
| Trademarks | 1,875 | 1,767 | |
| Customer relationships | 2,243 | 1,911 | |
| Other | 67 | 60 | |
| Accumulated amortization | 5,961 | 5,548 | |
| Computer software and technology | 317 | 354 | |
| Licenses | 277 | 316 | |
| Development expenditure | 561 | 452 | |
| Trademarks | 1,878 | 1,986 | |
| Customer relationships | 2,221 | 2,647 | |
| Other | 110 | 126 | |
| Net carrying amount | $5,364 | $5,881 | |
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Group recognized anintangible asset impairment loss of $725 million in sales and marketing expenses related to PokerStars trademark within the International segment. The impairment was primarily driven by an assessment of strategy and operational model aimed at maximizing the value of PokerStars’ proprietary poker assets consistent with our International segment strategy to combine global scale with local presence. A decision was made in December 2023 to move away from the existing capital intensive PokerStars technology in order to improve efficiency and performance of the business by leveraging technology and marketing resources across the Group, thereby unlocking synergies with other Flutter brands. This decision resulted in a change in the grouping of PokerStars’ acquired intangible assets, with the PokerStars trademark not allocated to any distinct asset groups identified as it is able to generate identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities under the new strategy and operational model. In measuring the impairment loss which reflected the impact of lower project royalty revenue, the Group utilized the relief from royalty method under the income approach to estimate the fair value. Assumptions inherent in estimating the fair value include revenue forecast, royalty rate of 5.0%, income tax rate of 12.5%, and discount rate of 12.5%. The Group selected the assumptions used in the financial forecasts of cash flows specific to the remaining useful life of the trademark using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions and estimated growth rates. Financial forecasts beyond the period covered by the plans were estimated by extrapolating the forecasts based on the plans using a steady growth in line with the long-term average growth for the countries in which the trademark is used. As the fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market, they represented Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Group revised the estimated useful lives of certain development expenditure intangible assets. This change in estimate was applied prospectively, which resulted in an additional amortization expense of $30 million that was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) and resulted in a decrease in net income of $26 million, or $0.15 per share on a basic and diluted basis, for the year ended 2023. The change in estimate does not have a material impact on future reporting periods.
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, was $998 million, $1,144 million and $968 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, estimated total amortization expense for the next five years related to the Group’s intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows:
| ($ in millions) | EstimatedAmortizationExpense |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $784 |
| 2026 | 633 |
| 2027 | 490 |
| 2028 | 397 |
| 2029 | 321 |
| $2,625 |
- BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND DISPOSALS
Year ended December 31, 2024
Acquisition of MaxBet
On January 10, 2024, the Group completed the acquisition of 51% of MaxBet, a leading omni-channel sports betting and iGaming operator in Serbia for cash consideration of $143 million (€131 million).
The fair value of net assets and liabilities acquired was $127 million which comprised identifiable intangible assets of $143 million consisting primarily of $108 million of trademark and $22 million of customer relations.
The acquisition resulted in the recognition of $126 million goodwill on the acquisition date which has been allocated to the International segment and reporting unit. The main factors leading to the recognition of goodwill (none of which is deductible for income tax purposes) is the opportunity for the Group to enter the market in the Balkans region where MaxBet is one of the market leaders with an established retail and online presence. There are also tangible opportunities to deliver synergies from the acquisition of MaxBet through (i) leveraging MaxBet’s retail channel to grow online deposits for existing Flutter brands and (ii) enhancing MaxBet’s online capabilities by utilizing the Group’s technology and marketing resources.
The fair value of redeemable non-controlling interest was $110 million, which was estimated by applying a discount for lack of marketability of 15% considering the output of the Finnerty method and a discount for lack of control of 9% using implied discounts from observable transactions and data based on Mergerstat studies.
Acquisition-related costs for the year ending December 31, 2024 and 2023 were not material and are included in the general and administrative expenses in the Group’s Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive (Loss).
Since the date of acquisition to December 31, 2024, MaxBet has contributed revenue of $207 million and $15 million of profit after tax to the results of the Group.
Acquisition of BeyondPlay
On May 31, 2024, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of BeyondPlay for a consideration of $26 million. The fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired was $17 million which comprised technology intangibles of $18 million and deferred tax liability of $1 million. The acquisition resulted in the recognition of $9 million of goodwill which has been allocated to the U.S. segment. The contribution of BeyondPlay to the revenue and profit after tax of the Group was not material.
Considering that the size of the acquisitions are not material, no additional pro forma information is provided.
Year ended December 31, 2022
Acquisition of Sisal
On August 4, 2022, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of Sisal, Italy’s leading retail and online gaming operator with operations also in Turkey (of which it has a controlling 49% interest through Sisal Sans) and Morocco, for a cash payment of $2,037 million (€2,002 million).
The following table summarizes the purchase price and fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired as part of the Sisal acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2022:
| ($ in millions) | |
|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $109 |
| Player deposits – cash and cash equivalents | 370 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 39 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 45 |
| Property and equipment, net | 129 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 75 |
| Intangible assets, net | 1,286 |
| Deferred tax assets | 19 |
| Other non-current assets | 12 |
| Total identifiable assets acquired | 2,084 |
| Liabilities assumed: | |
| Accounts payable | 85 |
| Player deposit | 370 |
| Other current liabilities | 153 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 79 |
| Deferred tax liability | 357 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 78 |
| Total liabilities assumed: | 1,122 |
| Net assets acquired (a) | 962 |
| Non-controlling interest measured at the fair value of net assets identified (b) | (153) |
| Purchase consideration (c) (satisfied by cash) | 2,037 |
| Goodwill (c) – (b) – (a) | $1,228 |
Included within the intangible assets were $1,286 million of separately identifiable intangibles comprising trademarks, customer relations, licenses, and technology acquired as part of the acquisition, with the additional effect of a deferred tax liability of $357 million thereon. The book value approximated to the fair value on the remaining assets as all amounts are expected to be received.
The fair value of trademarks identified was $529 million and was estimated using the Relief from Royalty Method. Significant assumptions include: (i) Royalty rates of 5.1% and 7.6% applied to the projected revenues for the remaining useful life of the trade name to estimate the royalty savings and (ii) a discount rate of 8.8% and 14.9%. Trademarks are amortized over their expected weighted-average useful economic life of 20 years.
The fair value of customer relationships identified was $278 million and was estimated using the Multi- Period Excess Earnings Method. Significant assumptions include: (i) expectations for the future after-tax cash flows arising from the follow-on revenue from customer relationships that existed on the acquisition date over their estimated lives, (ii) customer attrition rates, which assume a substantial customer churn within the first five years, less a contributory assets charge of 13.9% and 12.5%, and (iii) discount rates of 11.0% and 14.9%. Customer relationships are being amortized on an accelerated method over their expected weighted-average useful economic life of 4.1 years.
The fair value of licenses (lottery, gaming and betting concessions) identified was $223 million and was estimated using the Replacement Cost Method. Significant assumptions include details regarding both the useful life and estimates of current cost with renewing the existing concessions.
The fair value of developed technology was $130 million and was estimated using the Relief from Royalty Method. Significant assumptions include: (i) Royalty rates of 10.1% applied to the projected revenues for the remaining useful life of the technology to estimate the royalty savings and (ii) a discount rate of 11.0% and 14.9%. Technology is amortized over their expected weighted-average useful economic life of 5 years.
The fair value of point of sales and affiliate network was $126 million and was estimated using the Replacement Cost Method for the point of sales network and the Multi-Period Excess Earnings Method for the affiliation network.
Significant assumptions include (i) estimates of current cost with setting up the existing point of sales network and (ii) estimated revenues and cash flows derived from the affiliation network which assumes an attrition rate of 10%. The resulting cash flows were discounted using a discount rate of 8.8% to arrive at the fair value for the affiliation network. Point of sales network are amortized over their expected weighted-average useful economic life of 20 years and 15 years for affiliation network.
Acquisition-related costs of $7 million were included in general and administrative expenses in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) for the year ending December 31, 2022 (2021: $3 million).
The gross contractual amount for trade receivables and other receivables due is $47 million, with a loss allowance of $8 million recognized on acquisition.
The main factors leading to the recognition of goodwill (none of which is deductible for income tax purposes) is the opportunity to increase the Group’s exposure to an attractive fast-growing regulated online market with Sisal’s omni-channel offering delivering a competitive advantage to the Group. The acquisition provides the Group with lottery capabilities for the first time and presents the opportunity to grow outside of Italy as Sisal have already done in Turkey via this product offering. There are also tangible opportunities to deliver material revenue synergies from the acquisition of Sisal through (i) leveraging Sisal’s retail channel to grow online deposits for existing Flutter brands, (ii) enhancing Sisal’s sports betting offering by utilizing the Group’s pricing and risk management capabilities and (iii) enhancing Sisal’s casino product by providing it with access to the Group’s in-house gaming content. The goodwill has been allocated to the existing International segment and reporting unit.
The fair value of the non-controlling interest in Sisal Sans, a private entity, was estimated by applying the income approach and a market approach. This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a fair value measurement categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as described in Section 820-10-35. Assumptions include a discount rate of 14.9% and terminal growth rate of 5.0%.
As of December 31, 2022, the acquisition accounting for this acquisition was provisional. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the group finalized the acquisition accounting for Sisal. The adjustments arose as a result of new accounting information obtained relating to conditions that existed at the acquisition date primarily related to provisions and fair value finalization of property, plant and equipment acquired which increased the net assets acquired by $34 million and reduced the goodwill by $34 million.
Since the date of acquisition to December 31, 2022, Sisal contributed revenue of $465 million and $28 million of profit after tax to the results of the Group.
Acquisition of tombola
On January 10, 2022, the Group completed the acquisition of a 100% stake in tombola, the UK market’s leading online bingo operator. tombola is a successful bingo-led gaming Group with an emphasis on providing a low staking bingo proposition to a highly engaged customer base. The purchase comprised of a cash payment of $557 million.
| ($ in millions) | |
|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $14 |
| Player deposits | 6 |
| Accounts receivable | 17 |
| Property and equipment | 15 |
| Intangible assets | 333 |
| Total identifiable assets acquired | 385 |
| Liabilities assumed: | |
| Accounts payable | 10 |
| Other current liabilities | 24 |
| Player deposits liabilities | 6 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 83 |
| Total liabilities assumed: | 123 |
| Net assets acquired (a) | 262 |
| Purchase consideration (b) | 557 |
| Goodwill (b) – (a) | $295 |
Included within the intangible assets were $333 million of separately identifiable intangibles comprising trademarks, customer relations and technology acquired as part of the acquisition, with the additional effect of a deferred tax liability of $83 million thereon. The book value equated to the fair value on the remaining assets as all amounts are expected to be received.
The fair value of customer relationships identified was $163 million and was estimated using the Multi- Period Excess Earnings Method. Significant assumptions include: (i) revenue attributable to customers, EBIT margin and contribution to assets charges, and (ii) a discount rate of 10.9%. Customer relationships are being amortized over their expected weighted-average useful economic life of 5.1 years.
The fair value of the trademarks identified was $122 million and was estimated using the Relief from Royalty Method. Significant assumptions include: (i) the estimated annual revenue and the royalty rate, and (ii) a discount rate of 11.1%. Trademarks are amortized over their expected weighted-average useful economic life of 20 years.
The fair value of developed technology was $48 million and was estimated using the Relief from Royalty Method. Significant assumptions include: (i) the estimated revenue, technology migration and the royalty rate, and (ii) a discount rate of 10.1%. Technology is being amortized over their expected weighted-average useful economic life of 5 years.
Acquisition-related costs of $4 million were included in general and administrative expenses in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) for the year ending December 31, 2022 (2021: $3 million).
The main factors leading to the recognition of goodwill (none of which is deductible for income tax purposes) are the expansion of the Group’s position in online bingo and the sharing of product capabilities, expertise and technology across the UKI division. The goodwill has been allocated to the existing UKI reporting unit.
Since the date of acquisition to December 31, 2022, tombola contributed revenue of $217 million and $12 million profit after tax to the results of the Group.
Unaudited pro forma information
The pro forma financial information presented below is for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial position or results of operations that would have been realized if the acquisitions had been completed on the date indicated, does not reflect synergies that might have been achieved, nor is it indicative of future operating results or financial position. The pro forma adjustments are based upon currently available information and certain assumptions that the Group believes are reasonable under the circumstances.
The following pro forma information presents the combined results of operations for each of the periods presented, as if Sisal and tombola had been acquired as of January 1, 2021. The pro forma financial information is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the business combinations had taken place as of January 1, 2021. Pro forma results of operations for the other transactions have not been included because they are not material to the consolidated results of operations. The pro forma financial information includes the historical results of the Group, Sisal and tombola adjusted for certain items, which are described below.
Year ended December 31,
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $10,064 | $9,482 |
| Net loss | $348 | $902 |
Pro forma net income reflects the following adjustments:
Intangible assets are assumed to be recorded at their estimated fair value as of January 1, 2021, and are depreciated or amortized over their estimated useful lives from that date along with the consequent deferred tax benefit.
Transaction-related expenses of $12 million incurred in 2022 are assumed to have occurred on January 1, 2021, and are presented as an expense during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Debt financing required to complete the acquisition of Sisal is assumed to have occurred on January 1, 2021, and the additional interest expense recognized is calculated using an effective interest rate of 5.29%.
Acquisition of Sachiko
The Group completed the acquisition of 100% of Sachiko Gaming Private Limited, an online poker gaming developer based in India in exchange for a 5% equity stake in the Group’s subsidiary Junglee Games in fiscal 2022. The fair value of the consideration was $7 million based on the fair value of Junglee at the date of the acquisition. The purpose of the acquisition is to combine it with the Group’s existing Indian business and widen and expand its product offering in the fast-growing Indian market. Due to the immaterial size of the transaction, no further disclosures are provided.
As part of the acquisition of Sachiko, the Group has put in place arrangements, consisting of call and put options, that could result in it acquiring the 5% of Junglee held by the former shareholders of Sachiko in 2027 and 2032 based on the future Revenue and EBITDA performance of Junglee.
- OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other current liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Accrued expenses | $980 | 945 |
| Betting duty, data rights, and product and racefield fees | 430 | 453 |
| Employee benefits and social security | 455 | 351 |
| Liability-classified share-based awards | 31 | — |
| Sports betting open positions | 120 | 119 |
| Derivative liability | 10 | 156 |
| Income taxes payable | 29 | 94 |
| Loss contingencies | 78 | 74 |
| Value-added tax and goods and services tax | 61 | 134 |
| Contingent deferred consideration | 18 | — |
| Total other current liabilities | $2,212 | $2,326 |
Loss contingencies include losses on firmly committed executory contracts, regulatory investigations and proceedings, management’s evaluation of complex laws and regulations, including those relating to gaming taxes, and the extent to which they may apply to our business and industry.
The Group includes contract liability in relation to sports betting open positions in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The contract liability balances were as follow as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| As of December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Contract liability, beginning of the year | $119 | $113 |
| Contract liability, end of the year | 120 | 119 |
| Revenue recognized in the period from amounts included in contract liability at the beginning of the year | 119 | 113 |
- LEASES
The Group’s lease arrangements for its offices, retail stores, data centers and marketing arrangements expire at various dates through 2039. Certain leases are cancelable upon notification by the Group to the landlord and others are renewable. Additionally, the Group subleases certain leases to third parties. Security deposits under letters of credit or cash deposited with banks as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $18 million and $13 million, respectively.
Substantially all leases are long-term operating leases for facilities with fixed payment terms between 1 and 15 years. The current portion of operating lease liabilities are presented within total current liabilities, and the non-current portion of operating lease liabilities are presented within total liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Lease Cost — The components of lease cost consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating lease cost | $155 | $140 | $111 |
| Short term lease cost | 15 | 13 | 17 |
| Sublease income | (4) | (1) | (1) |
| Total lease cost | $166 | $152 | $127 |
Lease Term and Discount Rate— The weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) and discount rate related to the operating leases consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024:
| Year ended December 31, | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) | 6.09 |
| Weighted-average discount rate | 5.44% |
As most of the Group’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Group used its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date to determine present value of lease payments, which equal the rates of interest that it would pay to borrow funds on a fully collateralized basis over a similar term.
Maturity of Lease Liabilities — The present value of the Group’s operating leases consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024:
| ($ in millions) | Year EndingDecember 31 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $151 |
| 2026 | $125 |
| 2027 | 103 |
| 2028 | 77 |
| 2029 | 63 |
| Thereafter | 172 |
| Total undiscounted future cash flows | 691 |
| Less: imputed interest | (144) |
| Present value of undiscounted future cash flows | 547 |
| Less: Operating lease liabilities – current | 119 |
| Operating lease liabilities – noncurrent | 428 |
| Total operating lease liabilities | $547 |
Other Information — Supplemental cash flow and other information for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 related to operating leases was as follows:
| For the year endedDecember 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | |||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $174 | $133 | $92 |
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $155 | $73 | $148 |
- LONG-TERM DEBT
The Group’s debt comprised of the following:
| As of December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | ||||||
| Principaloutstandingbalance incurrency ofdebt(in millions) · Outstandingbalance($ in millions) · Principaloutstandingbalance incurrency ofdebt(in millions) · Outstandingbalance($ in millions) | ||||||
| Term Loan B Agreement | ||||||
| USD First Lien Term Loan B due 2028 | — | — | $514 | 514 | ||
| EUR First Lien Term Loan B due 2026 | — | — | €507 | 560 | ||
| TLA/TLB/RCF Agreement | ||||||
| GBP First Lien Term Loan A due 2028 | £1,034 | 1,295 | 1,034 | 1,315 | ||
| EUR First Lien Term Loan A due 2028 | €380 | 395 | 380 | 419 | ||
| USD First Lien Term Loan A due 2028 | $166 | 166 | 166 | 166 | ||
| USD First Lien Term Loan B due 2030 | $3,875 | 3,876 | 3,400 | 3,400 | ||
| GBP Revolving Credit Facility due 2028 | £— | — | 578 | 736 | ||
| Senior secured notes | ||||||
| EUR Senior Secured Notes due 2029 | €500 | 524 | — | — | ||
| USD Senior Secured Notes due 2029 | $525 | 532 | — | — | ||
| Total debt principal including accrued interest | 6,788 | 7,110 | ||||
| Less: unamortized debt issuance costs | (52) | (54) | ||||
| Total debt | 6,736 | 7,056 | ||||
| Less: current portion of long-term debt | (53) | (51) | ||||
| Total long-term debt | $6,683 | $7,005 | ||||
Syndicated Facility Agreement (the “Term Loan B Agreement”)
On March 14, 2024, the Group refinanced the USD First Lien Term Loan B due 2028 by entering into the First Incremental Assumption Agreement (the “ First Incremental Assumption Agreement”) to the TLA/TLB/RCF Agreement dated as of November 24, 2023 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) as discussed below. As the terms of First Incremental Term B Loans were not substantially different from those of the original USD First Lien Term Loan B due 2028, the refinance was treated as continuation of the original debt instrument for accounting purposes.
On April 29, 2024, the Group used the proceeds of the Notes as described below to repay the EUR First Lien Term Loan B due 2026, thereby extinguishing all debt under the Term Loan B Agreement.
Term Loan A, Term Loan B and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”)
In November 2023, the Group entered into the TLA/TLB/RCF Agreement (as amended by the First Incremental Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2024, the First Repricing Agreement dated as of December 19, 2024 and the Second Incremental Assumption Agreement dated of December 19, 2024, the “Credit Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan SE as the administrative agent and Wilmington Trust (London) Limited, acting as the collateral agent, and the lenders named therein in connection with the Term Loan A Facilities, Term Loan B Facilities and a multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $1.32 billion (£1.05 billion).
In March 2024, the Group entered into the First Incremental Assumption Agreement to the TLA/TLB/RCF Agreement under which the Group obtained a fungible incremental term loan which increased the aggregate principal amount of USD First Lien Term Loan B 2030 by $514 million. The incremental term loan was used to refinance the USD First Lien Term Loan B 2028 incurred by the Group pursuant to the Term Loan B Agreement.
An amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of USD First Lien Term Loan B 2030 outstanding is repayable in quarterly instalments on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year with the balance due on maturity. The aggregate principal amount of the GBP First Lien Term Loan A 2028, EUR First Lien Term Loan A 2028 and USD First Lien Term Loan A 2028 is repayable at maturity.
The GBP First Lien Term Loan A 2028 has an interest rate of SONIA plus a margin of 1.75% with a SONIA floor of 0%. The EUR First Lien Term Loan A 2028 has an interest rate of EURIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% with a EURIBOR floor of 0%. The USD First Lien Term Loan A 2028 has an interest rate of daily compound SOFR plus 0.10% plus a margin of 1.75% with a SOFR floor of 0%. Prior to the repricing of the USD First Lien Term Loan B 2030 on December 19, 2024, the USD First Lien Term Loan B 2030 had an interest rate of Adjusted Term SOFR (provided that in no event shall such Adjusted Term SOFR rate with respect to the First Incremental Term B Loans be less than 0.50%) plus an applicable margin equal to 2.25% (or 2.00% upon the net first lien leverage ratio decreasing to 2.55:1 or below). Following the repricing, the USD First Lien Term Loan B 2030 has an interest rate of Adjusted Term SOFR plus an applicable margin equal to 1.75% (with no increase or decrease as a result of changes to the net first lien leverage ratio). Interest on each of the facilities is payable on the last day of each interest period. Facilities drawn down may be prepaid at any time in whole or in part without premium or penalty onthree business days’ (or such shorter period as the administrative agent may agree) prior notice (but, if in part, by a minimum of $1 million or its currency equivalent).
In December 2024, the Group entered into the Second Incremental Assumption Agreement to the TLA/TLB/RCF Agreement under which the Group obtained a fungible incremental revolving loan which increased the aggregate principal amount of the GBP Revolving Credit Facility 2028 by £50 million.
The Revolving Credit Facility 2028 may be utilized by the drawing of cash advances, the issuance of letters of credit and/or the establishment of ancillary facilities with lenders on a bilateral basis. Each cash advance under the Revolving Credit Facility 2028 is to be repaid in full on the maturity date being November 2028. Amounts repaid may be re-borrowed. A commitment fee of 35% of the margin then applicable on the available undrawn commitment is payable quarterly in arrears during the availability period, or on the last day of the availability period, which isone month prior to the maturity date. A utilization fee is also payable in the range of 0.00% to 0.30% per annum based on the proportion of revolving credit facility loans to the total Revolving Credit Facility 2028 commitments. The utilization fee accrues from day to day and is payable in arrears on the last day of each successive period ofthree months that ends during the availability period. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Group did not have an outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. For the year ended December 31, 2023 the Group had an outstanding principal amount of $736 million (£578 million). The Group had an undrawn capacity of $1.32 billion (£1.05 billion) on the Revolving Credit Facility with $13 million (£10 million) of capacity reserved for the issuance of guarantees as of December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Group had drawn $126 million (December 31, 2023: $1,503 million) and repaid $852 million (December 31, 2023: $861 million) under the GBP revolving credit facility.
The facilities are secured by a first priority security interest (subject to permitted liens) (x) in respect of obligors organized or incorporated outside of the United States, over the shares held by an obligor in another obligor and (y) in respect of obligors organized or incorporated in the United States, substantially all of our assets (subject to certain exceptions), in each case, in accordance with the Agreed Guarantee and Security Principles (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
The Credit Agreement contains a number of affirmative covenants as well as negative covenants which limit our ability to, among other things: (i) incur additional debt; (ii) grant additional liens on assets and equity; (iii) distribute equity interests and/or distribute any assets to third parties; (iv) make certain loans or investments (including acquisitions); (v) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets; (vi) pay dividends on or make distributions in respect of capital stock or make restricted payments; and (vii) modify the terms of certain debt or organizational documents, in each case subject to certain permitted exceptions. The Credit Agreement requires us to ensure that the ratio of consolidated net borrowings to consolidated EBITDA as defined therein (the net total leverage ratio) is not greater than 5.20:1 on a bi-annual basis.
Senior Secured Notes
On April 29, 2024, the Group issued $525 million aggregate principal amount of USD-denominated senior secured notes due 2029 (the “USD Notes”) and $500 million aggregate principal amount of EUR-denominated senior secured notes due 2029 (the “EUR Notes” and, together with the USD Notes, the “Notes”), each issued at 100% of their nominal par value, by its subsidiary Flutter Treasury DAC (the "Issuer"). The Group used the proceeds of the Notes to repay borrowings under the EUR First Lien Term Loan B due 2026 under the existing syndicated facility agreement dated July 10, 2018, and to repay borrowings under the GBP Revolving Credit Facility due 2028, and pay certain costs, fees and expenses in connection with the offering of the Notes. In connection with the Notes, the Group incurred issuance costs of $13 million which has been deducted from such Notes initial net carrying amount and amortized as additional interest expense over the life of the Notes. The Group recognized an extinguishment loss of $5 million on repayment of the EUR First Lien Term Loan B due 2026 during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The USD Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per annum and the EUR Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.000% per annum, both payable semi-annually in arrears. The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior debt of the Issuer that is not subordinated to the Notes. The Notes are secured on a first-ranking basis by security interests granted over the collateral that also secure, as applicable, the obligations of the Group under the Credit Agreement.
Prior to April 15, 2026, the Issuer is entitled, at its option, to redeem all or a portion of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding the date of the redemption, plus the applicable “make-whole” premium. In addition, prior to April 15, 2026, the Issuer is entitled to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of each series of Notes using the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a price equal to 106.375% of the principal amount of the USD Notes and 105% of the principal amount of the EUR Notes being redeemed, plus, in each case accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding the date of the redemption, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture that governs the Notes. Furthermore, at any time prior to April 15, 2026, the Issuer is entitled, during each twelve month period, commencing April 29, 2024, redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of each series of Notes at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional amounts, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption. On or after April 15, 2026, the Issuer may redeem some or all of the Notes at redemption prices as set forth in the Indenture that governs the Notes.
Following repayment of the EUR First Lien Term Loan B due 2026 and the USD First Lien Term Loan B due 2028, the facilities under the Credit Agreement and the Notes are secured by a first priority security interest (subject to permitted liens) (x) in respect of obligors organized or incorporated outside of the United States, over the shares held by an obligor in another obligor and (y) in respect of obligors organized or incorporated in the United States, substantially all of our assets (subject to certain exceptions), in each case, in accordance with the Agreed Guarantee and Security Principles (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of December 31, 2024, the Group was in compliance with all applicable debt covenants.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
Loss on extinguishment of debt includes the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs, write-back of unamortized premium and extinguishment gains/loss arising from the refinancing undertaken in September 2022, November 2023, March 2024 and December 2024.
The Group determined that the September 2022 refinancing of the incremental term loan of €2 billion which was used to fund a portion of the consideration for the acquisition of Sisal did not result in the terms of the original and new debt being substantially different. However, as the Group repaid a portion of the principal amount of the incremental term loan, the Group derecognized a proportionate unamortized deferred financing costs relating to the repaid portion which amounted to $65 million.
In 2023, the loss on extinguishment of debt totaled $6 million. The Group determined that the November 2023 refinancing of the USD First Lien Term Loan B 2026, USD First Lien Term Loan B 2028, EUR First Lien Term Loan A 2026 and USD First Lien Term Loan 2026 did not result in the terms of the original and new debt being substantially different. However, as the Group repaid a portion of the principal amount of these loans, the Group derecognized a proportionate amount of unamortized deferred financing costs relating to the repaid portion which amounted to $9 million. In the case of GBP First Lien Term Loan A 2025, the Group determined that the terms of the GBP First Lien Term Loan A 2028 were substantially different from those of the GBP First Lien Term Loan A 2025 under the Term Loan A Agreement and recognized an extinguishment gain of $3 million.
In 2024, the Group recognized an extinguishment loss of $5 million on repayment of the EUR First Lien Term Loan B due 2026. On December 19, 2024, the Group repriced the USD Term Loan B due 2030 which reduced the applicable margin to 1.75%, and the Group determined that the repricing did not result in the terms of the original and new debt being substantially different. However, as the Group repaid a portion of the principal amount to certain lenders, the Group recognized a $2 million extinguishment loss, representing the proportionate amount of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs relating to the repaid portion.
Contractual Debt Payments
As of December 31, 2024, the contractual principal repayments of the Group’s outstanding borrowings, excluding accrued interest, amount to the following:
| ($ in millions) | |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $39 |
| 2026 | 39 |
| 2027 | 39 |
| 2028 | 1,894 |
| 2029 | 1,083 |
| Thereafter | 3,680 |
| Total | $6,774 |
In addition, the Group is obligated to make periodic interest payments at variable rates, depending on the terms of the applicable debt agreements. Actual future interest payments may differ from these amounts based on changes in floating interest rates or other factors or events.
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge interest rate risk and foreign currency rate risk arising from long term debts as discussed in Note 16.
- DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
In the normal course of the Group’s business operations, it is exposed to certain risks, including changes in interest rates and foreign currency risk. To manage these risks, the Group uses derivative instruments such as futures, forward contracts, swaps, options and other instruments with similar characteristics. All of the Group’s derivatives are used for non-trading activities.
Cash flow hedges of interest rate and foreign currency risk
Interest rate and foreign currency risk arising from a portion of the Group’s floating interest rate USD First Lien Term Loan B and foreign currency risk arising from the Group’s fixed rate USD Senior Secured Notes are managed using interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps, which are designated as cash flow hedges with the objective of reducing the volatility of interest expense and foreign currency gains and losses in the case of the USD First Lien Term Loan B maturing in 2030 and foreign currency risk in case of the fixed rate USD Senior Secured Notes maturing in 2029.
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
The cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as a hedge of the interest rate and foreign currency risk arising from the USD First Lien Term Loan B effectively convert the variable rate USD First Lien Term Loan B into fixed GBP interest rate Term Loan and eliminates foreign currency risk arising from the remeasurement of the USD First Lien Term Loan B.
The cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as a hedge of the foreign currency risk arising from the USD Senior Secured Notes effectively convert the fixed rate USD Senior Secured Notes to fixed rate GBP Senior Secured Notes.
Foreign currency and interest rate risks are eliminated by exchanging contractual amounts at exchange rates and interest rates determined at contract inception.
Interest rate swaps
The interest rate swaps designated as a hedge of the interest risk arising from the USD First Lien Term Loan B effectively converts the variable rate term loan into fixed rate term loan.
Interest risk is eliminated by exchanging contractual amounts at interest rates determined at contract inception.
The following table summarizes the Group's outstanding derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:
| As of December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · 2023 | |||||
| Hedged Item | Notional ($ in millions) | Expiration date | Notional ($ in millions) | Expiration date | |
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Term Loan | $689 | June 30, 2025 | $1,603 | September 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025 |
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | USD Senior Secured Notes | $525 | April 15, 2026 | $— | |
| Interest rate swaps | Term Loan | $1,949 | June 30, 2025 to September 30, 2026 | $1,094 | September 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025 |
Changes in the fair value on the portion of the derivative included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness of cash-flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)were recognized in earnings within interest expense, net when the hedged interest payment was accrued. In addition, since the cross-currency interest rate swaps was a hedge of variability of the functional-currency-equivalent cash flows of the recognized term loan liability remeasured at spot exchange rates under ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters,” an amount that offset the gain or loss arising from the remeasurement of the hedged term loan liability, was reclassified each period from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)to earnings inforeign exchange (loss) gain, net, which is a component of other expense, net.
The amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) into earnings was a net loss of $32 million, $93 million and a net gain of $72 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 respectively.
The Group expects to reclassify a gain of $8 million from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) into earnings within the next 12 months.
Fair value hedge
Foreign currency risk arising from a portion of the Group's floating rate USD First Lien Term Loan B are managed using receive fixed rate, pay fixed rate or receive variable rate, pay variable rate cross-currency interest rate swaps. Foreign currency risk is eliminated by exchanging contractual amounts at exchange rates which are determined at contract inception.
The notional amount of cross-currency interest rate swaps accounted for as fair value hedges of foreign currency risk on the USD First Lien Term Loan B was $1,425 million as of December 31, 2024 (nil as of December 31, 2023).
The Group excludes the cross-currency basis spread in the swap from the hedge effectiveness assessment and recognizes the excluded component into earnings through the periodic interest settlements on the swap.
Changes in the fair value on the portion of the derivative included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness of fair value hedges resulting from the changes in the spot rate are recognized in earnings within foreign exchange (loss) gain, net, which is a component of other expense, net which offset the gain or loss arising from the remeasurement of the hedged term loan liability with the difference recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The Group recorded a foreign currency gain of $86 million in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2024 which offset the foreign currency loss from the USD First Lien Term Loan B.
Changes in the fair value of the excluded components recognized in other comprehensive income during the year ended December 31, 2024 was a loss of $1 million.
Net investment hedge
The Group has investments in various subsidiaries which form part of the Group’s International segment with Euro functional currencies. As a result, the Group is exposed to the risk of fluctuations between the Euro and GBP exchange rates. The Group designated its Euro denominated term loans and receive fixed rate, pay fixed rate cross-currency interest swaps whereby the Group will receive GBP from, and pay Euro to, the counterparties at exchange rates which are determined at contract inception, as a net investment hedge which are intended to mitigate foreign currency exposure related to non-GBP net investments in certain Euro functional subsidiaries.
The following table summarizes the hedging instruments designated in a net investment hedge and were considered highly effective:
| As of December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Notional ($ in millions) | Expiration date | Notional ($ in millions) | Expiration date | |
| Euro denominated debt | $919 | July 31, 2028 to April 29, 2029 | $980 | July 21, 2026 to July 31, 2028 |
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | $830 | June 30, 2025 to September 30, 2026 | $359 | June 30, 2025 |
The foreign currency transaction gains and losses on the euro-denominated portion of the term loan and the cross-currency interest swaps, which are designated and effective as a hedge of the Group’s net investment in its euro-denominated functional currency subsidiaries, are included as a component of the foreign currency translation adjustment. A gain, net of tax, of $73 million and $30 million was included in the foreign currency translation adjustment for the year ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 respectively and a loss, net of tax amounting to $145 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. There wereno amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (“AOCI”) pertaining to the net investment hedge during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 as the Group has not sold or liquidated (or substantially liquidated) its hedged subsidiaries.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the Group's derivatives as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| ($ in millions) | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-24 | Dec-23 | Dec-24 | Dec-23 | |||||
| Balancesheetlocation | Fair value | Balancesheetlocation | Fairvalue | Balancesheetlocation | Fairvalue | Balancesheetlocation | Fairvalue | |
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges: | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $7 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $— | Other current liabilities | $(9) | Other current liabilities | $(104) |
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Other non- current assets | 5 | Other non- current assets | — | Other non- current liabilities | — | Other non- current liabilities | (21) |
| Interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 9 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | — | Other current liabilities | — | Other current liabilities | — |
| Interest rate swaps | Other non- current assets | 5 | Other non- current assets | — | Other non- current liabilities | — | Other non- current liabilities | — |
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instrument | $26 | $— | $(9) | $(125) | ||||
| Derivatives designated as fair value hedges: | ||||||||
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $2 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $— | Other current liabilities | $— | Other current liabilities | $— |
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Other non- current assets | 82 | Other non- current assets | — | Other non- current liabilities | — | Other non- current liabilities | — |
| Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | $84 | $— | $— | $— | ||||
| Derivatives designated as net investment hedges: | ||||||||
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 23 | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | — | Other current liabilities | — | Other current liabilities | (1) |
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Other non- current assets | — | Other non- current assets | — | Other non- current liabilities | (5) | Other non- current liabilities | — |
| Total derivatives designated as hedging instrument | $23 | $— | $(5) | $(1) | ||||
| Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||
| Cross-currency interest rate swaps | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | — | Prepaid expenses and other current assets | — | Other current liabilities | (1) | Other current liabilities | (52) |
| Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | $— | $— | $(1) | $(52) | ||||
| Total derivatives | $133 | $— | $(15) | $(178) | ||||
- REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Redeemable non-controlling interest
FanDuel
Boyd Interactive Holdings LLC (“Boyd”) holds a non-controlling, economic interest of 5% in FanDuel Group Parent LLC (“FanDuel”). Boyd’s investment comprises of 4.5% ownership in the form of Investor Units and the remaining in the form of warrants that allow Boyd to acquire 0.5% Investor Units, at an aggregated exercise price of $1.00, at any time until October 22, 2031. If the warrants remain unexercised at the end of exercise period, they automatically convert into such number of Investor Units that provide Boyd an additional ownership of 0.5% envisaged on exercise of such warrants.
The Group agreed a redemption mechanism with Boyd in the form of symmetrical call and put options as part of Boyd’s acquisition of ownership interest in FanDuel in 2019. The collaboration anniversary options are exercisable beginning August 1, 2028, and continuing for a period of 30 days (the “Collaboration Anniversary Exercise Period”) and expire if neither the Group nor Boyd exercise the options. The collaboration termination options are exercisable beginning on the earlier to occur of the termination and expiration of the collaboration agreement and continuing for a period of 30 days (the “Collaboration Termination Exercise Period”) and expire if neither the Group nor Boyd exercise the options. The symmetrical call and put options enable the Group to acquire Boyd’s 5% non-controlling ownership at an exercise price negotiated in good faith between them, as two unrelated, independent parties. If FanDuel and Boyd are unable to agree on an exercise price, independent appraisers are required to perform a fair market valuation exercise of Boyd’s Investor Units, without giving effect to any ‘minority discount’ or ‘liquidity discount.’ The aforesaid symmetrical call and put options can be settled, at the Group’s election, in cash denominated in U.S. dollars, freely tradeable shares of Flutter listed on the Irish Stock Exchange plc or the London Stock Exchange plc or any combination thereof. Subsequent to Flutter’s listing on NYSE in January 2024, Flutter is delisted from Irish Stock Exchange and the options can also be settled in freely tradeable shares of Flutter listed on NYSE. Flutter’s shares issued to settle the consideration cannot exceed 10% of the existing and outstanding Flutter shares as of the first date of such exercise period, in which event, the Group would settle the balance consideration in cash.
Adjarabet
As part of the Group’s acquisition of Atlas LLC (“Adjarabet”) in 2019, a redemption mechanism in the form of call and put options was agreed with City Loft LLC, the owner of 49% non-controlling interest in Adjarabet. This enabled the Group to acquire City Loft LLC’s non-controlling interest post completion of a lock-in period that ended on February 28, 2022 at an exercise price calculated using a multiple of Atlas LLC’s EBITDA less Net Debt as defined in the shareholder agreement. City Loft LLC elected to exercise the put option, and the Group acquired the remaining 49% for a cash consideration of €238 million ($251 million).
Junglee
As part of the Group’s acquisition of Junglee Games India Private Limited (“Junglee India”), through an intermediate holding company Junglee Games Inc (“Junglee”) in 2021, a redemption mechanism in the form of call and put options (“the Junglee Options”) was agreed with two sets of non-controlling interest shareholder groups that collectively own 42.7%. The call and put options are exercisable intwo tranches in 2023 and 2025, commencing on the date on which the option price is determined in accordance with the terms as set out in the shareholders agreement and ending on a date that is 30 days thereafter. The options expire if neither the Group nor the non-controlling interest shareholder groups exercise the options. The option price is based on a formula which provides equal weightage to EBITDA and Net Revenue multiples, as defined in the shareholders agreement. The options can be settled, at the Group’s election, in cash or freely tradeable shares of Flutter listed on London Stock Exchange plc or NYSE subsequent to Flutter’s listing in January 2024, and are subject to cap of approximately $1,696 million minus certain deductions specified in the shareholder agreement. In July 2023, the Group completed the acquisition of a further 32.5% outstanding shares of Junglee for a cash payment of $95 million. This acquisition brings the Group’s holding in Junglee to 84.8%.
Sachiko
As part of the Group’s acquisition of Sachiko Gaming Private Limited (“Sachiko”) in 2022, through Junglee India, the Group issued 5% equity interest in Junglee India to Sachiko’s previous owners as consideration. At the time of Sachiko’s acquisition, a redemption mechanism in the form of symmetrical call and put options was agreed to enable the Group to re-acquire 5% equity interest in Junglee India. The options are exercisable intwo tranches, the first being withinone year after the expiry offive years from the closing date as defined in the subscription agreement and the second withone year after the expiry of 10 years from the closing date as defined in the subscription agreement. The options expire if neither the Group nor the non-controlling interest shareholder exercise the options. This allows the Group to increase its ownership interest in Junglee India to 100% in 2032. The option’s exercise price is based on a formula which provides equal weightage to EBITDA and Net Revenue multiples, as defined in the shareholders agreement. The options can be settled in cash or shares, subject to mutual agreement of both parties.
Maxbet
The Maxbet shareholders' agreement includes call and put options to acquire the 49% stake held by non-controlling interest in MAX BET DOO NOVI SAD. The call and put options are exercisable in 2029, commencing on the date on which the option price is determined in accordance with the terms set out in the shareholders' agreement and ending on a date that is 30 days thereafter. The options expire if neither the Group nor the non-controlling interest shareholders exercise the options within the option exercise period. The option price is calculated using a multiple of MaxBet’s EBITDA less net debt or plus net cash, as defined in the shareholders agreement, subject to a cap calculated as $7 billion (€6 billion) less the purchase consideration. The options can be settled, at the Group’s election, in cash or freely tradable shares of Flutter.
Ordinary shares
The total authorized ordinary shares of the Company comprise 300,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.09 ($0.10) each (2023:300,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.09 ($0.10) each). All issued ordinary shares are fully paid. The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company. Where voting at a general meeting is done by way of a poll, each shareholder present is entitled toone vote for each share that he or she holds as of the record date for the meeting. Where voting is by way of a show of hands at a general meeting, every shareholder as of the record date for the meeting who is present in person and every proxy shall haveone vote. Ordinary shareholders are also entitled to receive dividends as may be declared by the Company from time to time.
Share purchases
On September 25, 2024, our Board authorized a share repurchase program (the “2024 Share Repurchase Program”) of up to $5 billion of our ordinary shares. During 2024, the Group repurchased 444,746 ordinary shares under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program for a total of $121 million.
Shares held by Employee Benefit Trust
At December 31, 2024, the Paddy Power Betfair plc Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”) heldnil (December 31, 2023: nil) of the Company’s own shares, which were acquired at a total cumulative cost ofnil (December 31, 2023: nil) in respect of potential future awards relating to the Company’s employee share plans. No shares were purchased during the year ended December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023:1,106,417 shares at a cost of $212 million). No shares were transferred from the EBT to the beneficiaries of the EBT during the year ended December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023:1,107,813 shares with an original cost of $213 million).
Non-controlling interest
At December 31, 2024, the non-controlling interest amounts to $166 million (December 31, 2023: $172 million).
- CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)
The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) by component for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:
| ($ in millions) | Fair value hedges | Gains and losson Cash FlowHedges | Unrealized Gains andLosses on Available-for-Sale Debt securities | Foreign CurrencyTranslation, net of NetInvestment Hedges | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 | $— | $14 | $(2) | $(868) | $(856) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | — | 80 | (4) | (930) | (854) |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | — | (72) | — | — | (72) |
| Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | — | 8 | (4) | (930) | (926) |
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | $— | $22 | $(6) | $(1,798) | $(1,782) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | — | (121) | 5 | 322 | 206 |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | — | 93 | — | — | 93 |
| Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | — | (28) | 5 | 322 | 299 |
| Balance as of December 31, 2023 | $— | $(6) | $(1) | $(1,476) | $(1,483) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (1) | (12) | — | (463) | (476) |
| Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | — | 32 | — | — | 32 |
| Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | (1) | 20 | — | (463) | (444) |
| Balance as of December 31, 2024 | $(1) | $14 | $(1) | $(1,939) | $(1,927) |
- SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Group maintains the following share schemes for employees (and, where the specific rules permit, non-executive directors and/or non-employee contractors): the Flutter Entertainment plc 2024 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2016 Restricted Share Plan; the FanDuel Group Value Creation Award; the Flutter Entertainment plc Sharesave Scheme; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2015 Medium Term Incentive Plan; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2015 Deferred Share Incentive Plan; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2022 Supplementary Restricted Share Plan; and the Stars Group Equity Plans.
Flutter Entertainment plc 2024 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the ‘2024 Incentive Plan’) On June 26, 2024, the Board adopted the Flutter Entertainment plc 2024 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Incentive Plan”) as a vehicle to continue granting equity to the Group, the Group’s affiliates’, current and prospective employees, and officers, non-employee directors and consultants. The 2024 Incentive Plan provides for an initial share pool of 1,770,000 shares, with such reserve amount to be reduced by the number of shares (if any) covered by awards granted under the Group’s legacy equity-based incentive plans (including the Flutter Entertainment plc Sharesave Scheme).
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Group granted 167,815 restricted awards and options under the 2024 Incentive Plan.85,421 awards have a market condition based on the Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to the TSR performance of the S&P 500 equity index. The market condition was directly factored into the fair-value-based measure of the award at the grant date. The grants were made in August and December, respectively. The Group engaged a third-party valuation specialist to provide a fair value for the awards using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The key inputs in the model were the weighted average volatility of 40.00%. The weighted average share price of the Group at the date of grant of the award was $220.90. The weighted average fair value of the awards at the grant date was $294.14. The remaining 82,394 options with a nominal exercise price and restricted awards had a weighted average grant date fair value of $213.08 based on the quoted trading price of the Group’s share price on the date of the grant.
For the year ended December 31, 2024 the total compensation cost arising from the 2024 Incentive Plan was $6 million. As of December 31, 2024, there was $20 million of total unrecognized compensation costs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, there has been no exercises/vesting, or cancellation/lapses.
Flutter Entertainment plc 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2023 LTIP”) In April 2023, the Group adopted the Flutter Entertainment plc 2023 Long Term Incentive Plan which enables the Group to grant share awards and nil cost options with a single award vesting in tranches (if the relevant performance conditions are met) after the end of the performance period applicable to the tranche. Awards granted under the 2023 LTIP shall have a performance period of not less than three years.
The awards granted under the 2023 LTIP Tranche 2 in 2024 have a market condition based on the TSR relative to the S&P 500 constituent companies. This market condition was directly factored into the fair-value-based measure of the award.
For the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023,45,941 and 44,820 share options with a nominal exercise price were granted under the “2023 LTIP”, respectively. The Group engaged a third-party valuation specialist to provide a fair value for the awards using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The key inputs in the model were the expected weighted-average volatility of 60.00% and 35.91%, the share price of the Group at the date of grant of the award of $204.19 and $200.00 and the weighted-average fair value of the awards at the grant date was $89.19 and $112.03 for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
For year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 the total compensation cost arising from the 2023 LTIP was $3 million and $1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, there was $4 million of total unrecognized compensation costs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.
For the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, there have been no exercises/vesting, or cancellation/lapses. The weighted average remaining contractual term of the options was 2.42 years and the aggregate intrinsic value $4 million. No outstanding options were currently exercisable.
Flutter Entertainment plc 2016 Restricted Share Plan (the “Restricted Share Plan”) The Group issues nonvested share (restricted share) awards and share options with a nominal exercise price under the Restricted Share Plan. Awards granted under the Restricted Share Plan in some cases vest over three andfour years and in other cases vest overone andtwo years. The grant date fair value of the awards is determined based on the quoted trading price of the Group’s share on the London Stock Exchange on the date of the grant. Restricted Share Plan awards are equity-classified awards with compensation cost recognized over the requisite service based on the fair-value-based measure of the award on the grant date.
The following table provides a summary of the activity under the Restricted Share Plan:
| Restricted Share Awards · Options | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Units · Weighted-Average FairValue · Numberof Units · WeightedAverageRemainingTerm(Years) · AggregateIntrinsicValue($ in millions) | ||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 418,943 | $184.90 | 501,411 | |||||
| Granted | 700,653 | 122.70 | 1,072,479 | |||||
| Exercised/Vested | (130,561) | 189.58 | (87,306) | 11 | ||||
| Cancelled/Lapsed | (16,988) | 138.52 | (157,970) | |||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 972,047 | 140.25 | 1,328,614 | |||||
| Granted | 584,479 | 160.32 | 494,805 | |||||
| Exercised/Vested | (408,755) | 140.37 | (249,588) | 42 | ||||
| Cancelled/Lapsed | (71,560) | 152.38 | (130,901) | |||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 1,076,211 | 150.33 | 1,442,930 | |||||
| Granted | 470,354 | 204.25 | 352,172 | |||||
| Exercised/Vested | (574,423) | 133.51 | (421,123) | 59 | ||||
| Cancelled/Lapsed | (82,163) | 173.61 | (85,432) | |||||
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2024 | 889,979 | $171.22 | 1,288,547 | 8.07 | $333 | |||
The weighted average exercise price for share options granted under the Restricted Share Plan during all years presented and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 is a nominal price. The total fair value of restricted share awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $247 million, $72 million and $16 million, respectively.
The following table provides additional information for share options outstanding as of December 31, 2024:
| AwardsOutstanding | WeightedAverageRemainingTerm(Years) | AggregateIntrinsicValue($ in millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share options exercisable | 333,770 | 6.80 | $86 |
| Share options remaining to vest | 954,777 | 8.30 | $247 |
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, compensation cost arising from the Restricted Share Plan was $161 million, $153 million and $113 million respectively. As of December 31, 2024, there was $133 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the Restricted Share Plan, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.
198,199,249,095 and 2,357,035 of the options awarded in December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 respectively, have a market condition based on the TSR, relative to the TSR performance of the S&P 500 equity index in the case of options awarded in 2024 and relative to the TSR performance of the FTSE 100 (excluding housebuilders, real estate investment trusts and natural resources companies) in the case of options awarded in fiscal 2023 and 2022. This market condition was directly factored into the fair-value-based measure of the award at the grant date. The Group engaged a third-party valuation specialist to provide a fair value for the awards using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The key inputs in the model were the expected weighted-average volatility of 60.00%,34.45% and 41.30% for fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and the weighted-average share price of the Group at the date of grant of the award of $194.40, $172.08 and $115.63 for fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of the awards at the grant date was $231.29, $144.00 and $147.93 for fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
FanDuel Group Value Creation Plan and TSE Holdings Ltd FanDuel Group Value Creation Option Plan (together, the “VCP”) In 2018, the Group introduced a plan for the employees of FanDuel Group Parent LLC and its subsidiaries (FanDuel Group Parent LLC and its subsidiaries together “FanDuel”) that allowed them to share in the future value created within FanDuel. Employees were to be awarded an allocation of units that represented a share in value created. The value per unit of VCP units granted in 2018 was set at $318.00 per unit and the value per unit of VCP units granted in 2020 was set at $200.00 per unit. Employees had the option to exercise 50% of these units in July 2021, or roll some or all of them to July 2023. The Group had the option of settling this plan via the issuance of Flutter Entertainment plc shares or cash.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, compensation cost arising from the VCP was, $1 million and $7 million respectively.
The final tranche of the award was settled in July 2023 and the total fair-value-based measure of share-based liabilities paid during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $176 million, andnil respectively and there wereno outstanding VCP units remaining outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
FanDuel Value Creation Award (the “VCA”) In March 2023, the Group modified the FanDuel Value Creation Award within the FanDuel business to provide a minimum payment to the participants. The setting of a minimum payout resulted in a change in the classification of the award from equity to liability as the VCA awards do not expose the holder to gains and losses in the fair value of the Group in the same way as outright ownership. This resulted in a total additional incremental compensation cost at the date of modification of $2 million. $1 million of compensation cost based on the fair-value-based measure of the original award was reclassified from additional paid in capital to share-based payment liability.
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, compensation cost arising from the VCA was $2 million, $4 million and $1 million respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the fair-value-based measure of the liability recorded in other non-current liabilities for the award was $7 million and there was $5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the VCA, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2 years. There were no amounts paid during the year.
International Plans
In 2021, the Group introduced plans for certain employees within the International segment that allow them to share in the future growth of their business. A portion of the awards vested in 2023, with the remainder vesting through 2025. These awards have been classified as liability awards as the settlement of the awards does not expose the holder to gains and losses in the fair value of the Group in the same way as outright ownership.
As a liability classified award, the fair-value-based measure is remeasured at the end of each reporting period until settlement. The changes in the fair-value-based measure are recognized as compensation cost (with a corresponding increase or decrease in the share-based liability) either immediately or over the employee’s remaining requisite service period or non-employee’s vesting period, depending on the vested status of the award. For unvested awards, the percentage of the fair-value-based measure that is recognized as compensation cost at the end of each period is based on the percentage of the requisite service that has been rendered.
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, compensation cost arising from these plans was $3 million, $3 million and $31 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, there was $1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to these plans, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1 year.
The total fair-value-based measure of share-based liabilities paid during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 wasnil, $12 million andnil, respectively and as of December 31, 2024, the fair-value-based measure of the liability recorded in other non-current liabilities for the awards was $32 million (2023: $29 million).
In 2021, the Group also introduced an award plan for management of the International segment comprising of internal strategic milestones and a value creation element, vesting intwo tranches in July 2023 and December 2025. The awards were liability classified as the awards were based on a fixed amount and settled in a variable number of shares at the vesting date.
In December 2022, the Group modified the portion of the tranche vesting in December 2025 to be a fixed number of shares resulting in equity classification for the remaining vesting term. On the modification date, the amounts previously recorded as a share-based payment liability were reclassified as a component of equity in the form of a credit to additional paid in capital amounting to $3 million.
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, compensation cost arising from the December 2025 tranche was $1 million, $3 million and $2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, there was $1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the December 2025 tranche, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1 year.
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, compensation cost arising from the July 2023 tranche wasnil, $3 million and $9 million, respectively. The share-based payment liabilities with a fair value of $20 million were settled in July 2023 and there wereno remaining balances outstanding as of December 31, 2024 in respect of the July 2023 tranche.
Other plans
In addition to the plans disclosed above, the Group maintains the Flutter Entertainment plc Sharesave Scheme; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan; the Flutter Entertainment plc 2015 Medium Term Incentive Plan and the Flutter Entertainment plc 2015 Deferred Share Incentive Plan which are equity-classified awards with compensation cost recognized over the requisite service based on the fair-value-based measure of the award on the grant date.
During the year a total of 295,594 awards were granted with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $125.38. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, compensation cost arising from these plans was $27 million, $22 million and $19 million, respectively. At the year end there was a total of 1,313,959 restricted awards and options were outstanding for these plans as of December 31, 2024.
Share-based compensation is classified in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) as follows:
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $20 | $15 | $6 |
| Technology, research and development expense | 35 | 30 | 42 |
| Sales and marketing expenses | 12 | 14 | 17 |
| General and administrative expenses | 135 | 131 | 116 |
| Total share-based compensation | $202 | $190 | $181 |
The income tax benefit related to the compensation expense before any valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $41 million, $41 million and $19 million, respectively. The income tax benefit relating to share options exercised before any valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $54 million, $37 million and $8 million, respectively.
- FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Group’s consolidated financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, player deposits, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, player deposit liability, and other current liabilities are carried at historical cost. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximated their fair values because of their short-term nature.
The carrying amount of long-term debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement approximate their fair values, as interest rates on these borrowings approximate current market rates. The fair value of the USD Senior Secured Notes and Euro Senior Secured Notes was $533 million and $540 million, respectively as of December 31, 2024. The fair values are based on quoted market prices.
The following tables set forth the fair value of the Group’s financial assets, financial liabilities and redeemable non-controlling interests measured at fair-value-based on the three-tier fair value hierarchy as defined in summary of significant accounting policies:
| As of December 31, 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3 · Total | |||||
| Financial assets measured at fair value: | |||||
| Available for sale – Player deposits – investments | $128 | $2 | $— | $130 | |
| Equity securities | — | — | 6 | 6 | |
| Derivative financial assets | — | 133 | 133 | ||
| Total | 128 | 135 | 6 | 269 | |
| Financial liabilities measured at fair value: | |||||
| Derivative financial liabilities | — | 15 | — | 15 | |
| Fox Option Liability | — | — | 810 | 810 | |
| Contingent consideration | — | — | 18 | 18 | |
| Total | — | 15 | 828 | 843 | |
| Redeemable non-controlling interests at fair value | $— | $— | $1,567 | $1,567 | |
| As of December 31, 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
| Financial assets measured at fair value: | ||||
| Available for sale – Player deposits – investments | $33 | $139 | $— | $172 |
| Equity securities | — | — | 9 | 9 |
| Total | 33 | 139 | 9 | 181 |
| Financial liabilities measured at fair value: | ||||
| Derivative financial liabilities | — | 178 | — | 178 |
| Fox Option Liability | — | — | 400 | 400 |
| Contingent consideration | — | — | 20 | 20 |
| Total | — | 178 | 420 | 598 |
| Redeemable non-controlling interests at fair value | $— | $— | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Pokerstars trademark held and used1 | $— | $— | $368 | $368 |
| Total nonrecurring fair value measurement | — | — | $368 | $368 |
1 In accordance with subtopic 360-10, Pokerstars trademark held and used with a carrying amount of $1,093 million was written down to its fair value of $368 million, resulting in animpairment of $725 million, which was included in sales and marketing expenses. See“Note 11. Intangible Assets, Net”for a description of the valuation technique(s) and the inputs used in the fair value measurement.
There wereno transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Valuation of Level 2 financial instruments
Available for sale – player deposits – investments
The Group has determined the fair value of available for sale – player deposits – investments by using observable quoted prices or observable input parameters derived from comparable bonds/markets. Although the Group has determined that a number of the bonds fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, there are a class of bonds which have been classified as Level 2 due to the existence of relatively inactive trading markets for those bonds.
Derivative financial assets and liabilities – Swap agreements
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage its interest rate and foreign currency risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis of the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, such as yield curves, spot and forward FX rates.
The Group incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own non-performance risk and the applicable counterparty’s non-performance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of non-performance risk, the Group has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.
Although the Group has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Group assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives.
As a result, the Group determined that its valuations of its derivatives in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Valuation of Level 3 financial instruments
Equity securities
The Group determined the fair value of investments in equity securities that do not have a readily available market value amounted to $6 million at December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: $9 million) using the Market Comparable Companies Approach based on EBITDA multiple. The total unrecognized loss of $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: $2 million loss, December 31, 2022: $6 million gain) is recognized with other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss).
Non-derivative financial instruments
Fox Option Liability
On October 2, 2019, the Group entered into an arrangement with Fox Corporation (“Fox”), pursuant to which FSG Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fox, has an option (the Fox Option) to acquire an 18.6% equity interest of the then outstanding investor units (the “Fastball Units”) in FanDuel Group Parent LLC (“FanDuel”). In April 2021, Fox filed an arbitration claim against the Group with respect to its option to acquire an 18.6% equity interest in FanDuel seeking the same price that the Group paid for the acquisition of the Fastball Units (37.2% of FanDuel) from Fastball Holdings LLC in December 2020. On November 7, 2022, the arbitration tribunal determined the option price as of December 2020 to be $3.7 billion plus an annual escalator of 5%. As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the option price was $4.5 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively. Fox has aten-year period from December 2020 within which to exercise the Fox Option, should it wish to do so, and should Fox not exercise within this timeframe, the Fox Option shall lapse. Cash payment is required at the time of exercise and the Fox Option can only be exercised in full. Exercise of the Fox Option requires Fox to be licensed.
As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Fox Option amounting to $810 million and $400 million, respectively, included in other non-current liabilities, was determined using an option pricing model. The significant unobservable inputs were the enterprise value of FanDuel, the discount for lack of marketability (“DLOM”), the discount for lack of control (“DLOC”), implied volatility and probability of Fox getting licensed.
The enterprise value of FanDuel was determined giving an equal weight to the value indications of the discounted cash flow analysis and the guideline public company analysis. The discount rate used in the discounted cash flow analysis was 20% and 21% for the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. The enterprise value (EV)-to-revenue multiple for the last twelve months and the projected twelve months used in the guideline public company analysis was 4.5 x and 3.3 x for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 4.8 x and 3.4 x for the year ended December 31, 2023, respectively, with the ranges of revenue multiples of selected comparable companies being 1.3 x–5.5 x and 1.1 x–6.2 x for the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. The median was 3.0 x (December 31, 2023:2.6 x) for the last twelve months and 2.5 x (December 31, 2023:2.3 x) for the projected twelve months for the comparable companies. The arithmetic average was 3.1 x (December 31, 2023:3.2 x) for the last twelve months and 2.6 x (December 31, 2023:2.6 x) for the projected twelve months for the comparable companies. In developing the fair value measurement, management placed greater weight on multiples of peer group companies that were most directly comparable to FanDuel from within the selected guideline public companies. The key value drivers considered while assigning weights to multiples of peer group companies were profitability (profit margins), future growth prospects, and size of peer group companies, among others. The result of this calibration was that a multiple between the third quartile and high end was deemed most appropriate to develop the required fair value measurement.
Additionally, management applied a combined 33% and 35% discount for lack of marketability and lack of control for the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 respectively. Management estimated the DLOM considering outputs from various securities-based approaches that included the Asian Protective Put, Finnerty method and Protective put (Chaffe) method. A range of DLOMs obtained using these approaches was 12.1% to 18.9%. To cross-verify the estimated DLOM, management also conducted restricted stock studies and observed average or median DLOMs in the range of c.10.9% to c.45.0%. Management also considered pre-initial IPO studies that indicate median DLOMs to be potentially in a range of 6.15% to 82%, with an arithmetic average of 46.96% within the population of post-2008 IPOs considered in the study. DLOC was estimated at 18.40% using implied discounts in previous observable transactions involving FanDuel’s equity ownership and data based on Mergerstat studies for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. To cross-verify the estimated DLOC, Management has calculated the implied DLOC using the control premium used in goodwill impairment studies.
The combined discounts range from 28.3% to 33.8% and 29.7% to 36.0%, with management having selected 33% and 35%, which is on the lower end of the third quartile, but above the arithmetic average as most appropriate to develop the required fair value measurement for the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
The volatility was 35% and 36% for the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively, with the volatility range of the selected comparable companies being 18.1%–90.7% for December 31, 2024 and 23.3%–58.7% for December 31, 2023. In developing the fair value measurement, the probability of a market participant submitting to and obtaining a license was estimated at 75% for the years ended December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023.
Changes in discount rates, revenue multiples, DLOM, DLOC, volatility and probability of Fox getting licensed, each in isolation, may change the fair value of certain of the Fox Option. Generally, an increase in discount rates, DLOM and DLOC or decrease in revenue multiples, volatility and probability of FOX getting licensed may result in a decrease in the fair value of the Fox Option. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of the Fox Option, the fair value of the Fox Option may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of the Fox Option may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market existed for FanDuel Group LLC. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the Fox Option may cause the losses ultimately realized on the Fox Option to be different than the unrealized losses reflected in the valuations currently assigned.
Redeemable non-controlling interests at fair value
The terms of symmetrical call and put options agreed between the Group and Boyd require exercise price to be calculated at fair market value without giving effect to DLOM and DLOC. FanDuel’s pre-discount enterprise value determined in the same manner as discussed earlier is considered in measuring the fair value of redeemable non-controlling interests owned by Boyd.
Contingent consideration
The contingent consideration payable is primarily determined with reference to forecast performance for the acquired businesses during the relevant time periods and the amounts to be paid in such scenarios. The fair value was estimated by assigning probabilities to the potential payout scenarios. The significant unobservable inputs are forecast performance of the acquired businesses.
The fair value of contingent consideration is primarily dependent on forecast performance for the acquired businesses in excess of a predetermined base target. An increase and decrease in the predetermined base target will not have a material impact on the fair value of contingent consideration as the expected settlement date is in early 2025. An increase or decrease of 10% in the excess over the predetermined base target would increase and decrease the value of contingent consideration as of December 31, 2023, by $2 million and $2 million, respectively.
Movements in the year in respect of Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value
The movements in respect of the financial assets and liabilities and redeemable non-controlling interests carried at fair value are as follows:
| ($ in millions) | Contingentconsideration | Equitysecurities | FoxOptionLiability | Total | Redeemable non-controllinginterest at fairvalue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $(20) | $9 | $(400) | $(411) | $(1,100) |
| Total gains or losses for the period: | |||||
| Included in earnings | 3 | (2) | (426) | (425) | — |
| Included in other comprehensive (loss) | (1) | (1) | 16 | 14 | — |
| Attribution of net loss and other comprehensive (loss): | |||||
| Net gain attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | — | — | — | — | (25) |
| Other comprehensive (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | — | — | — | — | 13 |
| Acquisitions and settlements: | |||||
| Settlements | — | — | — | — | — |
| Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest at redemption at fair value | — | — | — | — | (455) |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $(18) | $6 | $(810) | $(822) | $(1,567) |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings | $3 | $(2) | $(426) | $(425) | $— |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in other comprehensive (loss) | $(1) | $(1) | $16 | $14 | $— |
| ($ in millions) | Contingentconsideration | Equitysecurities | FoxOptionLiability | Total | Redeemable non-controllinginterest at fairvalue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $(22) | $11 | $(220) | $(231) | $(781) |
| Total gains or losses for the period: | |||||
| Included in earnings | 2 | (2) | (165) | (165) | — |
| Included in other comprehensive income | — | — | (15) | (15) | — |
| Attribution of net loss and other comprehensive income: | |||||
| Net gain attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | — | — | — | — | (11) |
| Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | — | — | — | — | (50) |
| Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest at redemption at fair value | — | — | — | — | (258) |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $(20) | $9 | $(400) | $(411) | $(1,100) |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings | $2 | $(2) | $(165) | $(165) | $— |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in other comprehensive income | $— | $— | $(15) | $(15) | $— |
| ($ in millions) | Contingentconsideration | Equitysecurities | FoxOptionLiability | Total | Redeemable non-controllinginterest at fairvalue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $(51) | $7 | $(330) | $(374) | $(982) |
| Total gains or losses for the period: | |||||
| Included in earnings | 6 | 6 | 83 | 95 | — |
| Included in other comprehensive (loss) | 2 | — | 27 | 29 | — |
| Attribution of net loss and other comprehensive income: | |||||
| Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | — | — | — | — | 19 |
| Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest | — | — | — | — | 89 |
| Acquisitions and settlements: | |||||
| Acquisitions Settlements | 21 | (2) | — | 19 | — |
| Adjustment of redeemable non-controlling interest at redemption at fair value | — | — | — | — | 93 |
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $(22) | $11 | $(220) | $(231) | $(781) |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings | $6 | $6 | $83 | $95 | $— |
| Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in other comprehensive income | $2 | $— | $27 | $29 | $— |
- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantees
The Group has uncommitted working capital overdraft facilities of $20 million (December 31, 2023: $21 million) with Allied Irish Banks p.l.c. These facilities are secured by a Letter of Guarantee from Flutter Entertainment plc.
The Group has bank guarantees: (i) in favor of certain gaming regulatory authorities to guarantee the payment of player funds, player prizes, and certain taxes and fees due by a number of Group companies; and (ii) in respect of certain third-party rental and other property commitments, merchant facilities and third party letter of credit facilities. The bank guarantees have various expected terms up to December 31, 2032; three of the bank guarantees are indefinite lived. The maximum amount of the guarantees as of December 31, 2024 was $304 million (December 31, 2023: $322 million). No claims had been made against the guarantees as of December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: $Nil). The guarantees are secured by counter indemnities from Flutter Entertainment plc and certain of its subsidiary companies. The value of cash deposits over which the guaranteeing banks hold security was $62 million as of December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: $29 million).
Other purchase obligations
The Group is a party to several non-cancelable contracts with vendors where the Group is obligated to make future minimum payments under the terms of these contracts as follows:
| ($ in millions) | Year EndingDecember 31, |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,600 |
| 2026 | 1,163 |
| 2027 | 989 |
| 2028 | 344 |
| 2029 | 85 |
| Thereafter | 447 |
| $4,628 |
Legal Contingencies
The Group is involved, from time to time, in various litigation, administrative and other legal proceedings, including regulatory actions, incidental or related to its business. The Group establishes an accrued liability for legal claims and indemnification claims when the Group determines that a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The estimates are based on all known facts at the time and our assessment of the ultimate outcome. As additional information becomes available, the Group reassesses the potential liability related to our pending claims and litigations, which may also revise our estimates. The amount of any loss ultimately incurred in relation to these matters may be higher or lower than the amounts accrued. Due to the unpredictable nature of litigation, there can be no assurance that our accruals will be sufficient to cover the extent of our potential exposure to losses. Any fees, expenses, fines, penalties, judgments, or settlements which might be incurred by us in connection with the various proceedings could affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Austrian and German player claims
The Group has seen a number of player claims in Austria and Germany for reimbursement of historic gaming losses. The basis of these claims is rooted in the Group having provided remote services in Austria and Germany (outside of Schleswig-Holstein) from Maltese entities on the basis of multi-jurisdictional Maltese licenses, which the Group continues to believe is compliant in accordance with EU law. However, the Austrian Courts and certain German Courts consider the Group’s services non-compliant with their respective local laws. The Group strongly disputes the basis of these claims and judgements made by Austrian and German courts in awarding the player’s claims.
As of December 31, 2024, the Group has recorded an amount of €16 million ($16 million) within loss contingencies forming part of other current liabilities. It is reasonably possible that the actual losses could be in excess of the Group’s accrual. The Group is unable to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of its accrual due to the complexities and uncertainty around the judicial process. In addition, there are further claims made against the Group amounting to €47 million ($48 million) as of December 31, 2024, the settlement of which is predicated on the merits of the case and whether the enforcement proceedings are successful in laying claim over the Group’s Maltese assets for settlement of these claims. The Group, based on advice from its legal counsel, believes such cross-border enforcement of judgements is in contravention to Maltese public policy and Regulation (EU) 1215/2012 and has not accrued any liability for these claims. The Group has filed countersuits before the Maltese Civil Court for setting aside these claims. The defendants have also filed garnishee orders with the Maltese Civil Court to attach the Group’s Maltese assets, some of which have already been declined by the Maltese Civil Court. Should the Maltese Courts decide in favor of the Group, there would be grounds for dismissal of all pending player claims instituted against the Group.
While the Group believes that it has strong arguments, at this time, the Group is unable to reasonably estimate the likelihood of the outcome due to the complexities and uncertainty around the judicial process.
Income tax dispute in relation to operations in Italy
The Italian Tax Police initiated an investigation of the operations conducted by PokerStars business in Italy (hereinafter referred to as “PS Italy”), alleging that PS Italy’s server infrastructure located in Italy amounts to an Italian permanent establishment for corporate income tax purposes. As of December 31, 2024, the Group has fully settled this tax dispute with the Italian Tax Authorities for an amount of €8 million ($9 million).
Cybersecurity Incident
The Group received notice in August 2023 that certain customer and employee data was involved in the global incident involving the MOVEit file transfer software, which began when the third-party provider administering the software announced that it had identified a previously unknown vulnerability in MOVEit. The Group had previously used MOVEit to share data and manage file transfers similar to many companies globally. Once the Group was informed of the incident, the Group promptly undertook responsive measures, including restricting access to the affected application, launching an internal investigation in partnership with outside independent cybersecurity forensic and notifying the relevant regulators and law enforcement agencies, as well as our employees and customers, impacted by the incident. Based on this investigation and information currently known at this time, the Group cannot determine or predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or any related claims or reasonably provide an estimate or range of the possible outcome or loss, if any, though the Group does not expect that this incident will have a material impact on our operations or financial results. However, the Group has incurred and may continue to incur, expenses related to existing or future claims arising from this incident.
Goods and Services Tax rate applicable to operations in India
India’s Directorate General of Goods & Services Tax (the “DGGI”) is currently investigating the historical characterization of products such as rummy, fantasy games and poker as ‘games of skill’ (subjects to tax of 18% on player commission) rather than ‘games of chance’ (subject to 28% tax on player stakes). In making GST returns, Junglee and PokerStars India have consistently followed the Supreme Court of India’s rulings in relation to the distinction between games of skill and games of chance and treated its products as games of skill.
The DGGI has issued notices to multiple online gaming businesses alleging historical underpayment of goods and services tax (“GST”), including to Junglee, and most recently to PokerStars India, for a total amount of ₹198.5 billion ($2.3 billion). The Group disputes that any additional tax is payable and has been advised that the notices received are not in accordance with the GST provisions applicable to past periods.
As of the date of issue of these consolidated financial statements, Junglee has had its case joined to the GST cases of other online gaming operators pending at the Supreme Court of India (the “Supreme Court”) . The Supreme Court has stayed proceedings such that DGGI cannot take any further action against Junglee, including raising a demand of the alleged underpayment of GST, until the Supreme Court rules on the GST cases or vacates the stay. The lead case (The Directorate General of GST Intelligence vs. Gameskraft Technologies Private Limited) was ruled in favor of Gameskraft, the taxpayer, at the Karnataka High Court in May 2023, and found that taxes had been paid in accordance with the law, but the case remains unresolved at the Supreme Court.
On June 22, 2024, a meeting of India’s Goods and Services Tax Council (the “GST Council”) (a constitutional body responsible for the formation and recommendation of GST law changes, held by the Supreme Court to be the ultimate authority on the GST issues), recommended amending the GST law to empower the Indian Central Government, on the recommendation of the GST Council, to waive any historical taxes not paid, where the common trade practice was either:
not to subject the goods or services to tax, or
to subject the goods or services to a lower tax rate than what is now being suggested by the DGGI.
The recommendation of the GST Council was incorporated into the Finance Act, 2024.
While this law is not industry specific, if applied by the GST Council to the online real money gaming industry, we would expect the 18% GST already paid on platform commissions for past periods to be accepted as the applicable tax rate and the litigation referenced above will likely cease.
As of the date of issue of the consolidated financial statements, no liability has been accrued as the Group has determined that it is not probable that a liability has been incurred considering the progress of the cases pending at the Supreme Court, decisions of the State High Courts in favor of the industry, the arguments of legal counsel representing the industry and the opinion of the Group’s own legal counsel.
The Group is unable to make an estimate of any reasonably possible loss or range of losses, if any, were there to be an adverse final decision in the cases pending before the Supreme Court associated with the notice received.
Trademark and copyright claim regarding the use of the Aviator brand by Adjarabet in Georgia
Aviator LLC, a company owned by parties connected with the former owner of Adjarabet sued Atlas Holdings LLC, the Group's legal entity operating the Adjarabet brand in Georgia and Armenia, for damages alleging infringement of intellectual property rights in the brand name “AVIATOR” used within four third-party online casino games which were available on Adjarabet’s website. As of December 31, 2024, the Group has resolved the dispute and agreed to reimburse Aviator LLC an immaterial amount of legal costs.
- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Effective from the first quarter of 2025, the Group has realigned its internal organizational structure with the Group's Chief Executive Officer now being the CODM. As a result of this realignment in the internal organizational structure, the Group will update its reportable segments in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2025. Following these changes, the Company will havetwo reportable segments: U.S. and International, (which will include what was formerly our UKI, International and Australia segments). The segment information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not reflect this change in the composition of the Group's reportable segments, as the change did not take effect internally until the first quarter of fiscal 2025.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.