Brightstar Eyes iGaming and Sports Betting Growth After Q1 2026 Results

Betting and iGaming Expansion 

The company believes online casinos and sports betting will help them grow in the long term.^[1] CEO Vince Sadusky stated that with Brightstar’s current retail network, player data, and tools to manage their customers, they will be able to expand into those areas. ^[2] He added, “These drive mainly our success; however, having casino games and sports betting offered on the app helps as well.”

Financial Performance and Full-Year Outlook  

There was a growth in revenues owing to a more rapid growth of sales in Italy, a satisfactory rise in sales in the United States, and currency moves favorable to the dollar. Income from continuing operations increased to $63 million from $8 million in Q1 2025, while earnings per share from continuing operations stood at $0.20. ^[3]

The company confirmed that the revenue goal for 2026 is $2.50 billion to $2.55 billion, and the adjusted EBITDA is $1.16 billion to $1.19 billion. According to CFO Max Chiara, cost savings and prudent expenditures have helped to raise the EBITDA margin to 48.9 percent from 42.8 percent. 

Digital Gaming Market Growth 

Brightstar focuses on digital as the market grows rapidly. The online gambling market is expected to reach $5.163 billion by 2025 and is expected to grow at a rate of 10.72% to reach $101.45 billion by 2026, with the growth being sustained until 2031.

 ^[4] Sports betting accounts for more than half of all online gambling revenue globally, with North America being the fastest-growing region at 15.40% growth rate until 2031.

Technology, Infrastructure, and Industry Change  

Investments in digital products, entertainment, and flexible betting will be made by Brightstar. They want to convert the in-store lottery player base online to reach a wider audience. 

In their Q1 update, they stated that they will make the final payment of €1.43 billion, the Italy Lotto license, in April 2026, and the extension of credit to March 2031.

Gaming tech is shifting: suppliers help operators build new platforms for regulated markets, while traditional firms adapt to online trends.