Light & Wonder’s third quarter results received a positive market response, despite revenue coming in slightly below Wall Street expectations. Management credited robust growth in recurring revenue and improved margins across all business segments as key contributors to overall performance. CEO Matthew Wilson highlighted the company’s “strong execution on our product road map and game performance,” noting that recurring revenue accounted for nearly 69% of consolidated revenue. The integration of Grover Charitable Gaming delivered both sequential installed base growth and margin enhancement, while iGaming and SciPlay segments also drove profitability through content expansion and direct-to-consumer growth.
Is now the time to buy LNW? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
Light & Wonder (LNW) Q3 CY2025 Highlights:
- Revenue: $841 million vs analyst estimates of $849.8 million (2.9% year-on-year growth, 1% miss)
- Adjusted EPS: $1.34 vs analyst estimates of $1.33 (in line)
- Adjusted EBITDA: $375 million vs analyst estimates of $363.5 million (44.6% margin, 3.2% beat)
- Operating Margin: 27.2%, up from 19.5% in the same quarter last year
- Market Capitalization: $7.3 billion
While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.
Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Light & Wonder’s Q3 Earnings Call
- Barry Jonas (Truist): Asked about building blocks to achieve full-year targets. CEO Matthew Wilson and CFO Oliver Chow pointed to recurring revenue scaling, North American sales momentum, and the continued impact of Grover, while noting some international sales were delayed into next year.
- Matt Ryan (Barrenjoey): Sought updates on Grover integration and Indiana market entry. Wilson explained the successful Raleigh headquarters launch and reiterated confidence in Indiana’s growth potential, though regulatory timing has shifted the launch into early 2026.
- Chad Beynon (Macquarie): Asked about gaming segment margin drivers. Chow said margin expansion was driven by product mix and recurring revenue growth, with Grover acting as a margin enhancer rather than a detractor.
- David Katz (Jefferies): Inquired about SciPlay revenue growth and direct-to-consumer potential. Wilson acknowledged challenges with mature games like Jackpot Party but expressed confidence in returning to growth as the direct-to-consumer mix increases.
- Justin Barratt (CLSA): Questioned strategies for offsetting new tariff costs. Chow described plans to use pricing, product strategy, and operational efficiencies to partially mitigate tariff impacts, while noting it is a broader industry challenge.
Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters
In the coming quarters, our analysts will watch (1) the pace of recurring revenue and margin expansion, especially as tariff impacts begin to materialize; (2) the successful integration of Grover, including the Indiana market launch and new headquarters ramp-up; and (3) the effectiveness of content and platform innovation, such as Carbon and first-party games, in supporting growth across the gaming and iGaming segments. International market developments and tariff mitigation progress will also be critical to monitor.
Light & Wonder currently trades at $91, up from $73.35 just before the earnings. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free for active Edge members).
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