Light & Wonder reported US$133 million in 3Q net income on Wednesday, up 16.7% year on year. Revenue slipped 2% to US$824 million, but gaming machine sales in Asia Pacific rose 17% to 3,027 units.
Light & Wonder 3Q net income reached US$133 million, a 16.7% year-on-year increase, on revenue of US$824 million, down 2.0%. International gaming machine sales rose 17% to 3,027 units. SciPlay has named Matthieu Labbat as its new chief executive, and year-to-date adjusted free cash flow was US$545 million.
- Light & Wonder: The 3Q26 Results
- International Gaming Machine Sales Lead
- SciPlay Appoints a New Chief Executive
Light & Wonder 3Q net income was US$133 million, up from approximately US$114 million a year earlier. The increase came despite a revenue decline, with the group posting US$824 million for the three months ended September 30. The result beat market consensus and the estimates carried by JP Morgan, which published a note on Thursday.
Adjusted property EBITDA reached US$383 million, a 2.1% increase from a year earlier. Operating expenses fell 4.9% to US$582 million, and year-to-date adjusted free cash flow rose 49% to US$545 million. CFO Oliver Chow said the recurring revenue base and margin discipline drove the cash generation, with the total matching the full-year 2025 level.
Light & Wonder: The 3Q26 Results
Gaming remains Light & Wonder’s largest segment, and its revenue was down only 0.7% to US$554 million. Within the segment, revenue from gaming systems fell 23.6% to US$55 million, while gaming machine sales rose 5.3% to US$199 million and gaming operations grew 2.9% to US$248 million.
The group’s North American premium installed base grew for a 25th consecutive quarter, and Grover Charitable Gaming, which Light & Wonder acquired in May 2025, is scaling across both existing and new markets. CEO Matt Wilson said the company is encouraged by customer feedback following the recent trade shows and by purchase intentions seen in the latest industry data.
International Gaming Machine Sales Lead
Light & Wonder shipped 8,906 new gaming machine units worldwide in the third quarter, up 3.5% from 8,608 units a year earlier. International markets accounted for 3,027 of those units, a 17.0% increase from 2,587 in the same quarter last year. Asia Pacific was the strongest region for the company, and the sales rise is the clearest sign that demand outside North America is holding up.
The contrast with the US market is the story of the quarter. Revenue from gaming systems fell 23.6% to US$55 million, while gaming machine sales rose 5.3% to US$199 million. Gaming operations grew 2.9% to US$248 million, supported by installed-base growth and higher average daily revenue per unit. The premium installed base has expanded for 25 consecutive quarters.
JP Morgan flagged social casino weakness and customers delaying capital expenditure as the two factors weighing on the outlook. Its read of management’s guidance is that 4% adjusted EBITDA growth is needed in the fourth quarter to deliver 5% growth for the full year in 2026.
SciPlay Appoints a New Chief Executive
Light & Wonder announced on Wednesday that Matthieu Labbat has become SciPlay’s chief executive, effective immediately. He most recently served as senior vice president and head of Product Madness at Aristocrat Leisure, where he held profit-and-loss responsibility for the company’s mobile gaming business.
AGBrief reported on the appointment alongside the results.
Matt Wilson said Labbat’s record of building and scaling mobile gaming businesses, his product vision and his talent for developing teams make him the ideal leader for SciPlay. SciPlay is Light & Wonder’s social casino business, and the appointment reflects a period of weakness in that segment, which was cited by JP Morgan alongside delayed capital spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much was Light & Wonder’s 3Q26 net income?
Light & Wonder reported US$133 million in 3Q net income, up 16.7% from approximately US$114 million a year earlier. The result beat market consensus and JP Morgan estimates, despite revenue falling 2% to US$824 million.
Why did revenue decline in the third quarter?
Revenue fell 2.0% to US$824 million because revenue from gaming systems dropped 23.6% to US$55 million. JP Morgan cited social casino weakness and customers delaying capital expenditure. Adjusted property EBITDA still grew 2.1% to US$383 million.
How did Asia Pacific perform for Light & Wonder?
International gaming machine sales rose 17.0% to 3,027 units, including the Asia Pacific region, against 2,587 units a year earlier. Total units shipped grew 3.5% to 8,906 worldwide, so the international market drove the company’s volume increase.
Who is the new SciPlay chief executive?
Matthieu Labbat has been appointed SciPlay’s chief executive, effective immediately. He previously led Product Madness at Aristocrat Leisure as senior vice president, with profit-and-loss responsibility for the mobile gaming business.
What growth guidance did Light & Wonder give for 2026?
Light & Wonder expects full-year 2026 consolidated adjusted EBITDA growth toward the lower end of its mid-to-high single-digit range. JP Morgan’s read is that 4% growth is required in the fourth quarter to deliver 5% growth for the full year.
How strong is Light & Wonder’s cash position?
Year-to-date adjusted free cash flow reached US$545 million, up 49% year over year and matching the full-year 2025 level. Net debt was US$4.88 billion, down 2.9% from just over US$5.02 billion, with leverage at 3.3 times.
This article has been thoroughly researched and reviewed by the CasinoBait editorial team to ensure accuracy and relevance for Asian casino players.
