32Red Plc ( 32Red or the Company )

Transcription

1 32Red Plc ( 32Red or the Company ) Interim results for the six months 30 June Red, the award-winning online gaming operator, today reports interim results for the six months 30 June Key Financials: H H Casino Revenues 14.5m 9.5m +52% Casino Revenues (acquisitions) 0.7m 0.6m +32% Poker Revenues 0.6m 0.6m -5% Revenue from Bingo and emerging products 0.7m 0.3m +100% Total Revenue 16.5m 11.0m +50% EBITDA before share option costs and exceptional items 1.7m 1.5m +12% PBT 1.2m 1.1m +1% Interim Dividend declared 0.6p 0.5p +20% Exceptional costs of 59,000 (H1 2011: 41,000) relate to costs in respect of legal action taken against William Hill Key points: Record H1 Revenues, up 50% on H % increase in EBITDA before share options and exceptional items 32Red brand set for H2 launch in Italy William Hill s appeal over trade mark infringement dismissed Interim 2012 dividend of 0.6p declared today, up 20% on 2011 Current trading remains strong and in line with management expectations Key performance indicators Active casino players in first 6 months up 81% to 31,722* (H1 2011: 17,548) Casino player yield 457* (H1 2011: 543) New Casino players up 93% to 18,724* (H1 2011: 9,704) Casino cost per acquisition: 166* (H1 2011: 173) Page 1 of 11

2 Current trading Revenues for July and August 2012 are up 22% on the corresponding period in 2011 despite the Olympics taking place at that time. The Board continues its strategy of investing in UK marketing and will commence marketing activity in Italy during the second half of the year. Ed Ware, CEO commented: "We are very pleased to have delivered another strong performance during the first half of 2012, across all key measures. This performance has continued during the first 2 months of the second half of the year, despite the excitement and distraction of the Olympic Games. The sustained revenue growth across the Group has been primarily driven by the 32Red Casino and we continue to work on further enhancing the player experience as well as our marketing effectiveness. As previously stated, we intend to enter the Italian online casino market in early Q4 and we are looking forward to commencing marketing and operational activities. While we continue to focus on our core market of the UK, we look forward to utilising our Italian licence to expand the profile of the brand and to grow the business in another regulated market. 5 September 2012 * In previous periods, the Company had reported the number of players by defining a player as a customer who had placed a real money bet during the period. In January 2012, the Company introduced a more relevant definition for a player as a customer who has played for real money but has also made a deposit during the period. This definition is used in today s trading statement. For reference, under the old definition the number of new players in H totalled 60,861 (H1 2011: 13,901) and the number of active players who placed a real money bet in H totalled 73,909 (H1 2011: 21,745). Enquiries: 32Red Plc Tel: Ed Ware, CEO Jon Hale, Finance Director Numis Securities Limited Tel: +44 (0) Chris Wilkinson (Corporate Broking) Michael Meade (Nominated Adviser) College Hill Associates Tel: + 44 (0) Matthew Smallwood Jamie Ramsay Page 2 of 11

3 32Red plc Performance Summary As reported in its trading update on 23 July 2012, 32Red is pleased to announce an excellent first half trading in 2012, building on the strong trading growth experienced throughout Record revenues for the six month period in the first half of 2012 of 16.5m, up 50% on 2011, has resulted in EBITDA before exceptional items and share option costs of 1.7m (H1 2011: 1.5m). Profit before taxation totalled 1.2m (H1 2011: 1.1m) and earnings per share totalled 1.60p (H1 2011: 1.59p). The Company today declares an interim dividend of 0.6p per share (H1 2011: 0.5p) to be paid on 5 October 2012 to all shareholders on the Company share register on 14 September The continued acceleration in the growth of our player base, a result of increased investment in the marketing of the 32Red Casino, has yielded strong results and the revenue generated by the 32Red casino represents 88% of total group revenues in the first half of the year (H1 2011: 86%). Casino Revenues Excluding acquisitions H H Casino Revenues 14.5m 9.5m +52% Active Casino players 31,722 17, % Casino player yield % New casino players 18,724 9, % Casino cost per acquisition % The continued marketing drive has resulted in a record level of casino revenue for the first half of the year and reflects increased levels of active customers, which in turn is assisted by continued strong recruitment of new customers. This strong recruitment of new customers, particularly through the 32Red mobile channel, is testament to the strength of the 32Red brand, but will inevitably put shortterm pressure on player yields. Other Revenues Revenues from 32Red Poker remain flat at 0.6m for the first half of the year (H1 2011: 0.6m). Increased investment in marketing has grown 32Red Bingo revenues to 0.3m (H1 2011: 0.2m) and 32Redbet revenues have increased to 0.4m (H1 2011: 0.1m). Casino revenue from acquired brands totalled 0.7m in the first half of the year (H1 2011: 0.6m) and remain very much secondary to the core 32Red brand. Italy On 6 March 2012, the Company announced that it had been successful in its application for a remote gaming licence in Italy. Since incorporation in 2002, 32Red has been focused on the UK s online gaming market and has been keen to ensure that earnings have been from a regulated market. Italy represents an excellent opportunity for 32Red to utilise its core skills and apply its longstanding business philosophy in a new and regulated market. The 32Red Casino will go live in Italy during Q4 of 2012 and the Company aims to ultimately offer casino, poker and bingo services to Italian customers. We have been encouraged by recent Italian legislation purported to allow online operators to offer online bingo as early as November and online casino slots in December. Page 3 of 11

4 Trade Mark litigation update Following a six day trial in October 2010 in the High Court, judgment was handed down in January 2011 detailing 32Red s success in its trade mark action against members of the William Hill group ( William Hill ). As a result of that successful action, the William Hill-owned 32Vegas business was held to have infringed two of 32Red s European community trade marks. William Hill s counterclaim that the 32Red and 32 trade marks should be invalidated, failed. Subsequently, the judge ordered that 32Red be granted an injunction against William Hill and ordered an inquiry to assess monetary damages. William Hill appealed this decision and a hearing took place in the Court of Appeal on 5 and 6 December The Court of Appeal described William Hill s case as a full-scale, wide-ranging attack on the judge s analysis and conclusions on virtually every aspect of his judgment. In a judgment handed down in January 2012, the entire William Hill appeal was dismissed. Furthermore, the Appeal court found that William Hill also infringed 32Red s registered trade mark for 32 and in addition held that William Hill took unfair advantage of 32Red s well-known trade marks. In summary, and following approximately three years of argument, liability is now firmly established as follows: The 32Red and 32 trade marks are valid The 32Red marks were infringed by William Hill s use of 32Vegas The 32 mark was infringed by William Hill s use of 32Vegas The use of 32Vegas took unfair advantage of 32Red s trade marks The costs associated with the Appeal, along with interest, have been awarded to 32Red and an initial sum of 70,000 was paid to 32Red on 4 February The balance of costs associated with the Appeal, together with interest will be payable later in the year. The level of damages relating to this case and the liability for costs associated with the original Hearing will be assessed in an inquiry process before the High Court, now scheduled to be heard early in It is not possible at this stage to quantify the financial impact that the Court Judgment will eventually have and for reasons of prudence, the Board has decided to expense the full legal costs incurred less the costs recovered in the period 30 June The Company will treat the future recovery of costs and the award of damages as an exceptional gain in future periods. Strategy While the regulatory environment for our industry remains uncertain, the Board remains committed to its strategy to invest in marketing to licensed and regulated markets. Consequently, marketing expenditure in the second half of the year will be focussed on the Group s primary market, the UK, and will be supplemented by the initiation of a marketing campaign in Italy. The Company remains watchful of other regulatory developments in Europe and the rest of the world, which if properly implemented, should provide further exciting expansion opportunities in the near future. Current Trading and Outlook The second half of the year has started encouragingly with revenues for July and August up 22% on the corresponding period in 2011 and the Company confirms that trading remains in line with management expectations. Page 4 of 11

5 32Red Plc Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the six months 30 June 2012 Notes 30 June June 2011 Unaudited Unaudited Net gaming wins 16,480,758 11,015,535 Cost of sales (13,089,561) (7,840,693) Gross Profit 3,391,197 3,174,842 Administrative expenses (1,626,528) (1,626,477) Other operating expenses (106,610) (73,699) EBITDA before share option costs and exceptional items 1,658,059 1,474,666 Share option costs (85,252) (44,133) Depreciation and Amortisation (357,560) (248,119) Exceptional costs 2 (59,428) (40,597) Profit before tax and finance costs 1,155,819 1,141,817 Finance income Finance costs - (545) Profit before taxation 1,156,233 1,141,660 Tax on ordinary activities 4 (31,154) (31,754) Profit and total comprehensive income for the period 1,125,079 1,109,906 Earnings per share (p) Basic p 1.59p Diluted p 1.50p Page 5 of 11

6 32Red Plc Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the six months 30 June 2012 Unaudited Equity attributable to equity holders of 32Red Plc Share Share capital Share premium options reserve Retained earnings Total Equity Balance at 1 January ,860 12, ,119 2,104,248 2,769,992 Profit and total comprehensive income for the year ,125,079 1,125,079 Shares issued for cash 1,167 4, ,833 Share options charge ,252-85,252 Equity dividends paid (493,593) (493,593) Balance 30 June ,027 17, ,371 2,735,734 3,492,563 Page 6 of 11

7 32Red Plc Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June Unaudited 2011 Unaudited Year 31-Dec 2011 Audited Notes Assets Non-current Intangible assets 5 1,309,056 1,217,364 1,142,722 Tangible assets 6 644, , ,478 1,953,318 1,555,350 1,676,200 Current assets Trade and other receivables 500, , ,306 Cash and cash equivalents 3,959,631 2,443,104 3,372,871 4,460,382 3,336,272 4,105,177 Total assets 6,413,700 4,891,622 5,781,377 Equity Equity attributable to shareholders of 32Red Plc Called up share capital 141, , ,860 Share premium 17,431 12,765 12,765 Share option reserve 598, , ,119 Retained earnings 2,735,734 1,509,411 2,104,248 Total equity 3,492,563 2,121,937 2,769,992 Liabilities Current Social Security and other taxes Trade and other payables ,619 2,921,137 2,769,685 2,955,766 2,921,137 2,769,685 3,011,385 Total liabilities 6,413,700 4,891,622 5,781,377 Total equity and liabilities 6,413,700 4,891,622 5,781,377 Page 7 of 11

8 32Red Plc Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months 30 June Unaudited 2011 Unaudited Operating activities Profit for the year 1,125,079 1,109,906 Interest adjustments (414) 157 Amortisation 254, ,782 Depreciation 103,525 (6,663) Change in trade and other receivables 231,555 (312,197) Change in trade and other payables (90,248) 85,616 Share option costs 85,252 44,133 1,708,784 1,175,734 Investing activities Additions to intangible assets (420,369) (373,911) Additions to tangible assets (214,309) (208,245) Interest received (634,264) (581,768) Financing activities Share options exercised 5,833 - Interest paid - (545) Dividend Paid (493,593) (349,650) (487,760) (350,195) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 3,372,871 2,199,333 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 586, ,771 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 3,959,631 2,443,104 Page 8 of 11

9 Notes: 1. Accounting policies The consolidated interim financial results have been prepared in accordance with the measurement principles of applicable International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRSs ) as adopted by the EU. The accounting policies have remained unchanged from the previous year, as set out in the Annual Report for the year 31 December 2011, available on 2. Exceptional item Legal costs associated with litigation 129,428 40,597 Less recovery of costs received to date (70,000) - 59,428 40,597 During the period, 32Red incurred further legal and other expenses in respect of the legal proceedings against three William Hill companies ("William Hill") in respect of the online casino, 32Vegas. Following a six day trial in October 2010 in the High Court, judgment was handed down in January 2011 detailing 32Red s success in its trade mark action against members of the William Hill group ( William Hill ). As a result of that successful action, the William Hill-owned 32Vegas business was held to have infringed two of 32Red s European community trade marks. William Hill s counterclaim that the 32Red and 32 trade marks should be invalidated, failed. Subsequently, the judge ordered that 32Red be granted an injunction against William Hill and ordered an inquiry to assess monetary damages. William Hill appealed this decision and a hearing took place in the Court of Appeal on 5th and 6th December The Court of Appeal described William Hill s case as a full-scale, wide-ranging attack on the judge s analysis and conclusions on virtually every aspect of his judgment. In a judgment handed down in January 2012, the entire William Hill appeal was dismissed. Furthermore, the Appeal court found that William Hill also infringed 32Red s registered trade mark for 32 and in addition held that William Hill took unfair advantage of 32Red s well-known trade marks. In summary, and following approximately three years of argument, liability is now firmly established as follows: The 32Red and 32 trade marks are valid The 32Red marks were infringed by William Hill s use of 32Vegas The 32 mark was infringed by William Hill s use of 32Vegas The use of 32Vegas took unfair advantage of 32Red s trade marks The costs associated with the Appeal, along with interest, have been awarded to 32Red and an initial sum of 70,000 was paid to 32Red on 4 February The balance of costs associated with the Appeal, together with interest will be payable later in the year. Page 9 of 11

10 The level of damages relating to this case and the liability for costs associated with the original Hearing will be assessed in an inquiry process before the High Court, now scheduled to be heard early in It is not possible at this stage to quantify the financial impact that the Court Judgment will eventually have and for reasons of prudence, the Board has decided to expense the full legal costs incurred less the costs recovered in the period 30 June The Company will treat the future recovery of costs and the award of damages as an exceptional gain in future periods. 3. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share have been calculated by dividing the net results attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the relevant financial periods. The weighted average number of shares used for basic earnings per share amounted to 70,361,860 shares (2011: 69,930,000). To calculate the diluted earnings per share figure, the weighted average of employee share options and awards made under the Long Term Incentive Plan expected to vest has been added. This number represents management s best estimate at the balance sheet date, which is also used for calculating employee payments relating to share based payment transactions. At 30 June 2012, the weighted average number of share options expected to vest was 5,498,168 (2011: 4,111,507) Net profit attributable to ordinary shares 1,125,079 1,109,906 Weighted average number of ordinary shares: For basic earnings 70,361,860 69,930,000 for diluted earnings 75,860,028 74,041,507 Basic earnings per share 1.60p 1.59p Diluted earnings per share 1.48p 1.50p Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic earnings 70,361,860 69,930,000 Weighted average number of share options 5,498,168 4,111,507 Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings 75,860,028 74,041, Taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities 31,154 31,754 Page 10 of 11

11 5. Intangible assets Brand and Domain names Player database Website Development Software licences Total Cost At 1 January , , ,623 1,046,842 2,433,522 Additions 7, , ,369 At 30 June , , ,623 1,459,482 2,853,891 Depreciation At 1 January , , , ,284 1,290,800 Charge for the period 31,664 62,977 17, , ,035 At 30 June , , , ,783 1,544,835 Net book value At 30 June , ,814 82, ,699 1,309,056 At 30 June , , , ,495 1,217, Property, plant and equipment Motor Vehicles Computer and Office Equipment Leasehold Improvements Total Cost At 1 January ,385 1,239, ,484 1,655,635 Additions 76, , ,309 Disposals (47,800) - - (47,800) At 30 June ,845 1,377, ,484 1,822,144 Depreciation At 1 January , ,776 93,522 1,122,157 Charge for the period 15,318 63,894 24, ,525 Disposals (47,800) - - (47,800) At 30 June ,377 1,035, ,835 1,177,882 Net book value At 30 June , , , ,262 At 30 June , , , ,986 Page 11 of 11