Unibet Group plc - Interim report January - June 2011


Unibet Group plc - Interim report January - June 2011

 


  · Gross Winnings Revenue amounted to GBP 34.3 (39.2) million for the
second quarter of 2011 and GBP 71.8 (81.0) million for the first half
year 2011.
  · Profit from operations for the second quarter of 2011 amounted to
GBP 7.3 (8.4) million. Profit from operations for the first half year
2011 amounted to GBP 18.4 (19.0) million.
  · Profit before tax for the second quarter of 2011 amounted to GBP 7.2
(10.0) million. Profit before tax for the first half year 2011 amounted
to GBP 18.0 (20.3) million.
  · Profit after tax for the second quarter of 2011 amounted to GBP 6.7
(9.1) million. Profit after tax for the first half year 2011 amounted to
GBP 16.7 (18.6) million.
  · Earnings per share for the second quarter of 2011 were GBP 0.236
(0.324) and GBP 0.591 (0.664) for the first half year 2011.
  · Operating cash flow before movements in working capital amounted to
GBP 9.5 (10.9) million for the second quarter 2011 and GBP 22.8 (24.0)
million for the first half year 2011.
  · Number of active customers for the quarter was 301,038 (402,091).

“Strong underlying results”

“I am pleased to report another quarter of strong underlying results.
Excluding the additional effect of the World Cup in 2010 and adjusting
both for France (22 per cent of overall revenue in Q2 2010) and for the
positive currency benefits in 2011, Unibet's underlying growth in gross
winnings revenue was 16 per cent year-on-year. This was achieved despite
sportsbook margins that were lower than the long-term average. Reported
revenues grew by 13 per cent in the Nordics even though the comparables
include the positive effect of the World Cup. Our continued focus on
operational efficiency has resulted in the delivery of a good profit
performance,” says Henrik Tjärnström, CEO of Unibet.

“Trading in July was ahead of the same month last year, although 2010
included the later stages of the World Cup and despite a sportsbook
margin in July 2011 that is a little lower than the long-term average.”

“An excellent Casino performance recorded another all time high. However
Poker has remained a difficult market with little sign yet of any
significant impact from the closure of some US-facing competitors.”

“The Maria brand has continued to perform very strongly, also delivering
all time high results with gross winnings revenue up over 35 per cent
for the Interim period compared to last year. Maria achieved excellent
growth especially in its Casino & Games products, which now account for
over 60 per cent of Maria revenues. Maria is now our fourth largest
market.”

“I am delighted that Kambi went live with its first full-service B2B
sportsbook customer Paf in June. Early indications are that the service
has been well received and this is an important reference site for Kambi
as it develops its pipeline of future customers.”

“During the first half of 2011 we have assessed a number of possible
acquisition targets in line with our strategy to focus on opportunities
for controlled growth in new regions with potential for long-term
profitability. For one target we carried out thorough due diligence but
on the basis of our findings we decided not to proceed. We continue to
evaluate potential consolidation or growth opportunities while keeping a
strong focus on the core business,” says Henrik Tjärnström, CEO of
Unibet.

 

 

Today, Wednesday 10 August 2011, Unibet's CEO Henrik Tjärnström will
host a presentation in English at FinancialHearings, Operaterrassen in
Stockholmat 9.00 CET.

Please go to www.financialhearings.com to sign in.

For those who would like to participate in the telephone conference in
connection with the presentation, the telephone number +44 (0)20 7136
6285. Confirmation Code: 4036216

Please call in, well in advance and register.

The presentation is also web cast live on
www.unibetgroupplc.com (http://www.unibetgroupplc.com/).

 

 

 

For further information please contact:

Inga Lundberg, Investor Relations
                                             +44 788 799 6116

Henrik Tjärnström, CEO
                                                              +44 7515
975 629

 

 

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