Company Announcements

Post Close Trading Update

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 9092Y
888 Holdings plc
07 January 2020
 

7thJanuary 2020

 

 

888 Holdings Public Limited Company

("888" or "the Group")

Post Close Trading Update

 

888, one of the world's most popular online gaming entertainment and solutions providers, today reports a post-close trading update in respect of its Full Year results for the year ended 31 December 2019 (the "Period").

 

As a result of 888's continued progress during the second half of the financial year culminating in December's revenue at an all-time monthly record, the Board remains confident of achieving an adjusted EBITDA outcome for the Period in-line with its expectations.

 

888's performance has been underpinned by the continued success of the Group's Orbit casino platform across a number of regulated markets as well as further good revenue growth in Sport.

 

Poker has remained a challenging market for 888. However, the Group has been pleased by progress made in the first-phase roll out of its new poker platform, Poker 8, which took place during the second half of the year. The Group is looking forward to adding a number of exciting new product features and rolling out the final-phase platform across the Group's poker markets during 2020.

 

In the UK, the Group has continued to increase revenue reflecting its sustained focus on engaging with and entertaining recreational customers. In Italy, the Group has continued to perform well during the second half of the year delivering further growth driven mainly by the continued success of Casino. As reported in the Group's Half Year results, revenue from Spain during the Period was impacted by the launch of competitors' shared poker liquidity networks between Spain, Portugal and France. The Group has been encouraged by the early performance of its shared liquidity network between Portugal and Spain, which launched in July, as well as by continued progress in the Swedish and Romanian regulated markets throughout the Period.

 

In line with 888's strategic focus, the proportion of Group revenue generated from regulated markets has increased year-on-year.

 

 Itai Pazner, Chief Executive Officer of 888, said:

 

"The Group has delivered solid progress in the second half of the financial year underpinned by continued momentum in Casino and Sport. We are very encouraged by the growth in new customers during 2019 with a record of more than one million new customers signing up to 888's brands during the year. In addition, we were very pleased to end the year with a record revenue month in December.  

 

2019 saw a number of key strategic developments for the Group including the acquisition in March of a sports betting platform and an outstanding sports team based in Dublin. The Post-Merger Integration plan is progressing in line with expectations and 888 remains on track to launch its first proprietary sport product during the first half of 2020. New product development has remained a key focus and competitive advantage for 888 and the success of our Orbit platform across multiple regulated markets during 2019 has been a major achievement for the Group.

 

We have delivered a strong recovery in our UK business underpinned by a clear and unwavering focus on entertaining recreational customers in a safe and secure environment. Continuous investment in further enhancing responsible gaming processes and tools across all markets will remain a key focus for the Group.

 

888 has entered 2020 with good momentum across several regulated European markets and, underpinned by further investment in our team, marketing and product development, we remain focused on achieving further progress in the US. With 888's core strengths as a responsible operator with outstanding technology and diversification across a number of regulated markets, the Board remains confident of further progress in the year ahead."

 

 

- ends -

 

Enquiries and further information:

 

http://corporate.888.com/

888 Holdings Plc


Itai Pazner, Chief Executive Officer

+350 200 49 800

Aviad Kobrine, Chief Financial Officer

+350 200 49 800



Hudson Sandler - 888@hudsonsandler.com


Alex Brennan / Hattie Dreyfus / Bertie Berger

+44(0) 207 796 4133

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

888 Holdings Public Limited Company (888) is one of the world's most popular online gaming entertainment and solutions providers.  888's mission is to supply its customers with innovative and market-leading online gaming products, above all in a safe and secure environment.

 

888 has been at the forefront of the online gaming industry since foundation in 1997, providing to players and B2B partners an always innovative and world-class online gaming experience. At the heart of 888's business is its proprietary gaming technology and associated platforms.

 

The Group is structured into two lines of business: B2C, under the 888 brands, and B2B, conducted through Dragonfish, which provides partners a leading platform through which to establish an online gaming presence and monetise their own brands.

 

888's consumer facing websites offer more than just online gaming. They are entertainment destinations: places where people can enjoy a truly interactive experience and be part of an online community that shares common interests. 888's strong and trusted brands are all accessible through www.888.com.

 

888 was named Casino Operator of the Year at the 2019 EGR awards.

 

Find out more about 888 at http://corporate.888.com/.

 

 

 

 

This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty since they relate to future events and circumstances. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements in this announcement reflect 888's view with respect to future events as at the date of this announcement. Save as required by law or by the Listing Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority, 888 undertakes no obligation publicly to release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements in this announcement that may occur due to any change in its expectations or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement.

 


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