Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksSPO.L Regulatory News (SPO)

  • There is currently no data for SPO

AGM and Interim Management Statement

10 May 2012 07:00

RNS Number : 0536D
Sportech PLC
10 May 2012
 



 

Sportech PLC ("Sportech" or "the Group")

AGM and Interim Management Statement

 

Roger Withers, Non-executive Chairman of Sportech PLC, one of the world's leading suppliers and operators of pool and tote gaming, will make the following statement at the Group's AGM later this morning:

 

"Trading for the current financial year has started well and we are pleased to report that the Group is performing in line with the Board's expectations with operational progress being made in all areas of our business.

 

The Group remains highly cash generative and continues to focus on debt reduction whilst investing in selective business development opportunities. Net bank debt in the four months to 30 April 2012 has decreased by £4.2m to £55.0m, following the £13.0m reduction in 2011. As previously reported, the Group anticipates refinancing its bank facilities this summer and good progress is being made to this end.

 

We continue to make solid advances with Sportech Racing, our predominantly North American based gaming business, following its acquisition 19 months ago. In 2011, our retail betting venues and telephone betting business in Connecticut significantly outperformed the industry following an investment programme with enhanced management, reinvigorated customer offering and updated facilities. This outperformance continues in 2012, with betting handle (turnover) up 4.5% on last year, which is double the industry average. The highlight of the racing calendar in North America, the Kentucky Derby, took place last Saturday. The total betting turnover at our venues for that day of $4.0m set an all time high for the Connecticut operation and was up 11% on the previous year.

 

Trading in our Tote Services division remains encouraging and continued progress is being made in our Interactive Products and Services division, with further contracts to provide interactive tote services to racetracks, expected shortly.

 

The Football Pools business is performing in line with management expectations. Increasing the number of Classic Football Pools competitions in 2011 has continued to deliver enhanced customer and revenue benefits in 2012. A further expansion of our distribution network has been achieved with a retail distribution agreement with Stan James.

 

Following the migration of our Littlewoods Casino and Poker business to the Playtech platform and the launch of Vernons Casino and Poker in Q4 2011, we are pleased to report that our e-Gaming business has started the year well, with gross win revenue continuing to be up over 30% year on year following a period of customer recruitment onto this new platform. Our remaining e-Gaming activities, primarily bingo, will transfer onto the Playtech platform later this year as we transition our various product offerings to a single platform, single wallet approach.

 

We are now able to confirm that a date has been set for the Group's VAT claim to be heard at the First Tier Tax Tribunal in the week commencing 8 October 2012.

 

The Group continues to prepare for the forthcoming anticipated regulatory change in the key international jurisdictions in which the Group trades and accordingly, we believe Sportech will be ideally positioned to benefit from the opportunities that these changes will deliver. We look forward to the future with confidence."

- ends -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Sportech PLC 020 7268 2400

Ian R Penrose, Chief Executive

Steve Cunliffe, Finance Director

 

Pelham Bell Pottinger 020 7861 3232

David Rydell / Emma Kent / Rosanne Perry

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
AGMGGUMPAUPPUAU
Date   Source Headline
29th Mar 20077:02 amRNSPreliminary Results
12th Mar 200711:00 amRNSMerger Update
7th Mar 20077:01 amRNSExclusivity Agreement
1st Feb 20077:01 amRNSTrading Statement
20th Dec 20069:33 amRNSTransparency Directive
19th Sep 20067:01 amRNSInterim Results
1st Sep 20069:30 amRNSDirectorate Change
31st Jul 20063:01 pmRNSNotice of Results
8th Jun 20064:01 pmRNSShare option announcement
8th Jun 20067:02 amRNSBet Direct Disposal Completed
2nd Jun 20067:30 amRNSAcquisition
2nd Jun 20067:30 amRNSDisposal of Bet Direct
31st May 20069:19 amRNSAGM Statement
19th May 200611:00 amRNSProduct Launch
30th Mar 20067:02 amRNSDirectorate Change
30th Mar 20067:02 amRNSFinal Results
27th Mar 200611:00 amRNSChange of Adviser
21st Mar 20067:01 amRNSNew distribution partnership
17th Mar 20069:30 amRNSNotice of Results
1st Feb 20067:01 amRNSProduct Launch
13th Jan 20067:01 amRNSDirectorate Change
19th Dec 20055:23 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
18th Nov 20057:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
11th Nov 20057:29 amRNSDirectorate Change
3rd Nov 20057:01 amRNSDirectorate Change
28th Oct 20057:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
25th Oct 20057:00 amRNSDirectorate Change
12th Oct 20057:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
29th Sep 200510:02 amRNSShare Dealing - Amendment
29th Sep 20057:01 amRNSShare Dealing Announcement
27th Sep 20057:03 amRNSDirectorate Change
27th Sep 20057:03 amRNSInterim Results
26th Sep 20052:25 pmRNSAdoption of IFRS
22nd Sep 20057:02 amRNSTrading Statement
8th Aug 20059:30 amRNSNotice of Results
25th Jul 20054:01 pmRNSSponsorship Deal
30th Jun 20057:00 amRNSManagement appointment
24th May 20059:52 amRNSAGM Statement
9th May 20058:57 amRNSNotice of AGM
25th Apr 20057:00 amRNSProduct Launch
31st Mar 20057:00 amRNSFinal Results
27th Jan 20057:00 amRNSTrading Statement

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.