NEWS
22 February 2018
Mixed results for Playtech due to concerns surrounding Asia
By Caroline Watson

The company’s total revenues for 2017 increased 14% in comparison to the year prior, with a 5% rise in revenue growth at constant currency and excluding acquisitions. Full-year revenue was up from €708.6m in 2016 to €807.1m in 2017.

However, average daily revenue in the B2B gaming division for the first 51 days of Q1 2018, was down 11% on Q1 2017 against strong comparatives in Asia in H1 2017.

In November, Playtech issues a profit warning, explaining that earnings would be impacted by a crackdown on gambling syndicates in Malaysia, one of its largest Asian markets, with no change since the announcement.

Nonetheless, the B2C Gaming Division is performing in line with expectations with the Sun Bingo contract continuing to see revenue improvement.

Alan Jackson, Playtech Chairman, comments: “Playtech delivered double digit revenue growth in 2017 despite headwinds in both regulated and unregulated operations. Playtech’s performance continues to be converted into strong cash generation enabling a 10% increase to the full year dividend.

“The completion of the Playtech BGT Sports integration and the completion of the new Live Casino studio in Riga are key operational milestones in the extension of Playtech’s omni-channel offering and the quality of both offerings has already delivered new clients.

“Momentum in TradeTech Group continued with improvements across all KPIs. The division is strategically well positioned for the potential incoming regulations in the financial trading industry and 2017 saw TradeTech consolidate its B2B offering creating a full turnkey financial trading solution. 

“Management is confident 2017 has delivered a strong platform for strategic progress in 2018 through execution of organic opportunities and M&A.”

Playtech’s stock peaked in July last year, valuing the company at about £3.3bn. However, since then the shares have fallen by more than a quarter following concerns of crackdowns. Playtech’s shares were down a further 13% in early trading.