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WEB Webis Holdings Plc

1.30
0.00 (0.00%)
08 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Webis Holdings Plc LSE:WEB London Ordinary Share GB0004126271 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 1.30 1.10 1.50 1.30 1.30 1.30 0.00 08:00:08
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Cmp Processing,data Prep Svc 50.02M -745k -0.0019 -6.84 5.11M

Webis Holdings PLC Half Yearly Report (3795Q)

29/02/2016 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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TIDMWEB

RNS Number : 3795Q

Webis Holdings PLC

29 February 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

29 February 2016

WEBIS HOLDINGS PLC

("Webis" or the "Group")

Interim results for the period ended 30 November 2015

Webis Holdings plc, the global gaming and racetrack operations group, today announces its interim results for the period ended 30 November 2015, extracts from which are set out below.

The Accounts are expected to be available from 29 February 2015 on the Group's website www.webisholdingsplc.com and at the Group's Registered Office: Viking House, Nelson Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2AH.

ENDS

 
 For further information: 
 Webis Holdings plc         Tel: 01624 639396 
 Denham Eke 
 
 Beaumont Cornish Limited   Tel: 020 7628 3396 
 Roland Cornish / James 
  Biddle 
 

Chairman's Statement

Introduction

This period reflects the performance of our principal subsidiary, WatchandWager.com Limited ("WatchandWager"), which is engaged in fully licensed pari-mutuel and racetrack operations within the USA. It should be noted that the same period last year contained trading figures for our sportsbook, betinternet.com. This operation was subsequently closed in March 2015 for previously reported commercial reasons. As a result, comparisons versus prior year are based on continuing operations only, namely that of WatchandWager operations.

I am pleased to report further top-line growth for WatchandWager compared to the same period in the previous financial year. However, during the period, our United States operations in particular have continued to experience an increasing cost base. Also, a number of one-off expenditure items have impacted our immediate performance, but are designed to increase the strength of the operation on a long-term basis. These costs, combined with a further tightening of our gross margin due to increased licensing, track fees and regulatory costs, combined to result in a loss from continuing operations of US$ 0.71 million (2014: loss of US$ 0.68 million).

Half Year Results Review

Group turnover increased by 38.7% to US $67.88 million (2014: US$ 48.93 million) but Group gross profit declined by 15.4% to US$ 1.43 million (2014: US$ 1.69 million).

Operating expenses, including one-off items, were US$ 2.12 million (2014: US $2.15 million) reflecting some significant expenditure in the USA as we continue to expand our operational base in Lexington, Kentucky. These included the recruitment of an experienced Chief Operating Officer, plus the relocation of two senior staff from our head office in the Isle of Man, and recruitment of further Customer Services staff to Lexington. Additionally, there were significant restructuring costs in setting up the Lexington operation, plus expenditure on compliance and licensing matters.

We incurred one-off reorganizational costs and non-recurring costs of US$ 0.18 million over the period, primarily as a result of the relocation and establishment of operations in the United States.

In summary, whilst the operations have seen a welcome further growth in turnover, we are experiencing a contraction in margin. This is primarily due to increases in track host fees, source market fees and the cost of being licensed in regulated states. Additionally, there are pressures on margin as the high volume wagering sector becomes more competitive. We are countering this by adding yet more unique product for our players, as well as actively recruiting new players. This is of course the major focus for the second half year and beyond.

In respect of the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, our net assets have decreased to US$ 2.46 million (year end 31 May 2015: US$ 3.17 million). Cash stands at US$ 7.9 million (year end 31 May 2015: US$ 6.1 million).

WatchandWager ADW

WatchandWager ("WAW") grew its Advanced Deposit Wagering ("ADW") turnover by 56.9% to US$ 59.27 million (2014: US$ 37.78 million) during the period, primarily once again due to an increase in high-roller wagering into international jurisdictions. This increase has largely come from wagering activity into Hong Kong Jockey Club ("HKJC") pools; despite no racing taking place during the mid season break of mid July to mid September. In addition, we have seen promising increases in wagering activity into selected USA domestic pools, plus international activity on Australian, French, UK and Irish pools. Our commitment to providing the widest range of betting content of any ADW operation in the world appears to be having a positive impact with the recruitment of several new high volume bettors to our service over the period.

As previously reported, we took the decision to refocus marketing activity through the WatchandWager.com website and mobile product during the period. The sales and marketing team are concentrating on enhancing the website and mobile offering, and offering an attractive sales promotion strategy and hands-on customer service. Encouragingly, initial results are positive, and this area of the business is a significant part of our growth strategy for the future.

We integrated two important payment processing options for the website/mobile, namely Paynearme and Neteller. These have seen a good take up from USA based players and have greatly increased our payments-in processing ability for USA based players, something that has been difficult in the past.

During the period WAW was awarded with a licence to accept wagers within Washington State. WAW also successfully renewed its North Dakota Racing Commission multi-jurisdictional licence for 2016, and its California Horse Racing Board Hub Agreements and Labor Agreements in order to ensure its ADW license remains current for 2016. WAW also continues to be in good standing in relation to its non-USA domestic license with the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.

During the period, WAW invested in various compliance items considered vital to conduct business in USA regulated markets. These included a Systems Audit by a leading Auditor in Nevada and a fully updated Federal and State by State legal opinion into our operations within the USA. In both cases WAW was found to be fully compliant in its operations in the USA, and these pieces of work will be assets to future growth.

Cal Expo

In October, WAW re-commenced harness racing at the Cal Expo racetrack in Sacramento for the fourth successive season. Our position as the operator of this 'bricks and mortar' facility continues to provide us with meaningful leverage in the wider gambling sector both within and outside of the US. Expected one-off costs relating to preparing the racetrack for the upcoming meeting have resulted in racetrack operations reporting a small loss during the period. Once again we expect stronger performance in the second half of the year.

Summary and Outlook

It is clear that the first half of the year has been challenging for WAW, with tightened margins and many exceptional costs during the period impacting on the overall Group results.

More positively the Board is pleased to report that the start of the second period of the year (December 2015/January 2016) has seen a gradual improvement in performance. Over both months we have seen record levels of turnover (based on continuing operations), and improvements in margin and cost reductions. We are expecting this trend to continue to the year end.

Specifically, the Board remains positive over its three core areas of the business, namely:

Business to Business High volume wagering - as recently announced, WAW has now signed an extended three-year contract with the HKJC. Since this announcement we have seen an increase in betting activity into this channel. The reputational importance of this contract should not be underestimated, and we have recently seen increased activity into other of our betting markets, notably the USA, Australia, France, UK and Ireland. We have a good sales pipeline in this area both in terms of content and players and are projecting further growth in this area. We are focusing on growing betting activity in this area, whilst mindful of the need to improve our margins.

WAW website/mobile/call centre betting - following the review of operations, WAW is pleased with the implementation of its new Operations Centre in Lexington. This already appears to be paying dividends with an approximate 25% increase in player numbers on the website and mobile in the early part of the second half of the year. In addition, we have now opened a fully operational telephone betting operation in Lexington. This has been in soft launch stage but we expect revenue to increase in this area during 2016. As a result of these positive signs - the Board has recently agreed to increase its marketing spend in this area over a six-month period from March 2016 to August 2016, with the anticipation of further growth.

Cal Expo - racing operations have continued successfully over the first half of the year. Credit is due to the track team in continuing to facilitate race operations during the recent El Nino storms. We remain confident of a small profit from operations at year end.

WAW continues to monitor developments in both the US racetrack and gaming market, and the progress on federal and state online gaming legislation insofar as it may impact our current or future operations. It should be noted that WAW has recently publicly supported the recent GRAY bill regarding online poker in California, but is realistic to its prospects of success during an election year. Due to much publicised legal complications, WAW has deliberately avoided entering the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) market, and this currently appears to be a decision well made.

The Board is very aware that consolidation and the increasing benefits of economies of scale have become paramount success factors for online gambling operators worldwide, given current market and regulatory conditions. As a result, the Board continues to assess all strategic opportunities for the Group's future for the benefit of shareholders.

Denham Eke, Non-executive Chairman

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

February 29, 2016 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the period ended 30 November 2015

 
                                                                               Restated 
                                                                                   (see 
                                                                                  notes 
                                                                                  1 and 
                                                                              5) Period 
                                                                 Period           to 30 
                                                                  to 30        November 
                                                               November            2014 
                                                       2015 (unaudited)     (unaudited) 
                                               Note              US$000          US$000 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Continuing operations 
Turnover                                          2              67,877          48,930 
Cost of sales                                                  (66,312)        (47,169) 
Betting duty paid                                                 (136)            (71) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Gross profit                                                      1,429           1,690 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Operating costs                                                 (1,948)         (2,134) 
Operating loss                                                    (519)           (444) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Other gains/(losses) - net                                            3           (195) 
Re-organisational costs, impairments 
 and one-off costs                                                (175)            (18) 
Finance income                                                        -               5 
Finance costs                                                      (23)            (31) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Finance income/(costs) - net                      3                (23)            (26) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Loss before income tax                                            (714)           (683) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Income tax expense                                4                   -               - 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Loss from continuing operations                                   (714)           (683) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Discontinued operations 
(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations        5                 (1)             384 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Loss for the period                                               (715)           (299) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
 Other comprehensive income: 
Items that may be subsequently reclassified 
 to profit or loss: 
Currency translation differences on 
 translation of foreign subsidiaries                                  -              11 
Other comprehensive income for the period                             -              11 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Total comprehensive income for the period                         (715)           (288) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Basic and diluted earnings per share 
 for loss attributable to the equity 
 holders of the Company during the period 
 (cents) - all operations                         6              (0.18)          (0.08) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
Basic and diluted earnings per share 
 for loss attributable to the equity 
 holders of the Company during the period 
 (cents) - continuing operations                  6              (0.18)          (0.17) 
--------------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  -------------- 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 November 2015

 
                                               As at         As at 
                                         30 November        31 May 
                                                2015          2015 
                                         (unaudited)     (audited) 
                                Note          US$000        US$000 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets                  7             132           170 
Property, equipment 
 and motor vehicles                              204           118 
Bonds and deposits                               106           204 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Total non-current 
 assets                                          442           492 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Current assets 
Bonds and deposits                             2,501         2,441 
Trade and other receivables                    2,935         2,579 
Cash and cash equivalents          8           7,866         6,103 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Total current assets                          13,302        11,123 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Total assets                                  13,744        11,615 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
 
Equity 
Called up share capital                        6,334         6,334 
Retained losses                              (3,875)       (3,160) 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Total equity                                   2,459         3,174 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                      11,285         8,441 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Total current liabilities                     11,285         8,441 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Total liabilities                             11,285         8,441 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
Total equity and liabilities                  13,744        11,615 
-----------------------------  -----  --------------  ------------ 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the period ended 30 November 2015

 
                                                                    Foreign 
                                 Called                 Share      currency 
                               up share      Share     option   translation    Retained     Total 
                                capital    premium    reserve       reserve    earnings    equity 
                                 US$000     US$000     US$000        US$000      US$000    US$000 
Balance as at 31 
 May 2014 (audited)               6,334     16,978        156           (4)    (18,295)     5,169 
Total comprehensive 
 income for the period: 
Loss for the period                   -          -          -             -       (299)     (299) 
Other comprehensive 
 income                               -          -          -            11           -        11 
Balance as at 30 
 November 2014 (unaudited)        6,334     16,978        156             7    (18,594)     4,881 
---------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  -------- 
 
 
 
 
Balance as at 31 
 May 2015 (audited)          6,334  ---(3,160)  3,174 
Total comprehensive 
 income for the period: 
Loss for the period              -  ---  (715)  (715) 
Balance as at 30 
 November 2015 (unaudited)   6,334  ---(3,875)  2,459 
---------------------------  -----     -------  ----- 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the period ended 30 November 2015

 
                                                              Period           Period 
                                                                  to               to 
                                                         30 November      30 November 
                                                                2015             2014 
                                                         (unaudited)      (unaudited) 
                                                              US$000           US$000 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Loss before income tax                                         (715)            (299) 
Adjustments for: 
 
  *    Depreciation of property, equipment and motor 
       vehicles                                                   29             47 
 
  *    Amortisation of intangible assets                          57             78 
 
  *    Finance (income)/costs - net                               23             38 
 
  *    Foreign exchange losses on revaluation                     12            230 
Changes in working capital: 
 
  *    (Increase)/decrease in receivables                      (356)          1,191 
 
  *    Increase/(decrease) in payables                         2,844        (1,685) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
Cash flows from/(used in) operations                           1,894            (400) 

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

February 29, 2016 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

Finance income                                                     -               10 
Bonds and deposits utilised in the course 
 of operations                                                    38              403 
Net cash generated from operating activities                   1,932               13 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of intangible assets                                   (19)             (60) 
Purchase of property, equipment and motor 
 vehicles                                                      (115)              (3) 
Net cash used in investing activities                          (134)             (63) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Interest and charges paid                                       (23)             (48) 
Loans repaid                                                       -             (11) 
Net cash used in financing activities                           (23)             (59) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 
 equivalents                                                   1,775            (109) 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
 of year                                                       6,103            8,402 
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents                    (12)            (201) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                     7,866            8,092 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
 

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

For the period ended 30 November 2015

   1    Significant accounting policies 

The accounting policies applied by the Group in these consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 May 2015.

Functional and presentational currency

These financial statements are presented in US Dollars which is the Group's primary functional currency and its presentational currency. Financial information presented in US Dollars has been rounded to the nearest thousand. All continued operations of the Group have US Dollars as their functional currency.

Discontinued operation

A discontinued operation is a component of the Group's business, the operations and cash flows of which can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the Group and which:

-- represents a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations; and

-- is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose, or discontinue, a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations.

Classification as a discontinued operation occurs at the earlier of disposal, permanent cessation of activities or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale. When an operation is classified as a discontinued operation, the comparative statement of profit or loss and OCI is re-presented as if the operation had been discontinued from the start of the comparative period.

Going Concern

As noted within the Chairman's Statement, the Group has experienced a tightening of margins and an increase in costs during the period, which has resulted in continued losses being incurred. Achieving economies of scale and controlling costs are key priorities for the Group in achieving its goal of profitability and maintaining adequate liquidity in order to continue its operations. The Directors continue to assess all strategic options in this regard, albeit that the ultimate success of strategies adopted is difficult to predict. Notwithstanding the losses incurred, the Directors have prepared projected cash flow information for the next 12 months and believe that the Group has adequate resources to meet its obligations as they fall due. Accordingly, the Directors consider that it is appropriate that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.

   2    Segmental analysis 
 
                                                               Period        Period 
                                                                   to            to 
                                                          30 November   30 November 
                                                                 2015          2014 
                                                          (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
                                                               US$000        US$000 
----------------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------ 
Turnover 
                                                 United 
Pari-mutuel and Racetrack Operations             States        45,476        36,274 
                                           Asia Pacific        18,913         6,042 
                                                 Europe         2,665         1,689 
                                                British 
                                                  Isles           758         4,925 
                                                Rest of 
                                              the World            65             - 
                                                               67,877        48,930 
 ------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Total comprehensive income - continuing 
 operations 
Pari-mutuel and Racetrack Operations                            (625)         (564) 
Group                                                            (89)         (119) 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
                                                                (714)         (683) 
 ------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Note: Period to 30 November 2014 is restated (see Notes 1 and 5)

 
                                               30 November       31 May 
                                                      2015         2015 
                                               (unaudited)    (audited) 
                                                    US$000       US$000 
 
 Net assets 
 Pari-mutuel and Racetrack Operations                1,290            1,915 
 Group                                               1,169            1,259 
 ------------------------------------------  -------------  --------------- 
                                                     2,459            3,174 
  ---                                        -------------  --------------- 
 
 
   3    Finance income/(costs) - net 
 
                                 Period        Period 
                                     to            to 
                            30 November   30 November 
                                   2015          2014 
                            (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
                                 US$000        US$000 
-------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Bank interest receivable              -             5 
-------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Finance income                        -             5 
-------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 
Bank interest payable             -     - 
Bank charges payable           (23)  (31) 
-----------------------------  ----  ---- 
Finance costs                  (23)  (31) 
-----------------------------  ----  ---- 
Finance income/(costs) - net   (23)  (26) 
-----------------------------  ----  ---- 
 

Note: Period to 30 November 2014 is restated (see Notes 1 and 5)

   4    Income tax expense 
 
                                                 Period to        Period 
                                                                      to 
                                               30 November   30 November 
                                                      2015          2014 
                                               (unaudited)   (unaudited) 
                                                    US$000        US$000 
--------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Losses before tax                                    (715)         (299) 
Tax charge at IOM standard rate (0%)                     -             - 
Adjusted for: 
Tax credit for US tax losses (at 15%)                (112)          (84) 
Add back deferred tax losses not recognised            112            84 
--------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
Tax charge for the period                                -             - 
--------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   5    Discontinued operation 

In March 2015, the Group ceased its Sportsbook and Casino operations due to regulatory changes in its primary geographical market that would have affected its ability to remain competitive and profitable.

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

February 29, 2016 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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