Nektan PLC Q3 Trading Update (2140V)

TIDMNKTN

RNS Number : 2140V

Nektan PLC

05 April 2019

NEKTAN PLC

("Nektan", the "Company" or the "Group")

Q3 FY19 TRADING UPDATE

Nektan plc (AIM: NKTN), the fast growing, award-winning international gaming technology platform and services provider, is pleased to announce a trading update for the third quarter of its financial year ending 30 June 2019 (Q3 FY19).

During the quarter, overall revenue rose 5.9% on the same period a year ago (Q3 FY18). The B2B division reported record growth and revenues, while B2C experienced a decline in KPIs as announced in the Company's unaudited interim results released on 25 March 2019, due to a number of factors impacting FTDs and deposits, including seasonality, increased UK regulation around player marketing and verifications and a delay in the granting of the Company's Swedish operator licence. The Board expects trading to improve in the next quarter (Q4 FY19).

The figures stated below are all unaudited.

KPIs

 
                                     Q3 FY19    Q2 FY19**   Change   Q3 FY18**   Change 
 Revenue*                            GBP5.4m    GBP6.4m     -15.6%   GBP5.1m     5.9% 
                                    ---------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------- 
 B2C Net Gaming Revenue              GBP5.1m    GBP6.2m     -17.7%   GBP5.1m     0% 
                                    ---------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------- 
 B2B Revenue                         GBP0.35m   GBP0.2m     75.0%    GBP83k      322% 
                                    ---------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------- 
 B2C First Time Depositors (FTDs)    31,914     36,328      -12.2%   36,359      -12.2% 
                                    ---------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------- 
 B2C Cash Wagering                   GBP141m    GBP168m     -16.0%   GBP142.4m   -1.0% 
                                    ---------  ----------  -------  ----------  ------- 
 

*Net Gaming Revenue (jackpot adjusted) from B2C and Revenue Share from B2B

**adjusted

*calculated using underlying, non-rounded figures

Highlights

   --      Global sales pipeline of future B2B and B2C partners remains strong. 

-- Growth trajectory remains on track and having reported European EBITDA break-even in H1 FY19, this is forecast to continue in H2 FY19, with break-even expected for FY19 (30 June 2019).

-- B2B - revenue increased 75.0% to GBP0.35m in Q3 FY19, up from GBP0.2m in Q2 FY19 (up 322% on Q3 FY18).

-- B2B - 10 partners currently live and further distribution deals signed with 7 new partners, including the recently announced Bede. All due to go live in Q4 FY19.

   --      B2B - E-Lite platform and content distribution deal signed with Addison Global's MoPlay. 
   --      B2B - benefitting from its speed of integration and breadth of premium gaming content. 

-- B2C - network now with a total of 152 white label casino sites live, with 10 new partner contracts signed in the period.

-- B2C - trading is expected to improve in Q4 FY19 due to the continued growth and breadth of the Company's casino network.

Gaming Content Update

-- Games content is increasing across both B2C and B2B with the total number of available games increased to 834 (750 in Q2 FY19, an increase of 11%), from a total of 38 games providers (27 in Q2 FY19, an increase of 41%).

   --      Content aggregation deals signed with leading studios Leander and Rock Salt. 

North America Update

-- Nektan's US subsidiary, Respin LLC (Respin), soft launched its Class II and Class III mobile 'On Premise' product with a major tier-one casino group at one of its properties in California.

   --      Signed a new contract with one of the largest casinos in Palm Springs, California. 

-- The proposed sale of the majority shareholding of Nektan's US subsidiary, Respin, is being finalised and the Company expects to enter into a binding contract for the sale shortly, but in any event no later than 30 April 2019.

Lucy Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Nektan, said:

"Q3 has been another record quarter of growth for our rapidly emerging B2B business. We continue to see strong demand for our award-winning casino technology as evidenced by the signing of 7 significant B2B partners during Q3 FY19. Having achieved EBITDA break-even in H1 of this financial year, a key achievement for Nektan, we remain on track to be break-even in FY19. As reported in our interim results announcement on 25 March 2019, whilst the headlines revenue figures are slightly down on Q2, our growing portfolio of partners means that we do not expect a repeat of what was a quiet period by historical standards.

Developments on the sale of our majority stake in the US division Respin are progressing and we expect to conclude this shortly and before 30 April 2019. This transaction will mean us maintaining a material stake in the emerging US market while removing the cash burn of this business. As a result of that deal, the other inter-conditional transactions, namely the fund raising and CLN conversion, are due to complete as well, putting Nektan in a very strong position to capitalise on our global growth prospects."

For further information on the Group, please contact:

 
 Nektan 
  Lucy Buckley, Chief Executive Officer 
  Gary Shaw, Executive Officer                                        [phone] 
 
 Stockdale Securities Limited (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) 
  Tom Griffiths / David Coaten                                        [phone] 
                                                                     ------------------------- 
 
 Smaller Company Capital Limited (Joint Broker) 
  Rupert Williams / Jeremy Woodgate                                   [phone] 
                                                                     ------------------------- 
 
 Nominis Advisory (PR Adviser)                                        [phone] 
  Angus Campbell                                                       Email: [e-mail] 
                                                                     ------------------------- 
 
 

Further information on Nektan can be found on the Group's website at www.nektan.com.

About Nektan:

Nektan is a fast growing, international gaming technology and services provider, specialising in mobile casino. It licenses its proprietary technology to leading operators including BetVictor and provides end-to-end technology and white label casino services for leading brands including News International's, The Sun Play.

Nektan's full end-to-end technology platform, Evolve, enables the management of the full customer experience and back-office operations, allowing partners to focus on marketing the product to their consumers.

The E-Lite platform is Nektan's B2B gaming content aggregator and bonusing platform that delivers a wide range of premium content from the world's leading game studios. It is an easily-integrated add on module for operators, giving them an array of options and flexibility on how they manage and distribute a breadth of premium gaming content across their networks.

Nektan's US operating subsidiary, Respin, provides US land-based casinos with an in-venue mobile gaming solution. It allows operators to add mobile technology and content to their existing offerings, with products accessible to players across both cabinets and mobile devices inside casinos.

Headquartered in Gibraltar, Nektan is regulated by the Gibraltar Licensing Authority, the UK Gambling Commission and the Information Commissioners Office. As a socially responsible license holder, Nektan endeavours to deliver a safe, secure and robust player gaming experience.

Nektan plc was admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in November 2014.

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April 05, 2019 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)