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PTEC Playtech Plc

467.80
-3.00 (-0.64%)
Last Updated: 08:27:21
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Playtech Plc LSE:PTEC London Ordinary Share IM00B7S9G985 ORD NPV
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -3.00 -0.64% 467.80 466.00 468.60 468.00 465.00 465.20 6,469 08:27:21
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Prepackaged Software 1.68B 87.6M 0.2882 18.84 1.65B

Playtech PLC Final Results (9227R)

11/03/2021 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Playtech (LSE:PTEC)
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TIDMPTEC

RNS Number : 9227R

Playtech PLC

11 March 2021

Playtech plc

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

Final results for the year ended 31 December 2020

Strategic progress and strong financial control deliver Adjusted EBITDA of EUR310 million

Playtech (LSE: PTEC) today announces its final results for the year ended 31 December 2020, together with a trading update for January and February 2021.

Financial summary(1,2)

Numbers in table below are from continuing operations (i.e. excluding Finalto and Casual & Social Gaming), unless otherwise stated

 
                                  FY 2020        FY 2019       Change      Change (const. 
                                                              (reported)    currency)(5) 
-----------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------------  --------------- 
 Revenue                         EUR1,078.5m   EUR1,440.5m      -25%            -24% 
 Adjusted EBITDA (including 
  Finalto)(2)                     EUR310.0m     EUR383.1m       -19%            -19% 
 Adjusted EBITDA(3)               EUR253.6m     EUR375.3m       -32%            -32% 
 Adjusted post-tax profit(4)      EUR27.3m      EUR137.4m       -80%            -77% 
 Reported post-tax profit / 
  (loss)(4)                       -EUR73.0m      EUR55.9m       -231%          -223% 
                                                   44.6 
 Adjusted diluted EPS             8.8 EURc         EURc         -80%            -78% 
                                    -24.5          18.1 
 Reported diluted EPS                EURc          EURc         -235%          -227% 
 Adjusted Gross Cash (excl. 
  RCF) (6)                        EUR342.2m     EUR271.5m        26%            n/a 
 

Group highlights

-- Significant strategic and operational progress due to the hard work, resilience and commitment of our people

-- Resilient financial performance with Adjusted EBITDA of EUR310.0 million, driven by Finalto in H1, and Core B2B and Snaitech in H2

-- Strong progress on US strategy with New Jersey and Michigan licences, and launches with bet365 and Entain; multi-state strategic agreement with Parx and additional licence applications in progress

   --      Strategic agreements signed in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama 

-- Launch of ESG commitment, Sustainable Success, to consolidate position as a global leader in safer products, data analytics and player engagement solutions

-- Cash preservation and resilient operational performance leads to strong balance sheet with Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA of 1.7x at 31 December 2020 (1.6x at 31 December 2019)

-- Simplification of Group; Casual Gaming business disposed and Finalto discontinued, sale process ongoing

   --      Migration of tax residency to UK completed in early January 2021 
   --      Brian Mattingley to become Chairman effective 1 June 2021 

Divisional highlights

B2B Gambling

   --      Expanded presence in the US and Latin America 
   --      Very strong online performance, which mitigated decline of retail due to pandemic 
   --      Significant growth continued from Caliente in Mexico; Wplay launched in Colombia 
   --      Continued diversification of B2B business with over 100 new brands added to SaaS offering 

-- B2B Gambling Adjusted EBITDA of EUR125.8 million was down 40% at constant currency versus 2019 due to retail closures, a decline in Asia and significant hardware sales in the 2019 comparative

-- Very strong growth in Live Casino; significant operational momentum with new signings, expanded presence with existing licensees and new product launches

   --      Asia impacted by government restrictions in response to the pandemic 

B2C Gambling

-- Snaitech Adjusted EBITDA decreased to EUR132.0 million (2019: EUR162.5 million) due to retail closures and cancellation of sporting fixtures, partially offset by strong cost control and 58% growth in online revenues versus 2019

-- Snaitech saw continued strong progress in Sports; achieved number one market share position (retail and online combined, measured by GGR) in Italy in 2020

   --      Snaitech land sale completed with EUR49.5 million in cash received in 2020 

-- HPYBET saw retail closures due to the pandemic, resulting in a further impairment of the business

-- White label (including Sun Bingo) saw 8% revenue growth versus 2019 to EUR55.0 million (2019: EUR51.1 million)

Finalto (formerly TradeTech Group)

   --      Very strong H1 performance driven by exceptional market volatility and trading volumes 

-- Finalto's revenues were EUR121.9 million in 2020, representing growth of 80% versus 2019, and Adjusted EBITDA was EUR56.4 million, up 623% versus 2019

-- Despite the strong performance in 2020, the Group continues to execute its simplification strategy in order to focus on Core Gambling businesses and remains in discussions regarding potential sale of Finalto; presented as discontinued operation; EUR221.3 million impairment charge

Current trading and outlook

-- Good start to 2021 in January and February in context of ongoing lockdowns in certain markets

   --      B2B and B2C online businesses expected to continue to perform strongly 

-- Lockdowns expected to remain in major markets into Q2, therefore cautious about retail recovery

   --      Increasing investment in US to capitalise on momentum from Parx and Novomatic deals 

-- Continuing focus and commitment to returning capital to shareholders whilst balancing the needs of the business and taking a prudent approach to its capital structure and leverage

Medium-term outlook

-- Leading technology and strong balance sheet position Playtech to emerge strongly from COVID-19 period and take advantage of emerging opportunities in key territories

o Comprehensive product offering is ideally placed to capture significant US market opportunity

o Opportunities for further material strategic agreements

-- Focus on extending Playtech's position as a global leader in safer gambling products and leveraging its data analytics and player engagement solutions

Mor Weizer, CEO, commented :

"The attitude and skill of our people, and the strength and diversification of our technology-led business model has enabled us to deliver a robust financial performance in spite of the challenging backdrop.

"Playtech also made significant strategic and operational progress by adding new brands, expanding existing relationships and entering new markets. We are particularly pleased with the excellent progress we have made in the US market, launching with bet365 and Entain in 2020, and signing milestone agreements with the Greenwood companies in 2021 to license our products in Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

"Snaitech has continued to excel in Italy despite the retail closures in 2020. Snai achieved the number one market share position in Italy across online and retail sports betting and grew its overall online revenue by 58% in 2020. Italy continues to offer significant growth potential, and Snaitech is ideally positioned to capitalise on this opportunity.

"As the leading technology company in the gambling industry, our licensees look to us to deliver innovation that changes the way players experience gambling entertainment. Key to this approach is Sustainable Success, our ESG commitment launched in 2020, which will consolidate our position as a global leader in safer products, data analytics and player engagement solutions and commits to grow our business in a way that benefits our people, our communities, the environment and our industry.

"The significant strategic and operational progress we achieved in 2020 has placed us in a strong position to capture the exciting market opportunities ahead."

- Ends -

For further information contact:

 
 Playtech plc                                                  +44 (0) 20 3805 
  Mor Weizer, Chief Executive Officer                           4822 
  Andrew Smith, Chief Financial Officer 
  c/o Headland 
 
  Chris McGinnis, Director of Investor Relations 
  and Strategic Analysis                                        +44 (0) 20 3805 
  James Newman, Director of Corporate Affairs                   4822 
 
 Headland (PR adviser to Playtech)                  +44 (0) 20 3805 
  Lucy Legh, Stephen Malthouse, Jack Gault           4822 
 

(1) 2019 numbers are restated to reflect the disposed Casual and Social Gaming business and discontinued Finalto business for the purposes of comparison. Totals in tables throughout this statement may not exactly equal the components of the total due to rounding.

(2) Adjusted EBITDA (including Finalto) has been included as a metric because it is the most comparable to market consensus estimates by the equity research analysts that follow the Company. The reconciliation between this metric and Adjusted EBITDA is simply the inclusion of Finalto numbers. Finalto has been classified as a discontinued operation.

(3) Adjusted numbers relate to certain non-cash and one-off items. The Board of Directors believes that the adjusted results represent more closely the consistent trading performance of the business. A full reconciliation between the actual and adjusted results is provided in Note 10.

(4) Adjusted Profit refers to post-tax Profit from continuing operations attributable to the owners of the Company after the relevant adjustments as detailed above. Reported Profit refers to post-tax Profit from continuing operations attributable to the owners of the Company before adjustments.

(5) Constant currency numbers exclude the exchange rate impact on the results by using previous period relevant exchange rate and exclude the total cost/income of exchange rate differences recognised in the period.

(6) For comparison purposes, adjusted gross cash in 2020 and 2019 excludes the drawn down RCF.

Conference call and presentation

A presentation will be held today at 9.00 am via a live audio webcast accessible using this link:

https://www.investis-live.com/playtech/5f5f7059f90d370c00358325/wrts

Analysts and investors can also dial into the call using the following details:

United Kingdom: 0800 640 6441

USA: 1 855 9796 654

USA (Local): 1 646 664 1960

All other locations: +44 20 3936 2999

Access code: 903278

There will also be a replay available for one week after the live conference call, available at:

UK: 020 3936 3001

USA (Local): 1 845 709 8569

USA (Toll Free): 1 855 762 8306

All other locations: +44 20 3936 3001

Access Code: 687052

The presentation slides will be available today from 8.30 am at: http://www.investors.playtech.com/results-centre/presentations/2020.aspx

Forward looking statements

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. Actual results may, and often do, differ materially from any forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statements in this announcement reflect Playtech'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 Listing Authority, Playtech undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements in this announcement following any change in its expectations or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement.

About Playtech

Founded in 1999 and premium listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, Playtech is a technology leader in the gambling and financial trading industries with over 6,400 employees across 24 countries.

Playtech is the gambling industry's leading technology company delivering business intelligence driven gambling software, services, content and platform technology across the industry's most popular product verticals, including, casino, live casino, sports betting, virtual sports, bingo and poker. It is the pioneer of omni-channel gambling technology through its integrated platform technology, Playtech ONE. Playtech ONE delivers data driven marketing expertise, single wallet functionality, CRM and responsible gambling solutions across one single platform across product verticals and across retail and online.

Playtech partners with and invests in the leading brands in regulated and newly regulated markets to deliver its data driven gambling technology across the retail and online value chain. Playtech provides its technology on a B2B basis to the industry's leading retail and online operators, land-based casino groups and government sponsored entities such as lotteries. Playtech directly owns and operates Snaitech, the leading sports betting and gaming company in online and retail in Italy.

Playtech's also owns Finalto, a technology leader in the CFD and financial trading industry that operates both on a B2B and B2C basis. Finalto has been classified as a discontinued operation as at 31 December 2020.

Chairman's Statement

In May 2020, the Board asked me to take the role of Interim Chairman. The Group's process of appointing a permanent Chairman was severely obstructed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Board tasked me with bringing stability and continuity to the Company at a time of unprecedented challenge and change. It has been an enormous privilege to be the Interim Chairman of Playtech over the past 12 months and I thank the Board and the Playtech team for their support, assistance, hard work and dedication.

On 3 March 2021, the Company announced that following an extensive process, Brian Mattingley had been selected as Non-Executive Chairman. Brian brings significant online gambling sector experience and a track record of delivering high levels of stakeholder engagement in highly regulated and fast-growing industries. Brian will take up the role from 1 June 2021 and the Board and I look forward to working with him to deliver the next phase of Playtech's growth.

During my time as Chairman, the Board and I worked with the Management team to focus the Company's efforts in three key areas. Firstly, to ensure that we did everything we could to protect our people and their livelihoods in the face of the immediate challenges of the pandemic, and to ensure our customers were well looked after. Secondly, to ensure that Playtech achieved its strategic goals to secure future growth opportunities, particularly in the US and Latin America. And finally, to continue Playtech's corporate growth with the launch of Sustainable Success, our commitment to grow Playtech in a way that benefits our people, our communities, the environment and our industry - following the events of 2020, this is now more important than ever.

Performance and COVID-19

Playtech enjoyed a strong start to the year before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of an unprecedented trading environment the Board is proud to report that Playtech delivered a resilient financial performance, delivering against our strategic priorities, whilst also laying the foundations for future growth. Swift action to enact our business continuity plans and strong engagement with employees and licensees allowed Playtech to continue to deliver its software and services whilst being agile enough to work with partners to launch new projects. Although parts of our business remain adversely affected by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the diversity and strength of Playtech's business model in 2020 can give stakeholders confidence in our resilience in the face of any continuing restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Central to our strong performance during 2020 was the continued professionalism and commitment of our people. Our number one priority during this crisis has been the health and wellbeing of Playtech's employees -we have worked to protect and support them through our swift move to remote working and our global employee wellbeing programme. The Board has been continually impressed and inspired by our people's compassion -not only supporting each other but also working to support their local communities during 2020. As a global business, Playtech has offices in many locations impacted by the crisis. Playtech and its people offered their skills, charitable budgets, assets and technology to support local communities, charities and not-for-profit organisations, and licensees to help reduce the impact of COVID-19.

In order to support our communities and the industry to help address the long-term challenges of the pandemic, in 2020 the Board approved a GBP3 million COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Fund. The Fund aims to assist non-profit and social enterprise organisations delivering mental health and wellbeing services in Playtech's end markets and local communities. The Fund will prioritise support for organisations delivering programmes to people affected by gambling related harm, domestic abuse, and unemployment as well as at-risk groups such as young people, frontline healthcare workers and first responders. The Fund will be managed and distributed by the Charity Aid Foundation (CAF).

Strategic Progress

The scale of our technology and breadth of our product offering has continued to deliver strategic progress in key markets. In 2020 Playtech entered the US market with a transactional waiver in New Jersey in H1 and has since launched with bet365 and Entain. This was followed by regulatory approval in Michigan in December and a strategic multi-state agreement with Parx Casino and the Greenwood companies in early 2021. This was delivered alongside continued growth in Latin America with Caliente in Mexico, new structured agreements in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama as well as the launch of Wplay in Colombia.

Further strategic progress was made in 2020 in disposing of non-core assets and focusing the business on executing on its strategic position as a leader in gambling technology. In early 2021 Playtech completed the disposal of its remaining Casual and Social Gaming assets and remains in discussions regarding the sale of Finalto.

Sustainable Success and Stakeholder Advisory Panel

Over the last 12 months, Playtech has worked with academics, charities and thought leaders in the gambling sector to make Sustainable Success a roadmap for Playtech utilising our scale, reach and data capabilities to build a sustainable, successful, and safer gambling entertainment industry for the benefit of all stakeholders. A key pillar of Sustainable Success is our commitment to invest GBP5 million from 2020 to 2025 to promote healthy online lives, digital resilience and to reduce digital gambling-related harm by engaging with a wide range of organisations to explore opportunities for collaboration, research, and interventions.

During the year, in addition to strengthening our approach to sustainability, we continued to focus on our stakeholders, making them an integral part of what we do - from working ever closer with our licensees, to engaging with our people to help them support our communities. To continue to strengthen our stakeholder engagement into 2021, Playtech launched its first Stakeholder Advisory Panel. Throughout 2021, the Playtech Chairman and CEO will host a series of panels with thought leaders, policy and sustainability experts from inside and outside the sector to inform and challenge how we approach sustainability and safer gambling.

During 2020, Playtech shareholders approved the amendment of the Company's articles to facilitate the migration of the Company's tax residency to the United Kingdom from the Isle of Man. This allows Playtech to hold Board and General meetings in the UK and helps to facilitate greater shareholder and broader stakeholder engagement with the Company and the Board.

Shareholder Returns

As part of the Management team's actions to preserve cash across the business, the Board suspended shareholder distributions in March 2020 due to the uncertainty relating to COVID-19. The share repurchase programme announced at the FY 2019 results was postponed with immediate effect with approximately EUR10 million of the EUR40 million buyback having been completed. Also, the 2019 final dividend was not proposed at the AGM. Together these measures allowed the Company to preserve over EUR65 million of cash outflows during the year and has helped to ensure that Playtech ended 2020 in a strong financial position.

Playtech remains committed to returning capital to shareholders whilst balancing the needs of the business and taking a prudent approach to its capital structure and leverage.

Chief Executive Officer's Review

Overview

Against a challenging backdrop, Playtech delivered a resilient financial performance in 2020 with swift management actions limiting the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on overall Adjusted EBITDA. More importantly, Playtech continued to make significant strategic progress, which positions the Group strongly to benefit from the recovery and to capture the exciting market opportunity.

Playtech made excellent progress in the highly strategic US market, launching with bet365 and Entain in 2020. The scope for further progress is significant, and the Group recently announced agreements with the Greenwood companies to license our products in four states.

Alongside this, Playtech has continued to build on its position in Latin America. Caliente continues to go from strength to strength, and the Group added new structured agreements in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. Playtech also added more than 100 new brands to its SaaS offering in 2020.

Snaitech has continued to outperform in Italy despite the retail closures in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Snai achieved the number one market share position in Italy across online and retail sports betting (measured by GGR) and grew its overall online revenue by 58% in 2020.

As the leading technology company in the gambling industry, Playtech recognises that licensees look to the Group to deliver innovation that changes the way players experience gambling entertainment. Key to this approach is Sustainable Success, Playtech's new ESG strategy launched in 2020, which aims to consolidate its position as a global leader in safer products, data analytics and player engagement solutions and build a safe and sustainable gambling industry.

The simplification of Playtech is also progressing. Casual Gaming has been disposed and the Finalto sale process is advanced. Once this process is completed, Playtech will be a simpler business, focused on the attractive markets of core B2B Gambling and B2C Gambling.

Response to COVID-19

As COVID-19 impacted the global economy throughout 2020, Playtech made considerable efforts to mitigate the effects of the outbreak on its staff, its partners and its business. Management took decisive action to ensure the health and wellbeing of its employees and to preserve cash flow, while continuing to provide customers with Playtech's leading technology.

Playtech enacted its business continuity plan in the early stages of the pandemic with all of its offices moving to remote working during March to protect employees' health and safety. Playtech managed this transition while largely maintaining productivity levels and delivery deadlines. Other actions taken included the deferral or cancellation of capital expenditure, strict working capital management, suspension of shareholder distributions, reduced working hours in certain locations, reduced office and maintenance costs, and the renegotiation of timing of cash outflows including contingent consideration payments due in 2020.

Certain parts of Playtech's business, particularly those with a retail focus, were severely affected by the pandemic in 2020, and some continue to be impacted into 2021. As a result of the actions taken and the outstanding response from its people, Playtech demonstrated strong operational resilience during the period. In addition to delivering a robust performance, the Company made significant strategic and operational progress by adding new brands, expanding existing relationships and entering new markets.

At the end of the year the Board took the decision to commission a GBP3 million Resilience & Recovery Fund to help address and alleviate some of the long term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on its communities and the industry as a whole. The Fund has been established to assist and support organisations delivering mental health and wellbeing services around the world, so that people can benefit from accessible and affordable support from these vital programmes.

Core B2B Gambling

The strategic focus of Playtech's Core B2B Gambling business continues to be on higher margin regulated opportunities with Casino, Live Casino and Sports being of greatest focus. Playtech continues to support existing licensees with new technologies and tools and provide them with greater flexibility in their operations. Playtech intends to continue accessing opportunities including attracting new customers in both existing regulated markets and newly regulated markets, as well as through new structured agreements and joint ventures depending on commercial suitability and market dynamics.

Overall, Core B2B Gambling revenues declined 6% in the period compared to 2019, as the impact of retail closures and the cancellation or postponement of sporting events had a significant negative impact on revenue in the retail parts of this business, outweighing the significant growth seen in the online business. Excluding Sports, the online portion of Core B2B Gambling grew 30% at constant currency compared to 2019 driven by strong results from the Casino (including Live), Bingo and Poker online businesses. Despite the pandemic, operational momentum continued across B2B Gambling in 2020 with new customer wins, new launches with existing customers and further product enhancements.

US

The US is a highly strategic market for Playtech and creates a significant long-term opportunity across its full product suite. In 2020, Playtech made significant progress in the US as it was granted licences to operate in New Jersey and Michigan and launched in New Jersey with bet365 and Entain. Playtech will continue to increase its strategic investment in the US market. Playtech has also started the licensing process in additional US states and has a strong pipeline of opportunities with both potential new customers as well as existing ones in other markets.

In early 2021 Playtech signed strategic agreements with various subsidiaries of Greenwood Racing Inc. which own and operate the Parx Casino in Pennsylvania. The agreements include licensing of Playtech products to the Greenwood companies in the states of Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, commencing with the launch of online casino in Michigan on Playtech's IMS Platform and Player Account Management (PAM).

Casino

Playtech's online Casino business had a very strong 2020. Activity increased due to the growth in recent customer additions, including Swiss Casino, the expansion with existing customers, including Caliente, bet365 and Fortuna, as well as overall increased activity levels in light of government lockdown restrictions in various countries. The lack of sporting events also led customers to look for alternative forms of leisure.

Playtech signed over 100 new brands in 2020 (compared with over 50 in 2019), including Betsson, Stoiximan and Kindred. Playtech continued to roll out its products to further Entain brands and geographies. Playtech also launched with bet365 in Greece, Spain and Bulgaria, as well as with Fortuna in Slovakia, and went live with Svenska Spel in Sweden.

Among various new product developments, Playtech developed the Player Engagement Hub, an in-game widget that updates players on features, such as leaderboards, and will also contain in-built safer gambling functionality to inform players, in real-time, about the potential dangers at various stages of gameplay. Leaderboards is the first feature to be delivered within the Player Engagement Hub. As with future features, this development is an out-of-the-box tool that will reduce the technical burden for licensees, and in turn, accelerate customer's go-to-market timeframes.

Further product developments included the roll-out of Age of The Gods: Norse, an extension of the previously successful suite of games which now includes advanced jackpot functionality.

Live Casino

The Live Casino business continued its strong momentum in 2020. The business continued to add new customers, expand partnerships with existing customers, and deliver innovation while dealing with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

During 2020, Playtech's Live Casino business added a number of new customers, including Totalizator Sportowy, BetConstruct and Svenska Spel. Its progress with existing customers included PokerStars expanding into new territories, such as Denmark and Sweden, and significantly increasing its number of tables with Playtech. Playtech completed key strategic partnership product launches with a series of games, such as Majority Rules Speed Blackjack with Entain, Spin & Win Roulette with Flutter Entertainment, and Cash Back Blackjack with Stoiximan. The business also delivered a variety of new dedicated tables, including Quantum Roulette in Italian for Snaitech, and a series of promotional-led tables and dedicated tables in Spain with Codere, Sportium, Betfred and Entain.

Playtech's key focus in regulated markets saw the launch of Quantum Roulette in Spain, providing the first multiplier-based Roulette game in that market, whilst launching the first live variant of Sette e Mezzo in Italy, which specifically supports partners with a traditional Italian-based Blackjack game.

Playtech took extensive measures to ensure minimal disruption to its Live Casino facilities during the pandemic, whilst also prioritising the safety of employees. As a result, Playtech's largest Live Casino facility in Riga has remained open throughout the pandemic. The Manila facility has been closed at various times due to the Philippines government's strict lockdown measures, however, Playtech has been able to shift all traffic to its other facilities. Playtech has additional contingency plans should further disruptions arise in the future.

Playtech's ability to offer seamless integration to its facilities within days led to a new agreement with one of the most significant providers of Live Casino in Asia. As a result, not only did Playtech's Live Casino business experience exceptional organic growth during the period, it was also able to take on significant additional traffic from this Asian provider's extensive distribution channel.

In addition to its existing product pipeline, Playtech delivered Auto Table and Live Streamer, two products which allowed customers to continue delivering games and services, and enabled dealers to continue hosting games from remote locations during the pandemic. Further innovation included the development of fixed odds games, known as 'Live Betslip Games', to add value to sportsbook users during a period with limited sporting events. Playtech also developed its first ever Live Bingo game.

Sports

Playtech's Sports business started 2020 strongly in January and February while also benefiting from favourable sporting results. However, it was significantly impacted by various government restrictions put in place in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to retail closures and the cancellation or postponement of the majority of major sporting events. The B2B Sports business began to recover towards the end of H1 and in early H2 as sporting events resumed and retail locations reopened. The business was again impacted by government enforced retail closures towards the end of 2020 and into 2021.

Bingo & Poker

The Bingo and Poker businesses enjoyed a strong 2020 with strong growth compared to 2019. The pandemic created a significant increase in activity driven by an increase in players' leisure time due to the government lockdown measures in many jurisdictions at various times during 2020.

Playtech's Poker network added 19 new brands in 2020, including several following the closure of the Microgaming Poker Network, most of which are new to Playtech.

Core B2C Gambling

Snaitech

Snaitech revenue was down 37% in 2020 compared to 2019 while Adjusted EBITDA was down only 19%, highlighting the resilience of its business model. Snaitech had a very strong start to 2020 through January and February, also benefitting from favourable sporting results. However, following the decree from the Italian Government issued on 8 March 2020, all betting shops, arcades and bingo halls across Italy were forced to close as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Snaitech was further impacted by the postponement of most sporting events and competitions globally. During, this period Snaitech continued to generate revenues from its online gaming business, with online betting severely impacted by the lack of sporting events. While Snaitech lost significant revenue from retail closures and the lack of sport, it managed to remain broadly breakeven on an EBITDA level even during the peak of the pandemic. This was largely due to the strong performance of online gaming and Snaitech's low fixed cost base franchise operating model as well as action taken by the business to reduce costs.

Retail shops began to reopen in June with the introduction of appropriate safety measures such as plexiglass screens and social distancing rules. The return of football and other sporting events acted as a significant boost as activity levels started to normalise towards the end of H1 and into H2. Snaitech had a very strong period from July through October when the business was once again impacted by government enforced retail closures from late October through the end of 2020 and into 2021. However, sporting events largely continued throughout H2 and Snaitech remained positive on an EBITDA basis in this period despite the impact of retail closures from late October through the end of the year.

Snaitech achieved the number one market share position in the Italian sports betting market (retail and online combined measured by GGR) in 2020, showing its operational and brand strength.

B2C (ex-Snaitech)

Playtech's White label business (predominantly Sun Bingo) saw a strong performance in 2020 with heightened volumes of activity versus 2019 leading to revenue growth of 10% at constant currency in the year.

HPYBET was impacted by government lockdown restrictions during parts of 2020 and by the cancellation and postponement of sporting events during H1. Its retail locations in Germany and Austria were closed at various points during 2020 and into 2021 and the business incurred fixed costs owing to it being a mix between an owned and franchise model. The closures have led to a EUR41.2 million impairment of the business.

Asia

Playtech's revenue in Asia declined 28% as the business was negatively impacted in 2020 by government restrictions imposed in the region in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The business has also been impacted by restrictions on payment processing which, while not targeted towards the gambling industry, have nonetheless negatively impacted the business.

During 2020, Playtech added a new distributor alongside its existing distributor to add more flexibility in the region going forward and also benefitted in the period from a contract with a leading provider of Live Casino in the region.

Finalto (previously TradeTech Group)

In early 2021, Playtech rebranded its Financials Division, previously TradeTech Group, to Finalto. Playtech remains in discussion regarding the intended sale of this business and it has now been classified as a discontinued operation with an impairment recognised as discussed below.

Finalto had a very strong performance in 2020 as it benefited from increases in market volatility and trading volumes, particularly in H1. This resulted in Finalto's revenues growing 80% versus 2019. Market activity began to normalise towards the end of the first half and this trend largely continued throughout the remainder of 2020. This led to a modest performance from Finalto in H2 compared to H1.

Group simplification

Playtech is in the process of simplifying the group to focus on its core gambling businesses. This process led to the Casual and Social Gaming business being classified as a discontinued operation in 2019. The sale of certain loss-making assets of this business was completed in 2020 for USD 1 million and the remainder of the business was disposed of in early 2021 for approximately USD 10 million.

Playtech remains in discussions regarding the intended sale of Finalto and the business is now considered a discontinued operation. The Group remains committed to executing its simplification strategy in order to focus on its core businesses and in doing so, has recognised an impairment charge of EUR221.3 million in relation to Finalto.

Regulation

Playtech is committed to raising industry standards and facilitating a fairer, safer and more sustainable sector. The Company continues to actively promote regulation in all markets. Effective regulation should ultimately lead to a safer gambling experience. Starting from increasing the potential longevity of each market by driving responsible decision making and investment in safer gambling by operators, regulatory legislation should improve consumer protection in our business of entertainment. Playtech's commitment to safer gambling and its use of technology and data to support its licensees in this area position the Group well to remain the leading platform in regulated markets.

Regulated markets in Europe, Latin America and the US remain key to Playtech's continued growth. Playtech's increase in regulated revenue in recent years is a result of its sustained progress against its strategic goals as well as the continuing success of Snaitech in Italy. Playtech continues to expand into new regulated markets, including the US. The Company intends to increase its scale and distribution in these markets by leveraging its range of products and services across the gambling value chain and its global expertise to sign new licensees as well as expand its relationship with existing licensees into further regulated and newly regulating markets.

US

Since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, numerous states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Indiana, Colorado, Iowa, Mississippi, Washington D.C., Illinois and most recently Virginia have approved legislation to legalise sports betting. Many of these markets have already launched in both online and retail channels, with others expected to launch soon. In total, 22 states now offer or have introduced legislation to allow sports betting with further states expected to pass legislation in the coming years.

Online casino, which was not subject to PASPA, is allowed at the discretion of individual states. West Virginia began allowing online casino in 2020, while Michigan launched in early 2021, joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware while Nevada allows online poker only.

Europe

Regulated markets in Europe represent significant growth opportunities. The Ukrainian regulations launched on 14 July 2020 and looking forward, others will follow. Netherlands and Germany, both top 10 markets in Europe, are likely to reach regulatory resolutions in 2021 with the Netherlands expected to issue licenses and Germany set to update its expiring inter-state gaming treaty. Playtech is well positioned to enter each of these markets and was awarded a sports betting license in Germany through its B2C division HPYBET in October 2020.

After many years of uncertainty for online casino in Germany, the market provided some regulatory clarity in late 2020 as the 16 Länder (German federal states) confirmed that they have agreed to a transitional Tolerance Policy for the period ahead of the implementation of the Interstate Treaty 2021. The Tolerance Policy effectively brought forward several parts of the Interstate Treaty, namely switching off casino table games (Blackjack and Roulette) until the individual Lander chooses to issue licenses under the Treaty, as well as deposit limits on slots and poker of EUR1,000 per month, EUR1 maximum stakes per spin on slots, 5-second minimum duration of slot spins and certain advertising restrictions.

In Italy, one of the Group's largest markets due to the presence of Snaitech, the Government introduced significant restrictions effective since July 2019 on the online advertising of gambling products. Although smaller operators, particularly those who solely operate online, will likely find it more difficult to compete in the market, Snaitech's retail presence and the strength of its brand saw it benefit from the advertising ban in relative terms while it continued to increase its market share online. Further, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government introduced an additional emergency tax on retail and online sports betting until the end of 2021.

Latin America

Latin America remains a key growth territory for online gaming. Playtech continues to explore deals across Latin America and will look to leverage the success of its relationship with Caliente in Mexico. In H2 2019 Playtech signed a major new agreement with Wplay, one of the leading operators in Colombia, which went live with Playtech technology in 2020. Playtech also signed agreements in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama in 2020 as it continued to extend its presence in the region. Playtech recently received a licence in the province of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Sports betting legislation has been passed in Brazil, which is expected to be implemented in the next few years. Given the population and its access to the mobile channel, this could be an interesting opportunity in the future. Further jurisdictions such as Peru and individual provinces of Argentina should also provide opportunities for Playtech in the coming years.

UK

The UK remains a key regulated market for Playtech with its ongoing relationships with major operators. Playtech has been actively involved in discussions around safer game design and online advertising and, through the industry trade body the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), is co-leading a working group on the subject. Playtech expects that its commitment to safer gambling and its use of technology and data to support its licensees in this area will see it remain the go-to platform for regulated markets including the UK.

In December 2020 the UK Government announced a call for evidence in order to review the current gambling laws in the UK. After an initial 16-week call for evidence, the Government will assess the evidence presented, alongside other data, with the aim of setting out conclusions and any proposals for reform in a white paper next year. Playtech is curating data and evidence relating to the call and will be submitting in line with the Government's request.

During 2020 Playtech pledged to make a GBP3.5 million payment to charities in lieu of a regulatory settlement following an investigation into one of its former B2C operations. The Gambling Commission investigation focused on regulatory failings which occurred between May 2015 and September 2017 in a subsidiary that operated two B2C brands in the UK, namely Titan.co.uk and Winner.co.uk. Titan.co.uk closed in August 2018 and Winner.co.uk closed in June 2019. This was part of a strategic decision to focus on the Group's B2B activities in the UK and was taken in advance of the UKGC's investigation. Following a fresh review of the UKGC investigation led by interim Chairman Claire Milne, the Board took the decision to voluntarily make charitable donations of GBP3.5 million and send the message to all Playtech's stakeholders that this event in a former operation was not representative of Playtech's high standards or where the Company sits today.

Game Design

Given Playtech's status as a strategic technology partner to major operators worldwide, it is uniquely positioned to champion innovation in product safety and game design. This is an area of growing interest amongst regulators, politicians and society at large.

Playtech was invited to co-lead the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Betting and Gaming Council's industry efforts to develop the industry's first code of conduct on safer game design. The code, published in September 2020, addresses player safety by ensuring that safer gambling principles are fully incorporated into the design of online games before they enter the market.

The resulting Game Design Code of Conduct includes principles as well as commitments to act on specific features such as limits on slot spin speeds and bans on certain features to discourage intensive play. Following extensive consultation, the measures outlined in the Code were agreed by all members of the Betting & Gaming Council, with some requirements being implemented immediately and others in 2021. The Code is intended to be a living document, evolving as the research base and understanding around game design continues to develop - Playtech is committed to playing a major role in pioneering this important research agenda by providing sound empirical data and insights. In the years ahead, the Group hopes to spur greater levels of industry collaboration. In the UK, the regulator is currently consulting on whether to include the Code measures in its own License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), which would make compliance mandatory for all UK-licensed operators.

Safer Gambling and Sustainability

In 2020 Playtech launched Sustainable Success, its commitment to grow its business in a way that benefits its people, its communities, the environment, and the industry. Sustainable Success aims to deliver change to help build a safer, more sustainable entertainment industry for the benefit of all stakeholders and Playtech has commitment to invest GBP5 million into initiatives that boost digital resilience and safer gambling behaviours . A key pillar of Playtech's corporate strategy is to cement its position as the industry leader in safer products, data analytics and player engagement solutions. To support this, a key commitment of Sustainable Success is to increase the uptake of safer gambling tools and solutions. During 2020, Playtech launched Playtech Protect, a unified brand for all its safer gambling products, research, innovation and thought leadership. As well as offering Playtech's leading safer gambling tools and services, such as IMS, BetBuddy and Player Journey, Playtech Protect also utilises the scale of Playtech's technology by bringing compliance solutions from outside the industry to Playtech's licensees - Playtech Protect simplifies the integration meaning licensees only have to integrate with Playtech to access these additional services. Through Playtech Protect the Company is continuing to share its research, data analytics expertise and insights with a wide range of stakeholders including trade bodies, research organisations and academics.

As part of its commitment to power and promote safer gambling tools, Playtech offered all its Playtech Protect services, including BetBuddy, for free to its licensees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, Playtech continued supporting its licensees and partners to ensure that pre-COVID Safer Gambling commitments and industry codes of conduct were met and operating effectively, to further safeguard consumers during the crisis.

Sustainable Success is also designed to support and further Playtech's core values and unique family culture. How the Company has responded and continues to respond to the human challenges of COVID-19 is a clear testament to that strong culture. As a global business, Playtech has offices in many locations significantly impacted by the crisis. Playtech is offering its skills, charitable budgets, assets, and technology to support its local communities, charity and not-for-profit organisations as well as licensees to help minimise the impact of COVID-19.

Alongside powering Safer Gambling tools, a key commitment of Sustainable Success is for Playtech to partner with global leaders on the shared societal challenges presented by digital and online life. In September 2020 Playtech announced a new collaboration with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), the international leader in problem gambling prevention, awareness, and research. Playtech will use its expertise and experience to help the RGC examine the links between mental health, digital wellbeing and problem gambling using a combination of thought leadership, research, and evaluation.

Chief Financial Officer's Review(1)

Overview

Response to COVID-19

Despite Playtech being severely impacted by COVID-19 through the cancellation of sporting events worldwide and the closure of retail shops, the Group continues to navigate the pandemic exceptionally well and had a resilient 2020. Playtech took early and decisive action to ensure the health and wellbeing of its employees and to preserve cash flow, while also benefitting from heightened activity in its online businesses.

Actions taken to preserve cash included the deferral or cancellation of planned capital expenditure, strict working capital management, reduced office and maintenance costs, the renegotiation of the timing of major earnout payments in 2020 and the suspension of shareholder distributions until further notice given the uncertain economic backdrop.

As a precautionary measure, in the early stages of the pandemic Playtech accessed approximately EUR6 million in government support schemes in the UK and other markets. This was to ensure the Group could protect jobs given the prevailing uncertainty over the severity of the impact on the business from the pandemic. Despite the impact of the restrictions on parts of our business and given the overall resilient performance over the course of 2020, this support is currently in the process of being repaid, has been fully provided for at year end and therefore excluded from our results for 2020.

Group performance

The Group saw an excellent start to 2020 in January and February driven by strong performances from Snaitech, Live Casino and Finalto (formerly TradeTech), combined with favourable sporting results. However, the adverse impact of COVID-19 and the first lockdowns from mid-March to June, and again from late October onwards, led to the Group's total revenues including Finalto decreasing by 20% year on year and on a constant currency basis, albeit boosted by an exceptional Finalto performance during March and April. Following the lifting of various global lockdowns and the reopening of retail in June, the results showed a strong recovery in H2 with July particularly strong driven by pent up demand, a high concentration of football matches and another very strong month from Finalto. The Group continued to recover well in H2 driven by Snaitech and Core B2B, however, this recovery was hindered from late October when further lockdowns were again imposed by governments in several of its key markets, resulting in further retail closures.

Despite the pandemic and the headwinds described above, the Group achieved Adjusted EBITDA including Finalto of EUR310.0 million (2019: EUR383.1 million), an actual and constant currency basis year-on-year decline of only 19%. This was driven by Finalto in H1 and the strength of Playtech's online businesses outside of Asia, namely Casino (including Live), Bingo, Poker and Snaitech in H2.

During the year the Board of Directors solidified its decision and made significant progress towards the sale of Finalto in line with the Group's simplification strategy, in order to focus on its core B2B and B2C gambling businesses. Therefore, the results of this division in the current and prior years have been classified as discontinued operations. Total reported revenue from continuing operations ended at EUR1,078.5 million (2019: EUR1,440.5 million), representing a 25% year on year decline, and 24% on a constant currency basis. The Group achieved Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of EUR253.6 million (2019: EUR375.3 million), a decrease of 32% from last year and on a constant currency basis. The Group's reported EBITDA from continuing operations decreased by 33% to EUR222.9 million (2019: EUR333.7 million).

The Group implemented an internal restructuring in January 2021, which resulted in Playtech plc migrating its tax residency to the UK and the Group's key operating entity transferring its business to a UK company.

Divisional Performance

Core B2B Gambling revenues (2) declined by 6% year on year and 4% at constant currency. This was driven by a 26% decrease in UK revenues as a result of a 47% decline in UK retail activity because of COVID-19 lockdowns. However, the UK performance was offset by a 5% increase in revenues from regulated markets outside of the UK, namely Mexico with contributions from Poland, Colombia, Italy and several other geographies, as well as a 26% increase in revenues from unregulated markets excluding Asia, namely Canada, Germany and South Africa. Revenues from Asia declined by 28% due to the severe impacts of the pandemic in the region as well as non-sector specific restrictions introduced on payment processing.

When excluding the impacts of retail closures and sporting cancellations in 2020, Core B2B Gambling (online excluding sports) revenues increased by 26% and 30% on a constant currency, driven by revenues from regulated markets outside of the UK, which increased by 59% and 68% on a constant currency basis. Revenues from unregulated markets excluding Asia increased by 28%, while the UK remained largely flat.

Within B2C, Snaitech revenues declined 37% due to the absence of sporting events and the closure of retail shops during the COVID-19 lockdowns. However, Snaitech revenues were boosted by a 58% increase in online revenue and furthermore, it achieved the number one position across sports (online and retail measured by GGR) in Italy in 2020. Snaitech's Adjusted EBITDA declined by 19%, a smaller decrease than its revenues, due to its low fixed cost base, effective cost reduction and the strong performance of its higher-margin online business, which saw exceptional growth in online EBITDA of 92%. Playtech's white label revenues, predominantly Sun Bingo, increased 8% while the Retail Sport B2C business suffered only a 3% decline in revenues, despite the retail closures in Germany and Austria.

Regulated revenues from continuing operations accounted for 84% of Group revenues in 2020 (86% including Finalto) versus 87% in 2019 (88% when including Finalto), with the fall driven by lower revenues from Snaitech in Italy as described above.

Reported and Adjusted Profit

Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations decreased by 75 % to EUR45.1 million (2019: EUR177.8 million), driven by the fall in Adjusted EBITDA and an increase in finance costs in 2020 owing to the full period impact of the EUR350 million bond raised in March 2019, as well as the draw-down from the Company's revolving credit facility during 2020.

Reported profit before tax from continuing operations declined by 160% to a loss of EUR52.7 million (2019 reported profit: EUR88.2 million). Reported tax expense decreased by EUR11.4 million due to:

-- Reduction in the current tax because of lower taxable profits, following the decline in the overall Group performance; and

-- Decrease in deferred tax as a result of lower utilisation of brought forward losses in Snaitech, due to its lower taxable profits resulting from the closure of retail locations throughout much of the period.

This led to a total post-tax reported loss from continuing operations of EUR73.0 million (2019 reported profit: EUR56.5 million).

Balance sheet and liquidity(3)

 
                                                  2020      2019 
                                                  EUR'm     EUR'm 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents                        683.7     671.5 
 Cash and cash equivalents included in assets 
  held for sale                                   376.9      2.6 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Total cash and cash equivalents                 1,060.6    674.1 
---------------------------------------------- 
 Cash held on behalf of clients, progressive 
  jackpots and security deposits                 (129.1)   (338.3) 
 Cash held on behalf of clients, progressive 
  jackpots and security deposits and included 
  in assets held for sale                        (280.4)      - 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Adjusted gross cash and cash equivalents         651.1     335.8 
----------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

The Group continues to maintain a strong balance sheet with total cash and cash equivalents of EUR1,060.6 million at 31 December 2020 (2019: EUR674.1 million). Adjusted gross cash, which excludes the cash held on behalf of clients, progressive jackpots and security deposits, increased to EUR651.1 million as at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: EUR335.8 million), owing in large part to the Group drawing down its revolving credit facility as a precautionary measure.

Excluding cash from the revolving credit facility, the Group steered through the effects of the pandemic with its adjusted gross cash increasing to EUR342.2 million at 31 December 2020 (2019: EUR271.5 million) owing to the considerable cash preservation actions described below.

The Group's total gross debt increased to EUR1,182.0 million at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: EUR935.8 million) with Net debt, after deducting adjusted gross cash, decreasing to EUR530.9 million (31 December 2019: EUR600.0 million). The Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio increased only slightly to 1.7x at 31 December 2020 from 1.6x at 31 December 2019(6) , due to the overall reduction in Adjusted EBITDA.

Playtech takes a prudent and disciplined approach to its banking relationships. Despite being comfortably within its covenants, Playtech proactively approached its lenders and agreed to amend the covenants in its revolving credit facility for the 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021 tests.

The leverage covenant was amended to 5x Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA for the 31 December 2020 test and 4.5x for the 30 June 2021 test. The interest cover covenant was amended to 3x for the 31 December 2020 test and 3.5x for the 30 June 2021 test. The covenants will return to the previous levels of 3x Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA and 4x Adjusted EBITDA / interest cover from the 31 December 2021 test onwards, or sooner should the Company decide to make shareholder distributions within those periods.

Given the ongoing uncertainty related to COVID-19 the Board suspended shareholder distributions in February 2020 until further notice. The share repurchase programme announced at the FY 2019 results was postponed with immediate effect and the 2019 final dividend was not proposed at the 2020 AGM. Together these measures allowed the Company to preserve over EUR65 million of cash outflows during the year. In addition, Playtech received a total of EUR49.5 million in cash from the sale of Snaitech land in Italy during the year.

Playtech's swift actions and assured navigation of the pandemic has left the Group in strong financial health to benefit from the reopening of retail shops in its main markets, the full return of sporting events across the world and further growth opportunities as it looks ahead into 2021 and beyond.

Group Summary (continuing operations) (4)

 
                                                     2020      2019 5 
                                                     EUR'm      EUR'm 
 B2B Gambling                                        494.8      553.9 
 B2C Gambling                                        596.3      900.5 
 Intercompany                                       (12.6)     (13.9) 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Total Group Revenue from continuing operations     1,078.5    1,440.5 
 Adjusted costs                                     (824.9)   (1,065.2) 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations          253.6      375.3 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 
 Reconciliation from EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA: 
 EBITDA                                              222.9      333.7 
 Employee stock option expenses                      16.5       13.3 
 Professional fees on acquisitions                    1.7        0.5 
 Additional consideration payable put/call 
  option                                              5.3       10.2 
 Movement in contingent consideration and 
  redemption liability                                1.2        6.3 
 Effect from the amendment on terms of Sun 
  Bingo contract back dated                            -         6.4 
 Provision for other receivables                      2.8        4.5 
 Impairment of associate                               -         0.4 
 Charitable donation                                  3.2         - 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                     253.6      375.3 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA margin                               24%        26% 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis        256.4      375.3 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA margin on a constant currency 
  basis                                               24%        26% 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 EBITDA related to acquisitions at constant          (0.3)        - 
  currency 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Underlying Adjusted EBITDA on a constant 
  currency basis                                     256.7      375.3 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Underlying Adjusted EBITDA margin on a constant 
  currency basis                                      24%        26% 
-------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 

Despite the pandemic and the interruption of retail activity for significant parts of the year, the Group's total reported revenues (from continuing operations) decreased by only 25% to EUR1,078.5 million (2019: EUR1,440.5 million) and down 24% on a constant currency basis. This was driven by the strength of the online business, even when including online sports, which increased by 16% year on year and 27% if we exclude Asia, offset by a decrease of 49% in retail revenue as a result of the various lockdowns during the year.

The Group's Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations reached EUR253.6 million (2019: EUR375.3 million), a year-on-year and constant currency basis decline of 32%. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was higher than the decrease in revenue because of the higher cost base in the B2B Gambling division, only partly offset by the reduced cost base in the B2C Gambling division. This caused the 2% year on year decline in the Adjusted EBITDA margin, from 26% to 24% and is further analysed in the following sections. The Group's total reported EBITDA decreased by 33% to EUR222.9 million (2019: EUR333.7 million).

B2B Gambling

 
                                  2020     2019    Change 
                                  EUR'm    EUR'm 
------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 B2B Gambling Revenue *          494.8    553.9     -11% 
 Research and development         76.1     80.9     -6% 
 Operations                      214.5    181.2     18% 
 Administrative                   63.2     57.4     10% 
 Sales and marketing              15.2     19.6     -22% 
 B2B Gambling Costs              369.0    339.1      9% 
------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 B2B Gambling Adjusted EBITDA    125.8    214.8     -41% 
------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

*To reflect the underlying activity of the B2B Gambling division, B2B revenues include the software and services charges generated from the relevant B2C activity with fellow Group companies, which is then eliminated to show the consolidated gambling division revenues.

B2B Gambling Revenue

Core B2B Gambling revenues declined by 6% driven by a 26% decrease in UK revenues, offset by a 5% increase in revenues from regulated markets outside of the UK and a 26% increase in revenues from unregulated markets excluding Asia. Of the regulated markets outside of the UK, the biggest contributor was Mexico, driven by revenue growth at Caliente, with Poland, Colombia, Italy and several other geographies also contributing to revenue growth. The growth in revenues from unregulated markets excluding Asia came from Canada, Germany and South Africa. Asian revenues declined 28% due to the severe impact of the pandemic in the region as well as non-sector specific restrictions introduced on payment processing.

When excluding the impacts of retail closures and sporting cancellations in 2020, Core B2B Gambling (online excluding sports) revenues increased by 26% and 30% at constant currency, driven by revenues from regulated markets outside of the UK, which increased by 59% and by 68% on a constant currency basis. When including Sports, total online revenues within Core B2B increased by 19% and 23% on a constant currency basis, driven by strong performances within Casino, Live, Bingo and Poker, as a result of the increase in demand for online entertainment due to the COVID-19 lockdown periods during the year.

Overall, B2B Gambling revenues decreased by 11 % largely due to the impact of retail closures in the period which led to a 51% decline in retail revenues, alongside the 28% decline of revenues from Asia.

When excluding Asia, B2B online gambling revenues were resilient through the pandemic. With the exception of online Sport, which declined significantly because of the suspension of sporting events worldwide due to COVID-19, every other online business within the B2B Gambling division achieved strong revenue growth against the prior year.

B2B Gambling Costs

B2B Gambling costs increased in 2020. At the start of the year, we had aggressive investment plans to support the expected strong revenue growth in the year and to capture the opportunity in markets such as the US and LatAm. When the pandemic hit, our revenues and growth plans were impacted with either investment already having been made or with Playtech taking the decision to carry on with the investment plans in order to further strengthen our market positions.

Research and development ("R&D") costs include, among others, employee-related costs, direct expenses related to dedicated teams and proportional office expenses. Expensed R&D costs decreased by 6% to EUR76.1 million (2019: EUR80.9 million), driven by a decline in outsourcing costs and a reduction in office expenses and travel costs relating to R&D teams. Capitalised development costs were 38% of total B2B Gambling R&D costs in the period, compared to 37% in 2019.

The operations cost line includes employee-related costs and their direct expenses, operational marketing, hosting, license fees paid to third parties, branded content, hardware terminals purchased for resale, feeds, chat moderators and proportional office expenses. Operations costs increased by 18% to EUR214.5 million in 2020 (2019: EUR181.2 million). This increase was driven by recruitment in Live Casino, an increase in targeted marketing campaigns relating to turnkey customers and structured agreements, an increase in game patent fees and an increase in doubtful debts directly linked to COVID-19. These were offset by a decrease in costs relating to hardware sales compared to 2019 as well as a reduction in land-based terminals maintenance and service fees.

Administrative expenses increased by 10% to EUR63.2 million (2019: EUR57.4 million) driven by an increase in employee-related costs, legal and consulting fees including those relating to Playtech's expansion into new geographies such as the US and Latin America, tax advice fees relating to matters such as the Group's change of tax residence, compliance expenses and charitable donations. These increases were partially offset by a significant reduction in general travel expenses.

Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 22% to EUR15.2 million (2019: EUR19.6 million), driven by a reduction in exhibition costs and travel costs directly related to exhibitions.

B2B Gambling Adjusted EBITDA

B2B Gambling Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 41% to EUR125.8 million (2019: EUR214.8 million). The decrease was driven by the closure of retail activity for significant parts of 2020 due to the pandemic and the decline in high-margin Asian revenues which flow through in large part to EBITDA.

Furthermore, and as discussed above, included in our B2B costs are significant investments made in order to enter new strategic agreements and geographies (marketing, legal and consulting fees), without an equivalent increase in revenue recognised in 2020, which predominantly explains why the decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was higher than the decrease in revenue.

B2C Gambling

 
                                   2020     2019    Change 
                                   EUR'm    EUR'm 
-------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Snaitech                         522.2    829.7     -37% 
 White label (incl. Sun Bingo)     55.0     51.1      8% 
 Sport B2C                         19.1     19.7     -3% 
 B2C Gambling Revenue             596.3    900.5     -34% 
 Snaitech                         390.2    667.2     -42% 
 White label (incl. Sun Bingo)     47.9     41.2     16% 
 Sport B2C                         30.4     31.6     -4% 
 B2C Gambling Costs               468.5    740.0     -37% 
-------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 B2C Gambling Adjusted EBITDA     127.8    160.5     -20% 
-------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 

Snaitech

Snaitech revenues decreased by 37% to EUR522.2 million (2019: EUR829.7 million), owing to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the closure of retail betting shops in Italy and the reduction in sporting events during the year. However, Snaitech's revenue was supported by a 58% increase in online revenues, which was driven by a 52% year on year increase in online wagers.

Snaitech operating costs decreased by 42% to EUR390.2 million (2019: EUR667.2 million). Given the high variable costs in the business, the fall in operating costs was driven by the decrease in revenues and mainly consisted of a decrease in franchise commission, gaming concession fees, platform charges, maintenance of the retail network and costs relating to data feeds.

Snaitech's Adjusted EBITDA declined by 19%, a smaller decrease than its revenues, due to its low fixed cost base, effective cost reduction and the strong performance of its higher-margin online business, which saw exceptional growth in online EBITDA of 92%. As a result, Snaitech's EBITDA margin improved to 25% (2019: 20%) and its underlying margin, which excludes the distribution costs paid to franchisees, improved to 48% (2019: 46%).

White label (including Sun Bingo )

Revenue from the white label business increased by 8% in total, driven by an outstanding performance by Sun Bingo which grew 32% to EUR53.8 million (2019: EUR40.7 million). Operating costs within Sun Bingo increased by 49% to EUR45.6 million (2019: EUR30.7 million), driven by an increase in marketing costs. Adjusted EBITDA from the Sun Bingo business decreased by 19% to EUR8.1 million (2019: EUR10.0 million). Adjusted EBITDA includes the release of the minimum guarantee prepayment over the new period of the contract which was renegotiated in 2019.

Other White label revenue decreased by 88% to EUR1.2 million (2019: EUR10.4 million), as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate or cease the operations of certain brands. Other White label costs decreased by 78% in line with the decrease in revenue, resulting in an Adjusted EBITDA loss of EUR1.0 million (2019: loss of EUR0.1 million). During the year Playtech made a EUR3.2 million payment to charities as part of its pledge following regulatory review.

Sport B2C

The Sport B2C business is currently at the investment phase, so, despite the retail closures in Germany and Austria resulting from COVID-19, revenues decreased by only 3% to EUR19.1 million (2019: EUR19.7 million), with a 4% decrease in costs. The business remains loss making, with the Adjusted EBITDA loss decreasing by 5% to EUR11.3 million (2019: EUR11.9 million). An impairment loss of EUR41.2 million has been recognised in the Sports B2C cash generating unit ("CGU") primarily as a result of COVID-19 and the impact it's had on retail performance. This impairment, which was accounted for below EBITDA, is further discussed below.

Below EBITDA items

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation decreased by 6 % to EUR47.5 million (2019: EUR50.4 million). Adjusted amortisation, after deducting amortisation of acquired intangibles of EUR39.0 million (2019: EUR41.6 million) increased by 6% to EUR83.1 million (2019: EUR78.1 million). The remainder of the balance under depreciation and amortisation of EUR18.5 million (2019: EUR17.8 million) relates to IFRS 16 Leases, being the right-of-use asset amortisation.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets, including assets held for sale

Included in the total reported impairment of tangible and intangible assets is a EUR41.2 million impairment for the B2C Sports CGU, which comprises of the B2C sports operations in Germany and Austria. The impairment, which fully wrote off the value of this CGU, was primarily a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the estimated recovery period and the uncertainty of future cashflows.

Within discontinued operations, the Group has recognised an impairment for the Finalto segment of EUR221.3 million (2019: EURNil), which is classified as held for sale at 31 December 2020. This is further discussed below.

Profit on disposal of asset classified as held for sale

On 21 April 2020, the sale and purchase agreement of part of the surplus Snai land in Italy, known as 'Area Sud', was completed for total consideration of EUR18.8 million, of which EUR5.0 million had already been received on sign off of the preliminary agreement in 2019.

On 21 July 2020, the sale and purchase agreement of part of the surplus Snai land in Italy, known as 'Area Nord', was completed for total consideration of EUR35.7 million.

As a result of these transactions a total of EUR49.5 million was received in cash during the year (2019: EUR5 million) and the Group realised a profit on disposal of EUR22.1 million (2019: EURNil) as reflected in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Finance costs and income

Reported finance costs decreased by 3% to EUR64.6 million (2019: EUR66.7 million), while adjusted finance costs increased by 11% to EUR61.5 million (2019: EUR55.3 million). The latter was driven by both the increase in interest expense on bond loans in 2020 owing to the 2019 bond being issued part-way through H1 2019, as well as the additional withdrawal from the revolving credit facility during 2020. The difference between adjusted and reported finance costs in 2020 is the movement of the contingent consideration and redemption liability. In 2019 the difference is mainly the decrease in the effective interest on the previously held convertible bond due to its repayment in November 2019.

Adjusted finance income decreased by 58% to EUR1.1 million (2019: EUR2.6 million) driven by a decrease in interest income. Reported finance income decreased by 89% to EUR1.1 million (2019: EUR9.7 million) due to the movement in contingent consideration and redemption liability, which was an income in the prior year of EUR7.1 million against an expense of EUR3.0 million in the current year and therefore included in reported finance cost.

Taxation

In 2020, the Group's underlying adjusted effective tax rate from continuing operations increased to 22% (2019: 13%). Whilst income tax expense and cash tax actually decreased, there was an increase in the percentage tax rates due to the greater fall in profit before tax.

The total adjusted tax charge in 2020 was EUR17.9 million (2019: EUR39.8 million), whereas the reported tax charge was EUR20.4m (2019: EUR31.8 million). The adjusted tax expense excludes the impact of tax in relation to the Snai land disposed during the year and the movement in deferred tax in relation to acquisitions.

The group implemented an internal restructuring in January 2021, which resulted in Playtech plc migrating its tax residency to the UK and the Group's key operating entity transferring its business to a UK company. This restructuring is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group's underlying effective tax rate.

Discontinued operations

Casual and Social Gaming segment

Following the reclassification of the Casual and Social Gaming business in 2019 as a discontinued operation, the Group entered into an agreement for the partial disposal of the business, namely "FTX", for a total consideration of EUR 0.9 million on 29 June 2020. As a result of this transaction, the Group realised profit of EUR0.6 million in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

On 11 January 2021, the Group entered into an agreement for the disposal of the remainder of the business, namely "YoYo", for a total consideration of $ 9.5 million resulting in an estimated profit of EUR7.6 million to be recognised in FY 2021. This business has now been fully disposed of.

The Adjusted EBITDA related to the Casual and Social Gaming business improved to EUR0.4 million (2019: loss of EUR4.6 million) due to the winding down of operations and reduction in employee-related costs. Adjusted profit after tax improved to EUR0.1 million (2019: adjusted loss of EUR8.5 million).

Finalto (formerly TradeTech Group)

In August 2020 the Group, which previously announced it is continuing to evaluate all options for Finalto, confirmed that it was in early discussion stages with a number of parties regarding a potential sale of the division. A formal decision to dispose of this segment was made by the Board of Directors. Post year end, the Group further announced that it was in exclusive discussions with a management consortium with a cash offer of up to US$200 million. The Board is confident that the sale will complete by the end of 2021. The assets and liabilities of the division were therefore classified as held for sale at 31 December 2020 and the financial results of this division in both years being presented were included in discontinued operations. Despite the strong performance in 2020 as discussed below, the Group continues to execute its simplification strategy in order to focus on its core businesses. As a result an impairment charge of EUR221.3 million was recognised against this CGU when comparing its carrying value to expected proceeds from the disposal, less expected costs.

In terms of performance, revenues increased by 80% to EUR121.9 million (2019: EUR67.9 million). Adjusted and reported EBITDA both increased to EUR56.4 million (2019: EUR7.8 million) and EUR45.3 million (2019: EUR1.6 million) respectively. Finalto, which earned 72% of its 2020 revenue and 94% of its 2020 Adjusted EBITDA in H1, had an outstanding first half where the business benefitted significantly from increased market volatility and trading volumes, particularly in March and April as the effect of the pandemic created large price movements in major instruments. Market conditions normalised during the second half.

Adjusted profit and Adjusted EPS

 
                                                             2020     2019 
                                                             EUR'm    EUR'm 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 (Loss)/Profit from continuing operations attributable 
  to the owners of the Company*                             (73.0)    55.9 
 
 Employee stock option expenses                              16.5     13.3 
 Professional fees on acquisitions                           1.7      0.5 
 Additional consideration payable for put/call option        5.3      3.0 
 Movement in contingent consideration and redemption 
  liability                                                  4.2      6.3 
 Effect from the amendment on terms of Sun Bingo 
  contract back dated                                         -       6.4 
 Provision for other receivables                             2.8      4.4 
 Impairment of investment in associate                        -       0.4 
 Charitable donation                                         3.2       - 
 Fair value change of equity investments                    (0.6)     0.3 
 Tax relating to prior years                                 4.9      4.1 
 Deferred tax on acquisitions                               (11.7)   (12.1) 
 Amortisation of intangibles on acquisitions                 39.0     41.6 
 Finance costs on acquisitions                                -       1.5 
 Notional interest on convertible bonds                       -       9.9 
 Impairment of tangible and intangible assets and 
  right of use assets                                        45.4     1.9 
 Fair value change on acquisition of associate              (6.5)      - 
 Loss on disposal of associate                               8.9       - 
 Profit on disposal of asset classified as held for         (22.1)     - 
  sale 
 Tax on disposal of asset classified as held for             9.3       - 
  sale 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Adjusted Profit from continuing operations attributable 
  to the owners of the Company                               27.3    137.4 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 Adjusted basic EPS (in Euro cents)                          9.2      45.5 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Adjusted diluted EPS (in Euro cents)                        8.8      44.6 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 Constant currency impact                                    4.8      4.3 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Adjusted profit for the year attributable to owners 
  of the Company on constant currency                        32.1    141.7 
 Adjusted net profit / (loss) on constant currency          (0.3)      - 
  related to acquisitions 
 Underlying adjusted profit for the year attributable 
  to owners of the Company                                   32.4    141.7 
 
 Basic and diluted EPS from loss attributable to 
  owners of the Company (in Euro Cents)                     (99.6)   (6.5) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Basic EPS from profit/(loss) attributable to the 
  owners of the Company from continuing operations 
  (in Euro Cents)                                           (24.5)    18.5 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Diluted EPS from profit/(loss) attributable to the 
  owners of the Company from continuing operations 
  (in Euro Cents)                                           (24.5)    18.1 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

* The reconciling items in the table above are further explained in Note 10 of the financial statements.

The above reconciling items are further explained in Note 10 of the financial statements. Reported loss per share from continuing operations decreased by 232%, in line with the decrease in profit. Adjusted diluted EPS decreased by 80% compared to 2019 . Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of equity shares in issue during 2020 of 298.4 million (2019: 301.8 million). Diluted EPS also includes the dilutive impact of share options and is calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during 2020 of 310.8 million (2019: 308.0 million).

Cashflow

Playtech continues to be cash generative and delivered operating cash flows of EUR 366.9 million (2019: EUR320.9 million), with adjusted cash conversion of 89% (2019: 79%).

Cash conversion (including Finalto)

 
                                                 2020     2019 
                                                 EUR'm    EUR'm 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                310.0    383.1 
 Net cash provided by operating activities      366.9*   320.9 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Cash conversion                                 118%     84% 
--------------------------------------------- 
 Change in jackpot balances                     (2.0)    (9.5) 
 Change in client deposits and client equity    (76.6)   (22.0) 
 One-off tax payment                              -       28.0 
 Dividends payable                              (0.2)    (0.3) 
 Professional expenses on acquisitions           5.0      1.9 
 Finance costs on acquisitions                    -       1.5 
 ADM security deposit                           (17.1)   (17.2) 
--------------------------------------------- 
 Adjusted net cash provided by operating 
  activities                                    276.0    303.3 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Adjusted cash conversion                        89%      79% 
---------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

* Net cash provided by operating activities is benefitting from a deferred payment of gaming tax duties of EUR89.6 million in Italy, which was due in Q4 2020. As a result of COVID-19 the Italian tax authorities allowed the deferral of these gaming tax duties to be made in the first half of 2021.

Adjusted cash conversion is shown after adjusting for jackpots, security deposits and client equity, dividend s payable and professional and finance costs on acquisitions. Adjusting the above cash fluctuations is essential in order to truly reflect the quality of revenue and cash collection. This is because the timing of cash inflows and outflows for jackpots, security deposits, client equity and payable dividend s only impacts the reported operating cashflow and not EBITDA, while professional expenses and costs relating to acquisitions are excluded from A djusted EBITDA but impact operating cashflow.

The adjusted net cash provided by operating activities excluded, among other items, the security deposit repayment from Italy's online betting and gaming regulator (ADM) for 2020 and 2019, changes in client deposits and client equity and the EUR28.0 million one-off cash payment made to the Israeli government in 2019 for the settlement of additional tax relating to the Group's activities in Israel for the years 2008 to 2017 inclusive.

The increase in net cash provided by operating activities is largely due to the significant increase in contribution from Finalto. Adjusted cash conversion, which the Group believes is a better representation of cash collection in the period, was 89% (2019: 79%).

Net cash outflows used in investing activities totaled EUR 89.3 million (2019: EUR 152.8 million) of which:

-- EUR19.8 million (2019: EUR1.4 million) relates to consideration paid in relation to acquisitions of subsidiaries in the period;

-- EUR41.7 million (2019: EUR61.4 million) was used in the acquisition of property, plant and equipment;

   --      EUR22.0 million (2019: EUR24.3 million) was used on the acquisition of intangible assets; 
   --      EUR55.8 million (2019: EUR65.5 million) was spent on capitalised development costs; and 

-- EUR49.8 million (2019: EUR5 million) is cash received on the disposal of assets held for sale of which EUR49.5 million (2019: EUR5.0 million) relates to real estate located in Milan.

Net cash inflows from financing activities totaled EUR104.6 million (2019: EUR117.3 million outflow) of which EUR245.8 million (2019: EUR63.9 million) was cash inflow from the drawing down of the Group's revolving credit facility, offset by:

   --      EUR10.1 million (2019: EUR65.1 million) on the repurchasing of Playtech shares in the year; 
   --      EUR27.4 million (2019: EUR27.2 million) of principal and interest lease liability payments; 

-- EUR63.7 million (2019: EUR48.1 million) payment of contingent consideration and redemption liability and;

-- higher total interest payments on bond loans and bank borrowings totaling EUR39.7 million (2019: EUR29.5 million) due to the issuance of both the 2019 bond part-way through H1 2019 and the Group's revolving credit facility.

Balance sheet, liquidity and financing

Cash

Including cash classified within assets held for sale, the Group continues to maintain a strong balance sheet with cash and cash equivalents of EUR1,060.6 million as at 31 December 2020 (2019: EUR674.1 million). Adjusted gross cash, which excludes the cash held on behalf of clients, progressive jackpots and security deposits, increased to EUR651.1 million as at 31 December 2020 (2019: EUR335.8 million), owing in large part to the Group drawing down EUR245.8 million from its revolving credit facility as a precautionary measure as well as the considerable cash preservation actions described below. The Board keeps Playtech's capital structure under continuous review and is cognisant of the level of cash on its balance sheet. Once there is greater certainty on the outcome of the pandemic, the revolving credit facility will be repaid.

Financing

The Group holds 5-year senior secured notes to the value of EUR530 million (3.75% coupon, maturity 2023), which were raised in October 2018 to support the acquisition of Snaitech.

The Group also holds 7-year senior secured notes to the value of EUR350 million (4.25% coupon, maturity 2026), which were raised in March 2019. The net proceeds of this bond were used to fully repay the EUR297 million convertible bond which matured in H2 2019, and for general corporate purposes, including payment of contingent consideration.

In November 2019 the Group signed an amendment to its previous revolving credit facility, increasing it to EUR317.0 million and extending its term by an additional four years, ending in November 2023, with a further one-year extension option. Interest payable on the loan is based on Euro Libor rates. Playtech acted promptly following the announcement of the first lockdown in Q1 2020 and the uncertainty surrounding this, to secure its liquidity position by drawing down EUR245.8 million against the revolving credit facility as a precautionary measure during the period (2019: EUR63.9 million). However, it is important to note that the Group steered through the pandemic with an improved cash position at 31 December 2020 against 31 December 2019, even after excluding the cash contribution from the revolving credit facility.

The Group's total gross debt amounted to EUR1,182.0 million at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: EUR935.8 million) and Net debt, after deducting adjusted gross cash, amounted to EUR530.9 million (31 December 2019: EUR600.0 million). The Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA ratio increased slightly to 1.7x at 31 December 2020 from 1.6x at 31 December 2019(6) , due to the overall reduction in Adjusted EBITDA.

Playtech takes a prudent and disciplined approach to its banking relationships. Despite being comfortably within its covenants, Playtech proactively approached its lenders and agreed to amend the covenants in its revolving credit facility for the 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021 tests. The leverage covenant was amended to 5x Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA for the 31 December 2020 test and 4.5x for the 30 June 2021 test. The interest cover covenant was amended to 3x for the 31 December 2020 test and 3.5x for the 30 June 2021 test. The covenants will return to previous levels of 3x Net debt / Adjusted EBITDA and 4x Adjusted EBITDA / interest cover from the 31 December 2021 test onwards, or sooner should the Company decide to make shareholder distributions within those periods.

Contingent consideration

Contingent consideration and redemption liability decreased by EUR51.4 million to EUR9.7 million (31 December 2019: EUR61.1 million) due to the completed payments relating to Playtech BGT Sports Ltd, Rarestone Gaming PTY Ltd and GenerationWeb, offset by the redemption liability arising from the acquisition of Statscore. The existing liability as at 31 December 2020 comprised the following:

 
Acquisition        Maximum payable    Contingent consideration     Payment date 
                  earnout (per terms       and redemption        (based on maximum 
                   of acquisition)          liability as         payable earnout) 
                                            at 31.12.2020 
HPYBET Austria     EUR15.0 million              Nil                  Q2 2021 
 GmbH 
                 -------------------  ------------------------  ------------------ 
Eyecon Limited     EUR25.0 million              Nil                  Q2 2021 
                 -------------------  ------------------------  ------------------ 
                                                                  EUR4.0 million 
                                                                      Q4 2022 
                                                                  EUR0.9 million 
Wplay              EUR4.9 million          EUR3.9 million             Q4 2024 
                 -------------------  ------------------------  ------------------ 
                                                                  EUR5.0 million 
                                                                      Q1 2023 
                                                                  EUR10.0 million 
Statscore          EUR15.0 million         EUR4.6 million           in Q1 2026 
                 -------------------  ------------------------  ------------------ 
                                                                  EUR7.3 million 
Other              EUR7.3 million          EUR1.2 million           in Q3 2021 
                 -------------------  ------------------------  ------------------ 
Total              EUR67.2 million         EUR9.7 million 
                 -------------------  ------------------------  ------------------ 
 

Shareholder returns

The Board suspended shareholder distributions in March 2020 until further notice due to the uncertainty relating to COVID-19. The share repurchase programme announced at the FY 2019 results was postponed with immediate effect with approximately EUR10 million of the EUR40 million buyback having been completed. Also, the 2019 final dividend was not proposed at the AGM. Together these measures allowed the Company to preserve over EUR65 million of cash outflows during the year.

Playtech remains committed to returning capital to shareholders whilst balancing the needs of the business and taking a prudent approach to its capital structure and leverage.

Going concern

In adopting the going concern basis of preparation for the financial statements, the directors have considered the Group's current trading performance, financial position and liquidity alongside robust scenario assessments and reverse stress-test assessments for the forecast period. The outbreak of the pandemic, the measures adopted by governments in countries worldwide to mitigate the pandemic's spread, including the ongoing second wave of lockdowns and the vaccine announcement and current rollout plans, were also taken into account in these assessments. COVID-19 continues to present challenges across many areas of Playtech's business, however, management believe the business has demonstrated resilience against the pandemic and these challenges.

At 31 December 2020, the Group held total cash of EUR1,060.6 million (2019: EUR674.1 million) and adjusted gross cash, which excludes the cash held on behalf of clients, progressive jackpots and security deposits, of EUR651.1 million (2019: EUR335.8 million). Further, the Group has long-term debt facilities totaling EUR1,182.0 million (2019: EUR935.8 million). Management has secured a covenant relaxation at 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021 relating to the revolving credit facility, as discussed in Note 26 of the financial statements, and further, has considered future projected cash flows under a number of scenarios to stress-test any risk of covenant breaches.

Management concluded that the risk of a covenant breach over the next twelve-month period from the date of releasing this report is low and as such, has a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence. It has, therefore, considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of preparation in the full year 2020 financial statements.

(1) Adjusted numbers relate to certain non-cash and one-off items. The Board of Directors believes that the adjusted results represent more closely the consistent trading performance of the business. A full reconciliation between the actual and adjusted results is provided in Note 10 of the financial statements.

(2) Core B2B Gambling refers to the Company's B2B Gambling business excluding unregulated Asia.

(3) The balance sheet and liquidity analysis includes assets and liabilities that are part of both continuing operations and assets held for sale because this better represents the Group's position at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019 as it still has full control of its cash and liabilities affecting its cash position.

4 Totals in tables throughout this statement may not exactly equal the components of the total due to rounding.

5 Due to the classification of a discontinued operation and a correction of prior year error, the comparative information for 2019 has been restated. Please refer to Note 8 of the financial statements for further details.

6 Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Gross Debt less Adjusted Gross Cash including cash held for sale and excluding cash held on behalf of clients, progressive jackpots and security deposits divided by Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations and Finalto (included in discontinued operations) of the last 12 months totaling EUR310.0 million (2019: EUR383.1 million).

Emerging risks, principal risks and uncertainties

   --      Regulation - Licensing requirements (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

Playtech holds several licences for its activities from regulators. The review and/or loss of all or any of these licences may adversely impact on the operations, revenues and/or reputation of the Group.

-- Regulation - Local Technical Regulatory Requirements (both Gambling and Financials divisions)

Local regulators have their own specific requirements, which often vary on a country-to-country basis. In addition, new requirements may be imposed. For example, a requirement to locate significant technical infrastructure within the relevant territory or to establish and maintain real-time data interfaces with the regulator. Such conditions present operational challenges and may prohibit the ability of licensees to offer the full range of the Group's products.

-- Regulation - Local Technical Regulatory Requirements (both Gambling and Financials divisions)

Given the dynamic nature of tax rules, guidance and tax authority practice, the business is exposed to continuously evolving rules and practices governing the taxation of e-commerce and betting and gaming activities in countries in which the Group has presence. Such taxes may include corporate income tax, withholding taxes and indirect taxes.

   --      Regulation - Data Protection (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

The requirements of the new EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into force in May 2018. The regulation is mandatory and all organisations that hold or process personal data must comply with these regulations.

   --      Regulatory - Preventing Financial Crime (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

Policymakers in the EU and at national levels have taken steps to strengthen financial crime legislation covering Anti-Money Laundering (AML), prevention of facilitation of tax evasion and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC). Non-compliance could result in investigations, prosecutions, loss of licences and/or an adverse reputational impact.

   --      Regulation - Safer Gambling (Gambling division) 

Regulators, industry, charities and the public at large continue to challenge the gaming and betting sector to make gambling and gaming products safer, fairer and crime free. In addition, licensing requirements are regularly updated to ensure that companies in the sector provide a safe environment for consumers.

   --      Mergers and Acquisitions (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

Playtech has made a number of acquisitions in the past. Such acquisitions may not deliver the expected synergies and/or benefits and may diminish shareholder value if not integrated effectively or the opportunity executed successfully.

   --      Key Employees (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

The Group's future success depends in large part on the continued service of a broad leadership team including Executive Directors, senior managers and key personnel. The development and retention of these employees, along with the attraction and integration of new talent, cannot be guaranteed.

   --      Cyber Crime and IT Security (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

System downtime or a data breach, whether through cyber-attacks and distributed denial-of-service attacks or technology failure, could significantly affect the services offered to licensees.

   --      Global Diversification (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

As Playtech plc continues to operate across multiple locations, servicing our clients in many markets across the globe, these operations bring with them significant opportunities for growth; however, as is well understood, globally diverse operations carry risk particularly as markets change.

   --      Failure or disruption of supply chain (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

Inability to supply services due to failure or disruption in global supply chains following large scale global events such as pandemics, political unrest, climate control etc. The current coronavirus (COVID-19) may present potential risks to our supply chains should the situation worsen.

   --    Disruption affecting business (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

Large scale global events such as pandemics, political unrest, climate control etc, have the potential to affect Playtech's key business markets particularly at live sporting events. The current coronavirus (COVID-19) may present further potential risks to our key business generating markets such as Asia and Italy.

   --      Business continuity planning (both Gambling and Financials divisions) 

Loss of revenue, reputational damage or breach of regulatory requirements may occur as a result of a business or location disruptive event.

-- General Health and Wellbeing concerns from ALL Sites during Covid-19 (both Gambling and Financials divisions)

As new strands of COVID-19 spread worldwide, all employees continue to work remotely, which brings challenges such as exertion, stress, anxiety and the added pressure of childcare and home schooling.

   --      Live Studio Closures (Gambling division) 

COVID-19 could result in our live studios being forced to close which will affect our portfolio.

Additional Risks for the Financials Division only

   --      Market exposure 

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities could adversely fluctuate due to movements in market prices of foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, equity and index prices.

   --      Regulatory - Capital Adequacy 

The requirement to maintain adequate regulatory capital may affect the Group's ability to conduct its business and may reduce profitability.

   --      Counterparty risk 

Extreme market movements in financial instruments over a very short period of time could result in the Group's financial counterparties incurring losses in excess of the funds in their account, and they may be unable to fund those losses.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2020

 
 
                                                                                2020                     2019 
                                                                Note      Actual    Adjusted       Actual     Adjusted 
                                                                         EUR'000    *EUR'000      EUR'000     *EUR'000 
                                                                                               **Restated   **Restated 
 Continuing operations 
 Revenue                                                         9     1,078,460   1,078,460    1,440,533    1,440,533 
 Distribution costs before depreciation and amortisation               (726,728)   (719,073)    (976,276)    (969,795) 
 Administrative expenses before depreciation and amortisation          (112,476)    (92,221)    (119,691)     (89,254) 
 Impairment of financial assets                                         (16,401)    (13,611)     (10,863)      (6,227) 
 EBITDA                                                          10      222,855     253,555      333,703      375,257 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                         (188,106)   (149,130)    (187,949)    (146,345) 
 Impairment of tangible and intangible assets                    10     (45,352)           -      (1,887)            - 
 Finance income                                                 12A        1,131       1,131        9,699        2,577 
 Finance costs                                                  12B     (64,554)    (61,540)     (66,692)     (55,309) 
 Share of profit from joint ventures                                         121         121          621          621 
 Share of profit from associates                                19B          955         955        1,020        1,020 
 Fair value change on acquisition of associate                  34A        6,520           -            -            - 
 Loss on disposal of associate                                  19B      (8,907)           -            -            - 
 Unrealised fair value changes on equity investments                         598           -        (270)            - 
 Profit on disposal of asset classified as held for sale         24       22,082           -            -            - 
 Profit/(loss) before taxation                                          (52,657)      45,092       88,245      177,821 
 
  Tax expenses                                                   13     (20,382)    (17,874)     (31,768)     (39,791) 
 Profit/(loss) from continuing operations                               (73,039)      27,218       56,477      138,030 
 Discontinued operation 
 Profit/(loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax           8     (224,327)      20,076     (75,445)     (12,900) 
 Profit/(loss) for the year - total                              10    (297,366)      47,294     (18,968)      125,130 
 Other comprehensive income/(loss): 
 Items that are or may be classified subsequently to profit 
  or loss: 
 Exchange (loss)/gain arising on translation of foreign 
  operations                                                            (19,875)    (19,875)        6,733        6,733 
 Items that will not be classified to profit or loss: 
 Loss on re-measurement of employee termination indemnities                 (96)        (96)        (334)        (334) 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year                        (317,337)      27,323     (12,569)      131,529 
 Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                                                 (297,279)      47,381     (19,571)      124,527 
 Non-controlling interests                                                  (87)        (87)          603          603 
                                                                       (297,366)      47,294     (18,968)      125,130 
 Total comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                                                 (317,250)      27,410     (13,172)      130,926 
 Non-controlling interests                                                  (87)        (87)          603          603 
                                                                       (317,337)      27,323     (12,569)      131,529 
 
 
 Earnings per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company 
 
 Profit or loss - total 
 Basic (cents)                                                                    14   (99.6)   15.9   (6.5)   41.3 
 Diluted (cents)                                                                  14   (99.6)   15.2   (6.5)   40.4 
 
 Profit or loss from continuing operations 
 Basic (cents)                                                                    14   (24.5)    9.2    18.5   45.5 
 Diluted (cents)                                                                  14   (24.5)    8.8    18.1   44.6 
 

Adjusted numbers relate to certain non-cash and one-off items. The Board of Directors believes that the adjusted results represents more closely the consistent trading performance of the business. A full reconciliation between the actual and adjusted results is provided in Note 10.

** Comparative information has been re--presented due to a discontinued operation, see Note 8.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2020

 
                                                                                                   Total 
                                                                                            attributable 
                    Additional      Employee               Employee   Put/Call    Foreign      to equity 
                       paid in   termination    Retained    benefit    options   exchange     holders of   Non-controlling       Total 
                       capital   indemnities    earnings      trust    reserve    reserve        Company         interests      equity 
                       EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000        EUR'000           EUR'000     EUR'000 
-----------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2020         600,954         (278)     659,802   (16,175)   (16,376)    (1,420)      1,226,507           (4,301)   1,222,206 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 period 
 Loss for the 
  year                       -             -   (297,279)          -          -          -      (297,279)              (87)   (297,366) 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  loss for the 
  year                       -          (96)           -          -          -   (19,875)       (19,971)                 -    (19,971) 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  loss for the 
  year                       -          (96)   (297,279)          -          -   (19,875)      (317,250)              (87)   (317,337) 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Transactions 
 with the owners 
 of the Company 
 Contributions 
 and 
 distributions 
 Exercise of 
  options                    -             -     (1,733)      1,718          -          -           (15)                 -        (15) 
 Employee stock 
  option scheme              -             -       8,487          -          -          -          8,487                 -       8,487 
 Share buyback         (8,829)             -     (1,320)          -          -          -       (10,149)                 -    (10,149) 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total 
  contributions 
  and 
  distributions        (8,829)             -       5,434      1,718          -          -        (1,677)                 -     (1,677) 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Change in 
 ownership 
 interests 
 Acquisition of 
  non-controlling 
  interests 
  without change 
  in control                 -             -    (20,711)          -     16,376          -        (4,335)             4,369          34 
 Acquisition of 
  subsidiary with 
  non controlling 
  interests                  -             -           -          -    (3,654)          -        (3,654)               365     (3,289) 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total changes in 
  ownership 
  interests                  -             -    (20,711)          -     12,722          -        (7,989)             4,734     (3,255) 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners of 
  the Company          (8,829)             -    (15,277)      1,718     12,722          -        (9,666)             4,734     (4,932) 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Balance at 31 
  December 2020        592,125         (374)    347,246    (14,457)    (3,654)   (21,295)        899,591               346     899,937 
                   -----------  ------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 
 
                                     Employee                                                                    Total 
                                  termination                                                             attributable 
                    Additional    indemnities              Employee   Convertible   Put/Call    Foreign      to equity 
                       paid in                  Retained    benefit   bond option    options   exchange     holders of   Non-controlling       Total 
                       capital                  earnings      trust       reserve    reserve    reserve        Company         interests      equity 
                       EUR'000        EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000       EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000        EUR'000           EUR'000     EUR'000 
-----------------  -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Balance at 1 
  January 2019         627,764             56    718,907   (17,863)        45,392   (30,820)    (8,153)      1,335,283             7,797   1,343,080 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for the 
 period 
 (Loss)/profit 
  for the year               -              -   (19,571)          -             -          -          -       (19,571)               603    (18,968) 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income/(loss) 
  for the year               -          (334)          -          -             -          -      6,733          6,399                 -       6,399 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income / (loss) 
  for the year               -          (334)   (19,571)          -             -          -      6,733       (13,172)               603    (12,569) 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Transactions 
 with the owners 
 of the Company 
 Contributions 
 and 
 distributions 
 Dividend paid               -              -   (55,545)          -             -          -          -       (55,545)           (4,412)    (59,957) 
 Exercise of 
  options                    -              -    (1,803)      1,688             -          -          -          (115)                43        (72) 
 Employee stock 
  option scheme              -              -     18,102          -             -          -          -         18,102                 -      18,102 
 Redemption of 
  convertible 
  bond                       -              -     45,392          -      (45,392)          -          -              -                 -           - 
 Share buyback        (26,810)              -   (38,322)          -             -          -          -       (65,132)                 -    (65,132) 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total 
  contributions 
  and 
  distributions       (26,810)              -   (32,176)      1,688      (45,392)          -          -      (102,690)           (4,369)   (107,059) 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Change in 
 ownership 
 interests 
 Acquisition of 
  non-controlling 
  interests 
  without change 
  in control                 -              -    (7,358)          -             -     14,444          -          7,086           (8,332)     (1,246) 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total changes in 
  ownership 
  interests                  -              -    (7,358)          -             -     14,444          -          7,086           (8,332)     (1,246) 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners of 
  the Company         (26,810)                  (39,534)      1,688      (45,392)     14,444          -       (95,604)          (12,701)   (108,305) 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Balance at 31 
  December 2019        600,954          (278)   659,802    (16,175)             -   (16,376)    (1,420)      1,226,507           (4,301)   1,222,206 
                   -----------  -------------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

 
                                                                2020        2019 
                                            Note             EUR'000     EUR'000 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
 NON-CURRENT ASSETS 
 Property, plant and equipment               16              357,115     376,378 
 Right of use assets                         17               66,702      74,659 
 Intangible assets                           18            1,097,205   1,499,396 
 Investments                                 19               50,442      52,265 
 Trade receivables                           21               18,405      13,600 
 Other non current assets                    20               70,449      37,950 
                                                           1,660,318   2,055,378 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
 CURRENT ASSETS 
 Trade receivables                           21              153,220     192,844 
 Other receivables                           22               98,344     141,154 
 Cash and cash equivalents                   23              683,681     671,540 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
                                                             935,245   1,005,538 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
 
 Assets classified as held for sale          24              468,891      36,798 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
 
 TOTAL ASSETS                                              3,064,454   3,097,714 
 
 EQUITY 
 Additional paid in capital                  25              592,125     600,954 
 Employee termination indemnities                              (374)       (278) 
 Employee benefit trust                      25             (14,457)    (16,175) 
 Put/Call options reserve                                    (3,654)    (16,376) 
 Foreign exchange reserve                                   (21,295)     (1,420) 
 Retained earnings                                           347,246     659,802 
 Equity attributable to equity holders 
  of the Company                                             899,591   1,226,507 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
 Non controlling interests                                       346     (4,301) 
 TOTAL EQUITY                                                899,937   1,222,206 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
 NON CURRENT LIABILITIES 
 Loans and borrowings                        26              308,875      64,396 
 Bonds                                       27              873,129     871,190 
 Lease liability                             17               61,547      65,274 
 Deferred revenues                                             2,128       2,332 
 Deferred tax liability                      31               75,163      78,338 
 Contingent consideration and redemption 
  liability                                  29                8,508       2,520 
 Other non current liabilities               32               12,433      14,244 
                                                           1,341,783   1,098,294 
 
 Liabilities directly associated 
  with assets classified as held for 
  sale                                       24              309,169       3,595 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
 
 CURRENT LIABILITIES 
 Loans and borrowings                                              -         206 
 Trade payables                              30               47,694      62,420 
 Lease liability                             17               21,019      25,515 
 Progressive operators' jackpots 
  and security deposits                                      100,211      98,152 
 Client deposits                                                   -     113,879 
 Client funds                                                 28,924     126,309 
 Income tax payable                                           12,017      22,019 
 Gaming and other taxes payable              33              126,949      98,288 
 Deferred revenues                                             9,735       6,857 
 Contingent consideration and redemption 
  liability                                  29                1,162      58,605 
 Provisions for risks and charges            28               18,077      19,508 
 Other payables                              32              147,777     141,861 
-----------------------------------------  -----  ------------------  ---------- 
                                                             513,565     773,619 
 
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                                         2,164,517   1,875,508 
 
  TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                             3,064,454   3,097,714 
 

The financial information was approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 10 March 2021.

 
 
  Mor Weizer   Andrew Smith 
 
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARED 31 DECEMBER 2020

 
                                                               2020        2019 
                                                 Note       EUR'000     EUR'000 
                                                                       Restated 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
 Loss for the year                                        (297,366)    (18,968) 
 Adjustment to reconcile net income 
  to net cash provided by operating 
  activities (see below)                                    692,147     389,699 
 Net taxes paid                                            (27,857)    (49,793) 
 Net cash from operating activities                         366,924     320,938 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
 Loans granted                                              (2,542)     (1,424) 
 Acquisition of property, plant and 
  equipment                                                (41,694)    (61,384) 
 Dividends received                            19A, 19B         121         699 
 Acquisition of intangible assets                          (21,999)    (24,320) 
 Acquisition of subsidiaries (see 
  below)                                       34A,34B     (19,829)     (1,402) 
 Cash of subsidiaries on acquisition 
  (see below)                                  34A,34B        8,509       1,039 
 Capitalised development costs                             (55,762)    (65,529) 
 Acquisition of associates and joint 
  ventures                                       19B              -     (6,453) 
 Investment in other investments                 19D        (6,535)           - 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant 
  and equipment                                                 541         973 
 Proceeds from the sale of discontinued 
  operations, net of cash, and surplus 
  land held for sale                              24         49,843       5,000 
 Net cash used in investing activities                     (89,347)   (152,801) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
 Dividends paid to the owners of the 
  Company                                         25              -    (55,545) 
 Dividends paid to non controlling 
  interests                                                       -     (4,412) 
 Interest payable on bonds, bank borrowings 
  and other borrowings                                     (39,748)    (29,509) 
 Issue of bonds, net of issue costs               27              -     345,672 
 Share buyback                                    25       (10,149)    (65,132) 
 Repayment of bonds                               27              -   (297,000) 
 Repayment of loans and borrowings                            (206)           - 
 Proceeds from loans and borrowings               26        245,828      63,906 
 Payment of deferred and contingent 
  consideration and redemption liability 
  (see below)                                              (63,720)    (48,071) 
 Principal paid on lease liability                         (21,491)    (20,950) 
 Interest paid on lease liability                           (5,895)     (6,280) 
 Net cash from/(used in) financing 
  activities                                                104,619   (117,321) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                      382,196      50,816 
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING 
  OF YEAR                                                   674,186     622,197 
 Exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents                   4,797       1,173 
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT 
  OF YEAR                                                 1,061,179     674,186 
--------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 
 Cash and cash equivalent consists 
  of: 
 Cash and cash equivalent - continuing 
  operations                              23     684,308   671,540 
 Cash and cash equivalent treated 
  as held for sale                        23     376,871     2,646 
                                              ----------  -------- 
                                               1,061,179   674,186 
 Less: expected credit loss on cash 
  and cash equivalent                     23       (627)         - 
                                               1,060,522   674,186 
---------------------------------------  ---  ----------  -------- 
 
 
                                                              2020       2019 
                                                           EUR'000    EUR'000 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 ADJUSTMENT TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED 
  FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
 Income and expenses not affecting 
  operating cash flows: 
 Depreciation on property, plant 
  and equipment                                             48,802     51,585 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                         149,076    148,506 
 Amortisation of right of use assets                        21,990     22,096 
 Gain on early termination of lease                        (1,110)          - 
  contracts 
 Share of profit from joint ventures                19a      (121)      (621) 
 Share of profit from associates                    19b      (955)    (1,020) 
 Fair value change on step-acquisition 
  of associate                                      34a    (6,520)          - 
 Impairment of other non-current 
  assets                                                     1,264      4,432 
 Impairment of investment in associates             19b          -        443 
 Impairment of right of use assets                  17       2,755        827 
 Impairment of property, plant and 
  equipment                                         16       8,716        895 
 Impairment of intangible assets                    18      33,880    113,863 
 Impairment of asset held for sale                         221,255          - 
 Profit on disposal of discontinued 
  operations                                        24       (586)          - 
 Profit on disposal of asset classified 
  as held for sale                                  24    (22,082)          - 
 Loss on disposal of associate                      19b      8,907          - 
 Changes in fair value of equity 
  investments                                                (598)        270 
 Interest on bonds, bank borrowings 
  and other borrowings                                      41,878     35,863 
 Interest on convertible bonds                                   -      9,851 
 Interest on lease liability                                 5,895      6,280 
 Income tax expense                                         23,198     35,339 
 Employee stock option plan expenses                        21,079     18,102 
 Movement in deferred and contingent 
  consideration and redemption liability                     8,310   (69,940) 
 Expected credit loss on cash and                              627          - 
  cash equivalents 
 Exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents                (4,797)    (1,173) 
 Unrealised exchange gain                                  (5,511)          - 
 Other                                                         494         90 
 Changes in operating assets and 
  liabilities: 
 Change in trade receivables                                34,558      2,442 
 Change in other receivables                                   360    (5,901) 
 Change in trade payables                                 (13,342)   (10,912) 
 Change in progressive, operators 
  jackpot, security deposits                                 1,974      9,551 
 Change in client funds and deposits                        76,579     22,046 
 Change in other payables                                   34,929   (12,200) 
 Change in provisions for risks and 
  charges                                                  (1,431)      7,413 
 Change in deferred revenues                                 2,674      1,572 
                                                           692,147    389,699 
-------------------------------------------------  ----  ---------  --------- 
 
 

Acquisition of subsidiaries

 
                                                    2020      2019 
                                          Note   EUR'000   EUR'000 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Acquisitions in the year 
 A. Acquisition of Statscore SP Z.O.O.    34A      6,500         - 
 B. Acquisition of Best In Game SRL       34B     13,329         - 
 Acquisitions in previous year 
 A. Acquisition of Areascom SpA                        -         - 
 B. Other acquisitions                    35A          -     1,402 
                                                  19,829     1,402 
---------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 

Cash of subsidiaries on acquisition

 
                                                         2020      2019 
                                               Note   EUR'000   EUR'000 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 Acquisitions in the year 
      A. Acquisition of Statscore SP Z.O.O.    34a         60         - 
      B. Acquisition of Best In Game SRL       34b      8,449         - 
 Acquisitions in previous year 
      A. Acquisition of Areascom SpA                        -       324 
      B. Other acquisitions                                 -       715 
                                                        8,509     1,039 
--------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -------- 
 
 
 Payment of contingent consideration and redemption liabilities on previous acquisitions 
                                                                                                2020      2019 
                                                                                             EUR'000   EUR'000 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Acquisitions in previous years 
      A. Acquisition of Rarestone Gaming PTY Ltd                                               4,140     4,469 
      B. Acquisition of ACM Group                                                                  -     3,420 
      C. Acquisition of Consolidated Financial Holdings                                            -    21,979 
      D. Acquisition of Quickspin AB                                                               -    14,345 
      E. Acquisition of Playtech BGT Sports Limited                                           41,558         - 
      F. Other acquisitions                                                                    2,789     3,858 
                                                                                            --------  -------- 
                                                                                              48,487    48,071 
 
      G. Interest in Aquila Global Group SAS ("Wplay")                                        15,233         - 
 
                                                                                              63,720    48,071 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 

The cash outflows, as stated in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019, relating to payments of long term deferred and contingent consideration on the acquisition of subsidiaries and the payments of redemption liabilities to acquire non controlling interests in previous periods has been restated during the period. As a result, they have been reclassified from investing to financing cash flows. This presentational change in the cash flow statement has no impact on actual cash flows nor on any of the other primary statements.

NOTE 1 - GENERAL

Playtech plc (the "Company") is a company domiciled in the Isle of Man. The Company was incorporated in British Virgin Islands as an offshore company with limited liability. The registered office is located at St George's Court, Upper Church Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1EE.

These consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the "Group").

Playtech is the gambling industry's leading technology company delivering business intelligence driven gambling software, services, content and platform technology across the industry's most popular product verticals, including, casino, live casino, sports betting, virtual sports, bingo and poker. It is the pioneer of omni-channel gambling technology through its integrated platform technology, Playtech ONE. Playtech ONE delivers data driven marketing expertise, single wallet functionality, CRM and responsible gambling solutions across one single platform across product verticals and across retail and online.

Playtech partners with and invests in the leading brands in regulated and newly regulated markets to deliver its data driven gambling technology across the retail and online value chain. Playtech provides its technology on a B2B basis to the industry's leading retail and online operators, land-based casino groups and government sponsored entities such as lotteries. Playtech directly owns and operates Snaitech, the leading sports betting and gaming company in online and retail in Italy.

The Group's financial trading division, which is treated as a discontinued operation in these financial statements (Notes 8 and 24), has four primary business models, being:

-- B2C retail Contracts for difference ("CFD"), through www.markets.com where the Group acts as the execution venue and the market-maker on a variety of instruments which fall under the general categories of Foreign exchanges, Commodities, Equities and indices;

-- B2B clearing and execution services for other retail brokers and professional clients, through CFH, where the Group acts as a matched-principal liquidity provider and straight through processes ("STPs") the trades to prime brokers and clearing houses such as BNP, Jeffries, UBS, Citi etc;

-- B2B clearing and execution for other retail brokers, where the Group acts as the execution venue and market-maker; and

-- B2B technology and risk management services, where the Group provides platform, CRM, reporting and risk-management technology to the retail broker market.

Where the Group acts as the execution venue, or provides execution services, these activities are undertaken in entities regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), the Australian Securities & Investments Commission ("ASIC"), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission ("CySEC"), the British Virgin Islands' Financial Services Commission ("FSC"), and the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority ("FSCA").

NOTE 2 - BASIS OF PREPARATION

This financial information does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2020 or 2019 but is derived from those accounts. The auditor has reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified and (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report.

This financial information has been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union (EU). The audited accounts were authorised for issue by the Company's board of directors on 10 March 2021.

Details of the Group's accounting policies are included in Note 5.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact

Background

COVID-19, which is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus, was declared a world-wide pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020 and since then has had a significant impact on global economies and equity, debt and commodity markets. The Group has considered the impact of COVID-19 and other market volatility in preparing its financial statements.

Considering recent developments, which include the second wave that forced governments back into ongoing lockdowns, as well as the debate over the outcome (and timing of this outcome) the vaccines will have, management considered the possible impact to the estimates and outcomes in the measurement of the Group's assets and liabilities. In making these considerations, management have also taken into account the different financial and economic impact the pandemic has had to the Group's online and retail gambling results since March 2020. This is further discussed in Note 6.

Process applied

The Group is closely monitoring developments in, and the effects of COVID-19 on the global economy. On the basis of currently available information, and the latest updates on the ongoing lockdowns and vaccine announcements, the Group is not in a position to accurately assess the magnitude of the impact of COVID-19 on the Group's operations and future financial results, as this will principally depend on the effectiveness of vaccine, the overall contribution in stopping the pandemic, as well as the regulatory and fiscal measures taken to support the economy and mitigate the impact of the virus.

As a consequence of COVID-19 and in preparing these financial statements, management:

-- re-evaluated whether there were any additional areas of judgement or estimation uncertainty;

   --           reviewed external market communications to identify other COVID-19 related impacts; 
   --           reviewed public forecasts and experience from previous downturns; 

-- conducted several internal processes to ensure consistency in the application of the expected impact of COVID-19 across all asset classes; and

-- assessed the carrying values of its assets and liabilities and determined the impact thereon as a result of market inputs and variables impacted by COVID-19.

Going concern basis

In adopting the going concern basis in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, the Directors have considered the current trading performance, financial position and liquidity of the Group, the principal risks and uncertainties together with scenario planning and reverse stress tests completed for a period of no less than 12 months from the approval of these financial statements. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the measures adopted by governments in countries worldwide to mitigate the pandemic's spread, including the ongoing lockdowns and COVID-19 vaccine announcements, were also taken into consideration in our assessment.

Despite the impact on cash flows of COVID-19, the Group continues to hold a strong liquidity position with adjusted gross cash of EUR651.1 million (31 December 2019 EUR335.8 million). As a precautionary measure, in the early stages of the pandemic Playtech accessed approximately EUR6 million in government support schemes in the UK and other markets. This was to ensure the Group could protect jobs given the prevailing uncertainty over the severity of the impact on the business from the pandemic. Despite the impact of the restrictions on parts of our business and given the overall resilient performance over the course of 2020, this support is currently in the process of being repaid and therefore excluded from our results for 2020. Whilst there are a number of risks to the Group's trading performance from COVID-19 and its impact on the global economy, the Directors are confident of its ability to continue as a going concern.

The Directors have reviewed liquidity and covenant forecasts for the Group, which have been updated for the expected impact of COVID-19 on trading as well as the relaxed covenants agreed with the Group's facility providers until 30 June 2021. The Directors have also considered sensitivities in respect of potential downside scenarios, reverse stress tests and the mitigating actions available to management.

The modelling of downside scenarios assessed if there was a significant risk to the Group's liquidity and covenant compliance position. This includes the risk of future lockdowns, and consideration of the recovery period in the Groups' key markets and licensees' operations.

The Group's principal financing arrangements are a revolving credit facility ("RCF") up to EUR317.0 million which expires in November 2023 with an option of extension for one year, the 2018 Bond amounting to EUR530.0 million and the 2019 Bond amounting to EUR350.0 million which are repayable in October 2023 and March 2026 respectively. These financing arrangements are subject to certain financial covenants which are tested every six months on a rolling 12-month basis, as set out in Notes 26 and 27. The RCF covenants have been relaxed as follows:

-- Leverage: Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA revised to 5:1 for the year ended 31 December 2020 and 4.5:1 for the last twelve months to 30 June 2021 (31 December 2019: 3:1)

-- Interest cover: Adjusted EBITDA/Interest revised to 3:1 for the year ended 31 December 2020 and 3.5:1 for the last twelve months to 30 June 2021 (31 December 2019: 4:1)

If the Group's results are in line with its base case projections it would not be in breach of the financial covenants for a period of no less than 12 months from approval of these financial statements ("the relevant going concern period"). There can be no assurance that a downside scenario will be avoided if the COVID-19 vaccine is not effective in decreasing the severity of the virus and further impacts the performance of the Group.

However, the Directors have concluded that the Group is well placed to manage foreseeable downside and severe downside scenarios after also considering mitigating actions that would be available to the Directors and are within their control. In making this conclusion, the Directors have considered a stress test and a reverse test as explained below.

Stress test

The stress test assumes a worst-case scenario with further impacts caused by the pandemic, together with additional sensitivities around the UK, Italy and Asia, but with mitigations similar to the ones taken in 2020 (including salary and capital expenditure reductions and continued suspension of distributions). Under this scenario EBITDA would fall on average by 23% per month compared to the base case and the company would have breached one of its covenants (Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA) but at the same time would have sufficient liquidity to repay the RCF, should payment be demanded by its facility providers. This would however not result in a breach of the bond covenants and the Group would have adequate cash reserves to be able to continue as a going concern over the relevant going concern period.

Reverse stress test

The reverse test was used to find what would be the level of EBITDA and consequently the cash burn that would lead to a breach in the bonds' financial covenants before the end of the relevant going concern period. Under this test, management assumed the following:

-- A further deterioration of revenue and EBITDA as a result of the assumed ongoing second lockdown;

   --           Downturn in cash generation; and 
   --           No further mitigating actions taken. 

As a result of completing this assessment management considered the likelihood of the reverse stress test scenario arising to be remote. In reaching this conclusion management considered the following:

   --           Current trading is performing above the base case; 

-- EBITDA would fall on average by 86% per month compared to the base case until the end of 2021;

-- In the event that revenues decline, additional mitigating actions are available to management which have not been factored into the reverse stress test scenario.

As such, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will have adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence over the relevant going concern period and have therefore considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of preparation in the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3 - FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

These consolidated financial statements are presented in Euro, which is the Company's functional currency. The functional currency for subsidiaries includes Euro, United States Dollar and British Pounds. All amounts have been rounded to the nearest thousand, unless otherwise indicated.

NOTE 4 - NEW STANDARDS, INTERPRETATIONS AND AMMENTS ADOPTED BY THE GROUP

New standards, interpretations and amendments adopted from 1 January 2020

The Group applied for the first-time certain standards and amendments, which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020, but do not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

New standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective

There a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretation which have issued by the IASB that are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early.

-- Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current.

In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, which clarify the criteria used to determine whether liabilities are classified as current or non-current. These amendments clarify that current or non-current classification is based on whether an entity has a right at the end of the reporting period to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period. The amendments also clarify that 'settlement' includes the transfer of cash, goods, services, or equity instruments unless the obligation to transfer equity instruments arises from a conversion feature classified as an equity instrument separately from the liability component of a compound financial instrument. The amendments were originally effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022. However, in May 2020, the effective date was deferred to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.

The Group is currently assessing the impact of these new accounting standards and amendments. The Group does not believe that the amendments to IAS 1 will have a significant impact on the classification of its liabilities.

The Group does not expect any other standards issued by the IASB, but not yet effective, to have a material impact on the Group.

NOTE 5 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Group has consistently applied the following accounting policies to all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements, except if mentioned otherwise.

   A.   Basis of consolidation 
   i.          Business combinations 

The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when the acquired set of activities and assets meets the definition of a business and control is transferred to the Group. In determining whether a particular set of activities and assets is a business, the Group assesses whether the set of assets and activities acquired includes, at a minimum, an input and substantive process and whether the acquired set has the ability to produce outputs. The Group has an option to apply a 'concentration test' that permits a simplified assessment of whether an acquired set of activities and assets is not a business. The optional concentration test is met if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets.

The consideration transferred in the acquisition is generally measured at fair value, as are the indefinable net assets acquired. Any goodwill arises is tested annually for impairment. Any gain on a bargain purchase is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities.

The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such amounts are recognised in statement of comprehensive income.

Any contingent consideration is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. If an obligation to pay contingent consideration that meets the definition of a financial instrument is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured, and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, other contingent consideration is remeasured at fair value at each reporting date and subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

When a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group's previously held interests in the acquired entity are remeasured to its acquisition-date fair value and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to the statement of comprehensive income, where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of.

   ii.         Subsidiaries 

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group 'controls' an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

   iii.        Non-controlling interests (NCI) 

NCI are measured initially at their proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets at the date of acquisition. Changes in the Group's interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a change of control are accounted for as equity transactions. The difference between the consideration and the carrying value of the NCI is recognised as profit/loss in the retained earnings.

   iv.        Interest in equity accounted investees 

Where the Group has the power to participate in (but not control) the financial and operating policy decisions of another entity, it is classified as an associate, joint venture or structured entity, as appropriate.

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but not control or joint control over these policies.

A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the entity or arrangement and have rights to the net assets of the joint venture. Joint arrangement include the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

A structured entity is an entity that has been designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding who controls the entity, such as when any voting rights relate to administrative tasks only and the relevant activities are directed by means of contractual arrangements.

A structured entity often has some or all of the following features or attributes;

   --      restricted activities, 

-- a narrow and well-defined objective, such as to provide investment opportunities for investors by passing on risks and rewards associated with the assets of the structured entity to investors,

-- insufficient equity to permit the structured entity to finance its activities without subordinated financial support and

   --      financing in the form of multiple contractually linked instruments to investors that create concentrations of credit or other risks (tranches). 

Structured entities are entities in which shareholding percentage may exists or may not, and therefore voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding who controls the entity. The control is defined through the existence of contractual agreements.

Where the group holds an option to acquire equity in an entity, this is included in the assessment of control unless the option is not exercisable or, in limited circumstances, even if it is not currently exercisable and their impact on the assessment of significant influence when the option is currently exercisable.

Equity accounted associates

Under the equity method, the investment in an associate is initially recognised at cost. The carrying amount of the investment is adjusted to recognise changes in the Group's share of net assets of the associate since the acquisition date.

After application of the equity method, the Group determines whether it is necessary to recognise an impairment loss on its investment in its associate. At each reporting date, the Group determines whether there is objective evidence that the investment in the associate is impaired. If there is such evidence, the Group calculates the amount of impairment as the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate and its carrying value, and then recognises in the statement of comprehensive income.

On disposal of the associate, or loss of significant influence over the associate, the Group measures and recognises any retained investment at its fair value. Any difference between the carrying amount of the associate upon loss of significant influence and the fair value of the retained investment and proceeds from disposal is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Joint venture

The Group accounts for its interests in joint ventures in the same manner as investment in associates (refer above).

Structured entities

An entity that has been designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding who controls the entity, such as when any voting rights relate to administrative tasks only and the relevant activities are directed by means of contractual arrangements. Structured agreements are initially recognised at cost and are subsequently considered for impairment. Where there is objective evidence that the investment in a structured agreement has been impaired the carrying amount of the investment is tested for impairment in the same way as other non-financial assets.

Where there is a loss of joint control due to a change in the contractual arrangements and a joint venture becomes either an associate or structured arrangement, the investment continues to be measured using the equity method. Given that there is no change in the measurement requirements, the loss of joint control is not an event that warrants remeasurement of the retained interest at fair value.

Where the Group is remunerated for services and software provided to the arrangement through a revenue share or share of profit, the Group recognises this income as revenue in accordance with IFRS 15.

   v.         Equity investments held at fair value 

All equity investments in scope of IFRS 9 are measured at fair value in the statement of financial position. Value changes are recognized in the income statement. Fair value is based on quoted market prices (Level 1). Where this is not possible, fair value is assessed based on alternative methods (Level 3).

   vi.        Transactions eliminated on consolidation 

Intra-group balances and transactions arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Group's interest in the investee. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

   B.   Foreign currency 
   i.          Foreign currency transactions 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the respective functional currencies of Group companies at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate at the reporting date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured based on historical cost in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency differences are generally recognised in statement of comprehensive income and presented within finance costs.

ii. Foreign operations

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition, are translated into euro at the exchange rates at the reporting date. Revenue and expenses of foreign operations are translated into euro at the end of each month at the average exchange rate for the month which approximates the exchange rates at the date of the transactions.

Foreign currency differences are recognised in other comprehensive income (OCI) and accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve, except to the extent that the translation difference is allocated to NCI.

When a foreign operation is disposed of its entirety or partially such that control significant influence or joint control is lost, the cumulative amount in the foreign exchange reserve relates to the foreign operation is reclassified to the statement of comprehensive income as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

   C.   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 geographical area of operations 

-- Is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations;or

   --      Is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale 

Classification as a discontinued operation occurs at the earlier of disposal 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 comprehensive income is re-presented as if the operation had been discontinued from the start of the

comparative year.

   D.   Revenue recognition 

The majority of the Group's revenue is derived from selling services with revenue recognised at a point in time when services have been delivered to the customer. Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the supply of services in the ordinary course of the Group's activities. Revenue is recognised when economic benefits are expected to flow to the Group, where economic benefits are not expected to flow, revenue is not recognised. Specific criteria and performance obligations are described below for each of the Group's material revenue streams.

 
 Type of Service                 Nature, timing of satisfaction 
                                  of performance obligations and 
                                  significant payment terms 
 B2B royalty income              Royalty income relates to licensed 
                                  technology and the provision 
                                  of certain services provided 
                                  via various distribution channels 
                                  (online, mobile or land-based 
                                  interfaces). 
 
                                  Royalty income is based on the 
                                  underlying gaming revenue earned 
                                  by our licensees based on the 
                                  contractual terms in place. 
                                  Revenue is recognised when performance 
                                  obligation is met which is when 
                                  the gaming transaction occurs. 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 B2B fixed-fee income            Fixed-fee income includes revenue 
                                  derived from the provision of 
                                  certain services and licensed 
                                  technology for which charges 
                                  are based on a fixed-fee and 
                                  stepped according to the monthly 
                                  usage of the service/technology. 
                                  The usage measurement is reset 
                                  on a monthly basis. 
 
                                  The performance obligation is 
                                  met and revenue is recognised 
                                  once the obligations under the 
                                  contracts have been met. Where 
                                  amounts are billed and obligations 
                                  are not met, revenue is deferred. 
 
                                  Amounts are billed on a monthly 
                                  basis. Additional fees charged 
                                  according to the usage of the 
                                  service/technology are billed 
                                  and recognised on the month 
                                  that the services are provided. 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 B2B cost based revenue          Cost based revenue is the total 
                                  revenue charged to the licensee 
                                  based on the actual costs incurred 
                                  from production and an additional 
                                  percentage charged on top as 
                                  a margin. 
 
                                  Cost based revenues are recognised 
                                  on delivery of the service. 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 B2B revenue received from the   Revenue received from the sale 
  sale of hardware                of hardware is the total revenue 
                                  charged to customers upon the 
                                  sale of each hardware product. 
                                  The performance obligation is 
                                  met and revenue is recognised 
                                  on delivery of the hardware 
                                  and acceptance by the customer. 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 B2B profit share income         Profit share income relates 
                                  to certain services provided 
                                  to customers defined as structured 
                                  agreements. Profit share is 
                                  based on a pre-defined profit 
                                  of the customers. 
 
                                  Profit share is recognised when 
                                  the performance obligation is 
                                  met which is when the defined 
                                  period for measuring the profit 
                                  is over. 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 B2C revenue                          In respect of B2C and white 
                                       label revenues, the Group acts 
                                       as principal with the end customer, 
                                       with specific revenue policies 
                                       as follows: 
 
                                        *    The revenues from land based gaming machines are 
                                             recognised net of the winnings, jackpots and certain 
                                             flat-rate gaming tax. 
 
 
                                        *    The revenue from Online gaming (games of 
                                             skill/casino/bingo) are recognised net of the 
                                             winnings, jackpots, bonuses and certain flat-rate 
                                             gaming tax. In respect of the casino and bingo, 
                                             revenue is recognised at the conclusion. Revenue from 
                                             games of skill are recognised at the time of the bet. 
 
 
                                        *    The revenues related to the acceptance of fixed odds 
                                             bets are considered financial instruments under IFRS 
                                             9 and are recognised net of certain flat-rate gaming 
                                             tax , winnings, bonuses and the fair value of open 
                                             bets. 
 
 
                                        *    Revenues related to fixed odds bets are recognised at 
                                             the conclusion of the event. 
 
 
                                        *    Poker revenues in the form of commission (i.e. rake) 
                                             is recognised at the conclusion of each poker hand. 
                                             The performance obligation is the provision of the 
                                             poker games to the players. 
 
 
                                        *    All the revenues from gaming machines are recorded 
                                             net of players winnings and certain gaming taxes but 
                                             inclusive of compensation payable to managers, 
                                             operators and platforms, as well as the concession 
                                             fees payable to the ADM. Revenue is recognised at the 
                                             time of the bet. 
 
 
 
                                       Where the gaming tax incurred 
                                       is directly measured by reference 
                                       to the individual customer transaction 
                                       and related to the stake (described 
                                       as "Flat-rate tax" above), this 
                                       is deducted from revenue. 
 
                                       Where the tax incurred is measured 
                                       by reference to the Groups' 
                                       net result from betting and 
                                       gaming activity this is not 
                                       deducted from revenue and is 
                                       recognised as an expense. 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Financial trading income        Financial trading income represents 
                                  gains (including commission) 
                                  and losses arising on client 
                                  trading activity, primarily 
                                  in contracts for difference 
                                  on shares, indexes, commodities 
                                  and foreign exchange. 
 
                                  Open client positions are carried 
                                  at fair market value and gains 
                                  and losses arising on this valuation 
                                  are recognised in revenue as 
                                  well as gains and losses realised 
                                  on positions that have closed. 
 
                                  The performance obligation is 
                                  met in the accounting periods 
                                  in which the trading transaction 
                                  occurs and is concluded. 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 

Based on the services provided by the Group, excluding certain rebates provided to customers in the financial division, no return, refund and other similar obligations exist. Moreover, no warranties and related obligations exist.

   E.   Share-based payments 

Certain employees participate in the Group's share option plans. The fair value of the equity settled options granted is charged to the statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and the credit is taken to equity, based on the Group's estimate of shares that will eventually vest. Fair value is determined by the Black-Scholes and Binomial valuation model. Where equity settled share options are settled in cash at the group's discretion the debit is taken to equity.

The Group has also granted awards to be distributed from the Group's Employee Benefit Trust. The fair value of these awards is based on the market price at the date of the grant, some of the grants have performance conditions. The performance conditions are for the executive management and include targets based on growth in earnings per share and total shareholder return over a specific period compared to other competitors. The fair value of the awards with performance condition was determined by the Monte Carlo Method.

Where, at the outset, the Group decided that there was no obligation to settle in cash but it subsequently did so at its own discretion and has no past practice or stated policy of settling in cash, the expense recognised is based on the fair value at grant date. Where the entity has a present obligation to settle in cash the liability is measured at the end of each reporting period at the fair value of the liability.

   F.   Income tax 

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax.

   i.          Current tax 

Current tax comprises the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year and any adjustment to the tax payable or receivable in respect of previous years. The amount of current tax payable or receivable is the best estimate of the tax amount expected to be paid or received that reflects uncertainty related to income taxes, if any. It is measured using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Current tax also includes any tax arising from dividends. Current tax assets and liabilities are offset only if certain criteria are met.

   ii.         Deferred tax 

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except:

-- When the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss

-- In respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint ventures, when the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilised, except:

-- When the deferred tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss.

-- In respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint ventures, deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilised. Unrecognised deferred tax assets are re-assessed at each reporting date and are recognised to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

Deferred tax relating to items recognised outside the statement of comprehensive income is recognised outside the statement of comprehensive income. Deferred tax items are recognised in correlation to the underlying transaction either in OCI or directly in equity.

Tax benefits acquired as part of a business combination, but not satisfying the criteria for separate recognition at that date, are recognised subsequently if new information about facts and circumstances change. The adjustment is either treated as a reduction in goodwill (as long as it does not exceed goodwill) if it was incurred during the measurement period or recognised in profit or loss.

The Group offsets deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities if and only if it has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets and current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.

   G.   Property, plant and equipment 
   (i)         Recognition and measurement 

Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation.

If significant parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, then they are accounted for as separate items (major components) of property, plant and equipment.

Any gain or loss on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

   (ii)         Subsequent expenditure 

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only if it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the expenditure will flow to the Group.

   (iii)        Depreciation 

Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment less their estimated residual values using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, and is generally recognised in statement of comprehensive income.

The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment for current and comparative periods are as follows:

 
                                                               % 
----------------------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Computers and gaming machines                             20-33 
 Office furniture and equipment                             7-33 
 Freehold and leasehold buildings    3-20, or over the length of 
  and improvements                                     the lease 
 Motor vehicles                                               15 
 

Land is not depreciated.

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and

adjusted if appropriate.

Carrying amounts are reviewed on each reporting date for impairment. Where the carrying amount of an asset is greater than its estimated recoverable amount, it is written down immediately to its recoverable amount.

   H.   Intangible assets and goodwill 
   (i)         Recognition and measurement 

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination over the Group's interest in the fair value of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired. Cost comprises the fair value of assets given, liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued, plus the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree plus, if the business combination is achieved in stages, the fair value of the existing equity interest in the acquiree. Contingent consideration is included in cost at its acquisition date fair value and, in the case of contingent consideration classified as a financial liability, remeasured subsequently through profit or loss. Direct costs of acquisition are recognised immediately as an expense. Goodwill is capitalised as an intangible asset with any impairment in carrying value being charged to the statement of comprehensive income. Where the fair value of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceed the fair value of consideration paid, the excess is credited in full to the statement of comprehensive income on the acquisition date.

Externally acquired intangible assets

Externally acquired intangible assets are initially recognised at cost and subsequently amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful economic lives.

Business combinations

Intangible assets are recognised on business combinations if they are separable from the acquired entity or give rise to other contractual/legal rights. The amounts ascribed to such intangibles are arrived at by using appropriate valuation techniques (see section related to critical estimates and judgements below).

Internally generated intangible assets (development costs)

Development costs that are directly attributable to the design and testing of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group are recognised as intangible assets where the following criteria are met:

   --      it is technically feasible to complete the software so that it will be available for use 
   --      management intends to complete the software and use or sell it 
   --      there is an ability to use or sell the software 
   --      it can be demonstrated how the software will generate probable future economic benefits 

-- adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the software are available, and

-- the expenditure attributable to the software during its development can be reliably measured.

Directly attributable costs that are capitalised as part of the software include employee costs and an appropriate portion of relevant overheads.

Capitalised development costs are recorded as intangible assets and amortised from the point at which the asset is ready for use.

   (ii)         Subsequent expenditure 

Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure, including expenditure on internally generated goodwill and brands, is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income as incurred.

   (iii)        Amortisation 

Amortisation is calculated to write off the cost of intangible assets less their estimated residual values using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, and is generally recognised in statement of comprehensive income. Goodwill is not amortised.

The estimated useful lives for current and comparative periods are as follows:

 
                                                                % 
----------------------------------  ----------------------------- 
 Domain names                                                 Nil 
 Internally generated capitalised 
  development costs                                         20-33 
 Technology IP                                              13-33 
 Customer lists                       In line with projected cash 
                                                    flows or 7-20 
 Affiliate contracts                                       5-12.5 
 Patents and licenses                 10-33 or over the period of 
                                                      the license 
 

Amortisation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate.

   (iv)       Assets held for sale 

Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities, are classified as held-for sale if it is highly probable that they will be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use.

Such assets, or disposal groups, are tested for impairment immediately prior to transfer to held for sale, then subsequently measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Any impairment loss on a disposal group is allocated first to goodwill, and then to the remaining assets on a pro rata basis, except that no loss is allocated to inventories, financial assets, deferred tax assets, which continue to be measured in accordance with the Group's other accounting policies. Impairment losses on initial classification as held-for-sale or held-for distribution and subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in statement of comprehensive income.

Once classified as held-for-sale, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are no longer amortised or depreciated.

   I.    Financial Instruments 

Initial recognition and subsequent measurement

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity.

   (i)         Financial assets 

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income and fair value through profit or loss.

The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group's business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price. In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)' on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level. Financial assets with cash flows that are not SPPI are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss, irrespective of the business model.

Subsequent measurement

For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in four categories:

-- Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)

-- Financial assets at fair value through OCI with recycling of cumulative gains and losses (debt instruments)

-- Financial assets designated at fair value through OCI with no recycling of cumulative gains and losses

upon derecognition (equity instruments)

-- Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at amortised cost (debt instruments)

Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired. The Group's financial assets at amortised cost includes trade receivables and loans receivable.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried in the statement of financial position at fair value with net changes in fair value recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. This category includes listed equity investments which the Group had not irrevocably elected to classify at fair value through OCI.

Derecognition

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial

assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e. removed from the Group's consolidated statement of financial

position) when:

-- The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired, or

-- The Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a 'pass-through' arrangement; and either (a) the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a passthrough arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.

Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Group could be required to repay.

Impairment

The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.

ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12-months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).

For trade receivables, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the economic environment.

   (ii)        Financial liabilities 

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, loans and borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate. All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs. The Group's financial liabilities include trade and other payables, loans and borrowings including bank overdrafts, and derivative financial instruments.

Subsequent measurement

For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial liabilities are classified in two categories:

-- Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

-- Financial liabilities at amortised cost (loans and borrowings and bonds)

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

This is the category most relevant to the Group. After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the Effective Interest Method ("EIR") method. Gains and losses are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of comprehensive income.

Derecognition

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

   (iii)       Offsetting 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

   J.   Share capital 

Ordinary shares are classified as equity and are stated at the proceeds received net of direct issue costs.

   K.   Share buyback 

The Group cannot hold treasury shares under the Company's memorandum and article of association and therefore the shares are cancelled after the buyback. Consideration paid for the share buyback is recognised against the additional paid in capital. Any excess of the consideration paid over the weighted average price of shares in issue is debited to the retained earnings.

   L.   Employee Benefit Trust 

Consideration paid/received for the purchase/sale of shares subsequently put in the Employee Benefit Trust is recognised directly in equity. The cost of shares held is presented as a separate reserve (the "Employee Benefit Trust reserve"). Any excess of the consideration received on the sale of treasury shares over the weighted average cost of the shares sold is credited to retained earnings.

M. Compound financial instruments

Compound financial instruments issued by the Group comprise convertible notes denominated in euro that can be converted to ordinary shares at the option of the holder, when the number of shares to be issued is fixed and does not vary with changes in fair value.

The liability component of compound financial instruments is initially recognised at the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an equity conversion option. The equity component is initially recognised at the difference between the fair value of the compound financial instrument as a whole and the fair value of the liability component. Any directly attributable transaction costs are allocated to the liability and equity components in proportion to their initial carrying amounts.

Subsequent to initial recognition, the liability component of a compound financial instrument is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. The equity component of a compound financial instrument is not remeasured.

Interest related to the financial liability is recognised in statement of comprehensive income.

   N.   Dividends 

Dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. In case of interim dividends to equity shareholders, this is when declared by the Directors. In case of final dividends, this is when approved by the shareholders at the AGM.

   O.   Impairment of non-financial assets 

At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its non-financial assets to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset's recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or CGUs. Goodwill arising from a business combination is allocated to CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. Value in use is based on the estimated future cash flows, discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its recoverable amount.

Impairment losses are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. They are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU, and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. For other assets, an impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

   P.   Provisions 

Provisions for legal claims, service warranties and make good obligations are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of management's best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period. The discount rate used to determine the present value is a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

   Q.   Leases 

The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

Group as a lessee

The Group applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for short-term

leases and leases of low-value assets. The Group recognises lease liabilities to make lease payments and right of use assets representing the right to use the underlying assets.

   (i)         Right of use assets 

The Group recognises right of use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e. the date the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated

amortisation and impairment losses and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. Right of use assets are amortised on a straight line basis over the shorter of the lease term and the estimated useful lives of the assets.

   (ii)         Lease liabilities 

At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments

(including in-substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as expenses (unless they are incurred to produce inventories) in the period in which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date because the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made.

In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the lease payments (e.g. changes to future payments resulting from a change in an index or rate used to determine such lease payments) or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset. When the lease liability is remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in the statement of comprehensive income if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

   (iii)        Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets 

The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of machinery and

equipment (i.e. those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered to be low value. Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

   R.   Fair value measurement 

'Fair value' is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or, in its absence, the most advantageous market to which the Group has access at that date. The fair value of a liability reflects its non-performance risk.

When one is available, the Group measures the fair value of an instrument using the quoted price in an active market for that instrument. A market is regarded as 'active' if transactions for the asset or liability take place with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

If there is no quoted price in an active market, then the Group uses valuation techniques that maximise the use of relevant observable inputs and minimise the use of unobservable inputs. The chosen valuation technique incorporates all of the factors that market participants would take into account in pricing a transaction.

If an asset or a liability measured at fair value has a bid price and an ask price, then the Group measures assets and long positions at a bid price and liabilities and short positions at an ask price.

The best evidence of the fair value of a financial instrument on initial recognition is normally the transaction price - i.e. the fair value of the consideration given or received. If the Group determines that the fair value on initial recognition differs from the transaction price and the fair value is evidenced neither by a quoted price in an active market for an identical asset or liability nor based on a valuation technique for which any unobservable inputs are judged to be insignificant in relation to the measurement, then the financial instrument is initially measured at fair value, adjusted to defer the difference between the fair value on initial recognition and the transaction price. Subsequently, that difference is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on an appropriate basis over the life of the instrument but no later than when the valuation is wholly supported by observable market data or the transaction is closed out.

   S.   Adjusted results 

The Group disclosed EBITDA being the retained earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, and amortisation. EBITDA is a measure of the Group's overall financial performance and profitability which the Directors consider useful to reflect the underlying performance of the business.

The Board of Directors believes that in order to best represent the trading performance and results of the Group, the reported numbers should exclude certain non-cash and one-off items including the below. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Profit/Loss after making these exclusions are therefore presented alongside the reported EBITDA and reported Profit/Loss in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Management regularly uses the adjusted financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate the business and make operating decisions. These adjusted measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. Furthermore, compensation of the executives is based in part on the performance of the business based on these adjusted measures.

Accordingly, these are the key performance metrics used by the Board of Directors when assessing the Group's financial performance. Such exclusions include:

-- Material non-cash items: these items are excluded to better analyse the underlying cash transactions of the business as the management regularly monitors the operating cash conversion to Adjusted EBITDA.

-- Material one-off items: there items are excluded to get normalized results that is distorted by unusual or infrequent items. Unusual items include highly abnormal and only incidentally related to the ordinary activities of the Group and infrequent occurring not reasonably expected to recur in the foreseeable future given the environment in which the Group operates.

In the last few years the Group has acquired new businesses on a regular basis, however, the costs incurred due to these acquisitions are not considered to be an ongoing trading cost and usually cannot be changed or influenced by management.

Underlying adjusted results exclude the following items in order to present a more accurate 'like for like' comparison over the comparable period:

-- The impact of acquisitions made in the period or in the comparable period and the directly related finance and professional costs relating to the acquisitions; and

-- Currency fluctuations affecting the results in the period and the comparable period. In view of the fact that the Group has transaction in foreign currencies and may affected from the fluctuations of the currencies all transactions in foreign currency transactions are converted to Euro using the exchange rate of the comparable period.

As these are non-GAAP measures, they should not be considered as replacements for IFRS measures. The Group's definition of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A full reconciliation of adjustments is included in Note 10.

NOTE 6 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management has made judgements and estimates that effect the application of the Group's accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual events may differ for these estimates.

As a result of the uncertainty associated with the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic management faces challenges relating to selecting appropriate assumptions and developing reliable estimates. The use of forecast information is pervasive in the Group's assessment for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, the recoverability of deferred taxes, determination of the fair value of contingent consideration and redemption liability and the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The complexities associated with preparing forecasts as a result of the pandemic and the economic downturn include the following:

-- There are wide ranges of possible outcomes, resulting in a high degree of uncertainty about the ultimate trajectory of the pandemic and the path and time needed for a return to a "steady state".

-- The associated economic impact of the pandemic is highly dependent on variables that are difficult to predict.

-- The effect of these macro-economic conditions on the estimated future cash flows of the Group.

Judgments

In the process of applying the Group's accounting policies management has made the following judgments, which have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial statements.

-- Structured agreements

IFRS 12 defines a 'Structured entity' as an entity designed so that voting rights are not the dominant factor in assessing control and the relevant activities are directed by means of a contractual arrangement. The application of the definition involves judgment as well as the identification of the investor-investee relationship. The following are considered in assessing which party controls the entity:

   --      The purpose and design of such entities 
   --      The rights which investee holds 
   --      The rights held by other parties in the investee 
   --      Exposure to the majority of the risks and rewards from the entity 

-- The decision making rights and the power over those activities that significantly affect the structured entity's return

The Group currently holds a number of call options to acquire equity interests in third parties connected with the structured agreements (see note 19C). In the case of the structured agreements, the Group is the local partner's strategic technology partner delivering its products together with operational and marketing services across the local partner's online operations. In addition to a framework agreement which governs the relationship of the structured agreement relationship, the Group provides software and services under a separate agreement for which it is remunerated for the provision of software based on a revenue share and separately for the provision of services which are remunerated based on the reimbursement of certain costs and a contractual share of the operating profit of the local partner's business (a "Profit Share"). Management is required to consider the accounting for the options and their impact on the assessment of control when the option is currently exercisable or, in limited circumstances, even if it is not currently exercisable and their impact on the assessment of significant influence when the option is currently exercisable.

Judgement is therefore required to assess the impact of any potential voting rights held under the options and also the extent of any influence held over the entity's activities afforded by contractual arrangements. Where options are held primarily as a protective right they do not give power over the structure, existing operating agreements or financing structures. In such circumstances, management would currently assess the likelihood of exercise as remote.

The definition of 'control' in the absence of shareholding rights is judgmental and therefore difficult to determine. Exposure to the risk and rewards, as well as decision making rights can be identified by the agreement between the two parties, however, what is considered exposure to the 'majority' of the risks and rewards and 'power' over the investees activities are also judgmental areas. The Group has made judgements in respect of classifying arrangements as structured agreements (see Note 19).

Prior to exercise, if the options (which may allow the Group to acquire the equity interests for no further payments above the investments already made) were assessed as part of the control and significant influence assessment rather than as protective rights, this would not materially change the investments recognised in the balance sheet or amounts recognised in the income statement under the equity method of accounting. However, exercising the option would give rise to the recognition of an equity interest which would result in certain agreements no longer meeting the definition of a structured agreement as voting rights would become more dominant and the investments would most likely be accounted for as an associate.

-- Revenue from contracts with customers

The Group applies judgement in determining whether it is acting as a principal or an agent specifically on the revenue earned under the B2B royalty income stream. This income falls within the scope of IFRS15 Revenue from contracts with customers. In making these judgements, the Group considers, by examining each contract with its business partners, which party has the primary responsibility for providing the services and is exposed to the majority of the risks and rewards associated with providing the services, as well as if it has latitude in establishing prices, either directly or indirectly. The business model of this division is predominately a revenue share model which is based on royalties earned from B2C business partners' revenue. Based on this activity, we consider the Group to be an agent and revenue is therefore recognised as the net amount of royalties received. The majority of this B2B revenue is recognised at a point in time that is determined when the gaming or betting activity used as the basis for the revenue share calculation takes place, and furthermore is only recognised when collection is virtually certain with a legally enforceable right to collect.

-- Internally generated intangible assets

The Group capitalises costs for product development projects. Expenditure on internally developed products is capitalised when it meets the following criteria:

   --      adequate resources are available to complete and sell the product 
   --      the Group is able to sell the product 
   --      sale of the product will generate future economic benefits, 
   --      expenditure on the project can be measured reliably 

Initial capitalisation of cost is based on the management's judgement that the technological and economic feasibility is confirmed, usually when product development has reached a defined milestone and future economic benefits expect to be realised according to an established project management model. Following capitalisation, an assessment is performed in regards to project recoverability which is based on the actual return of the project. During the year, the Group capitalised EUR55.8 million (2019: EUR65.5 million) and the carrying amount capitalised development costs as at 31 December 2020 was EUR118.4 million (2019: EUR126.1 million).

Classification as held for sale

The definition of asset held for sale involves a significant degree of judgement given that in order for an asset to be classified as held for sale, it must be available for immediate sale in its present condition and its sale must be highly probable. The meaning of 'highly probable' is judgmental and therefore IFRS5 sets out criteria for the sale to be considered as a highly probable as follows:

-- Management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset;

-- An active program to find a buyer must be initiated;

-- The asset must be actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable to its current fair value;

-- The sale must be completed within one year from the date of classification;

-- Significant changes to be made to the plan must be unlikely.

The Board of Directors made a decision to dispose of the Casual and Social Gaming Business during 2019. As disclosed in Note 24, part of the Casual and Social Gaming Business disposed in 2020 and the remaining part disposed in January 2021.

In addition to the above, management have included the Financial segment in held for sale assets and therefore IFRS5 requirements have been applied. The segment is available for immediate sale and can be sold in its current condition subject to the approval by the shareholders and the regulator. Management announced a plan to sell the Financial segment during 2020, launched an active program to locate a buyer and the sale is expected to be completed within one year from the date of the initial classification. Judgment is applied on the above classification, on the grounds that disposal will take place during 2021, and both shareholders and regulators will provide their approval.

-- Impairment of investments

The Group assesses on a yearly basis whether there is any indication of impairment which may affect the carrying value of the investments. The carrying values of associates, joint ventures, structured agreements and other investments might be affected by the economic environment in which the companies are operating in. The Group mainly consider the financial results of the investments, as well as Return on Investment Ratio ("ROI") which are strong indications of the investment's recoverability. There are no significant uncertainties over assumptions made due to the actual data used to perform assessment over profitability and ROI ratio. No impairment indications exist this year, given the profitable position of investments and the significant return on our investment.

-- Adjusted performance measures

As noted in Note 5 paragraph S, management uses the adjusted financial measures by excluding certain non-cash and one-off items from the actual results. The determination of whether non-cash items or one-off items should form part of the adjusted results, is a matter of judgment and it's based on whether the inclusion/exclusion from the results represent more closely the consistent trading performance of the business.

   --      Provision for risks and charges and potential liabilities 

The Group operates in a number of regulated markets and is subject to lawsuits and potential lawsuits regarding complex legal problems, which are subject to a different degree of uncertainty in different jurisdictions and under different laws. For all material ongoing and potential legal and regulatory claims against the group, an assessment is performed to consider whether an obligation or possible obligation exists and to determine the probability of any potential outflow to determine whether a claim results in the recognition of a provision or disclosure of a contingent liability. See Note 40 for further details.

Estimates and assumptions

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below. The Group based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the consolidated financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, may change due to market changes or circumstances arising that are beyond the control of the Group. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.

-- Impairment of non financial assets

Impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable

amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. The fair value less costs of disposal calculation is based on available data from binding sales transactions, conducted at arm's length, for similar assets or observable market prices less incremental costs of disposing of the asset. The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model ("DCF"). The cash flows are derived from the budget for the next five years and do not include restructuring activities that the Group is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the performance of the assets of the CGU being tested. The recoverable amount is sensitive to the discount rate used for the DCF model as well as the expected future cash-inflows and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes. These estimates are most relevant to goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite useful lives recognised by the Group. The key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for the different CGUs, including a sensitivity analysis, are disclosed and further explained in Note 18.

-- Income taxes

The Group is subject to income tax in several jurisdictions and significant judgement is required in determining the provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As a result, the Group recognises tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due.

These tax liabilities are recognised when, despite the Group's belief that its tax return positions are supportable, the Group believes it is more likely than not that a taxation authority would not accept its filing position. In these cases, the Group records its tax balances based on either the most likely amount or the expected value, which weights multiple potential scenarios. The Group believes that its accruals for tax liabilities are adequate for all open audit years based on its assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law.

This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact income tax expense in the period in which such determination is made. Where the management conclude that it is not probable that the taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment, they calculate the effect of uncertainty in determining the related taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax, credits or tax rates. The effect of uncertainty for each uncertain tax treatment is reflected by using the expected value - the sum of the probability and the weighted amounts in a range of possible outcomes. More details are included in Note 13.

-- Determination of fair value of intangible assets acquired on business combinations

The fair value of the intangible assets acquired is based on the discounted cash flows expected to be derived from the use of the asset. This is defined through valuation reports obtained by experts, who determined the value of identifiable assets acquired through a business combination at the acquisition date by reference to key assumptions. Further information in relation to the determination of fair value of intangible assets acquired is given in Notes 34 and 35.

-- Impairment of financial assets

In response to COVID-19 the Group undertook a review of trade receivables and other financial assets exposures, as applicable, and the Expected Credit Losses ("ECL") for each. The review considered the macroeconomic outlook, customer credit quality, exposure at default, and the effect of payment deferral options as at the reporting date. The ECL methodology and definition of default remained consistent with prior periods. The model inputs, including forward-looking information, scenarios and associated weightings, together with the determination of the staging of exposures were however revised. The group's financial assets consist of trade receivables and cash and cash equivalents. ECL on cash balances was considered and calculated by reference to Moody's credit rating for each financial institution, while ECL on trade receivables was based on past default experience and an assessment of the future economic environment. ECL, and specific provisions, are considered and calculated with reference to the ageing and risk profile of the balances. In addition, where customers within the financial trading division have not passed the necessary ongoing regulatory requirements, consideration is given as to whether financial assets relating to that customer should be impaired. More details are included in Note 38.

-- Determining the discount rate of a lease liability under IFRS 16

The Group cannot readily determine the interest rate implicit in the lease, therefore, it uses its incremental borrowing rate (IBR) to measure lease liabilities. The IBR is the rate of interest that the Group would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment. The IBR therefore reflects what the Group 'would have to pay', which requires estimation when no observable rates are available (such as for subsidiaries that do not enter into financing transactions) or when they need to be adjusted to reflect the terms and conditions of the lease (for example, when leases are not in the subsidiary's functional currency). The Group estimates the IBR using observable inputs (such as market interest rates) when available and is required to make certain entity-specific estimates (such as the subsidiary's stand-alone credit rating).

The possible effects of a change in the incremental borrowing rate are an increase or decrease in the lease liability, right-of-use asset, amortisation and finance costs recognised.

The possible effects of an increase of 1% in the interest rate would a decrease in amortisation and an increase in interest expense by EUR0.8 million and EUR1.0 million respectively. The possible effects of a decrease of 1% in the interest rates would be an increase in amortisation and a decrease in interest expense by EUR1 million and EUR1.1 million respectively.

-- Sun Bingo agreement

Following the amendment of the News UK contract in February 2019, which included a 15 year contract extension, the minimum guarantee ("MG") which is payable to 30 June 2021 is recognised as an asset and released over the remaining term of the contract in line with the level of profitability. Management is required to make reliable estimates on the expected future profitability of the contract and therefore the expected schedule of release of the asset over the contract period. In making this assessment management applies reasonable assumptions based on known factors, but sometimes and outside of management's control, these factors may vary. This is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the MG asset is still recoverable over the remaining term of the contract and if not an adjustment is made to the value of the MG in line with the profile of the expected future profits.

-- Calculation of legal provisions

The Group ascertains a liability in the presence of legal disputes or ongoing lawsuits when it believes it is probable that a financial outlay will take place and when the amount of the losses can be reasonably estimated. The Group is subject to lawsuits regarding complex legal problems, which are subject to a differing degree of uncertainty (also due to a complex legislative framework), including the facts and the circumstances inherent to each case, the jurisdiction and the different laws applicable. Given the uncertainties inherent to these problems, it is difficult to predict with certainty the outlay which will derive from these disputes and it is therefore possible that the value of the provisions for legal proceedings and disputes may vary depending on future developments in the proceedings underway. The Group monitors the status of the disputes underway and consults with its legal advisors and experts on legal and tax-related matters. More details are included in Note 28.

NOTE 7 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Group's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services.

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the management team including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.

The operating segments identified are:

-- Gaming B2B: including Casino, Services, Sport, Bingo, Poker and Other

-- Gaming B2C: Snaitech, Sun Bingo and Casual (discontinued operations) and Other B2C

-- Financial: including B2C and B2B CFD (discontinued operations)

The Group-wide profit measures are Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Profit (see Note 10).

There is no allocation of operating expenses, profit measures, assets and liabilities to individual products within the gaming segments, as allocation would be arbitrary.

For the year ended 31 December 2020

 
                    Core      Asia   Total B2B        B2C -   Intercompany        Total    Financial -          B2C -          Total       Total 
                     B2B       B2B               continuing                    Gaming -   discontinued   discontinued   discontinued 
                                                 operations                  continuing     operations     operations     operations 
                                                                             operations 
                 EUR'000   EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000        EUR'000                    EUR'000 
 Revenue         412,974    81,860     494,834      596,339       (12,713)    1,078,460        121,883          8,072        129,955   1,208,415 
 Adjusted 
  EBITDA               -         -     125,897      127,658              -      253,555         56,462            431         56,893     310,448 
 Adjusted 
  Profit 
  attributable 
  to the 
  owners of 
  the Company          -         -       7,705       19,600              -       27,305         19,949            127         20,076      47,381 
 Total assets          -         -   1,304,108    1,293,622              -    2,597,730        465,880            844        466,724   3,064,454 
 Total 
  liabilities          -         -     959,531      895,817              -    1,855,348        308,612            557        309,169   2,164,517 
 
 

For the year ended 31 December 2019

 
                    Core      Asia   Total B2B        B2C -   Intercompany        Total    Financial -          B2C -          Total       Total 
                     B2B       B2B               continuing                    Gaming -   discontinued   discontinued   discontinued 
                                                 operations                  continuing     operations     operations     operations 
                                                                             operations 
                 EUR'000   EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000        EUR'000        EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Revenue         440,023   113,892     553,915      900,475       (13,857)    1,440,533         67,915         17,005         84,920   1,525,453 
 Adjusted 
  EBITDA                               214,819      160,438              -      375,257          7,812        (4,573)          3,239     378,496 
 Adjusted 
  Profit 
  attributable 
  to the 
  owners of 
  the Company                           89,609       47,818              -      137,427        (4,450)        (8,450)       (12,900)     124,527 
 Total assets                        1,104,630    1,275,339              -    2,379,969        713,368          4,377        717,745   3,097,714 
 Total 
  liabilities                          761,261      857,829              -    1,619,090        252,823          3,595        256,418   1,875,508 
 
 

Geographical analysis of non-current assets

The Group's information about its non-current assets by location are detailed below:

 
                                2020        2019 
                             EUR'000     EUR'000 
------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Italy                       826,739     855,436 
 Isle of Man                 151,842     448,881 
 Austria                     140,833     179,709 
 UK                          100,878     111,240 
 Cyprus                       63,079      75,050 
 Sweden                       72,778      71,641 
 British Virgin Islands       59,534      62,410 
 Denmark                           -      42,137 
 Alderney                     79,883      49,587 
 Gibraltar                    38,109      39,248 
 Malta                        21,958      25,969 
 Latvia                       15,561      15,173 
 Ukraine                       5,144       7,427 
 Estonia                       9,533       8,657 
 Republic of Columbia         22,405      22,405 
 Australia                    16,194      19,007 
 Rest of World                35,848      21,401 
                           1,660,318   2,055,378 
                          ----------  ---------- 
 

NOTE 8 - DISCONTINUED OPERATION

As identified in Note 24, the Group has treated its Casual and Social Gaming Business and Financial segment as discontinued in these results.

The results of the Casual and Social Gaming Business for the period are presented below:

 
                                                                            2020                      2019 
                                                                   Actual   Adjusted     Actual   Adjusted 
                                                                  EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Revenue                                                            8,072      8,072     17,005     17,005 
 Distribution costs before depreciation and amortisation          (7,545)    (7,545)   (21,290)   (21,290) 
 Administrative expenses before depreciation and amortisation       (392)       (96)      (290)      (288) 
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 EBITDA                                                               135        431    (4,575)    (4,573) 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                      (178)      (178)    (3,252)    (2,567) 
 Impairment of intangible assets                                        -          -   (23,686)          - 
 Finance costs                                                       (42)       (42)      (266)      (266) 
 Profit on disposal of discontinued operations (Note 24)              586          -          -          - 
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) before taxation                                        501        211   (31,779)    (7,406) 
 
  Tax expenses                                                       (84)       (84)    (1,035)    (1,044) 
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax               417        127   (32,814)    (8,450) 
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

The results of the Financial segment for the period are presented below:

 
                                                                               2020                      2019 
                                                                      Actual   Adjusted     Actual   Adjusted 
                                                                     EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Revenue                                                             121,883    121,883     67,915     67,915 
 Distribution costs before depreciation and amortisation            (49,107)   (50,028)   (39,313)   (38,892) 
 Administrative expenses before depreciation and amortisation       (25,696)   (15,270)   (23,018)   (17,185) 
                                                                     (1,780)      (123)    (4,026)    (4,026) 
                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 EBITDA                                                               45,300     56,462      1,558      7,812 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                      (27,960)   (12,299)   (27,791)   (11,264) 
 Impairment of intangible assets                                           -          -   (90,013)          - 
 Impairment of asset held for sale                                 (221,255)          -          -          - 
 Finance income                                                          380        380     76,915      3,917 
 Finance costs                                                      (18,478)   (18,478)      (764)      (764) 
 Profit/(loss) before taxation                                     (222,013)     26,065   (40,095)      (299) 
 
 Tax expenses                                                        (2,731)    (6,116)    (2,536)    (4,151) 
                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax            (224,744)     19,949   (42,631)    (4,450) 
                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax - Total    (224,327)     20,076   (75,445)   (12,900) 
                                                                  ----------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 Earnings per share from discontinued operations 
 Basic (cents)                                       (75.1)   6.7   (25.0)   (4.3) 
 Diluted (cents)                                     (75.1)   6.4   (25.0)   (4.3) 
 

The net cash flows incurred by the Casual and Social Gaming Business in the period, are as follows:

 
                         2020       2019 
                      EUR'000    EUR'000 
 Operating              (636)      3,809 
 Investing                  -    (3,931) 
 Financing              (163)      (229) 
                    ---------  --------- 
 Net cash outflow       (799)      (351) 
                    ---------  --------- 
 

The net cash flows incurred by the Financial segment in the period, are as follows:

 
                                  2020       2019 
                               EUR'000    EUR'000 
 Operating                     110,167     33,333 
 Investing                     (4,357)   (14,668) 
 Financing                     (1,799)   (27,437) 
                             ---------  --------- 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow)     104,011    (8,772) 
                             ---------  --------- 
 

NOTE 9 - REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

The Group has disaggregated revenue into various categories in the following table which is intended to:

-- Depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by recognition date; and

-- Enable users to understand the relationship with revenue segment information provided in the segmental information note.

Set out below is the disaggregation of the Group's revenue:

Revenue analysis by geographical location of licensee, product type and timing of transfer of performance obligations

The revenues from B2B (consisting of royalty income, fixed- fee income, revenue received from the sale of hardware and cost based revenue), B2C and Financials are described in Note 5D.

For the year ended 31 December 2020

 
                                                B2B                                   B2C                           Intercompany                Total Gaming                             Financial          B2C -                                 Total discontinued                              Total 
                                                                                                                                                - continuing                        - discontinued   discontinued                                         operations 
                                                                                                                                                  operations                            operations     operations 
 Primary 
  Geographic 
  Markets                                   EUR'000                               EUR'000                                EUR'000                     EUR'000                               EUR'000        EUR'000                                            EUR'000                            EUR'000 
-------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------  -------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------- 
 Italy                                       24,971                               522,718                                (6,247)                     541,442                                 2,195                                                             2,195                            543,637 
 United                                     150,026                                54,389                                (3,557)                     200,858                                76,061                                                            76,061                            276,919 
 Kingdom 
 Philippines                                 70,150                                     -                                      -                      70,150                                   143                                                               143                             70,293 
 Malta                                       54,712                                     -                                      -                      54,712                                   965                                                               965                             55,677 
 Mexico                                      54,912                                     -                                      -                      54,912                                   420                                                               420                             55,332 
 Spain                                       22,802                                    27                                    (3)                      22,826                                   827                                                               827                             23,653 
 Germany                                      2,097                                16,121                                (2,060)                      16,158                                 1,715                                                             1,715                             17,873 
 Gibraltar                                   16,461                                     -                                      -                      16,461                                    37                                                                37                             16,498 
 Greece                                      13,853                                     -                                      -                      13,853                                   266                                                               266                             14,119 
 Curaccao                                    10,586                                     -                                      -                      10,586                                    69                                                                69                             10,655 
 United Arab                                     13                                     -                                      -                          13                                 9,158                                                             9,158                              9,171 
  Emirates 
 Cyprus                                         782                                     -                                      -                         782                                 7,438                                                             7,438                              8,220 
 Norway                                       6,051                                     -                                      -                       6,051                                   133                                                               133                              6,184 
 Finland                                      5,822                                     -                                      -                       5,822                                    85                                                                85                              5,907 
 Poland                                       5,310                                     -                                      -                       5,310                                    34                                                                34                              5,344 
 Rest of 
  World                                      56,286                                 3,084                                  (846)                      58,524                                22,337          8,072                                             30,409                             88,933 
                                            494,834                               596,339                               (12,713)                   1,078,460                               121,883          8,072                                            129,955                          1,208,415 
               ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------------------------------  --------------------------  ------------------------------------  -------------  -------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------- 
 
 
                B2B                   B2C                 Intercompany            Total Gaming              Financial        B2C -          Total         Total 
                                                                                   - continuing                 -         discontinued   discontinued 
                                                                                    operations             discontinued    operations     operations 
                                                                                                            operations 
 Product 
  type        EUR'000               EUR'000                 EUR'000                  EUR'000                 EUR'000        EUR'000        EUR'000       EUR'000 
-----------  --------  --------------------------------  -------------  --------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 B2B          494,834                                 -       (12,713)                           482,121              -              -              -     482,121 
             --------  --------------------------------  -------------  --------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Snaitech           -                           522,172              -                           522,172              -              -              -     522,172 
 Sun Bingo          -                            53,775              -                            53,775              -              -              -      53,775 
 B2C Sport 
  and Other 
  B2C               -                            20,392              -                            20,392              -          8,072          8,072      28,464 
             --------  --------------------------------  -------------  --------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Total B2C          -                           596,339              -                           596,339              -          8,072          8,072     604,411 
             --------  --------------------------------  -------------  --------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Financial          -                                 -              -                                 -        121,883              -        121,883     121,883 
             --------  --------------------------------  -------------  --------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
              494,834                           596,339       (12,713)                         1,078,460        121,883          8,072        129,955   1,208,415 
             --------  --------------------------------  -------------  --------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 
                                       B2B                                               B2C                                          Intercompany                       Total       Financial        B2C -          Total         Total 
                                                                                                                                                                         Gaming          -         discontinued   discontinued 
                                                                                                                                                                           -        discontinued    operations     operations 
                                                                                                                                                                       continuing    operations 
                                                                                                                                                                       operations 
 Timing of 
  transfer 
  of 
  performance 
  obligations                        EUR'000                                           EUR'000                                           EUR'000                        EUR'000       EUR'000        EUR'000        EUR'000       EUR'000 
---------------  -----------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 Recognised at 
 point 
 in time (other 
 sales)                                                  472,848                                           596,339                                          (12,713)    1,056,474        121,883          8,072        129,955   1,186,429 
 Recognised at 
  the 
  point in time 
  (hardware 
  sales)                                                  20,479                                                 -                          -                              20,479              -              -              -      20,479 
 Recognised                                                1,507                                                 -                                                 -        1,507              -              -              -       1,507 
 over 
 time 
                 -----------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
                                                         494,834                                           596,339                      (12,713)                        1,078,460        121,883          8,072        129,955   1,208,415 
                 -----------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 

For the year ended 31 December 2019

 
                                B2B                                   B2C                              Intercompany                        Total Gaming                          Financial                      B2C - discontinued                  Total discontinued                         Total 
                                                                                                                                            - continuing                       - discontinued                        operations                          operations 
                                                                                                                                             operations                          operations 
 Primary 
  Geographic 
  Markets                     EUR'000                               EUR'000                               EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000 
-------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------- 
 Italy                                       22,031                               834,867                               (7,802)                           849,096                                 1,745                                 -                                 1,745                            850,841 
 United 
  Kingdom                                   204,252                                45,678                               (2,953)                           246,977                                33,229                                 -                                33,229                            280,206 
 Philippines                                 97,704                                     -                                     -                            97,704                                    40                                 -                                    40                             97,744 
 Malta                                       40,229                                     -                                     -                            40,229                                   162                                 -                                   162                             40,391 
 Mexico                                      29,748                                     -                                     -                            29,748                                   243                                 -                                   243                             29,991 
 Spain                                       23,305                                   217                                  (23)                            23,499                                   561                                 -                                   561                             24,060 
 Greece                                      23,595                                     -                                     -                            23,595                                 (209)                                 -                                 (209)                             23,386 
 Gibraltar                                   16,878                                     -                                     -                            16,878                                    22                                 -                                    22                             16,900 
 Germany                                      2,120                                14,572                               (1,925)                            14,767                                 1,371                                 -                                 1,371                             16,138 
 Ireland                                     12,521                                     -                                     -                            12,521                                   203                                 -                                   203                             12,724 
 Finland                                      9,265                                     -                                     -                             9,265                                    55                                 -                                    55                              9,320 
 Austria                                      4,648                                 5,121                               (1,149)                             8,620                                   158                                 -                                   158                              8,778 
 United Arab 
  Emirates                                        -                                     -                                     -                                 -                                 7,185                                 -                                 7,185                              7,185 
 Cyprus                                       1,147                                     -                                     -                             1,147                                 5,894                                 -                                 5,894                              7,041 
 Curacao                                      6,986                                     -                                     -                             6,986                                    13                                 -                                    13                              6,999 
 Rest of 
  World                                      59,486                                    20                                   (5)                            59,501                                17,243                            17,005                                34,248                             93,749 
                                            553,915                               900,475                              (13,857)                         1,440,533                                67,915                            17,005                                84,920                          1,525,453 
               ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------- 
 
 
                              B2B                                 B2C                            Intercompany                        Total Gaming                          Financial                      B2C - discontinued                Total discontinued                       Total 
                                                                                                                                      - continuing                       - discontinued                        operations                        operations 
                                                                                                                                       operations                          operations 
 Product 
  type                      EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000                             EUR'000                           EUR'000                           EUR'000 
-----------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
 B2B                                      553,915                                 -                              (13,857)                           540,058                                     -                                                                                               540,058 
             ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
 
 Snaitech                                       -                           829,723                                     -                           829,723                                     -                                 -                                 -                           829,723 
 Sun Bingo                                      -                            40,633                                     -                            40,633                                     -                                 -                                 -                            40,633 
 B2C Sport 
  and Other 
  B2C                                           -                            30,119                                     -                            30,119                                     -                            17,005                            17,005                            47,124 
             ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
 Total B2C                                      -                           900,475                                     -                           900,475                                     -                            17,005                            17,005                           917,480 
             ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
 
 Financial                                      -                                 -                                     -                                 -                                67,915                                 -                            67,915                            67,915 
             ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
 
                                          553,915                           900,475                              (13,857)                         1,440,533                                67,915                            17,005                            84,920                         1,525,453 
             ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  ------------------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
 
 
                               B2B                             B2C                          Intercompany              Total                Financial                   B2C - discontinued            Total               Total 
                                                                                                                      Gaming             - discontinued                     operations            discontinued 
                                                                                                                        -                  operations                                              operations 
                                                                                                                    continuing 
                                                                                                                    operations 
 Timing of 
  transfer 
  of 
  performance 
  obligations                EUR'000                         EUR'000                          EUR'000                EUR'000                EUR'000                          EUR'000                EUR'000             EUR'000 
---------------  ------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  -----------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------  -------------  ----------------------- 
 Recognised at 
  point 
  in time 
  (other sales)                         494,929                          900,475                         (13,857)    1,381,547                           67,915                          17,005         84,920                1,466,467 
 Recognised at 
  the 
  point in time 
  (hardware 
  sales)                                 56,153                                -                                -       56,153                                -                               -              -                   56,153 
 Recognised 
  over 
  time                                    2,833                                -                                -        2,833                                -                               -              -                    2,833 
                 ------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  -----------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------  -------------  ----------------------- 
                                        553,915                          900,475                         (13,857)    1,440,533                           67,915                          17,005         84,920                1,525,453 
                 ------------------------------  -------------------------------  -------------------------------  -----------  -------------------------------  ------------------------------  -------------  ----------------------- 
 

There were no changes in the Group's valuation processes and the vast majority of the Group's B2B contracts are for the delivery of services within the next 12 months. Furthermore, no individual licensee in 2020 and 2019 individually accounted for more than 10% of the total gaming revenue and the total revenue of the Group.

The Group's contract liabilities, in other words deferred income, primarily include advance payment for hardware and services, which are typically used in 12 months, and also include the set-up fees paid by the licensee in the beginning of the contract. The fees cover the whole period of the contract, with an average period of 36 months. The revenue is recognised monthly until the end of the contract. These are included in deferred income and total EUR11.9 million (2019: EUR9.2 million).

The movement in contract liabilities during the year was the following:

 
                                                                2020 
                                                             EUR'000 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------- 
 
 Balance 1 January                                             9,189 
 Recognised during the year                                   20,739 
 Realised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
  income                                                    (18,065) 
                                                              11,863 
                                                           --------- 
 

During 2019, the Group earned non-recurring market-making revenue and EBITDA of $5.5 million through its trading contract with AMC (Mauritius) plc which is ultimately own by the shareholders of ACM Group Limited, from which the Group acquired technology, intellectual property and certain customer assets on 10 October 2017. No similar income was earned in 2020.

NOTE 10 - ADJUSTED ITEMS

Management regularly uses adjusted financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate the business and make operating decisions. These adjusted measures are among the primary factors management uses in planning for and forecasting future periods. The primary adjusted financial measures are Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Profit, which management considers are relevant in understanding the Group's financial performance. The definitions of adjusted items and underlying adjusted results are disclosed in Note 5.

As these are not a defined performance measure under IFRS, the Group's definition of adjusted items may not be comparable with similarly titled performance measures or disclosures by other entities.

The following tables provide a full reconciliation between adjusted and actual results:

 
                                              Administration                         Profit/(Loss) 
                                            and distribution                       from continuing               Total 
                                                    expenses                            operations       Profit/(Loss) 
 For the year                                 and impairment             EBITDA       attributable        attributable 
 ended 31 December                              of financial    from continuing      to the owners       to the owners 
 2020                   Note     Revenue              assets         operations     of the Company      of the Company 
                                 EUR'000             EUR'000            EUR'000            EUR'000             EUR'000 
------------------  --------  ----------  ------------------  -----------------  -----------------  ------------------ 
 Reported as 
  actual                       1,078,460             855,605            222,855           (72,952)           (297,279) 
 Employee stock 
  option 
  expenses(1)                          -            (16,541)             16,541             16,541              21,079 
 Professional fees 
  on acquisitions                      -             (1,755)              1,755              1,755               5,032 
 Additional 
  consideration 
  payable for 
  put/call 
  option(2)                            -             (5,296)              5,296              5,296               5,296 
Movement in 
 contingent 
 consideration 
 and redemption 
 liability 
 (finance costs 
 and 
 administrative 
 expenses row )(3)                     -             (1,156)              1,156              4,170               4,170 
Charitable 
 donation(4)                           -             (3,162)              3,162              3,162               3,162 
Provision for 
 other receivables 
 (5)                                   -             (2,790)              2,790              2,790               6,432 
Fair value change 
 of equity 
 instruments(6)                        -                   -                  -              (598)               (598) 
Deferred tax on 
 acquisitions (tax 
 expense 
 row)                                  -                   -                  -           (11,672)            (13,253) 
Tax relating to 
 prior years (tax 
 expense 
 row)                  13              -                   -                  -              4,899               3,096 
Amortisation of 
 intangibles on 
 acquisitions 
 (depreciation and 
 amortisation row)                     -                   -                  -             38,976              54,638 
Impairment of 
 tangible, 
 intangible assets 
 and right of use 
 asset              16,17,18           -                   -                  -             45,352              45,352 
Impairment of 
 discontinued 
 operations           24C              -                   -                  -                  -             221,255 
Fair value change 
 on acquisition of 
 associate            34A              -                   -                  -            (6,520)             (6,520) 
Profit on disposal 
 of asset 
 classified 
 as held for sale      24              -                   -                  -           (22,082)            (22,669) 
Tax on disposal of 
 asset classified 
 as 
 held for sale 
 (tax expenses 
 row)                  24              -                   -                  -              9,281               9,281 
Loss on sale of 
 associate            19B              -                   -                  -              8,907               8,907 
Adjusted measure               1,078,460             824,905            253,555             27,305              47,381 
Constant currency 
 impact                           12,782               9,973              2,809              4,791              21,547 
Adjusted result on 
 constant currency 
 basis                         1,091,242             834,878            256,364             32,096              68,928 
Adjusted result 
 related to 
 acquisitions 
 on constant 
 currency basis                  (1,932)             (2,262)                330              (334)               (334) 
Underlying 
 adjusted result 
 on constant 
 currency basis                1,089,310             832,616            256,694             31,762              68,594 
 

(1) Employee stock option expenses relate to non cash expenses of the Group

(2) Fair value change in the put/call option for the acquisition of Playtech BGT Sports and Statscore. Costs which directly relate to acquisitions are not considered an ongoing cost of operations and therefore have been added back to Adjusted EBITDA

(3) Finance costs on contingent consideration and redemption liability and changes in the fair value of contingent consideration payable related to prior year acquisitions. Costs which directly relate to acquisitions are outside the normal course of business and therefore have been added back to Adjusted EBITDA

(4) Following the conclusion of the UKGC investigation, the Board of Directors agreed to make charitable contribution to the value of GBP3.5 million, in lieu of regulatory settlement. Of this pledge, EUR3.2 million was paid in the current financial year

(5) Provision against loans receivable that do not relate to the ordinary operations of the Group

(6) Fair value change of equity instruments which are traded in active markets. These are excluded from the results as they relate to unrealised profit/loss

 
                                         Administration                             Profit/(Loss) 
                                       and distribution                           from continuing 
                                           expenses and                                operations  Total Profit/(Loss) 
                                             impairment                              attributable         attributable 
For the year ended 31                      of financial  EBITDA from continuing     to the owners        to the owners 
December 2019                Revenue             assets              operations    of the Company       of the Company 
                             EUR'000            EUR'000                 EUR'000           EUR'000              EUR'000 
Reported as actual         1,440,533          1,106,830                 333,703            55,874             (19,571) 
Employee stock option 
 expenses                          -           (13,252)                  13,252            13,252               18,102 
Professional fees on 
 acquisitions                      -              (522)                     522               522                1,926 
Additional consideration 
 payable 
 for put/call option               -           (10,180)                  10,180            10,180               10,180 
Movement in contingent 
 consideration 
 and redemption liability          -            (6,285)                   6,285             (837)             (73,833) 
Cost of fundamental 
 business reorganisation           -               (15)                      15                15                   15 
Effect from the 
 amendments on the 
 terms of Sun contract 
 back dated                        -            (6,425)                   6,425             6,425                6,425 
Impairment of investment 
 in associate                      -              (443)                     443               443                  443 
Provision for other 
 receivables                       -            (4,432)                   4,432             4,432                4,432 
Fair value change of 
 equity instruments                -                  -                       -               270                  270 
Notional interest on 
 convertible 
 bonds                             -                  -                       -             9,851                9,851 
Finance costs on 
 acquisitions                      -                  -                       -             1,532                1,532 
Deferred tax on 
 acquisitions                      -                  -                       -          (12,100)             (13,713) 
Tax relating to prior 
 years                             -                  -                       -             4,077                4,067 
Amortisation of 
 intangible assets 
 on acquisitions                   -                  -                       -            41,604               58,816 
Impairment of intangible 
 assets 
 and right of use assets           -                  -                       -             1,887              115,585 
Adjusted measure           1,440,533          1,065,276                 375,257           137,427              124,527 
Constant currency impact           -                  -                       -             4,304                1,173 
Adjusted result on 
 constant currency 
 basis                     1,440,533          1,065,275                 375,257           141,731              125,700 
Adjusted result related                               -                                                              - 
to acquisitions 
on constant currency 
basis                              -                                          -                 - 
Underlying adjusted 
 result on constant 
 currency basis            1,440,533          1,065,275                 375,257           141,731              125,700 
 

NOTE 11 - AUDITORS' REMUNERATION

 
                                                   2020     2019 
                                                EUR'000  EUR'000 
Group audit and parent company (BDO)              1,030    1,379 
Audit of subsidiaries (BDO)                       1,241      775 
Audit of subsidiaries (non-BDO)                     287      450 
Total audit fees                                  2,558    2,604 
 
Non-audit services provided by parent company 
 auditor and its international member firms 
Other non-audit services                            321      314 
Tax advisory services                               167      267 
Total non-audit fees                                488      581 
 

NOTE 12 - FINANCE INCOME AND COSTS

 
                                                                                 2020      2019 
                                                                              EUR'000   EUR'000 
 
A. Finance income 
Interest income                                                                 1,131     2,577 
Movement in deferred and contingent consideration and redemption liability          -     7,122 
                                                                                1,131     9,699 
B. Finance costs 
Net foreign exchange loss                                                     (2,149)   (4,303) 
Notional interest on convertible bonds                                              -   (9,851) 
Nominal interest on convertible bonds                                               -   (1,349) 
Interest on bonds                                                            (36,743)  (33,849) 
Interest on lease liability                                                   (5,480)   (5,767) 
Interest on loans and borrowings and other                                    (5,764)     (639) 
Bank facility fees                                                            (1,941)   (3,306) 
Bank charges                                                                  (9,463)   (7,628) 
Movement in deferred and contingent consideration and redemption liability    (3,014)         - 
                                                                             (64,554)  (66,692) 
Net financing costs                                                          (63,423)  (56,993) 
 

NOTE 13 - TAX EXPENSES

 
                                             2020     2019 
                                          EUR'000  EUR'000 
 
Income tax expense for the current year    12,911   23,226 
Income tax relating to prior years          3,876    4,183 
Withholding tax                               388      168 
Deferred tax                                3,207    4,191 
Total tax charge                           20,382   31,768 
 

The tax charge for the year can be reconciled to accounting profit from continuing operations as follows:

 
                                                     2020     2019 
                                                  EUR'000  EUR'000 
 
(Loss)/Profit before tax                         (52,657)   88,245 
 
Tax at effective rate in Isle of Man                    -        - 
Income tax on profits of subsidiary operations     20,382   31,768 
Total tax charge                                   20,382   31,768 
 

The Group's policy is to manage, control and operate Group companies only in the countries in which they are registered. The international tax laws and practices in respect of the digital economy continue to evolve in many jurisdictions where the Group has significant assets or people presence. The Group's international presence means that it is possible that the amount of tax that will eventually become payable may differ from the amount provided in the financial statements.

The Group's underlying adjusted current effective tax rate of 22% (2019:13%) is impacted by the geographic mix of profits and reflects a combination of higher headline rates of tax in the various jurisdictions in which the Group operates when compared with the Isle of Man standard rate of corporation tax of 0%.

During the year, the Group recognised an overseas tax charge of EUR4.9 million which relates to the settlement of open enquiries with tax authorities.

The deferred tax is due to the reversal of temporary differences arising on the identification of the intangible assets acquired in the current and prior years. Refer to Note 31 for more detailed information in respect of deferred taxes.

The Group implemented an internal restructuring in January 2021, which resulted in Playtech plc migrating its tax residency to the United Kingdom and the Group's key operating entity transferring its business to a UK company. This restructuring is not expected to have a significant impact on the Group's underlying effective tax rate.

NOTE 14 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic earnings per share ("EPS") has been based on the following profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding.

 
                                    2020                 2019 
                                Actual  Adjusted    Actual  Adjusted 
                               EUR'000   EUR'000   EUR'000   EUR'000 
 
Profit/(loss) attributable 
 to owners of the Company    (297,279)    47,381  (19,571)   124,527 
 
Basic (cents)                   (99.6)      15.9     (6.5)      41.3 
Diluted (cents)                 (99.6)      15.2     (6.5)      40.4 
 
 
                                       2020               2019 
                                  Actual  Adjusted   Actual  Adjusted 
                                 EUR'000   EUR'000  EUR'000   EUR'000 
 
Profit/(loss) attributable 
 to the owners of the Company 
 from continuing operations     (72,952)    27,305   55,874   137,427 
 
Basic (cents)                     (24.5)       9.2     18.5      45.5 
Diluted (cents)                   (24.5)       8.8     18.1      44.6 
 
 
                                                               2020                      2019 
                                                Actual     Adjusted       Actual     Adjusted 
                                                Number       Number       Number       Number 
 
Denominator - basic 
Weighted average number of equity shares   298,357,055  298,357,055  301,790,246  301,790,246 
Denominator - diluted 
Weighted average number of equity shares   298,357,055  298,357,055  301,790,246  301,790,246 
Weighted average number of option shares    12,455,965   12,455,965    6,258,364    6,258,364 
Weighted average number of shares          310,813,020  310,813,020  308,048,610  308,048,610 
 

The calculation of diluted EPS has been based on the above profit attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding after adjustment for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The effects of the anti-dilutive potential ordinary shares are ignored in calculating diluted EPS.

EPS for discontinued operations is disclosed in Note 8.

NOTE 15 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Total staff costs comprise the following:

 
                                          2020     2019 
                                       EUR'000  EUR'000 
 
Salaries and personnel-related costs   337,043  329,098 
Employee stock option costs             21,079   18,102 
                                       358,122  347,200 
 
Average number of personnel: 
Distribution                             5,776    5,382 
General and administration                 668      666 
                                         6,444    6,048 
 

The Group has the following employee share option plans ("ESOP") for the granting of non-transferable options to certain employees:

-- Playtech 2005 Share Option Plan ("the Plan") and Israeli plans. Options granted under these plans vest on the first day on which they become exercisable which is typically between one to four years after grant date.

-- GTS 2010 Company Share Option Plan ("CSOP"). Options granted under these plan vest on the first day on which they become exercisable which is three years after grant date.

-- Long Term Incentive Plan 2012 ("LTIP"). Awards (options, conditional awards or a forfeitable share award) granted under this plan vest on the first day on which they become exercisable which is typically between eighteen to thirty six months after grant date.

The overall term of the ESOP is ten years. These options are settled in equity once exercised. Option prices are denominated in GBP.

During 2012, the Group amended some of the rules of the equity-based Plan. The amendments allow the Group, at the employees consent, to settle fully vested and exercisable options for cash instead of issuing shares.

During 2020 the Group granted:

   --      4,983,428 nil cost awards at fair value per share of GBP2.97 - GBP2.99 

-- 2,483,140 nil cost awards subject to Diluted EPS, relative total shareholder return ("TSR") against constituents of FTSE250 but excluding investment trusts index, and relative TSR against a sector comparator group of 9-12 peer companies. The fair value per share according to the Monte Carlo simulation model is between GBP2.03 and GBP3.34. Inputs used were as follows:

 
Expected       Share price     Dividend  Risk free  Projection       Volatility 
 life (years)   at grant date   yield     rate       period (years) 
      3           GBP3.488      1.49%      0.0%            3            45% 
 

During 2019 the Group granted:

-- 620,429 nil cost awards subject to relative TSR against constituents of the FTSE250 but excluding investment trusts index and relative TSR against constituents of a sector comparator group of 11 peer companies. The fair value per share according to the Monte Carlo simulation model is between GBP1.93 and GBP2.13. Inputs used were as follows:

 
Expected       Share price     Dividend  Risk free  Projection       Volatility 
 life (years)   at grant date   yield     rate       period (years) 
      3           GBP4.224      4.96%      0.85%         2.84           34% 
 

-- 3,998,179 nil cost awards out of which some are subject to relative TSR against constituents of the FTSE250 but excluding investment trusts index, relative TSR against constituents of a sector comparator group of 11 peer companies and individual conditions relating to business area and EBITDA performance. The fair value per share according to the Monte Carlo simulation model is between GBP2.22 and GBP3.91. Inputs used, where applicable, were as follows:

 
Expected       Share price     Dividend  Risk free  Projection       Volatility 
 life (years)   at grant date   yield     rate       period (years) 
   2.62 - 
      3           GBP4.491      4.66%      0.48%         2.46           36% 
 

-- 1,900,000 nil cost awards subject to the volume weighted average price of shares exceeding the share price target set out over a period of 30 consecutive business days. The fair value per share according to the Monte Carlo simulation model is between GBP0.24 and GBP1.1. Inputs used were as follows:

--

 
Share price      Dividend  Risk free  Projection       Volatility 
 at grant date    yield     rate       period (years) 
    GBP3.88       4.22%      0.54%         3 -5          30.9% 
 

At 31 December 2020 and 2019 the following options were outstanding:

 
                                                 2020        2019 
                                               Number      Number 
Shares vested between 18 April 2012 
 and 18 April 2013 at an exercise price 
 of GBP5.12 per share                               -      18,000 
Shares vested between 26 August 2012 
 and 26 August 2013 at an exercise price 
 of GBP4.16 per share                               -      30,500 
Shares vested on 10 March 2014 at an 
 exercise price of GBP3.5225 per share         25,700      25,700 
Shares vested on 1 March 2018 at nil 
 cost                                         102,844     102,844 
Shares vested between 1 September 2016 
 and 1 March 2018 at nil cost                  83,929     100,596 
Shares vested on 1 March 2019 at nil 
 cost                                          31,972      31,972 
Shares vested between 1 September 2017 
 and 1 March 2019 at nil cost                 163,308     202,161 
Shares vested on 21 December 2019 at 
 nil cost                                      59,469      91,446 
Shares vested between 1 September 2017 
 and 1 April 2019 at nil cost                  27,520      33,372 
Shares will vest on 1 March 2020 at 
 nil cost                                     384,406     522,992 
Shares vested on 1 September 2019 at 
 nil cost                                           -      16,703 
Shares will vest on 1 March 2021 at 
 nil cost                                   2,606,507   2,729,622 
Shares will vest between 1 March 2021 
 and 1 March 2022                           4,374,371   4,565,881 
Shares will vest by December 19 2024        1,900,000   1,900,000 
Shares will vest between 1 March 2023 
 and 26 October 2023                        7,126,752           - 
                                           16,886,778  10,371,789 
 

Total number of shares exercisable as of 31 December 2020 is 879,148 (2019: 653,294).

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices of shares options for the ESOP.

 
                               2020        2019               2020       2019 
                          Number of   Number of           Weighted   Weighted 
                            options     options   average exercise    average 
                                                             price   exercise 
                                                                        price 
Outstanding at the 
 beginning of the year   10,371,789   5,017,921            GBP0.03    GBP0.06 
Granted                   7,466,568   6,518,608                Nil        Nil 
Forfeited                 (733,791)   (952,116)             GBP0.3    GBP0.00 
Exercised                 (217,788)   (212,624)            GBP0.00    GBP0.00 
Outstanding at the 
 end of the year         16,886,778  10,371,789            GBP0.03    GBP0.03 
 

Included in the number options exercised during the year are 16,961 options (2019: 12,410) where a cash alternative was received.

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of options was GBP3.018 (2019: GBP4.166).

Share options outstanding at the end of the year have the following exercise prices:

 
Expiry date             Exercise price              2020        2019 
                                                  Number      Number 
 
Between 18 April 2020   Between GBP4.16 and 
 and 26 August 2020            GBP5.12                 -      48,500 
10 March 2021                GBP3.5225            25,700     25 ,700 
21 December 2025                Nil              186,773     203,440 
Between 21 December 
 2026 and 31 December 
 2026                           Nil              275,936     346,766 
Between 1 March 2027 
 and 28 June 2027               Nil              372,047     516,485 
23 July 2028                    Nil            2,658,606   2,765,017 
Between 27 February 
 2029 and 19 December 
 2029                           Nil            6,240,964   6,465,881 
Between 17 July 2030 
 and 26 October 2030            Nil            7,126,752           - 
                                              16,886,778  10,371,789 
 

Tradetech ESOP

In addition, the Group has the following employee share option plans ("ESOP") for the granting of non-transferable options to certain employees:

-- TradeFX 2009 Global Share Option Plan ("the First Plan"). Options granted under the first plan vest on the first day on which they become exercisable which is typically between one to four years after grant date.

-- Tradetech Performance Share Plan 2017 ("the Second Plan"). Options granted under the second plan vest three years after grant date, according to performance targets in the years 2017 and 2018.

The overall term of the ESOP is ten years. These options are settled in equity once exercised. The second plan was exercised fully in 2020 and was changed to be settled in cash. Option prices are either denominated in USD, depending on the option grant terms.

Total number of share options exercisable as of 31 December 2020 is 8,000 (2019: 6,000).

 
                                                                                               2020    2019 
                                                                                             Number  Number 
Shares vested between 1 December 2015 and 31 December 2018 at an exercise price of $70 per 
 share                                                                                        4,000   4,000 
Shares vested between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019 at an exercise price of $70 per 
 share                                                                                        2,000   2,000 
                                                                                              6,000   6,000 
 
Shares vested between 1 January 2019 and 1 September 2020 at an exercise price of $70 per 
 share                                                                                        2,000   2,000 
Shares vested between June 2020 November 2020 at nil cost                                         -   7,898 
                                                                                              2,000   9,898 
 
                                                                                              8,000  15,898 
 

The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices of shares options for the ESOP:

 
                                2020         2019               2020                             2019 
                              Number       Number           Weighted  Weighted average exercise price 
                          of options   of options   average exercise 
                                                               price 
Outstanding at the 
 beginning of the year        15,898       20,898            $ 35.23                          $ 43.54 
Granted through the                -            -                  -                                - 
 year 
Forfeited                      (327)      (5,000)                  -                           $70.00 
Exercised                    (7,571)            -                  -                                - 
Outstanding at the 
 end of the year               8,000       15,898             $70.00                           $35.23 
 

Included in the number of options exercised during the year is 7,571 (2019: Nil) where a cash alternative was received. The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of options in 2020 was $9.67.

Share options outstanding at the end of the year have the following exercise prices:

 
                                                                                               2020    2019 
                                                                                             Number  Number 
Share options to be expired between 1 December 2024 and 10 March 2025 at an exercise price 
 of $70 per share                                                                             8,000   8,000 
Share options to be expired between June 2027 and November 2027 at nil cost                       -   7,898 
                                                                                              8,000  15,898 
 

NOTE 16 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 
                                Computer     Gaming  Office furniture         Buildings,    Total 
                                software   machines     and equipment          leasehold 
                            and hardware                                       buildings 
                                                                        and improvements 
                                 EUR'000    EUR'000           EUR'000            EUR'000  EUR'000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2020                108,314     67,869            32,373            303,687  512,243 
Additions                         14,272     19,600             5,464              2,340   41,676 
Acquisitions through 
 business 
 Combinations (Note 
 34A)                                  -          -                 9                  -        9 
Disposals                          (300)      (238)             (530)               (66)  (1,134) 
Write offs                       (4,394)      (680)             (701)            (1,484)  (7,259) 
Reclassifications                      3          3               (3)                (3)        - 
Reclassification 
 to assets classified 
 as held for sale 
 (Note 24)                       (2,644)       (29)           (1,651)            (1,473)  (5,797) 
Effect of movement 
 in exchange rates                 (217)        (3)             (152)              (133)    (505) 
At 31 December 
 2020                            115,034     86,522            34,809            302,868  539,233 
 
Accumulated depreciation 
 and impairment 
 losses 
At 1 January 2020                 78,077     21,175            15,376             21,237  135,865 
Charge                            14,974     21,921             5,386              6,477   48,758 
Impairment loss                    1,144      2,020             2,018              3,534    8,716 
Disposals                          (288)      (130)             (298)               (37)    (753) 
Write offs                       (4,339)      (557)             (575)            (1,473)  (6,944) 
Reclassifications                   (36)          -                 -                 36        - 
Reclassification 
 to assets classified 
 as held for sale 
 (Note 24)                       (1,890)       (25)             (832)              (490)  (3,237) 
Effect of movement 
 in exchange rates                 (169)        (3)              (74)               (41)    (287) 
At 31 December 
 2020                             87,473     44,401            21,001             29,243  182,118 
 
Net Book Value 
At 31 December 
 2020                             27,561     42,121            13,808            273,625  357,115 
 

In the total impairment loss of EUR8.7 million, an amount of the EUR8.3 million relates to the Sports B2C CGU. Refer to Note 18.

 
                                Computer     Gaming  Office furniture         Buildings,     Total 
                                software   machines     and equipment          leasehold 
                            and hardware                                       buildings 
                                                                        and improvements 
                                 EUR'000    EUR'000           EUR'000            EUR'000   EUR'000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2019                106,229     71,095            26,197            330,840   534,361 
Additions                         18,173     28,472             6,596              8,261    61,502 
Acquisitions through 
 business 
 combinations                          -        359                91                  9       459 
Disposals                          (917)    (4,729)           (1,181)              (459)   (7,286) 
Write offs                      (14,953)    (3,217)             (755)              (230)  (19,155) 
Reclassifications                   (22)        167             1,741            (1,886)         - 
Reclassification 
 to inventory                          -   (24,280)                 -                  -  (24,280) 
Reclassification 
 to assets classified 
 as held for sale                  (238)          -             (193)           (32,850)  (33,281) 
Effect of movement 
 in exchange rates                    42          2             (123)                  2      (77) 
At 31 December 
 2019                            108,314     67,869            32,373            303,687   512,243 
 
Accumulated depreciation 
 and impairment 
 losses 
At 1 January 2019                 77,439     22,295            10,910             13,629   124,273 
Charge                            16,664     21,007             5,630              8,284    51,585 
Impairment loss                       13          -                 9                873       895 
Disposals                          (887)    (4,542)             (682)               (99)   (6,210) 
Write offs                      (14,948)    (3,212)             (729)              (161)  (19,050) 
Reclassifications                   (38)         44               392              (398)         - 
Reclassification 
 to inventory                          -   (14,418)                 -                  -  (14,418) 
Reclassification 
 to assets classified 
 as held for sale                  (187)          -             (171)              (891)   (1,249) 
Effect of movement 
 in exchange rates                    21          1                17                  -        39 
At 31 December 
 2019                             78,077     21,175            15,376             21,237   135,865 
 
Net Book Value 
At 31 December 
 2019                             30,237     46,694            16,997            282,450   376,378 
 
At 1 December 
 2019                             28,790     48,800            15,287            317,211   410,088 
 

NOTE 17 - LEASES

Set out below are the carrying amounts of right of use assets recognised and the movements during the period:

 
                                Office leases  Hosting     Total 
                                      EUR'000  EUR'000   EUR'000 
At 1 January 2020                      69,109    5,550    74,659 
Additions/modifications                14,460    6,270    20,730 
Reclassification to assets 
 classified as held for sale 
 (Note 24)                            (4,243)        -   (4,243) 
Acquisitions through business 
 Combinations (Note 34A - 
 34B)                                     149        -       149 
Amortisation charge                  (16,554)  (5,284)  (21,838) 
Impairment loss                       (2,755)        -   (2,755) 
At 31 December 2020                    60,166    6,536    66,702 
 
 

In the total impairment loss of EUR2.8 million, an amount of the EUR2.0 million relates to the Sports B2C CGU. Refer to Note 18.

 
                                Office rent  Hosting costs     Total 
                                    EUR'000        EUR'000   EUR'000 
At 1 January 2019                    78,368          5,076    83,444 
Additions/modifications               9,909          5,209    15,118 
Reclassification of lease 
 incentive                          (4,161)              -   (4,161) 
Reclassification to assets 
 classified as held for sale          (585)              -     (585) 
Acquisitions through business 
 Combinations                         3,765              -     3,765 
Amortisation charge                (17,360)        (4,735)  (22,095) 
Impairment loss                       (827)              -     (827) 
At 31 December 2019                  69,109          5,550    74,659 
 
 

Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the period:

 
                                               2020      2019 
                                            EUR'000   EUR'000 
At 1 January                                 90,789    90,867 
Additions/modifications                      21,534    14,709 
Reclassification to assets classified as 
 held for sale (Note 24)                    (5,589)     (615) 
Acquisitions through business 
 Combinations (Notes 34A - 34B)                 161     4,170 
Accretion of interest                         5,859     6,281 
Payments                                   (27,222)  (27,228) 
Foreign exchange movements                  (2,966)     2,605 
At 31 December                               82,566    90,789 
 
Current                                      21,019    25,515 
Non current                                  61,547    65,274 
                                             82,566    90,789 
 

The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is disclosed in Note 38B.

The following are the amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income:

 
                                                         2020     2019 
                                                      EUR'000  EUR'000 
Amortisation expense of right of use assets            21,838   22,095 
Interest expense on lease liabilities                   5,859    6,281 
Impact of early termination of lease contracts        (1,110)    (394) 
Variable lease payments (included in distribution 
 costs )                                                  311        - 
Variable lease payments (included in administrative 
 expenses)                                                301        - 
                                                       27,199   27,982 
 

*Rent concessions have been provided to the group companies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Group elected to account for qualifying rent concessions in the same way as they would if they were not lease modifications; resulting in accounting for the concession as a variable lease payment. The amount recognised in the statement of comprehensive income to reflect changes in lease payments that arose from rent concessions to which the Group has applied the practical expedient is EUR0.6 million.

NOTE 18 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 
                      Patents,  Technology  Development       Customer   Goodwill      Total 
                        domain          IP        costs           list 
                         names                            & Affiliates 
                     & license 
                       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000 
Cost 
At 1 January 
 2020                  218,353     101,847      305,316        633,491    974,767  2,233,774 
Additions               16,829         155       58,489          1,074      1,238     77,785 
Acquisitions 
 through business 
 combinations              125       2,992            -          4,597     14,888     22,602 
Disposals                 (38)           -            -              -          -       (38) 
Write offs                (26)           -      (5,179)              -          -    (5,205) 
Reclassifications            -           -            -            802      (802)          - 
Reclassification 
 to assets 
 classified 
 as held for 
 sale (Note 
 24)                  (31,566)    (18,379)     (38,446)       (97,860)  (217,572)  (403,823) 
Effect of 
 movement in 
 exchange rates        (2,953)     (1,719)      (3,431)        (9,154)   (20,351)   (37,608) 
At 31 December 
 2020                  200,724      84,896      316,749        532,950    752,168  1,887,487 
Accumulated 
 amortisation 
 and impairment 
 losses 
At 1 January 
 2020                   73,088      68,625      179,208        324,263     89,194    734,378 
Charge                  34,860      11,876       52,478         49,881       (11)    149,084 
Impairment 
 loss                      105           -        1,800          2,895     29,080     33,880 
Reclassification 
 to assets 
 classified 
 as held for 
 sale (Note 
 24)                  (11,147)    (13,650)     (27,821)       (59,465)          -  (112,083) 
Write offs                   -           -      (4,883)              -          -    (4,883) 
Effect of 
 movement in 
 exchange rates        (1,008)     (1,276)      (2,421)        (5,389)          -   (10,094) 
At 31 December 
 2020                   95,898      65,575      198,361        312,185    118,263    790,282 
Net Book Value 
At 31 December 
 2020                  104,826      19,321      118,388        220,765    633,905  1,097,205 
 

During the year, the research and development costs net of capitalized development costs were EUR90.0 million (2019: EUR93.5 million).

 
                       Patents,  Technology  Development       Customer  Goodwill      Total 
                         domain          IP        costs           list 
                          names                            & Affiliates 
                      & license 
                        EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000   EUR'000    EUR'000 
Cost 
At 1 January 
 2019                   199,136     106,226      264,690        631,625   961,110  2,162,787 
Additions                18,884         975       65,495            250     4,261     89,865 
Write offs                (636)     (1,106)     (10,922)              -      (14)   (12,678) 
Reclassifications           743           -        (743)              -         -          - 
Transfer to 
 assets classified 
 as held for 
 sale                     (506)     (4,650)     (13,708)          (526)  (15,572)   (34,962) 
Assets acquired 
 on business 
 combinations                10           -            -              -    18,452     18,462 
Effect of 
 movement in 
 exchange rates             722         402          504          2,142     6,530     10,300 
At 31 December 
 2019                   218,353     101,847      305,316        633,491   974,767  2,233,774 
Accumulated 
 amortisation 
 and impairment 
 losses 
As of 1 January 
 2019                    42,044      57,676      146,997        271,937         -    518,654 
Charge                   31,556      15,668       49,600         51,730         -    148,554 
Impairment                    -         840        6,951            324   105,748    113,863 
Transfer to 
 assets classified 
 as held for 
 sale                      (32)     (4,650)     (13,666)          (526)  (15,572)   (34,446) 
Write offs                (636)     (1,106)     (10,922)              -         -   (12,664) 
Effect of 
 movement in 
 exchange rates             156         197          248            798     (982)        417 
At 31 December 
 2019                    73,088      68,625      179,208        324,263    89,194    734,378 
Net Book Value 
At 31 December 
 2019                   145,265      33,222      126,108        309,228   885,573  1,499,396 
 
At 1 January 
 2019                   157,092      48,550      117,693        359,688   961,110  1,644,133 
 

In accordance with IAS 36, the Group regularly monitors the carrying value of its intangible assets, including goodwill. Goodwill is allocated to fifteen cash generating units ("CGU") (2019: fifteen). Two of these CGUs were transferred to assets classified as held for sale.

Management determines which of these CGU's are significant in relation to the total carrying value of goodwill as follows:

   --      Carrying value exceeds 10% of total goodwill; or 
   --      Significant acquisitions during the year; or 
   --      Significant contingent consideration exists at the reporting date. 

Based on the above criteria in respect of the goodwill, management has concluded that the following are significant:

 
                                      Carrying  Carrying 
                                         value     value 
                                          2020      2019 
                                       EUR'000   EUR'000 
Markets (included in held for sale)          -   168,039 
Services                               109,903   110,142 
Sports B2B                             132,487   132,487 
Snai                                   237,205   229,500 
Statscore                               12,410         - 
                                       492,005   640,168 
 

Management reviews CGUs for impairment bi-annually, or on the occurrence of an impairment indicator. As a consequence of the COVID-19, some revenue streams have experienced significant reductions due to lack of sporting events and closure of the retail betting shops. Even though partial recovery has been achieved, the effects of the virus and the second covid-19 wave has extended the closures with intermittent lockdowns effected in early 2021. With the exception of Markets, which is included in held for sale, the recoverable amounts of CGUs have been determined from value in use calculations based on cash flow projections covering 5 years plus a terminal value, which have been updated for COVID-19 and management's probability-based estimates of the impact on future periods based on different scenarios. Management has considered the ongoing economic uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, and the higher level of judgement and uncertainty in forecasts.

An impairment loss has been recognised during the year totalling EUR41.2 million in the Sports B2C CGU (within the B2C segment), primarily as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on its retail operations, the estimated recovery period, and the uncertainty in future cash flows. This has caused full write down of the carrying value of the Sports B2C CGU. The impairment loss was first taken to reduce the carrying amount of the goodwill allocated to the CGU being EUR27.9 million with the remaining impairment allocated to all other assets within the CGU (other intangible assets EUR3.0 million, Property, plant and equipment EUR8.3 million and Right of use asset EUR2.0 million). No further goodwill impairment has been recognised during the year as the recoverable amounts are higher than the carrying amounts for the remaining CGUs (2019: Nil).

There is a potential risk for future impairment should there be a significant change in the economic outlook, versus those trends management anticipates in our forecasts, as a result of the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

With the exclusion of CGU's deemed sensitive to impairment from a reasonably possible change in key assumption, which have been reviewed in further detail below, management forecasts for 2021 anticipate growth of between 0% and 10% when compared to pre-COVID levels. Forecasts for the subsequent periods (years 2-5) applied an annual growth rate for revenue and expenses of between 34% and 41% based on the underlying economic environment in which the CGU operates. Beyond this period, management has applied an annual growth rate of 2%. Management has included appropriate capital expenditure requirements to support the forecast growth and assumed the maintenance of the current level of licenses. Management has applied post tax discount rates to the cash flow projections between 11% and 17%.

Certain CGUs which are referred below are considered sensitive in changes of assumptions used for the calculation of the value in use.

The Sports B2C CGU (which comprises the B2C sports operation in Germany and Austria) is a significant CGU for the Group and has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Management have assessed probability-based scenarios for the future cash flows of the CGU, which has resulted in an impairment of EUR41.2 million (2019: Nil). The recoverable amount of the CGU has been calculated at a negative EUR4.5 million, based on value in use. The recoverable amount of the Sports B2C CGU has been determined using cashflow forecasts that include annual revenue growth rates of between 49% to 417% over the 2-5 year forecast period (when compared to pre-COVID levels), long term growth rate of 2% and discount rate of 18.9%. No reasonable possible changes in assumptions would materially impact the impairment recognised, accordingly, no sensitivity analysis has been presented.

The recoverable amount of the Poker CGU, with net assets of EUR30.7 million, has been determined using cashflow forecasts that include annual revenue growth rates of 2% over the 2-5 year forecast period, 2% long term growth rate and a post tax discount rate of 14%. The recoverable amount would equal the carrying amount of the CGU if the discount rate applied was higher by 78% or revenue growth was lower by 7.9%.

The Bingo Retail CGU, with net assets of EUR24.5 million, has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. The recoverable amount of the Bingo Retail CGU has been determined using a cashflow forecasts that include annual revenue growth rates of between 0% to 4% over the 2-5 year forecast period, and 2% long term growth rate and a post tax discount rate of 14.2%. The recoverable amount would equal the carrying amount of the CGU if the discount rate applied was higher by 30.7% or revenue growth was lower by 6%.

The recoverable amount of the Eyecon CGU, with net assets of EUR28.9 million, has been determined using cashflow forecasts that include annual revenue growth rates of between 8% to 10% over the 2-5 year forecast period, 2% long term growth rate and a post tax discount rate of 12.2%. The recoverable amount would equal the carrying amount of the CGU if the discount rate applied was higher by 35.8% or revenue growth was lower by 4.6%.

The recoverable amount of the Quickspin CGU, with net assets of EUR65.8 million, has been determined using cashflow forecasts that include annual revenue growth rates of between 7.50% to 17% over the 2-5 year forecast period, 2% long term growth rate and a post tax discount rate of 11%. The recoverable amount would equal the carrying amount of the CGU if the discount rate applied was higher by 26.3% or revenue growth was lower by 2.5%.

The Statscore CGU with net assets of EUR13.5 million has been deemed as a sensitive CGU due to the startup activities of the unit and first year performance under Playtech group. The recoverable amount of the Statscore CGU has been determined using cashflow forecasts that include annual revenue growth rates of between 17% to 50% over the 2-5 year forecast period, 2% long term growth rate and a post tax discount rate of 18%. The recoverable amount would equal the carrying amount of the CGU if the discount rate applied was higher by 39.6% or revenue growth was lower by 4.1%.

NOTE 19 - INVESTMENTS

 
                                            2020     2019 
                                         EUR'000  EUR'000 
A. Investment in joint ventures                -   22,405 
B. Investment in associates                1,495   13,075 
C. Investment in structured agreements    39,190   16,785 
D. Other investments                       9,757    1,130 
                                          50,442   53,395 
 

A. Investment in joint ventures

The Group has joint venture in International Terminal Leasing ("ITL"), however the carrying amount is Nil as the Group has recovered the full amount of the initial investment. Any future profits are recognised directly to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The agreement with Wplay was accounted for as a joint arrangement on inception due to the terms in place giving the Group joint control. During 2020, the contract was renegotiated resulting in Playtech's control being reassessed as significant influence and the interest has been reclassified as an investment in structured agreements.

Movements in the carrying value of the investment during the year are as follows:

 
                                                    2020     2019 
                                                 EUR'000  EUR'000 
Investment in joint venture at 1 January          22,405      408 
Additions during the year                              -   22,405 
Reclassification to structured entities (Note 
 19c)                                           (22,405)        - 
Share of profit                                      121      621 
Return of investment                               (121)    (653) 
Subsidiary acquired in steps                           -    (376) 
Investment in joint venture at 31 December             -   22,405 
 

B. Investment in equity accounted associates

Investment in BGO

In August 2014, the Group acquired 33.33% of the shares of BGO Limited, a company incorporated in Alderney, for a total consideration of GBP10 million (EUR12.5 million). In 2015 the Group invested an additional GBP0.7 million (EUR0.9 million). During 2020, the Group disposed of the shares in BGO for a total consideration of EUR1. As a result of this transactions, the Group realised a loss on disposal of EUR8.9 million recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Other individually immaterial investments

At 31 December 2020 the Group's value of other investments was EUR1.5 million (2019: EUR5.3 million). During 2020, the Board of Directors made a decision to dispose of its shareholding in two associates and as such their value of EUR2.2 million were transferred to assets held for sale (refer to Note 24D).

Furthermore, during the current year the Group acquired an additional 40% of Statscore SP Z.O.O ("Statscore"). Prior to the acquisition and as at 31 December 2019 the Group held 45% of Statscore and was accounted for as an investment in associate. This transaction resulted in a total fair value gain on acquisition of EUR6.5 million, which was the difference between the total carrying value of the investment in associate of EUR1.5 million and its fair value of EUR8.0 million at the point of acquisition. The gain was recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The step-acquisition is further discussed in Note 34A.

Movements in the carrying value of the investment during the year are as follows:

 
                                                        2020     2019 
                                                     EUR'000  EUR'000 
Investment in associates at 1 January                 13,075   12,448 
Additions during the year                                  -       96 
Disposal during the year                             (8,907)        - 
Share of profit                                          955    1,020 
Fair value change on step-acquisition of associate     6,520        - 
Return of investment                                       -     (46) 
Impairment                                                 -    (443) 
Subsidiary acquired in steps                         (7,981)        - 
Transfer to asset classified as held for sale 
 (Note 24D)                                          (2,167)        - 
Investment in associates at 31 December                1,495   13,075 
 
   C.   Investment in structured agreements 

Caliplay

During 2014 the Group entered into a long term structured agreement relationship with Turística Akalli, S. A. de C.V which has since changed its name to Corporacion Caliente SAPI ("Akalli"), the owner of Tecnologia en Entretenimiento Caliplay, S. de R.L. de C.V ("Caliplay"), which is a leading betting and gaming operator which operates the "Caliente" brand in Mexico (the "Caliplay Structured Agreement").

The remuneration (including the Profit Share) due to the Group for the provision of services under the Caliplay Structured Agreement is recognised in revenue and revenues from these services in the year totalled EUR33.3 million (2019: EUR11.8 million).

The Group has no equity holding in Caliplay or Akalli, but has an option to exchange its Profit Share for an equity interest in the Caliplay business of up to 49%. There would be no additional exercise price payable above the cumulative payments already made by Playtech as part of the agreement which at the balance sheet date totaled EUR16.8 million. Management has currently assessed the option largely as a protective right and it has not been considered as part of the assessment of control and significant influence. In so doing, Caliplay continues to be accounted for as a structured agreement. The Group has not made any future funding commitments to Caliplay and no additional financial support beyond the initial investment has been provided.

Wplay

In 2019, the Group entered into a long term structured agreement relationship with Aquila Global Group SAS ("Wplay"), which is a leading gaming and betting brand in Columbia (the "Wplay Structured Agreement").

The remuneration (including the Profit Share) due to the Group for the provision of services under the WPlay Structured Agreement is recognised in revenue and revenues from these services in the year totalled EUR2.4 million (2019: Nil).

The Group has no equity holding in Wplay, but has an option to exchange its Profit Share for an equity interest in the WPlay business of up to 49.9%. The option is exercisable on or after August 2021. There would be no additional exercise price payable above the cumulative payments already made by Playtech as part of the agreement which at the balance sheet date totalled EUR22.4 million. Under the existing agreements with Wplay, the Group has future funding commitments totalling $6.0 million payable on certain performance milestones but no other financial support has been provided and no further commitment to provide financial support exists.

Movements in the carrying value of the investment during the year are as follows:

 
                                                2020     2019 
                                             EUR'000  EUR'000 
Investment in structured agreements at 1 
 January                                      16,785   16,785 
Reclassification from joint ventures (Note 
 19a)                                         22,405        - 
Investment in structured agreements at 31 
 December                                     39,190   16,785 
 
   D.   Other investments 

Guatemala

In 2020, the Group entered into a long term structured agreement relationship with Tenlot Guatemala which is a member of the Tenlot Group. Tenlot Guatemala has commenced its activity in 2018 and it is currently growing its lottery business in Guatemala, expanding its distribution network and game offering. Tenlot Guatemala's betting and gaming business will be operated by its subsidiary ("Super Sports S.A.").

The Group has acquired a 10% equity holding in Tenlot Guatemala for a total consideration of $5.0 million (EUR4.4 million), in June 2020. In addition, the Group was granted a 10% equity holding in Super Sports S.A.,. The Group also has a option to exchange its Profit Share into an equity interest of up to an additional 80% in Super Sports S.A.. The option can be exercised any time.

Costa Rica

In 2020, the Group entered into a long term structured agreement relationship in Costa Rica with the Tenlot Group.

The Group has acquired a 6% equity holding in Tentech CR S.A., a member of the Tenlot Group, for a total consideration of $2.5 million (EUR2.1 million) in June 2020. Tentech CR S.A. sells printed bingo cards in accordance with article 29 of the Law of Raffles and Lotteries of Costa Rica ("CRC- Costa Rican Red Cross Association").

Tenbet, another member of the Tenlot Group, operates online bingo games and casino side games. The Group has no equity holding in Tenbet but has an option to exchange its Profit Share into an equity interest of up to 81% in Tenbet. The option can be exercised at any time from the end of 18 months of Tenbet going live. Under the existing agreements, the Group has provided Tenbet with a credit facility of EUR1 million out of which $150,000 had been drawn down as at 31 December 2020.

Panama

In June 2020, the Group entered into a long term structured agreement relationship with Onjoc in Panama. The Group has no equity holding in Onjoc, but has an option to exchange its Profit Share into an equity interest of up to 50% in Onjoc. The option can be exercised any time subject to certain revenue targets.

General

The Group has call options to acquire equity in connection with its structured agreements as described above. In the case of Super Sports, Tenbet and Onjoc, these entities had not commenced operations at the reporting date.

NOTE 20 - OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 
                                                  2020     2019 
                                               EUR'000  EUR'000 
Security deposits                                3,245    3,767 
Guarantee for gaming licenses                    2,799    3,080 
Deferred tax (Note 31)                           3,302    1,571 
Related parties (Note 36)                            -    3,727 
Prepaid costs relating to Sun Bingo contract    49,597   16,699 
Other                                           11,506    9,106 
                                                70,449   37,950 
 

NOTE 21 - TRADE RECEIVABLES

 
                               2020     2019 
                            EUR'000  EUR'000 
Trade receivables           156,376  196,704 
Related parties (Note 36)    15,249    9,740 
Trade receivables - net     171,625  206,444 
 
Split to: 
Non current assets           18,405   13,600 
Current assets              153,220  192,844 
                            171,625  206,444 
 
 

NOTE 22 - OTHER RECEIVABLES

 
                                                   2020     2019 
                                                EUR'000  EUR'000 
Prepaid expenses                                 31,171   30,944 
VAT and other taxes                               8,914   12,472 
Advances to suppliers                             2,873    1,200 
Related parties (Note 36)                             -      845 
Security deposits for regulators                 13,501   33,888 
Prepaid costs relating to Sun Bingo contract      9,539   11,016 
Receivable for legal proceedings and disputes    16,387   16,387 
Other receivables                                15,959   34,402 
                                                 98,344  141,154 
 

NOTE 23 - CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the statement of cash flows comprises:

 
                                                  2020     2019 
                                               EUR'000  EUR'000 
Continuing operations 
Cash at bank                                   677,554  638,924 
Cash at brokers                                      -   22,718 
Deposits                                         6,754    9,898 
                                               684,308  671,540 
Less: expected credit loss (Note 38A)            (627)        - 
                                               683,681  671,540 
 
Treated as held for sale 
Cash at bank                                   124,664    2,646 
Cash at brokers                                249,018        - 
Deposits                                         3,189        - 
                                               376,871    2,646 
 
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement 
 of cash flows                               1,061,179  674,186 
Less: expected credit loss (Note 38A)            (627)        - 
                                             1,060,552  674,186 
 

The Group held cash balances on behalf of operators in respect of operators' jackpot games and poker and casino operations, as well as and client funds with respect to B2C, CFD and client deposits in respect of liquidity and clearing activities which are included in the current liabilities.

 
                                  2020     2019 
                               EUR'000  EUR'000 
Continuing operations 
Funds attributed to jackpots    75,538   74,166 
Security deposits               24,673   23,986 
Client deposits                      -  113,879 
Client funds                    28,924  126,309 
                               129,135  338,340 
 
Treated as held for sale 
Client deposits                109,495        - 
Client funds                   170,867        - 
                               280,362        - 
 

NOTE 24 - ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

 
                                            2020     2019 
                                         EUR'000  EUR'000 
Assets 
      A. Property, plant and equipment         -   32,417 
      B. Casuals CGU                         844    4,381 
      C. Financial CGU                   465,880        - 
      D. Investment in associates          2,167        - 
                                         468,891   36,798 
 

A. On 14 May 2019, the Group entered into a preliminary sale and purchase agreement for the disposal of its real estate located in Milan, Italy ("Area Sud" and "Area Nord"). The value of the real estate was therefore classified as held for sale at 31 December 2019. On 21 April 2020, the sale and purchase agreement of Area Sud was finalised for a total consideration of EUR18.8 million, of which EUR5 million was already received on the sign off of the preliminary agreement in the prior year, with the balance received in the current year. Furthermore, on 21 July 2020, the sale and purchase agreement of Area Nord was finalised for a total consideration of EUR35.7 million, which was also received in July 2020.

As a result of these transactions, the Group realised a profit on disposal of EUR22.1 million in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

B. Following the decision made by the Board of Directors in the prior year to dispose of the Casual and Social Gaming businesses, the value of these divisions were classified as held for sale at 31 December 2019 and their results included in discontinued operations. On 29 June 2020, the Group entered into an agreement for the partial disposal of "FTX" included in this division, for a total consideration of $1.0 million. As a result of this transaction, the Group realised a profit of EUR0.6 million in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, included within the total profit/(loss) from discontinued operations (refer to Note 8).

Post year end, on 11 January 2021, the Group entered into a separate agreement for the disposal of "Yoyo", also included in this division, for a total consideration of $9.5 million. This will result in an estimated profit on disposal of EUR7.6 million, which will be recongised in the year ended 31 December 2021. Once this transaction is completed, the Social and Casual CGU will be fully disposed.

C. At 31 December 2020 the Board decided to classify its Financials segment as held for sale. The results of these operations are presented as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and the comparatives have been restated to show the discontinued operation separately from the continuing operations. Management is committed to a plan to discontinue the Financials division with a sale expected by the end of 2021 and therefore all assets and liabilities relating to it have been presented separately in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Results of the discontinued operations for the years presented can be found in Note 8.

The carrying value of the disposal group classified as held for sale at year end was compared to its recoverable amount through a sale, less costs to sell. A potential buyer has been identified and the negotiations are at an advanced stage. The expected selling price is $200.0 million out of which $170.0 relates to cash consideration, $15.0 deferred consideration and $15.0 contingent consideration subject to certain conditions. In addition, the Group will retain the movement of the working capital which is expected to be $48.7 million. Expected selling costs amounting to $4.7 million.

As a result of this, an impairment was recognised of EUR221.3 million in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, included in discontinued operations (see Note 8). The difference between this and the impairment loss stated below of EUR219.6 million is due to the difference between the average foreign exchange rate used in the income statement versus the spot rate at 31 December 2020 used in the balance sheet, which is recognised in the foreign exchange reserve, noting that this CGU trades and reports in US dollars. The total value at the date of transfer of the financials CGU is as follows:

 
                                Transferred  Impairment         As at 
                                     to HFS               31 December 
                                                                 2020 
                                    EUR'000     EUR'000       EUR'000 
Assets 
Property, plant and equipment         2,560                     2,560 
Right of use assets                   4,243                     4,243 
Goodwill                            217,572   (217,572)             - 
Other intangibles                    74,168     (1,992)        72,176 
Trade receivables                       833                       833 
Cash and cash equivalents           376,475                   376,475 
Other receivables                     9,593                     9,593 
                                    685,444   (219,654)       465,880 
 
Liabilities 
Deferred tax liability                                          6,188 
Trade payables                                                  1,795 
Client deposits                                               109,495 
Client funds                                                  170,867 
Income tax payable                                              3,810 
Lease liability                                                 5,589 
Other payables                                                 10,868 
                                                              308,612 
 
Net assets Financials                                         157,268 
 

The total major class of assets and liabilities of the disposal groups (Casual and Financial CGU) classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2020, are as follows:

 
                                                 EUR'000 
Assets 
Property, plant and equipment                      2,610 
Right of use assets                                4,502 
Intangible assets                                 72,203 
Trade receivables                                    940 
Cash and cash equivalents                        376,871 
Other receivables                                  9,598 
Assets classified as held for sale               466,724 
 
Liabilities 
Deferred tax liability                             6,318 
Trade payables                                     1,820 
Client deposits                                  109,495 
Client funds                                     170,867 
Income tax payable                                 3,861 
Lease liability                                    5,782 
Other payables                                    11,026 
Liabilities directly associated with the asset 
 classified as held for sale                     309,169 
 

The cumulative foreign exchange losses recognised in other comprehensive income in relation to the discontinued operation as at 31 December 2020 were EUR21.3 million.

NOTE 25 - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

A. Share Capital

Share capital is comprised of no par value shares as follows:

 
                            2020         2019 
                       Number of    Number of 
                          Shares       Shares 
Authorised*                  N/A          N/A 
Issued and paid up   299,328,354  303,791,693 
 

The Group has no authorised share capital but is authorised under its memorandum and article of association to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of no par value.

In 2020 the Group cancelled 4,463,339 shares as part of its share repurchase program for a total consideration of EUR10.1 million (2019: 13,552,910 shares for a total consideration of EUR65.1 million).

B. Employee Benefit Trust

In 2014 the Group established an Employee Benefit Trust (refer to Note 5E) by acquiring 5,517,241 shares for a total consideration of EUR48.5 million. During the year 200,827 shares (2019: 200,214) were issued to executive management after meeting the performance conditions at a cost of EUR1.7 million (2019: EUR1.7 million). As at 31 December 2020, a balance of 1,724,539 (2019: 1,925,366) shares remains in the trust with a cost of EUR14.5 million (2019: EUR16.2 million).

C. Share options exercised

During the year 217,788 (2019: 212,624) share options were exercised, of which 16,961 were cash-settled (2019: 12,410). During the period, Tradetech LTIP Share options with book value totalling EUR12.2 million became fully vested and in order to reflect the expected settlement in cash, they have been reclassified from equity to liabilities.

D. Distribution of Dividend

The Group did not pay any dividends during the current year. As per the announcement to the market in March 2020, the 2019 final dividend of EUR0.12 per share was not proposed at the Annual General Meeting. In June 2019, the Group distributed EUR37,159,079 as a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 (EUR0.12 per share). In October 2019, the Group distributed EUR18,866,968 as an interim dividend in respect of the period ended 30 June 2019 (EUR0.061 per share). A number of shareholders waived their rights to receive dividends amounting to EUR480,890.

E. Reserves

The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owner's equity:

 
Reserve               Description and purpose 
Additional paid       Share premium (i.e. amount subscribed for 
 in capital            share capital in excess of nominal value) 
Employee benefit      Cost of own shares held in treasury by the 
 trust                 trust 
Put/Call options      Fair value of put/call options as part of 
 reserve               business acquisition 
Foreign exchange      Gains/losses arising on re-translating the 
 reserve               net assets of overseas operations 
Employee termination  Gains/losses arising from the actuarial re-measurement 
 indemnities           of the employee termination indemnities 
Non controlling       The portion of equity ownership in a subsidiary 
 interest              not attributable to the the owners of the 
                       Company 
Retained earnings     Cumulative net gains and losses recognised 
                       in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
                       income 
 
   F.   Non controlling interest 

During 2020, the Group acquired additional interest in Playtech BGT Sports Ltd (from 90% at 31 December 2019 to 100% at 31 December 2020) and Sunfox Game GmbH (from 93.3% at 31 December 2019 to 100% at 31 December 2020). The total carrying amount of the subsidiaries net liabilities in the Group's consolidated financial statements on the date of the acquisition was EUR3.9 million.

 
                                                     2020 
                                                  EUR'000 
Carrying amount of non-controlling interest 
 acquired                                         (4,369) 
Consideration paid to non-controlling interest   (36,711) 
                                                 (41,080) 
 
 

The decrease in equity attributable to the owners of the Company comprised:

-- A net decrease in retained earnings of EUR20.7 million (made up from an overall decrease in retained earnings of EUR37.0 million, offset by the transfer of EUR16.4 million from the put/call options reserve).

-- An additional loss of EUR20.4 million recognised in the retained earnings from the date of the initial recognition until the exercise of the option

-- A decrease in the put/call option reserve of EUR16.4 million (transferred to retained earnings)

NOTE 26 - LOANS AND BORROWINGS

The main credit facility of the Group is a revolving credit facility ("RCF") up to EUR317.0 million available until November 2023 with an option to extend for an additional year. Interest payable on the loan is based on Euro Libor rates. As at 31 December 2020 the credit facility drawn amounted to EUR308.9 million (31 December 2019: EUR64.4 million).

The Group took a prudent and disciplined approach to its banking relationships and proactively approached its lenders and agreed to amend the covenants in its RCF for the 31 December 2020 and 30 June 2021 tests as follows:

-- Leverage: Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA revised to 5:1 for the year ended 31 December 2020 and 4.5:1 for the last twelve months to 30 June 2021 (31 December 2019: 3:1)

-- Interest cover: Adjusted EBITDA/Interest revised to 3:1 for the year ended 31 December 2020 and 3.5:1 for the last twelve months to 30 June 2021 (31 December 2019: 4:1)

The covenants will return to previous levels of 3x Net Debt/Adjusted EBITDA and 4x Interest/Adjusted EBITDA from 31 December 2021 onwards, or sooner should the Company decide to make shareholder distributions within those periods.

As at 31 December 2020 and 2019 the Group met these financial covenants. The covenants are monitored on a regular basis by the finance department, including modelling future projected cash flows under a number of scenarios to stress-test any risk of covenant breaches, the results of which are reported to management.

NOTE 27 - BONDS

 
                             Convertible  2018 Bond  2019 Bond      Total 
                                   bonds 
                                 EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000 
As of 1 January 2019             287,149    523,706          -    810,855 
Issue of bonds                         -          -    345,672    345,672 
Notional interest expenses 
 on convertible bonds              9,851          -          -      9,851 
Interest expenses on bonds             -      1,315        497      1,812 
Repayment of bond              (297,000)          -          -  (297,000) 
As at 31 December 2019                 -    525,021    346,169    871,190 
Interest expenses on bonds             -      1,319        620      1,939 
As at 31 December 2020                 -    526,340    346,789    873,129 
 

Convertible bonds

On 12 November 2014 the Group issued EUR297.0 million of senior, unsecured convertible bonds maturing in November 2019 and convertible into fully paid Ordinary Shares of Playtech plc (the "Bonds"). The net proceeds of issuing the Bonds, after deducting commissions and other direct costs of issue, totaled EUR291.1 million.

The Bonds were fully repaid on 19 November 2019 at their principal amount.

Bonds

(a) 2018 Bond

On 12 October 2018, the Group issued EUR530 million of senior secured notes ('2018 Bond') maturing in October 2023. The net proceeds of issuing the 2018 Bond after deducting commissions and other direct costs of issue totalled EUR523.4 million . Commissions and other direct costs of issue have been offset against the principal balance and are amortised over the period of the bond.

The issue price was 100% of its principal amount and bears interest from 12 October 2018 at the rate of 3.75% per annum payable semi-annually, in arrears, on 12 April and 12 October commencing on 12 April 2019.

The fair value of the bond at 31 December 2020 was EUR539 million (31 December 2019: EUR552 million).

(b) 2019 Bond

On 7 March 2019, the Group issued EUR350 million of senior secured notes ('2019 Bond') maturing in March 2026. The net proceeds of issuing the 2019 Bond after deducting commissions and other direct costs of issue totalled EUR345.7 million . Commissions and other direct costs of issue have been offset against the principal balance and are amortised over the period of the bond.

The issue price is 100% of its principal amount and bears interest from 7 March 2019 at a rate of 4.25% per annum payable semi-annually, in arrears, on 7 September and 7 March commencing on 7 September 2019.

The fair value of the bond at 31 December 2020 was EUR363 million (31 December 2019: EUR373 million).

As at 31 December 2020 and 2019 the Group met the required interest cover financial covenant of 2:1 Interest/Adjusted EBITDA ratio (31 December 2019: 2:1), for the combined 2018 and 2019 Bonds.

NOTE 28 - PROVISIONS FOR RISKS AND CHARGES

 
                             Legal and 
                            regulatory  Contractual    Other    Total 
                               EUR'000      EUR'000  EUR'000  EUR'000 
As of 1 January 2019             6,481        2,858    2,756   12,095 
Acquisitions through 
 business combinations               -            -      318      318 
Charged to the statement 
 of comprehensive income         5,177        (400)    2,744    7,521 
Utilised / realised 
 in the year                     (503)         (91)      168    (426) 
31 December 2019                11,155        2,367    5,986   19,508 
Charged to the statement 
 of comprehensive income           736        2,000  (1,497)    1,239 
Utilised / realised 
 in the year                   (1,568)         (11)  (1,091)  (2,670) 
31 December 2020                10,323        4,356    3,398   18,077 
 

Provision for legal and regulatory issues and

The Group is subject to proceedings and potential claims regarding complex legal matters (including those related to previous acquisitions), which are subject to a differing degree of uncertainty. Provisions are held for various legal and regulatory issues that relate to matters arising in the normal course of business, including in particular various disputes that arise in relation to the operation of the various licenses held by the Group's subsidiary Snaitech. The uncertainty is due to complex legislative and licensing frameworks in the various territories in which the Group operates. The Group also operates in certain jurisdictions where legal and regulatory matters can take considerable time for the required local processes to be completed and the matters resolved.

Contractual claims

The Group is subject to historic claims relating to contractual matters that arise with customers in the normal course of business. The Group consider they have a robust defense to the claims raised, and have provided for the likely settlement where an outflow of funds is probable. The uncertainty relates to complex contractual dealings with a wide range of customers in various jurisdictions, and because as noted above the Group operates in certain jurisdictions where contractual disputes can take considerable time to be resolved in the local legal system. A potential legal claim has arisen in respect of a previous acquisition which may result in a settlement, as a result an immaterial provision has been recorded. The amount has not been separately disclosed as to do so is considered to be prejudicial to the position of the Group.

All provisions have been reviewed and estimated by the Group's Board of Directors on the basis of the information available at the date of preparation of these financial statements and, where considered required, supported by updated legal opinions from independent professionals.

Given the uncertainties inherent, it is difficult to predict with certainty the outlay (or the timing thereof) which will derive from these matters. It is therefore possible that the value of the provisions may vary further to future developments. The Group monitors the status of these matters and consults with its advisors and experts on legal and tax-related matters in arriving at the provisions recorded. The provisions included represent the Directors best estimate of the potential outlay and none of the matters provided for are individually material to the financial statements.

NOTE 29 - CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION AND REDEMPTION LIABILITY

 
                                                                         2020     2019 
                                                                      EUR'000  EUR'000 
 
Non-current contingent consideration consists of: 
Acquisition of Rarestone Gaming PTY Ltd                                     -    2,520 
Interest in Aquila Global Group SAS ("Wplay")                           3,918        - 
                                                                        3,918    2,520 
 
 
Non-current redemption liability consists of: 
Acquisition of Statscore SP Z.O.O. (Note 34A)                           4,590        - 
                                                                        4,590        - 
Total non-current contingent consideration and redemption liability     8,508    2,520 
 
Current contingent consideration consists of: 
Acquisition of Playtech BGT Sports Limited                                  -    5,000 
Acquisition of Rarestone Gaming PTY Ltd                                     -    1,284 
Interest in Aquila Global Group SAS ("Wplay")                               -   16,050 
Other acquisitions                                                      1,162    4,318 
                                                                        1,162   26,652 
 
  Current redemption liability consists of: 
Acquisition of Playtech BGT Sports Limited                                  -   31,860 
Other acquisitions                                                          -       93 
                                                                            -   31,953 
 
Total current contingent consideration and redemption liability         1,162   58,605 
 

During the year, the Group exercised its option to acquire the remaining 10% of Playtech BGT Sports Limited for a total consideration of EUR41.6 million all settled by 31 December 2020. This included settlement of previous contingent consideration liabilities and other contractual amounts due. As a result of this acquisition, the put call option reserve decreased by EUR16.3 million.

The maximum contingent consideration and redemption liability payable is as follows:

 
                                                   2020     2019 
                                                EUR'000  EUR'000 
Acquisition of ACM Group                              -  129,295 
Acquisition of Eyecon Limited                    25,045   26,456 
Acquisition of Rarestone Gaming PTY Ltd               -    4,143 
Acquisition of HPYBET Austria GmbH               15,000   15,000 
Acquisition of Playtech BGT Sports                    -   95,000 
Interest in Aquila Global Group SAS ("Wplay")     4,892   21,285 
Acquisition of Statscore SP Z.O.O.               15,000        - 
Other acquisitions                                7,250    4,015 
                                                 67,187  295,194 
 

NOTE 30 - TRADE PAYABLES

 
                          2020     2019 
                       EUR'000  EUR'000 
Suppliers               35,124   52,219 
Customer liabilities    12,492   10,124 
Other                       78       77 
                        47,694   62,420 
 

NOTE 31 - DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

The movement on the deferred tax liability is as shown below:

 
                                                   2020      2019 
                                                EUR'000   EUR'000 
At the beginning of the year                     76,767    71,598 
Transferred to asset classified as held 
 for sale                                       (6,188)     1,028 
Arising on the acquisitions during the 
 year                                               357     1,125 
Reversal of temporary differences, recognised 
 in the statement of comprehensive income         1,700     2,923 
Foreign exchange movements                        (775)        93 
 At the end of the year                          71,861    76,767 
 
Split as: 
Deferred tax liability on acquisitions           71,472    90,645 
Deferred tax liability                            4,520     1,020 
Deferred tax asset (set off with deferred 
 tax liability)                                   (829)  (13,327) 
                                                 75,163    78,338 
 
Deferred tax asset (Note 20)                    (3,302)   (1,571) 
                                                 71,861    76,767 
 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only when there is a legal enforceable right of offset, in accordance to IAS 12. On 31 December 2020, the Directors continued to recognise deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences and tax losses carryforward with the latter only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilised. This assessement is based on Board approved forecasts including expected future taxable profits.

NOTE 32 - OTHER PAYABLES

 
                                    2020     2019 
                                 EUR'000  EUR'000 
Non current liabilities 
Payroll and related expenses       8,936    9,247 
Non current guarantee deposits         -      839 
Other                              3,497    4,158 
                                  12,433   14,244 
 
Current liabilities 
Payroll and related expenses      72,224   66,056 
Accrued expenses                  53,374   46,318 
Related parties (Note 36)             47       77 
VAT payable                        5,801    4,954 
Interest payable                  10,441   10,346 
Other payables                     5,890   14,110 
                                 147,777  141,861 
 

NOTE 33 - GAMING AND OTHER TAXES PAYABLE

 
                2020     2019 
             EUR'000  EUR'000 
Gaming tax   126,591   98,288 
Other            358        - 
             126,949   98,288 
 

NOTE 34 - ACQUISITIONS DURING THE YEAR

   A.   Acquisition of Statscore SP Z.O.O. 

On 13 January 2020, the Group acquired an additional 40% of Statscore SP Z.O.O. ("Statscore") for a total cash consideration of EUR6.5 million. Prior to the acquisition, the Group held 45% of Statscore which was accounted for as an associate (refer to Note 19B). The book value of the investment in associate (net of share of losses) was EUR1.5 million at the point of acquisition and the equivalent fair value was EUR8.0 million, resulting in a fair value gain of EUR6.5 million recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The remaining 15% of the shares are held by the founder.

Additional consideration capped at EUR2.2 million in cash will be payable subject to the employment of the founder as well as achieving target EBITDA. In this respect, this has been treated as employment remuneration.

As part of the acquisition, the Group now holds a call option to purchase the remaining 15% of Statscore as follows:

(1) To purchase 7.5% within three months of the third anniversary if certain conditions are met and regardless of whether the founder remains employed. The option price, which is capped at EUR5.0 million, depends on the last twelve month EBITDA Target of EUR4.0 million and is measured as follows:

(a) If EBITDA Target is satisfied, then the option price is seven times EBITDA of the last twelve months multiplied by the percentage of the additional acquisition.

(b) If EBITDA Target is not satisfied, then the option price is five times EBITDA of the last twelve months multiplied by the percentage of the additional acquisition.

(2) To purchase 7.5% within three months of the six years anniversary if certain conditions are met and regardless of whether the founder remains employed. The option price, which is capped at EUR10.0 million, depends on the last twelve month EBITDA Target of EUR8.0 million and is measured as follows:

(a) If EBITDA Target is satisfied, then the option price is nine times EBITDA of the last twelve months multiplied with the percentage of the additional acquisition.

(b) If EBITDA Target is not satisfied, then the option price is seven times EBITDA of the last twelve months multiplied by the percentage of the additional acquisition.

The founder has an irrecoverable put option to require the Group to purchase the 15% of Statscore subject to certain conditions.

The initial fair value of this option of EUR3.6 million was recognised as a non-current redemption liability and was reflected in the Groups' consolidated statement of changes in equity within the put/call option reserve. The fair value as at 31 December 2020, which was calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation methodology, was EUR4.6 million.

Details of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, purchase consideration and goodwill, are as follows:

 
                                          Fair value on acquisition 
                                                            EUR'000 
Property, plant and equipment                                     9 
Intangible assets                                             3,506 
Right of use of asset                                           111 
Other non-current assets                                          5 
Trade and other receivables                                     111 
Cash and cash equivalent                                         60 
Deferred tax liability                                        (666) 
Tax liabilities                                                 (2) 
Lease liability                                               (123) 
Trade payables and other payables                             (579) 
Non-controlling interests                                     (365) 
Net identified assets (85% acquired)                          2,067 
Goodwill                                                     12,410 
Fair value of consideration                                  14,477 
 
 
                                           EUR'000 
Cash consideration                           6,500 
Fair value of existing equity interest       7,977 
Total consideration                         14,477 
 

Adjustments to fair value include the following:

 
                         Amount   Amortisation 
                         EUR'000% 
Customer relationship        514     16.7% 
IP Technology              2,992      10% 
                           3,506 
 

Management used the income approach, and in particular the Relief from Royalty method, to determine the value in use of the Customer relationships. The discount rate assumed is equivalent to the WACC for the Customer relationships.

The MPEEM income approach was used by management to determine the value in use of the IP Technology. The discount rate assumed is equivalent to the WACC for the IP Technology.

A reasonable movement in the inputs to the valuation methodologies does not materially change the intangible asset values.

The main factor leading to the recognition of goodwill is the assembled workforce with vast experience and strong past performance, other future revenue and cost synergies. In accordance with IAS36, the Group will regularly monitor the carrying value of net assets relating to Statscore.

Management has not disclosed Statscore contribution to the Group's profit since the acquisition nor has it disclosed the impact the acquisition would have had on the Group's revenue and profits if it had occurred on 1 January 2020, because the amounts are not material.

   B.   Acquisition of Best In Game S.r.l. 

On 17 June 2020, the Group acquired 100% of Best In Game S.r.l.("Best In Game"), an Italian gaming company active in the online segment.

The Group paid a total cash consideration of EUR13.3 million.

Details of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, purchase consideration and goodwill, are as follows:

 
                                       Fair value on acquisition 
                                                         EUR'000 
Intangible assets                                          3,047 
Right of use of asset                                         38 
Other receivables                                            329 
Cash and cash equivalent                                   8,449 
Other non current liabilities                              (166) 
Deferred tax liability                                     (815) 
Lease liability                                             (38) 
Trade payables and other payables                          (160) 
Progressive and operators jackpot                           (84) 
Client funds                                                (62) 
Tax liabilities                                            (813) 
Net identified assets                                      9,725 
Goodwill                                                   3,604 
Fair value of consideration                               13,329 
 
                                                         EUR'000 
Cash consideration                                        13,329 
Cash purchased                                           (8,449) 
Net cash payable                                           4,880 
 

Adjustments to fair value include the following:

 
                         Amount   Amortisation 
                         EUR'000% 
Customer relationship      2,922      12.5 
 

Management also used the income approach, and in particular the Relief from Royalty method, to determine the value in use of the Customer relationships within Best In Game. The discount rate assumed is equivalent to the WACC for the Customer relationships.

A reasonable movement in the inputs to the valuation methodology does not materially change the intangible asset values.

The main factor leading to the recognition of goodwill is synergies and further strategic aspects. The acquisition forms part of the Snaitech CGU.

Management has not disclosed Best In Game contribution to the Group's profit since the acquisition nor has it disclosed the impact the acquisition would have had on the Group's revenue and profits if it had occurred on 1 January 2020, because the amounts are not material.

NOTE 35 - ACQUISITIONS IN PREVIOUS YEAR

   A.   Acquisition of Areascom SpA 

On 28 January 2019, the Group acquired 100% of Areascom SpA ("Areascom") for a total cash consideration of EURNil, and as part of this transaction recapitalised the business by injecting EUR15.5 million equity capital.

   B.   Other acquisitions 

During the prior year, the Group acquired of the shares of various companies for a total cash consideration of EUR1.4 million. One of these was a stepped acquisition from 50% to 100% which gave a fair value at the date of transition to subsidiary of EUR0.4 million (Note 19A).

NOTE 36 - RELATED PARTIES

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party's making of financial or operational decisions, or if both parties are controlled by the same third party. Also, a party is considered to be related if a member of the key management personnel has the ability to control the other party.

The joint ventures, structured agreements and associates are related parties of the Group by virtue of the Group's significant influence over those arrangements.

During the year ended 31 December 2020, group companies entered into the following transactions with related parties who are not members of the Group:

 
                                          2020     2019 
                                       EUR'000  EUR'000 
Revenue 
Associates and joint ventures            3,715    1,974 
Structured agreements                   58,504   32,795 
                                        62,219   34,769 
 
Share of profit from joint ventures        121      621 
 
Share of profit from associates            955    1,020 
 
Operating expenses 
Structured agreements and associates       209    1,016 
 
Interest income 
Structured agreements and associates       188    1,310 
 

The following are the balances with related parties:

 
                                                  2020     2019 
                                               EUR'000  EUR'000 
 
Associates                                           -    3,727 
Total non-current related parties receivable         -    3,727 
 
 
Associates and joint ventures                        -      942 
Structured agreements                           15,249    9,643 
Total current related parties receivable        15,249   10,585 
 
Structured agreements and associates                47       77 
Total current related parties payable               47       77 
 
 
                                       2020     2019 
                                    EUR'000  EUR'000 
 
Directors compensation 
Short-term benefits of directors      2,981    3,136 
Share-based benefits of directors         -       40 
Bonuses to executive directors          707    2,040 
                                      3,688    5,216 
 
 

Total compensation for the key management personnel (which also includes the directors compensation) is EUR14.7 million (2019: EUR14.5 million)

NOTE 37 - SUBSIDIARIES

Details of the Group's principal subsidiaries as at the end of the year are set out below:

 
Name                     Country of           Proportion       Nature of business 
                          incorporation        of voting 
                                               rights and 
                                               ordinary share 
                                               capital held 
Playtech Software            Isle of Man           100%        Main trading company 
 Limited                                                        of the Group, owns the 
                                                                intellectual property 
                                                                rights and licenses 
                                                                the software to customers. 
Video B Holding            British Virgin          100%        Trading company for 
 Limited                       Islands                          the Videobet software, 
                                                                owns the intellectual 
                                                                property rights of Videobet 
                                                                and licenses it to customers. 
Playtech Services              Cyprus              100%        Activates the ipoker 
 (Cyprus) Limited                                               Network in regulated 
                                                                markets. Owns the intellectual 
                                                                property of GTS, Ash 
                                                                and Geneity businesses 
VB (Video) Cyprus              Cyprus              100%        Trading company for 
 Limited                                                        the Videobet product 
                                                                to Romanian companies 
Virtue Fusion                 Alderney             100%        Online bingo and casino 
 (Alderney) Limited                                             software provider 
Intelligent Gaming               UK                100%        Casino management systems 
 Systems Limited                                                to land based businesses 
VF 2011 Limited               Alderney             100%        Holds license in Alderney 
                                                                for online gaming and 
                                                                Bingo B2C operations 
PT Turnkey Services          Isle of Man           100%        Holding company of the 
 Limited                                                        Turnkey Services group 
PT Entertenimiento            Bulgaria             100%        Poker & Bingo network 
 Online EAD                                                     for Spain 
PT Marketing Services      British Virgin          100%        Marketing services to 
 Limited                       Islands                          online gaming operators 
PT Operational             British Virgin          100%        Operational & hosting 
 Services Limited              Islands                          services to online gaming 
                                                                operators 
S-Tech Limited             British Virgin          100%        Live games services 
                              Islands &                         to Asia 
                            branch office 
                          in the Philippines 
PT Network Management      British Virgin          100%        Manages the ipoker network 
 Limited                       Islands 
Videobet Interactive           Sweden              100%        Trading company for 
 Sweden AB                                                      the Aristocrat Lotteries 
                                                                VLT's 
V.B. Video (Italia)             Italy              100%        Trading company for 
 S.r.l.                                                         the Aristocrat Lotteries 
                                                                VLT's 
Finalto (IOM)                Isle of Man           100%        Owns the intellectual 
 Limited (ex. Tradetech                                         property rights and 
 Markets Limited)                                               marketing and technology 
                                                                contracts of the financial 
                                                                division 
Safecap Limited                Cyprus              100%        Primary trading company 
                                                                of the Financial division. 
                                                                Licensed investment 
                                                                firm and regulated by 
                                                                Cysec 
TradeFXIL limited              Israel              100%        Financial division sales, 
                                                                client retention, R&D 
                                                                and marketing 
ICCS BG                       Bulgaria             100%        Financial division back 
                                                                office customer support 
Magnasale Limited              Cyprus              100%        Financial division. 
                                                                Licensed and regulated 
                                                                investment firm 
Stronglogic Services           Cyprus              100%        Maintains the financial 
 Limited                                                        division marketing function 
                                                                for EU operations 
Quickspin AB                   Sweden              100%        Owns video slots intellectual 
                                                                property 
Best Gaming Technology         Austria             100%        Trading company for 
 GmbH                                                           sports betting 
Playtech BGT Sports            Cyprus              100%        Owns sports betting 
 Limited                                                        intellectual property 
                                                                solutions and trading 
                                                                company for sports betting 
ECM Systems Ltd                  UK                100%        Owns bingo software 
                                                                intellectual property 
                                                                and bingo hardware 
Consolidated Financial         Denmark             100%        Owns the intellectual 
 Holdings AS                                                    property which provides 
                                                                brokerage services, 
                                                                liquidity and risk management 
                                                                tool 
CFH Clearing Limited             UK                100%        Primary trading company 
                                                                of CFH Group 
Eyecon Limited                Alderney             100%        Develops and provides 
                                                                online gaming slots 
Finalto Trading                  UK                100%        Regulated FCA broker 
 Limited (ex. Tradetech                                         providing trading, risk 
 Alpha Limited)                                                 management and liquidity 
                                                                solutions 
 
 
Rarestone Gaming  Australia  100%  Development company 
 PTY Ltd 
 
 
HPYBET Austria            Austria    100%  Operating shops in Austria 
 GmbH GmbH 
Snaitech SPA               Italy     100%  Italian retail betting 
                                            market and gaming machine 
                                            market 
OU Playtech (Estonia)     Estonia    100%  Designs, develops and 
                                            manufactures online 
                                            software 
Techplay Marketing        Israel     100%  Marketing and advertising 
 Limited 
OU Videobet               Estonia    100%  Develops software for 
                                            fixed odds betting terminals 
                                            and casino machines 
                                            (as opposed to online 
                                            software) 
Playtech Bulgaria        Bulgaria    100%  Designs, develops and 
                                            manufactures online 
                                            software 
PTVB Management         Isle of Man  100%  Management 
 Limited 
Techplay S.A.             Israel     100%  Develops online software 
 Software Limited 
CSMS Limited             Bulgaria    100%  Consulting and online 
                                            technical support, data 
                                            mining processing and 
                                            advertising services 
                                            to parent company 
Mobenga AB Limited        Sweden     100%  Mobile sportsbook betting 
                                            platform developer 
PokerStrategy            Gibraltar   100%  Operates poker community 
 Ltd                                        business 
Snai Rete Italia           Italy     100%  Italian retail betting 
 S.r.l.                                     market 
PT Services UA            Ukraine    100%  Designs, develops and 
 LTD                                        manufactures software 
Trinity Bet Operations     Malta     100%  Retail and Digital Sports 
 Ltd                                        Betting 
Euro live Technologies    Latvia     100%  Global broadcaster providing 
 SIA                                        innovative video stream 
                                            services for users worldwide 
Gaming Technology           UK       100%  Provision of B2B services 
 Solutions Limited                          within Bingo, Virtual 
                                            Sports, Sports Betting 
                                            and Games Development 
 

NOTE 38 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group has exposure to the following risks arising from financial instruments:

   --      Credit risk 
   --      Liquidity risk 
   --      Market risk 

There have been no substantive changes in the Group's exposure to financial instrument risks, its objectives, policies and processes for managing those risks or the methods used to measure them from previous periods unless otherwise stated in this note.

The principal financial instruments of the Group, from which financial instrument risks arises, are as follows:

   --      Trade receivables and other receivables 
   --      Cash and cash equivalents 
   --      Investments in equity securities 
   --      Trade and other payables 
   --      Bonds 
   --      Loans and borrowings 
   --      Deferred and contingent consideration and redemption liability 

Financial instrument by category

The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, including their levels in the fair value hierarchy.

 
                           Measurement    Carrying amount          Fair value 
                             Category 
                                           2020     2019     Level    Level    Level 
                                                               1        2        3 
                                         EUR'000   EUR'000  EUR'000  EUR'000  EUR'000 
Non-current financial assets 
 
Equity securities             FVTPL         3,222    1,130    3,222        -        - 
                            Amortised 
Trade receivables              cost        18,405   13,600        -        -        - 
 
Current financial assets 
 
                            Amortised 
Trade receivables              cost       153,220  192,844        -        -        - 
                            Amortised 
Other receivables              cost        98,344  141,154        -        -        - 
Cash and cash               Amortised 
 equivalents                   cost       683,641  671,540        -        -        - 
 
Non current liabilities 
                            Amortised 
Bonds                          cost       873,129  871,190        -        -        - 
                            Amortised 
Loans and borrowings           cost       308,875   64,396        -        -        - 
                            Amortised 
Lease liability                cost        61,547   65,274        -        -        - 
Contingent consideration 
 and redemption 
 liability                    FVTPL         8,508    2,520        -        -    8,508 
 
Current liabilities 
                            Amortised 
Trade payables                 cost        47,694   62,420        -        -        - 
                            Amortised 
Lease liability                cost        21,019   25,515        -        -        - 
                            Amortised 
Other payables                 cost       147,777  141,861        -        -        - 
Progressive operators' 
 jackpots and               Amortised 
 security deposits             cost       100,211   98,152        -        -        - 
                            Amortised 
Client deposits                cost             -  113,879 
                            Amortised 
Client funds                   cost        28,924  126,309 
Contingent consideration 
 and redemption 
 liability                    FVTPL         1,162   58,605        -        -    1,162 
 

The fair value of the contingent consideration and redemption liability is calculated by discounting the estimated cash flows. The valuation model considers the present value of the expected future payments, discounted using a risk adjusted discount rate.

The carrying amount does not materially differ from the fair value of the financial assets and liabilities.

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group's risk management objectives and policies and, whilst retaining ultimate responsibility for them, it has delegated the authority for designing and operating processes that ensure the effective implementation of the objectives and policies to the Group's finance function. The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group's competitiveness and flexibility.

Further details regarding these policies are set out below:

   A.   Credit risk 

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily trade receivables) and from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions. After the impairment analysis performed at the reporting date, the expected credit losses ("ECL") are EUR2.5 million (2019: EURNil).

Cash and cash equivalents

The Group held cash and cash equivalents of EUR684.3 million as at 31 December 2020 (2019: EUR671.5 million). The cash and cash equivalents are held with bank and financial institution counterparties, which are rated Caa- to AA+, based on Moody's ratings.

Impairment on cash and cash equivalents has been measured on a 12-month expected credit loss basis and reflects the short maturities of the exposures. The Group considers that its cash and cash equivalents have low credit risk based on the external credit ratings of the counterparties. The Group uses a similar approach for assessment of ECLs for cash and cash equivalents to those used for trade receivables. The ECL on cash balances as at 31 December 2020 is EUR0.6 million.

The possible effects of an increase of 0.1% in the ECL rate of cash balances would be an increase in ECL of EUR0.4 million. The possible impact of a decrease of 0.1% in the ECL rate of trade receivables would be a decrease in ECL of EUR0.4 million.

 
                            Total      Financial         Financial 
                                    institutions      institutions 
                                     with A- and   below A- rating 
                                    above rating     and no rating 
                          EUR'000        EUR'000           EUR'000 
Continuing operations 
At 31 December 2020       684,308        340,211           344,097 
At 31 December 2019       671,540        450,464           221,076 
 
Discontinued operations 
At 31 December 2020       376,871        313,093            63,778 
At 31 December 2019         2,646          1,622             1,024 
 

Trade receivables

The Group's exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. However, management also considers the factors that may influence the credit risk of its customer base, including the default risk associated with the industry and country in which customers operate.

As at 31 December 2020, the Group has trade receivables of EUR171.6 million (2019: EUR206.4 million) which is net of an allowance for ECL of EUR1.9 million (2019: Nil).

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables. To measure the ECL, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due. The expected loss rates are calculated based in past default experience and an assessment of the future economic environment. The ECL is calculated with reference to the ageing and risk profile of the balances.

The carrying amounts of financial assets represent the maximum credit exposure.

Set out below is the movement in the allowance for expected credit losses of trade receivables

 
31 December   Total                                      Not past                                       1-2      More than 
2020                                                      due                                           months    2 months 
                                                                                                        overdue   past due 
                                                EUR'000                                        EUR'000  EUR'000                                  EUR'000 
Expected 
 credit loss 
 rate                                              1.1%                                           0.8%     0.9%                                     1.8% 
Gross 
 carrying 
 amount                                         173,504                                         93,441   33,600                                   46,463 
Expected 
credit loss                                     (1,879)                                          (752)    (307)                                    (820) 
Trade 
 receivables 
 - Net                                          171,625                                         92,689   33,293                                   45,643 
 

ECL for the year ended 31 December 2019 was immaterial.

The possible effects of an increase of 0.1% in the ECL rate of trade receivables would be an increase in ECL of EUR0.2 million. The possible impact of a decrease of 0.1% in the ECL rate of trade receivables would be a decrease in ECL of EUR0.2 million.

Impairment losses on trade receivables and contract assets are presented as net impairment losses within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the same line item.

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

 
                                                     2020     2019 
                                                  EUR'000  EUR'000 
Balance 1 January                                  55,528   52,950 
Charged to statement of comprehensive income       12,733    6,293 
Provision acquired through business combination         -      472 
Utilised                                          (6,684)  (4,187) 
Transfer to asset classified as held for 
 sale                                                (55)        - 
Balance 31 December                                61,522   55,528 
 
   B.   Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group's objective when managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when they are due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses of risking damage to the Group's reputation. Please refer to Note 2 for the steps taken by management to reduce liquidity risk of the Group.

The following are the remaining contractual maturities of financial liabilities at the reporting date. The amount are the gross and undiscounted, and include contractual interest payments. Balances due withing 1 year equal their carrying balances as the impact of discounting is not significant.

 
                                                Contractual cash flows 
                             Carrying      Total   Within  1-5 years  More than 
                               amount              1 year               5 years 
                              EUR'000    EUR'000  EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000 
2020 
Trade payables                 47,694     47,694   47,694          -          - 
Progressive and other 
 operators' jackpots          100,211    100,211  100,211          -          - 
Client funds                   28,924     28,924   28,924          -          - 
Contingent consideration 
 and redemption liability       9,670     10,307    1,162      4,077      5,068 
Other payables                160,210    160,210  147,777     12,433          - 
Loans and borrowings          308,875    321,231    6,178    315,053          - 
Bonds                         873,129  1,021,438   34,750    629,250    357,438 
Provisions for risks 
 and charges                   18,077     18,077   18,077          -          - 
Lease liability                82,566     95,861   23,294     55,901     16,666 
                            1,629,356  1,803,953  408,067  1,016,714    379,172 
 
2019 
Trade payables                 62,420     62,420   62,420          -          - 
Progressive and other 
 operators' jackpots           98,152     98,152   98,152          -          - 
Client deposits               113,879    113,879  113,879          -          - 
Client funds                  126,309    126,309  126,309          -          - 
Contingent consideration 
 and redemption liability      61,125     61,175   58,605      2,570          - 
Other payables                156,105    156,105  141,861     14,244          - 
Loans and borrowings           64,602     69,754    1,494     68,260          - 
Bonds                         871,190  1,056,188   34,750    649,125    372,313 
Provisions for risks 
 and charges                   19,508     19,508   19,508          -          - 
Lease liability                90,789    104,919   27,949     45,400     31,570 
                            1,664,079  1,868,409  684,927    779,599    403,883 
 

C . Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equities prices, will affect the Group's income or the value of its holding of financial instruments.

The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters while optimizing the return.

Currency risk

Currency risk is the risk that the value of financial instruments will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates.

Foreign exchange risk arises because the Group has operations located in various parts of the world. However, the functional currency of those operations is the same as the Group's primary currency (Euro) and the Group is not substantially exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates in respect of assets held overseas.

Foreign exchange risk also arises when the Group operations enters into foreign, and when the Group holds cash balances, in currencies denominated in a currency other than the functional currency.

 
                                                             In other 
31 December 2020               In EUR   In USD    In GBP   currencies      Total 
                              EUR'000  EUR'000   EUR'000      EUR'000    EUR'000 
Continuing operations 
Cash and cash equivalents     539,044   43,771    84,938       16,555    684,308 
Client funds                (115,376)        -  (13,754)          (5)  (129,135) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 less client funds            423,668   43,771    71,184       16,550    555,173 
 
 
                                                              In other 
31 December 2020              In EUR     In USD    In GBP   currencies      Total 
                             EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000      EUR'000    EUR'000 
Discontinued operations 
Cash and cash equivalents    105,125    189,090    54,261       28,395    376,871 
Client funds                (68,570)  (179,025)  (11,583)     (21,184)  (280,362) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 less client funds            36,555     10,065    42,678        7,211     96,509 
 
 
                                                               In other 
31 December 2019               In EUR     In USD    In GBP   currencies      Total 
                              EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000      EUR'000    EUR'000 
Continuing operations 
Cash and cash equivalents     321,207    230,249    75,075       45,009    671,540 
Client funds                (118,209)  (167,541)  (23,394)     (29,196)  (338,340) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 less client funds            202,998     62,708    51,681       15,813    333,200 
 
 
                                                          In other 
31 December 2019             In EUR   In USD   In GBP   currencies    Total 
                            EUR'000  EUR'000  EUR'000      EUR'000  EUR'000 
Discontinued operations 
Cash and cash equivalents     1,203      977      459            7    2,646 
Client funds                      -        -        -            -        - 
Cash and cash equivalents 
 less client funds            1,203      977      459            7    2,646 
 

The Group's policy is not to enter into any currency hedging transactions.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. The Group's exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group's long-term debt obligations with floating interest rates. The Group manages its interest rate risk by having a balanced portfolio of fixed and variable rate loans and borrowings. At 31 December 2020, approximately 26% of the Group's borrowings are at a fixed rate of interest (2019: 7%).

Any reasonably possible change to the interest rate would have an immaterial effect on the interest payable.

Equity price risk

The Group is exposed to market risk by way of holding some investments in other companies on a short term basis. Variations in market value over the life of these investments will have an immaterial impact on the balance sheet and the statement of comprehensive income.

NOTE 39 - RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT OF LIABILITIES TO CASH FLOWS ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 
                                                               Non-cash items 
                                At 1 January    Financing   Acquisition     Other  At 31 December 
                                        2020   cash flows       through   changes            2020 
                                                               business 
                                                            combination 
                                     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000   EUR'000         EUR'000 
Loans and borrowings 
 (Note 26)                            64,813      240,624             -     3,786         309,223 
2018 Bond (Note 27)                  529,378     (19,875)             -    21,249         530,752 
2019 Bond (Note 27)                  350,884     (14,875)             -    15,495         351,504 
Deferred and contingent 
 consideration and redemption 
 liability                            61,125     (63,720)         2,493     9,772           9,670 
Lease liability                       90,789     (27,386)           160    24,784          88,347 
Total liabilities                  1,096,989      114,768         2,653    75,086       1,289,496 
 
 
                                                               Non-cash items 
                                At 1 January    Financing   Acquisition     Other  At 31 December 
                                        2019   cash flows       through   changes            2019 
                                                               business 
                                                            combination 
                                     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000   EUR'000         EUR'000 
Loans and borrowings 
 (Note 26)                               695       63,196             -       922          64,813 
Convertible bond (Note 
 27)                                 287,323    (298,485)             -    11,162               - 
2018 Bond (Note 27)                  528,062     (19,875)             -    21,191         529,378 
2019 Bond (Note 27)                        -      338,235             -    12,649         350,884 
Deferred and contingent 
 consideration and redemption 
 liability                           158,839     (48,071)        16,050  (65,693)          61,125 
Lease liability                            -     (27,230)         4,170   113,849          90,789 
Total liabilities                    974,919        7,770        20,220    94,080       1,096,989 
 
 

Loans and borrowings and bonds include the principal and interest payable which is part of the other payables.

NOTE 40 - CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISION FOR RISKS AND CHARGES

As part of the Board's ongoing compliance processes, it continues to monitor legal and regulatory developments and their potential impact on the Group, i ncluding, where appropriate, taking specific expert advice.

The Group is involved in proceedings before civil and administrative courts, and other legal or potential legal actions related to its business, including certain matters related to previous acquisitions. Based on the information currently available, and taking into consideration the existing provisions for risks, the Group currently considers that such proceedings and potential actions will not result in an adverse effect upon the financial statements; however where this is not considered to be remote, they have been disclosed as contingent liabilities.

All the matters were subject to a review and estimate by the Board of Directors based on the information available at the date of preparation of these financial statements and, where appropriate, supported by updated legal opinions from independent professionals.

For a certain potential claim relating to a previous acquisition where no proceedings have commenced, the Group has a reasonable expectation based on the facts and circumstances (including having considered independent legal advice) that no liability will arise; should a liability arise (which may be offset by a reimbursement) it is currently not possible to accurately estimate this. In addition there can be no certainty as to the timing of any such liability arising, and this has therefore been disclosed as a contingent liability. The potential reimbursement has not been recognised as a contingent asset.

The Group is subject to corporate income tax in jurisdictions in which its companies are incorporated and registered, as well as gaming taxes in certain licensed territories. Judgment is required to interpret international tax laws relating to ecommerce in order to identify and value provisions in relation to corporate income taxes. The principal risks relating to the Group's tax liabilities, and the sustainability of the underlying effective tax rate, arise from domestic and international tax laws and practices in the e-commerce environment which continues to evolve, including the corporate tax rates in jurisdictions where the Group has significant assets or people presence.

The Group is basing its tax provisions and gaming taxes on current (and enacted but not yet implemented) tax rules and practices, together with advice received, where necessary, from professional advisers, and believes that its accruals for tax liabilities are adequate for all open enquiry years based on its assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law. The Group constantly monitors changes in legislation and updates its tax liabilities accordingly. However, due to different interpretations and evolving practice there is a risk that additional liabilities could arise.

Management is not aware of any other contingencies that may have a significant impact on the financial position of the Group.

NOTE 41 - EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING DATE

As disclosed in Note 24, on 11 January 2021, the Group entered into an agreement for the partial disposal of Casual and Social Gaming Business of "Yoyo" for a total consideration of $9.5 million resulting in an estimated profit of EUR7.6 million .

As disclosed in Note 13, the Group implemented a restructuring in January 2021, which resulted in Playtech plc migrating its tax residency to the United Kingdom and the Group's key operating entity transferring its business to a UK company.

On 25 February 2021, the Company transferred 7,028,339 (2.35%) ordinary shares of no par value that were held by the Company in treasury to the Company's Employee Benefit Trust of which Nedgroup Trust (Jersey) Limited is the trustee. The purpose of the transfer was to fund certain scheduled awards, which are due to vest under certain of the Company's employee share schemes. The transfer price was nil. As a result of the above, the total number of Playtech shares held in Treasury is 2,937,550 (0.96%), the total number of ordinary shares in issue remains the same at 309,294,243 and the total number of voting rights in the Company is 306,356,693 which is the number which may be used by the shareholders as the denominator for calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interests in, the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

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March 11, 2021 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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