TIDMWEB
RNS Number : 9883X
Webis Holdings PLC
28 February 2017
For immediate release 28 February 2017
Webis Holdings plc
("Webis" or "the Group")
Interim Report and Financial Statements
for the period ended 30 November 2016 ("The Report")
Webis Holdings plc, the global gaming group, today announces its
interim results for the period ended 30 November 2016, extracts
from which are set out below.
The Report is available on the Company's website
www.webisholdingsplc.com and at the Group's registered office:
Viking House, Nelson Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2AH
For further information:
Webis Holdings plc Tel: 01624 639396
Denham Eke
Beaumont Cornish Limited Tel: 020 7628 3396
Roland Cornish/James Biddle
S
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
This period reflects the performance of our principal
subsidiary, WatchandWager.com Limited ("WatchandWager"), which
operates a fully licensed global pari-mutuel business and also
manages a racetrack facility within the USA.
I am pleased to report further significant growth for
WatchandWager compared to the same period in the previous financial
year. We have seen a substantial increase in turnover during the
period, and more importantly an improvement in gross profit,
resulting in a further reduction in the losses incurred by
WatchandWager which were reported in the Financial Year 2015/16.
This growth reduced the loss for the period to US$ 0.22 million
(2015: loss of US$ 0.72 million).
Half Year Results Review
Group turnover increased by 118.2% to US$ 148.08 million (2015:
US$ 67.88 million) with Group gross profit increasing by 44.8% to
US$ 2.07 million (2015: US$ 1.43 million). The increases in
turnover were due both to growth in our business to consumer
sector, notably the watchandwager.com website and mobile product,
and business trading activity in international markets.
Operating expenses were US$ 2.26 million (2015: US$ 2.12
million) reflecting our investment in our USA operations in
Lexington, Kentucky as previously reported. These operational costs
have largely stabilised into the second half of the year. In
addition, one-off reorganizational costs were minimal, as the
relocation and establishment of operations in the United States is
now deemed complete.
The Board are encouraged by these results, which show a further
marked improvement in trading from our USA operations. The increase
in turnover further cements WatchandWagers' position as a credible
provider within those USA markets in which it operates, and places
the business in the Top Six (ranked by turnover) of licensed USA
operators. Most importantly, the increase in gross profit
demonstrate the effectiveness of our marketing tactics which
delivered good levels of growth. However, the sector is
increasingly competitive with high volumes but low gross margins
becoming the norm. Notwithstanding, the improvement in gross profit
is a positive indicator and building on that success remains the
major focus for the second half of the year and beyond.
In respect of the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial
Position, our net assets have decreased to US$ 1.72 million (year
end 31 May 2016: US$ 1.93 million). Total cash balances stand at
US$ 10.74 million (year end 31 May 2016: US$ 6.45 million).
WatchandWager Advanced Deposit Wagering ("ADW")
Business-to-Consumer sector - through the watchandwager.com
website, mobile product and Call Centre, continued to grow during
the period. Our Lexington sales, marketing and customer service
teams remain focused on developing these areas. The principle
emphasis remains on providing good value through targeted
promotions and bonuses. In addition, we have seen further increases
in deposit levels from USA players during the period. We heavily
promoted the website/mobile product in the lead up to the Breeders'
Cup in early November. The bonusing and promotional costs were
rewarded with a record number of active players on our website and
mobile platforms on Breeders' Cup day itself on 3 November 2016. We
derive an enhanced margin from Business-to-Consumer play and
developing this business is a major factor in our strategy going
forward which will increasingly focuses on this sector.
Business Trading sector - the provision of wagering services to
high-roller player groups, made a significant contribution to our
turnover during the period, primarily due to an increase in high
volume wagering into international jurisdictions, particularly from
wagering activity into Hong Kong Jockey Club ("HKJC") pools, who
raced more frequently during the period. In addition, there were
significant increases into French PMU pools, together with other
international activity into domestic USA, Australian, UK and Irish
pools. Most importantly, we experienced a good spread of activity
over a wider variety of world-wide racetracks from an increased
trading database. This is significant as we become less reliant on
one particular content provider or group of players, which is
important in what can be a volatile business sector.
Cal Expo
In October, WatchandWager re-commenced harness racing at the Cal
Expo racetrack in Sacramento for the fifth successive season. Our
efforts at horse recruitment over the summer period were successful
and we started the season with over 300 plus heads of horse in the
barns. Against that, initial wagering on the first two months of
the new season have been a little below expectation as a result of
the unexpectedly poor weather in the Sacramento area. We incurred
some significant pre-season expenses, both in horse recruitment,
purse payments and operational costs at the track. These have
resulted in a loss for the track operation over the period, but we
expect to return to profitability during the remainder of the meet,
finishing in early May 2017.
Summary and Outlook
The Board is pleased to report a further positive performance
during the start of the second half, with record levels of turnover
and some improvements in margin and cost reductions.
Business-to-Consumer sector - encouragingly, this area has
continued to trade well during a traditionally quiet period of the
winter. We are also heavily involved in two key projects: firstly,
the relaunch of a new and improved website/mobile platform, with
the first stage scheduled to launch in April 2017 and the second
stage completed in the summer 2017; and the relaunch of our Player
Management System, again scheduled for April 2017. Both these key
initiatives are expected to provide a better wagering product for
our users, together with enhanced customer service. Once these two
projects are completed, our next key marketing campaign will begin
in the summer of 2017.
The renewal and expansion of key US licenses is central to the
development of our Business-to-Consumer strategy. We have renewed
key licenses in North Dakota and California, plus several State
licences. In addition, we were approved and opened our Kentucky
license in December 2016. We are also working on a number of
additional applications where the cost benefit merits. At present,
we are licenced in the following US states: California, North
Dakota, Maryland, Minnesota, Kentucky and Washington; as well as
having international licences: principally in Hong Kong, United
Kingdom, Australia, France, and Canada. The majority of these
licences now require to be supported by cash-backed Bonding
Agreements. As a result, we secured a term loan of US$ 500,000 on
24 February 2017 from our majority shareholder in support of
further licence acquisition. This loan carries a coupon 7.75% for a
term of five years and is secured against the unencumbered assets
of Webis. Together with the proceeds of the new loan, Webis now
holds approximately US$ 2.5 million of its own cash held for
security deposits.
Business Trading sector - growth in turnover continues through
high volume wagering into international markets. We now have a
better spread of player and player groups. That said, this sector
does remain volatile as it is essentially a relationship business,
managing content providers, many of whom are State owned or
operated. Relationships with player groups also require careful
management. As a result of this, the Board is aware of the need to
spread its risk as much as possible, through recruitment of new
players, new content and/or negotiating better rates on existing
arrangements with suppliers. As a result, we are planning to
establish a higher profile at industry events in 2017 with a
concerted sales/business development message. We anticipate that
this will open new windows of opportunity in this area.
Cal Expo - racing operations have continued but the handle
derived from operations in the period has continued to be below
expectations following a period of very poor weather, which has
reduced attendance, hence wagering and increased some operational
costs. The team remain focused on returning to profitability by the
end of May 2017.
The Board continues to monitor developments in the progress on
Federal and State USA online gaming legislation, but progress has
been especially slow as might be expected during the Election year.
We anticipate that progress will speed up in 2017, but that State
by State developments are more likely than Federal changes in
2017.
The Board is very aware that consolidation and the increasing
benefits of economies of scale are the watchwords of the online
gambling market. In addition, such consolidation could be
beneficial to the WatchandWager business, which has demonstrated
significant growth but operates under a heavier burden of fixed
costs in proportion to its larger competitors. The Board is also
aware that its USA licences, together with its established
operations and business relationships, are a significant asset to
any business, notwithstanding the improved financial performance.
As a result, the Board continues to assess all strategic
opportunities for the Group's future for the benefit of
shareholders.
Denham Eke, Non-executive Chairman
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the period ended 30 November 2016
Period
Period to 30
to 30 November
November 2015
2016 (unaudited) (unaudited)
Note US$000 US$000
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Continuing operations
Turnover 2 148,077 67,877
Cost of sales (145,688) (66,312)
Betting duty paid (320) (136)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Gross profit 2,069 1,429
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Operating costs (2,257) (2,124)
Operating loss (188) (695)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Other (losses)/gains - net (26) 3
Share based costs (1) -
Finance income - -
Finance costs - (23)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Finance income/(costs) - net 3 - (23)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Loss before income tax (215) (715)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Income tax expense 4 - -
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Loss for the period (215) (715)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Other comprehensive income for the period - -
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Total comprehensive income for the period (215) (715)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Basic and diluted earnings per share
for loss attributable to the equity
holders of the Company during the period
(cents) 5 (0.05) (0.18)
------------------------------------------ ----- ------------------ --------------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 November 2016
As at Year to
30 November 31 May
2016 2016
(unaudited) (audited)
Note US$000 US$000
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 6 127 113
Property, equipment
and motor vehicles 138 160
Bonds and deposits 104 105
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Total non-current
assets 369 378
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Current assets
Bonds and deposits 2,442 2,499
Trade and other receivables 8,439 2,671
Cash and cash equivalents 7 10,743 6,445
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Total current assets 21,624 11,615
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Total assets 21,993 11,993
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Equity
Called up share capital 6,334 6,334
Share option reserve 1 -
Retained losses (4,617) (4,402)
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Total equity 1,718 1,932
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 20,275 10,061
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Total current liabilities 20,275 10,061
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Total liabilities 20,275 10,061
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Total equity and liabilities 21,993 11,993
----------------------------- ----- -------------- ------------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period ended 30 November 2016
Foreign
Called Share currency
up share Share option translation Retained Total
capital premium reserve reserve earnings equity
US$000 US$000 US$000 US$000 US$000 US$000
Balance as at 31
May 2015 (audited) 6,334 - - - (3,160) 3,174
Total comprehensive
income for the period:
Loss for the period - - - - (715) (715)
Balance as at 30
November 2015 (unaudited) 6,334 - - - (3,875) 2,459
--------------------------- ---------- --------- --------- ------------ ---------- --------
Balance as at 31
May 2016 (audited) 6,334 ---(4,402) 1,932
Total comprehensive
income for the period:
Loss for the period - --- (215) (215)
Transactions with
owners:
Share-based payment
expense - -1- - 1
Balance as at 30
November 2016 (unaudited) 6,334 -1-(4,617) 1,718
--------------------------- ----- ------- -----
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the period ended 30 November 2016
Period Period
to to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
US$000 US$000
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before income tax (215) (715)
Adjustments for:
* Depreciation of property, equipment and motor
vehicles 35 29
* Amortisation of intangible assets 31 57
* Finance (income)/costs - net - 23
* Foreign exchange movements on revaluation 172 12
Changes in working capital:
* Increase in receivables (5,768) (356)
* Increase in payables 10,214 2,844
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Cash flows from operations 4,469 1,894
Finance income - -
Bonds and deposits utilised in the course
of operations 58 38
Net cash generated from operating activities 4,527 1,932
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets (48) (19)
Purchase of property, equipment and motor
vehicles (18) (115)
Net cash used in investing activities (66) (134)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest and charges paid - (23)
Net cash used in financing activities - (23)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,461 1,775
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of year 6,445 6,103
Exchange losses on cash and cash equivalents (163) (12)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 10,743 7,866
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial
Statements
For the period ended 30 November 2016
1 Significant accounting policies
The accounting policies applied by the Group in these
consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those
applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at
and for the year ended 31 May 2016.
Functional and presentational currency
These financial statements are presented in US Dollars which is
the Group's primary functional currency and its presentational
currency. Financial information presented in US Dollars has been
rounded to the nearest thousand. All continued operations of the
Group have US Dollars as their functional currency.
Going Concern
The Group has experienced a continued tightening of margins, but
has increased revenues significantly, while controlling operating
costs as much as possible. This has resulted in significantly
reduced losses being incurred. Achieving economies of scale and
controlling costs are key priorities for the Group in achieving its
goal of profitability and maintaining adequate liquidity in order
to continue its operations. The Directors continue to assess all
strategic options in this regard, albeit that the ultimate success
of strategies adopted is difficult to predict. Notwithstanding the
losses incurred, the Directors have prepared projected cash flow
information for the next 12 months and believe that the Group has
adequate resources to meet its obligations as they fall due.
Accordingly, the Directors consider that it is appropriate that the
financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis.
2 Segmental analysis
Period Period
to to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
US$000 US$000
------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Turnover
Pari-mutuel and Racetrack Operations Asia Pacific 113,787 18,913
United
States 28,912 45,476
Europe 4,519 2,665
British
Isles 767 758
Rest of
the World 92 65
148,077 67,877
--------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Total comprehensive income
Pari-mutuel and Racetrack Operations (229) (625)
Group 14 (90)
---------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
(215) (715)
--------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
30 November 31 May
2016 2016
(unaudited) (audited)
US$000 US$000
Net assets
Pari-mutuel and Racetrack Operations 614 843
Group 1,104 1,089
--------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
1,718 1,932
------------- ---------------
3 Finance income/(costs) - net
Period Period
to to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
US$000 US$000
------------------------ ------------ ------------
Bank interest receivable - -
------------------------ ------------ ------------
Finance income - -
------------------------ ------------ ------------
Bank interest payable - -
Bank charges payable -(23)
----------------------------- ----
Finance costs -(23)
----------------------------- ----
Finance income/(costs) - net -(23)
----------------------------- ----
4 Income tax expense
Period to Period
to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
US$000 US$000
-------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Losses before tax (215) (715)
Tax charge at IOM standard rate (0%) - -
Adjusted for:
Tax credit for US tax losses (at 15%) (58) (112)
Add back deferred tax losses not recognised 58 112
-------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Tax charge for the period - -
-------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
5 Earnings per ordinary share
A. Basic earnings per share
(i) Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (basic)
The calculation of the basic earnings per share is based on the
earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the
weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.
Period Period
to to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
US$000 US$000
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Loss for the period, attributable to the
owners of the Company (215) (715)
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (215) (715)
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
A. Basic earnings per share continued
(ii) Weighted-average number of ordinary shares (basic)
Period Period
to to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Issued ordinary shares at 1 June 393,338,310 393,338,310
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares
at 30 November 393,338,310 393,338,310
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
B. Diluted earnings per share
(i) Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders (diluted)
The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the
basic earnings per share, adjusted to allow for the issue of
shares, on the assumed conversion of all dilutive share
options.
Period Period
to to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
US$000 US$000
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Loss for the period, attributable to the
owners of the Company (basic) (215) (715)
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders
(diluted) (215) (715)
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
(ii) Weighted-average number of ordinary shares (diluted)
Period Period
to to
30 November 30 November
2016 2015
(unaudited) (unaudited)
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares
(basic) 393,338,310 393,338,310
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares
(diluted) at 30 November 393,338,310 393,338,310
------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
At 30 November 2016, 14,000,000 share options (2015: nil) were
excluded from the diluted weighted-average number of ordinary
shares calculation because their effect would have been
anti-dilutive.
The average market value of the Company's shares for the purpose
of calculating the dilutive effect of share options was based on
quoted market prices for the period during which the options were
outstanding.
6 Intangible assets
Intangible assets include goodwill which relates to the
acquisition of the pari-mutuel business which is both a cash
generating unit and a reportable segment, including goodwill
arising on the acquisition in 2010 of WatchandWager.com LLC, a US
registered entity licenced for pari-mutuel wagering in North
Dakota.
The Group tests intangible assets annually for impairment, or
more frequently if there are indicators that the intangible assets
may be impaired. The goodwill balance was fully impaired in the
financial year ended 31 May 2015.
7 Cash and cash equivalents
30 November 31 May
2016 2016
(unaudited) (audited)
US$000 US$000
-------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents - company
and other funds 9,875 5,538
Cash and cash equivalents - protected
player funds 868 907
Total cash and cash equivalents 10,743 6,445
-------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
The Group holds funds for operational requirements and for its
non-Isle of Man customers, shown as 'company and other funds' and
on behalf of its Isle of Man regulated customers, shown as
'protected player funds'.
Protected player funds are held in fully protected client
accounts within an Isle of Man regulated bank.
8 Related party transactions
Identity of related parties
The Group has a related party relationship with its
subsidiaries, and with its directors and executive officers and
with Burnbrae Ltd (common directors and significant
shareholder).
Transactions with and between subsidiaries
Transactions with and between the subsidiaries in the Group
which have been eliminated on consolidation are considered to be
related party transactions.
Transactions with entities with significant influence over the
Group
Rental and service charges of US$ 22,757 (2015: US$ 28,562) and
directors' fees of US$ 24,292 (2015: US$ 25,090) were charged in
the period by Burnbrae Ltd of which Denham Eke and Nigel Caine are
common directors.
Transactions with other related parties
There were no transactions with other related parties during the
period.
9 Events after the Balance Sheet Date
On 24 February 2017, the Group secured a term loan from a
related party, Galloway Limited, for US$ 500,000. The loan attracts
a coupon of 7.75 per cent for a term of five years and secured on
the unencumbered assets of the Group.
10 Approval of interim statements
The interim statements were approved by the Board on 27 February
2017. The interim report is expected to be available for
shareholders on 28 February 2017 and will be available from that
date on the Group's website www.webisholdingsplc.com.
The Group's nominated adviser and broker is Beaumont Cornish
Limited, 2nd Floor, Bowman House, 29 Wilson Street, London EC2M
2SJ.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR MMGZZRNFGNZM
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