SUPERB RESULTS

REG - Optimal Payments PLC - Interim Results19 Sep 2012 - 07:01

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on the link below: http://pdf.reuters.com/Regnews/regnews.asp?i=43059c3bf0e37541&u=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20120919:nRSS5828Ma RNS Number : 5828M Optimal Payments PLC 19 September 2012 Optimal Payments Plc Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2012 Strong first half growth, on track to exceed full year market expectations Optimal Payments Plc (LSE: OPAY) ("Optimal Payments", the "Group" or the "Company"), a leading online payments provider, today announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2012. Highlights · EBITDA(1) up 76% to $11.2m (H1 2011: $6.4m). · Revenues up 37% to $78.9m (H1 2011: $57.4m). Fixed costs marginally down following headcount reduction in Q1. · Profit before tax $1.7m (H1 2011: loss of $4.1m). · Strong organic growth from NETBANX Straight Through Processing division ("STP"), up 68% to $61.9m (H1 2011: $36.9m) with continued strength and growth in Asia. · NETELLER Stored Value ("SV") revenues down to $16.2m (2011:$18.0m(2)) principally as a result of the fallout from Black Friday(3) in H1 2011. § Initiatives undertaken in H1 have produced improved results in second half to date. Major investment in NETELLER SV platform now complete and cost base aligned. § US online gaming opportunity taking shape. · Strong demand from existing customers and from new customers won during the first half including Ford Credit, Hockey Canada and Rona. Commercial agreement signed with Lotus F1 Team. · Strong H1 revenue exit run rate positions the Company for further growth in second half and on track to exceed the market consensus full year expectations. Financial summary (unaudited) Six months ended 30 June 2012 2011(5) US$ million US$ million Revenue Straight Through Processing (NETBANX bureau & gateway services) 61.9 36.9 Stored Value (NETELLER eWallet & Net+ cards) 16.2 18.0 Stored Value - discontinued revenues (4) - 2.1 Investment income 0.7 0.4 Total Revenue 78.9 57.4 EBITDA (1) 11.2 6.4 Profit/(loss) before tax 1.7 (4.1) Tax (charge)/recovery (6) (2012 charge relates to 2004/5 period) (2.5) 0.5 Net loss for the period (0.8) (3.6) (1) EBITDA is defined as results of operating activities before depreciation and amortisation and exceptional non-recurring items which are defined as items of income and expense of such size, nature or incidence, that in the view of management their disclosure is relevant to explain the performance of the Group. (2) Excluding discontinued revenues - see note 4. (3) "Black Friday" refers to the regulatory action taken in April 2011 against certain major poker operators which resulted in many players ceasing to play poker worldwide. (4) Discontinued revenues were derived from e-money expiry which is now subject to different rules under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. (5) 2011 comparables include only 5 months of revenues and costs from the OP Inc business acquired on 1 February 2011. (6) Tax charge in the period relates to expected reassessment of 2004/5 Canadian taxes following a review by the Canadian Revenue Agency which commenced in 2005. The Board has made a full provision for the amount it believes it is likely to be required to pay in respect of withholding taxes and interest. See note 17 in the Financial Statements for more detail. Commenting on today's results announcement, Joel Leonoff, President & CEO, said: The combination of NETELLER and OP Inc. has produced a multi-faceted payment product offering and positioned the emerged business Optimal Payments Plc to benefit from a rapidly evolving online payment market. Our efforts have resulted in a fully integrated and right-sized business with an efficient cost base. Our operationally geared business model, continued focus on product development and R&D, along with our strong presence in the internet payment market have combined to produce significant organic revenue and EBITDA growth. Our H1 results and strong foundation position the Company well for further growth in H2. The online payment industry continues to consolidate and the Group should benefit from the expected significant growth in both the online and mobile commerce markets. We see substantial opportunities to provide innovative solutions to merchants and consumers in both the NETELLER eWallet and NETBANX

Correct perhaps I should bb. Did not think this was going to happen.

Some good news for a change.........

Online Poker Bill Proposed in New York State
by SADONNA PRICE on MARCH 31, 2014


Since 2014 began, all eyes have been on the online gambling market in the United States. Lists have been made as to which states are most likely to join Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware by offering online poker or casino gaming, and we all have wondered ‘who will be next?’ Hot off the introduction of a federal bill to make online gambling illegal, the state of New York has now seen a proposal for not only online poker but intrastate options as well.

Just after Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Jason Chaffetz introduced a federal bill to restore the Wire Act of 1961, New York State Senator John Bonacic unveils a new bill, S 6913. This new bill looks to regulate intrastate poker online for anyone located inside the state. The Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering are now looking over the bill, in which Bonacic is the chairman.

The new bill proposes that New York begin to offer online poker in both cash and tournament form. Ten online poker licenses would be up for grabs that are good for a decade time span. The fee to obtain a license would be $10 million. Those who obtain a license would see a tax rate of 15% of the gross gaming revenues.

A bad actor clause is included which states that any person or asset that was involved in taking any wagers, poker included, from the United States after December 31st of 2006 seems to be disqualified from gaining a license. According to the new proposal, allowing an operator who took wagers after the UIGEA was enforced would create an unfair competition with those who respected both the federal and state laws. The new bill also includes a compact option so that the state can share player liquidity with other states in the US.

According to the Poker Player’s Alliance Executive Director, John Pappas, the new legislation has been in the works for some time. Pappas stated to OnlinePokerReport that he met with legislative leaders of New York last year and they had expressed a deep interest in regulating online poker. State leaders did not want to be left behind in the new market.

Can I expect a rise tomorrow then?? A pity they did not ban people from getting so fat that they cannot walk - only been to the states once and never seen such sights, nearly made me sick watching some of them eat. Thanks gf. Lets hope a load of do do over nothing. mmmmm!!!!

i've never understood the allure on on-line gambling .... seems to me that there are loads of professional poker players just waiting in the wings for pigeons to alight
anyway, fwiw, here's a more easily read chart .....

Thats more like it a return to form.

In lay persons terms gf what did the last rns actually mean - loan pledge etc.?

The guys borrowed some money from the company for a private purchase, but its underwritten. Should be no probs.

if you believe that you'll believe anything 3m.........lol

Don't know what to think or what to believe anymore - on here and life in general. One hell of a lot of money for an underwritten private purchase - I will see what tomorrow brings

Any ideas on why such a big fall today?

3 just look at the general market !

Some very good news out on 16th which is obviously today on Optimal Payments News and Press release.

Optimal payments and Caesars Interactive Expand Partnership for Payment Processing Service. Too much for me to write but we should expect a report on it tomorrow. We or should I say, I will wait and see.

I can't believe they have not put the news release on here this morning - it was definitely on the Corporate Governance/Optimal Payments Media Section and still is. Strange one.

Something happening - hopefully some good news on the way.

28 Apr Barclays... 525.00 Overweight

Saw that but I don't know in share terms what overweight means.

I hope you are keeping well 3m and hope you had good easter. Bloody videos, I'm typing away and only half the word appears. I must not swear. :-))

Overweight-

An analyst's opinion regarding the future performance of a security. Overweight will usually signify that the security is expected to outperform either its industry, sector or, even, the market altogether.

DC

Easter came and went, I am okayish just have terrible mood swings and don't sleep very well - all the medication I suppose but hey ho! I trust you are fine and dandy dc.

Thanks for the explanation as I did not have a clue but thought by the price that it must be good. A lot bought this today so I just keep everything crossed. I still cannot work out why what I read on their website has not been published. Can I be that lucky? Take care.

Worth reading even more time to re-enter????

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/10853096/Optimal-Payments-to-borrow-for-120m-deal.html

Sounds promising gf. I will hold for now.