888 Holdings plc
14 September 2006

888 Holdings Public Limited Company

('888' or the 'Company')


Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2006





888, one of the world's most popular online gaming entertainment companies,
announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2006.


Financial Highlights


Profit before tax* up 88% to $48.0m (H1 2005: $25.6m)
Net Gaming Revenues ('NGR') up 32% to $163.5m (H1 2005: $123.7m)
Profit before tax* margin up to 29% (H1 2005: 21%)
Operating expenses % of NGR down to 25.6% (H1 2005: 28.0%)
Cost per acquisition** of US$165 (H1 2005: US$200)
Net cash generated from operating activities up 109% to $56.1m (H1 2005:
$26.8m)
Basic EPS* up 89% to 13.8c (H1 2005: 7.3c)
Interim dividend of 4.5c per share
Special dividend of 4.0c per share


* 2006 - excluding share benefit charges


** Excluding customers recruited on a revenue share basis.


Operational Highlights


Geographical expansion outside US - 48% of NGR from non-US territories
and 67% of new real money sign ups from non-US territories


Rapid growth in NGR in the UK up 61% and Continental Europe up 16%


Increased yields per member from Casino and Poker divisions


Continued technological innovation


Continued investment in the 888 brand through sports sponsorships
including two new football sponsorships with Sevilla FC and Toulouse FC in
addition to the World Snooker Championship and a third year with
Middlesbrough FC


Commenting, John Anderson, CEO of 888 said:


'These are excellent results and represent a record performance of profitable
growth. We have delivered on all our flotation goals.


Trading during the first 10 weeks of Q3 is in line with management expectations
and we are on track to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the full year.

As of 31 December 2006, I shall step down as CEO and take the role of
non-executive Director. The current COO, Gigi Levy will succeed me as CEO.
Gigi is an excellent, experienced individual who is more than capable of taking
on this challenge.

I am proud to have led 888, since 2000, through its formative years into the
success it is today. Over the past six years, 888 has been a pioneer in the
online gaming industry.'



An audio replay of the presentation to analysts will be available from the
investor relations section of 888's website (
http://www.888holdingsplc.com

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming group 888 Holdings reported revenue of $97m in the fourth quarter to end-December (Q4 2011: US$91m), an increase of 7% year on year.

Revenue B2C was $86m (Q4 2011: $79m), an increase of 9% year on year.

Revenue B2C Casino was $44m (Q4 2011: $42m), an increase of 6% year on year.

Revenue B2C Poker was $24m (Q4 2011: $19m), an increase of 31% year on year driven by successful marketing efforts.

Group revenue for the full year 2012 was $376m (2011: $331m), an increase of 13% year on year.

Number of active customers B2C Casino and Poker stood at 520,000 (Q4 2011: 478,000), a 9% increase year on year.

As at 31st December 2012, 888 had 13.1 million Casino, Poker and Sport real money registered customer accounts, representing an increase of 23% since 31 December 2011.

Brian Mattingley, CEO, said: 'The quarter ended an excellent year of performance for 888, as we achieved record revenues in both the quarter and the year as a whole. This success was driven by our core Casino and Poker offerings, as well as our activities in newly regulated markets.

'Our success in Spain and Italy shows that we have the right product and technology led marketing to make significant inroads into new markets, and we will look to repeat that success in other regulating territories.

'In addition we are experiencing a significant increase in customer recruitment and revenue from mobile platforms and, given our focus and commitment to investment in mobile, see this is as just the beginning of an increasing trend. 2013 has started strongly and we therefore remain confident of future growth.'

The starting pistol has been fired on a new US goldrush This time in online casino gaming, especially poker. Until now it has been illegal, and Americans have watched foreign markets storming ahead with it over the past 5 years. Within the past 24 hours Nevada voted yes, beating New Jersey to the punch. Delaware already said yes. Other US states are now drawing up bills to vote in the coming days, weeks and months. It is a expected to create a multi-billion dollar industry in which states can rake in money by issuing licences and collecting an ongoing percentage from players and providers. Stockmarket companies providing the platforms and other related software have seen their share prices rise strongly on the news and in anticipation of floodgates being opened. 888 is one of the UK-listed companies likely to benefit. So is Playtech (PTEC)

Nevarda article

Steady buying ahead of results due on 13th March

Morgan Stanley bet that both outfits will be “the winners here”, and its analysts upped their share-price target for Bwin.Party
27th Feb
- See more at: http://www.directorstalk.com/#sthash.w6kFN8lG.dpuf

Nevada Gaming Control Board Recommendation of License

888, one of the world's most popular online gaming entertainment and solution providers, announces that the Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended to the Nevada Gaming Commission the approval of the licensing of 888 as an Interactive Gaming Service Provider and in connection therewith the licensing of its key executives and controlling shareholders.

The Commission hearing will be held on 21 March 2013

( 888 has a software licensing agreement with Caesars.)

sp tanking ahead of next weeks results?

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming company 888 has announced today that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with US investment firm Avenue Capital Group.

The object is to launch and operate a comprehensive B2C gaming offering in the US market upon regulation.

The newly formed company, incorporated in Delaware, called All American Poker Network (AAPN), will launch 888's brands into the US market using 888's leading gaming platform immediately as either Federal or state based regulation is finalised and upon licensing by gaming authorities.

Additionally, 888 announces an agreement with Treasure Island, one of the most prestigious and well renowned Las Vegas operators, for the launch of online poker in Nevada through AAPN.

This deal will see AAPN provide 888's award-winning poker and back office platform to Treasure Island for the launch of an online poker proposition, once the appropriate license is in place.

As announced on 7th March, 888 became the first non-US operator recommended by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to the Nevada Gaming Commission for the approval of licensing as an Interactive Gaming Service Provider. Receipt of this licence will allow AAPN to launch the real money 888poker brand in Nevada as the first step, once all certifications are in place, expected later this year.

This deal follows 888's partnerships with Caesars Interactive Entertainment and WMS, signed last year.

Avenue Capital Group has other interests in various terrestrial casinos and entertainment companies, making them an ideal partner for 888.

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming group 888 Holdings said today revenue increased 13% to $376m in the year to end-December. Adjusted EBITDA increased 20% to $67m.

B2C Revenue increased 16% to $330m (2011: $284m).

Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 17.8% (2011: 16.8%).

A final dividend is reinstated at 4.5 cents per ordinary share per the group's payout ratio, and due to strong performance the Board has sanctioned an additional one-off dividend of 2.0 cents per share, bringing the total dividend per share for the year to 9.0 cents per share.

As at 31st December 2012, 888 had 13.1 million Casino, Poker and Sport real money registered customer accounts, representing an increase of 23% since 31 December 2011

Operational Highlights
· Significant market share built in Spain following award of Spanish eGaming Licence in June 2012

· In January extended relationship with Caesars to power a number of their poker brands including the "WSOP" into the US, once regulated

· Strategic agreement signed with WMS in July 2012, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of games, gaming content and gaming machines in the United States, enabling WMS to offer an online product to all its customers utilising 888's state of the art poker platform

· Agreement signed with Facebook to launch real-money products

· Slots introduced in Italy in December 2012

· Significant increase in customer recruitment and revenue from mobile platforms following launch of multi-platform mobile suite and apps

Recent Developments

· In February 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed legislation authorising online gambling in the state, clearing the way for internet betting to begin in H2 2013

· March 6 - Nevada Gaming Control Board recommended to the Nevada Gaming Commission the approval of the licensing of 888 as an Interactive Gaming Service Provider. Commission hearing on 21 March 2013.

· March 11 - signed US Joint Venture Agreement with Avenue Capital Group to launch and operate a comprehensive B2C gaming offering

Current Trading
Trading has continued to be strong in the new fiscal year across all key performance indicators including new customer recruitment, deposits and bets. Specifically, average daily revenue during the quarter until 9th March is 8% higher than Q1 2012, a record quarter at the time, led by Casino and Poker. Bingo trading conditions continue to be challenging as are the current currency headwinds.

Brian Mattingley, CEO, commented: '2012 was an exceptional year for 888. The ongoing focus on our core strengths and the customer proposition, coupled with the very positive effects of our targeted marketing campaigns, has led to tremendous growth in player numbers and record results. Our performance in Spain and Italy indicates that we have a compelling offering marketed in such a way that we are able to build significant market share in newly regulating territories, something that places us in a very exciting position as the US market begins to open for business.

'Led by the long-awaited re-opening of the US market, from which we are uniquely well placed to benefit, 2013 is a year of significant opportunity and we have got the right deals in place, both B2B and B2C, to gain a substantial foothold in the US. Growth in mobile gaming is also changing the industry, and our efforts in 2012 have allowed us to take advantage of the new ways in which people wish to play. We expect to see further growth in this area in 2013 and thus we remain confident in the outlook for 2013 and beyond.'

StockMarketWire.com
The Nevada Gaming Commission has approved the licensing of 888 as an interactive gaming service provider.

Chief executive Brian Mattingley said: "This is an historic moment for 888. This is the first time a company uniquely providing online gaming has been licensed by any US jurisdiction.

"Seen in the industry as the gold standard of global gaming regulation, we are delighted to have been awarded our licence to operate in the State of Nevada, a decision that vindicates our US strategy.

"We look forward to working with all our strategic partners and to re-launching the 888 brand in the US following the finalisation of platform approval."

Notice of Q1 2013 Key Performance Indicators and Interim Management Statement

Analyst and Investor Conference Call - 10:30am

888 will announce its Key Performance Indicators for the first quarter of 2013 on Tuesday 23rd April 2013.

888 will be hosting an analyst and investor conference call at 10:30am (BST) on the day.

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming group 888 said group revenue was a record $103m in Q1 (2012: $94m), an increase of 9% year on year, with active customer numbers up 23%.

· Revenue B2C $92 million (Q1 2012: $83 million), an increase of 10% year on year

· Revenue B2C Casino $48 million (Q1 2013: $42 million), an increase of 13% year on year boosted by the launch of slots in Italy

· Revenue B2C Poker $24 million (Q1 2012: $21 million), an increase of 15% year on year driven by successful winter marketing campaigns

· Revenue B2C Emerging Offering $8 million (Q1 2012: $6 million), an increase of 27% year on year driven by stronger Sport margins

· Number of active customers B2C Casino and Poker at 634,000 (Q1 2012: 566,000), a 12% increase year on year

· As at 31st March 2013, 888 had 13.8 million Casino, Poker and Sport real money registered customer accounts, representing an increase of 23% since 31 March 2012

Brian Mattingley, CEO, said: "These are a fantastic set of results across all key metrics. Our excellent product offering, supported by our constantly innovative marketing and CRM capabilities, has helped us to deliver consistent growth and has positioned us well to take advantage of positive regulatory developments."

posted on another BB by FrankieTheCabbie. Looks at the Top Ten prospects of who might benefit from the current wave of law changes in the USA. In its countdown from 10 to 1, look who is listed at No.1:



GAMING GURU

Aaron Todd Homepage
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Top-10 brick-and-mortar and online gambling partnerships to watch in the U.S.
22 April 2013

By Aaron Todd
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation announced today that Foxwoods Resort Casino has selected GameAccount Network to provide online gambling software, should the casino gain access to a regulated U.S. market.

Foxwoods isn't the first land-based casino to announce plans to launch online gambling operations when laws allow them to do so. Ever since the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it was reinterpreting the Wire Act and that it should only apply to sports betting, casinos have been chomping at the bit to gain access to an American online gambling market.

Some states (Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey) have regulated online gambling. Others aren't far behind, and there's still an outside chance for federal legislation, though it would most likely only include online poker.

Here are the top-10 partnerships to watch for as the U.S. regulates online gambling.

10. Mohegan Sun/Amaya
Foxwoods wasn't the first Connecticut casino to announce a deal with an online gaming partner. Mohegan Sun opened a play money online poker room up with Amaya (previously Ongame) earlier this year. Mohegan Sun has an advantage over Foxwods, as well, as it has a Pennsylvania property and hopes to build properties in Massachusetts and New York. If it does, it could quickly become a northeastern regional power in online poker.

9. Station Casinos/Ultimate Poker
Station Casinos announced a partnership with Full Tilt Poker just two weeks before Black Friday, and then retracted that deal immediately upon the indictment of Full Tilt executives. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta (aka "The Fertitta Brothers"), however, weren't ready to give up on the business. The founders of Zuffa, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championships, have named their online poker venture Ultimate Poker, and unlike other Nevada casinos, Station Casinos will be developing its own poker room rather than relying on offshore companies that have been in the business for years.

Ultimate Poker made a big splash earlier this month when Station Casinos announced that Big One for One Drop winner Antonio Esfandiari would be serving as the company's spokesman. Ultimate Poker currently has a Facebook app but does not have a download version available.

8. Zynga/bwin.party
Best known for its Facebook time-wasting games like Farmville, Zynga is already offering real-money poker and casino games in the U.K., through its sites Zynga Plus Poker and Zynga Plus Casino thanks to a partnership with bwin.party. If and when Zynga is able to secure online gambling licenses in the United States, it may be able to leverage its incredible player database to convert some play money heroes into real-money cash cows.

7. Foxwoods/GameAccount
Foxwoods is the largest casino in the United States, and third largest in the world. While your physical footprint doesn't matter in online gambling (PokerStars' only physical presence is the tiny Hippodrome Casino in London, but it still manages to do pretty well), reputation does. There aren't many gamblers who haven't at least heard of Foxwoods, and the casino's player database is massive.

6. Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs already has some online gambling offerings up and running with Twin Spires, where you can bet on horse races, and Luckity.com, where you can also bet on horse races but the user interface makes it feel like you're playing a lottery. Churchill Downs has big plans for online gambling, and those plans go beyond horse racing. While we're not aware of any deals currently in place, the site previously offered free-play slots provided by Parlay Games.

5. The Bicycle Casino
The Bicycle Casino has one of the largest poker rooms in the United States with 105 tables. And California could be one of the largest and most lucrative online poker markets in the world, if the California legislature could get its act together and regulate the industry. (I. Nelson Rose has a theory that could explain why that hasn't happened yet.)

When it does happen, the Bicycle Casino will be in prime position to leverage its reputation as a live card room in the online space. The casino will also be able to market a free spot in its Live at the Bike webcast series, giving people incentive to try out the online game.

4. Wynn Resorts
Right before Black Friday, Steve Wynn and PokerStars announced a blockbuster partnership. Then, just like the Fertitta Brothers, Wynn had to backtrack in the aftermath of Black Friday. It took a long time to convince Wynn that online poker was good for brick and mortar gaming companies. And while he had to backpedal on his deal with PokerStars, I think he still believes that online poker can be a lucrative business. Wynn doesn't currently have a public agreement with an online gaming provider, but don't expect that to last.

3. MGM/Boyd/bwin.party
Live players will have plenty of reasons to play online games offered by this partnership. Between Boyd's B Connected and MGM's M life, gamblers will have loads of places to spend loyalty points they earn in online games. And when it comes to poker, Party Poker is looking to return to its pre-UIGEA spot at the top of the online poker world, as evidenced by its deal with Zynga. This agreement could make that a reality.

2. The Atlantic Club/PokerStars
Ever since Black Friday, American online poker players have been clamoring for PokerStars to return to the U.S. market. And if PokerStars' purchase of The Atlantic Club Casino in Atlantic City is approved by New Jersey regulators, residents of the Garden State may actually see it happen. While PokerStars is still wildly profitable even without the U.S., the company made billions from American players after publicly traded online poker firms left the U.S. after the passage of the UIGEA in 2006. It surely would make billions more if it could find a way to serve U.S. players again, and the Atlantic Club could be transformed into the poker hub of Atlantic City.

1. Caesars/888
There are Caesars properties in a dozen U.S. states, and Caesars owns the most important brand in poker, The World Series of Poker. Once Caesars is able to leverage that brand – especially with advertising during ESPN broadcasts of the Main Event – look for 888 to jump from fifth to second in terms of size in the online poker universe. And if federal legislation were to somehow find a way to pass in the U.S., and PokerStars was left on the outside looking in, 888 could very well become the largest online poker network in the world.


Top-10 brick-and-mortar and online gambling partnerships to watch in the U.S. is republished from Online.CasinoCity.com.

Very interesting read, thanks Juzzle. Not many of those are very well known in the UK, but if the US based companies hook up with the established offshore internet based sites, then 888 & BPTY should do very well.

888 signs new 888Sportsbook solution
888, one of the world's most popular online gaming entertainment and solution providers, announces that it has signed an agreement with Kambi Sports Solutions, a leading sportsbook supplier to deliver a fully managed sportsbook solution to 888, under the www.888sport.com brand.

The agreement will enable 888 to offer a broader range of betting markets and products, for the UK and other regulated markets, through online and mobile channels.

Kambi's sportsbook will be fully integrated with 888's state-of-the-art back office platform, enabling the players to move seamlessly between poker, casino and sport. In addition, the agreement with Kambi will further enable 888 to pursue its strategy in regulated markets across globe.
Itai Frieberger, COO of 888 Holdings:

"888 has been at the forefront of online and mobile gaming across the world, delivering continued growth through our core products. By partnering with Kambi we will be aligning our sport platform with the rest of our offering, enabling us to increase our footprint while delivering a best-of-breed product to our players. By applying our award-winning back office and marketing expertise to the re-launch of 888sport, powered by Kambi, we will look to enhance player value through more efficient engagement."

sp up 7% so far today, IMS due shortly, one to watch?

888 will announce its Key Performance Indicators for the second quarter of 2013 on 6th August 2013.

888 will be hosting an analyst and investor conference call at 10:30am (BST) on the day.

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming group 888 reports continued progress in its core markets with first half revenues up 7% to a record $200m.

Second quarter revenues rose by 5% to $97m with B2C revenues up 6% at $85m.

The group also announced that its All American Poker Network joint venture with Avenue Capitalhas signed an agreement with Caesars Interactive Entertainment which will allow 888 to to offer own-branded poker and casino products in New Jersey, subject to regulatory approvals.

Chief executive Brian Mattingley said: "We are pleased with 888's continued progress in our core markets and products. The Group has enjoyed excellent growth, particularly in Casino where a combination of strong results in Spain and Italy and very successful marketing campaigns have driven up revenue in Q2 by 14% year on year.

"The group remains focused on preparing our platforms and marketing for the incredibly exciting US opportunity and we are delighted to announce today the agreement we have signed with Caesars Interactive Entertainment through our AAPN joint venture with Avenue Capital.

"This is an important development in our US strategy which will allow 888 to offer 888-branded poker and casino products in New Jersey, subject to required regulatory approvals. We are extremely well positioned in the US and are working with the regulators in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey as these three states become ready to open."

sp bouncing interim results due next week 28th August, may be worth a punt.

.

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming group 888 Holdings said revenue increased 7% to $200.1m in the first half-year to end-June (H1 2012: $186.4m).

B2C Revenue increased 8% to $177.0m (H1 2012: $163.6m).

Adjusted EBITDA increased 7% to $38.6m (H1 2012: $36.0m).

Adjusted EBITDA margin was maintained at 19.3% (H1 2012: 19.3%).

PAT increased 205% to $32.1m (H1 2012: $15.7m).

Adjusted EPS increased 37% to 9.9 cents per share (H1 2012: 7.2 cents).

Interim dividend is 3.0 cents per ordinary share (H1 2012: 2.5 cents).

888 said it was a strong performance driven by Casino and Poker:

o Poker up to number four in global PokerScout rankings

o Excellent Casino performance driven by CRM activity

· Agreement with Kambi Sports Solutions to develop 888sport

· Mobile now fastest growing channel across all products representing 17% of UK revenue

· Excellent success in Spain and Italy with further growth opportunities

· JV agreement signed in March with Avenue Capital Group creating the All American Poker Network (AAPN) to launch comprehensive B2C gaming offering in US market upon regulation

· Approval as Interactive Gaming Service provider by the Nevada Gaming Commission

Recent Developments

· Agreement signed in August with Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE) through the Group's All American Poker Network (AAPN) joint venture with Avenue Capital allowing 888 to offer own-branded Poker and Casino products in New Jersey, subject to required regulatory approvals

Brian Mattingley, CEO of 888, commented: 'I am delighted to report another set of excellent results. Record revenue for the first half has been driven by the continued strength of our core Casino and Poker products and our ability to maximize revenue through our exceptional platforms and best-in-class marketing systems.

'We are making good progress in new markets with tremendous success in Spain and Italy where we see further opportunities for growth. These experiences have given us further confidence in our ability to capitalize on the exciting US opportunity which continues to develop and we believe our strategy and partnerships ensure that we are well positioned to maximize market share as that market becomes regulated.'