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

Nice and steady climb.

888 Holdings: Canaccord maintains Buy with a target price of 330p.

Broker Forecast - Peel Hunt issues a broker note on 888 Holdings PLC
BFN
Peel Hunt today reaffirms its buy investment rating on 888 Holdings PLC (LON:888) and raised its price target to 350p (from 260p).

Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

Would not quite hold onto the 300p reached. Good day.

888 Holdings PLC (888:LSE) set a new 52-week high during today's trading session when it reached 301.75. Over this period, the share price is up 40.42%.

Sold today., bit of resistance breaking 300p.

StockMarketWire.com
888 was informed that the UK's Gambling Commission (UKGC) is currently conducting a review of the manner in which a subsidiary of the company carried on its licensed activities.

This would ensure compliance with the UKGC operating licence held by the licensee.

The review was initiated to assess certain measures that the licensee employs to ensure social responsibility to its customers including effective self-exclusion tools across different operating platforms.

888 said it was dedicated to providing players with a responsible and enjoyable gaming experience and the licensee would be proactively engaged with UKGC throughout the review.

Good timing dc

Cheers 2517GEORGE, sure was . Dividend as well. :-))

Phew!😃

I suppose they could get a hefty fine. A massive gamble buying back in ? Many are saying the sp fall is over done. Watch this break though 300p. :-))

JP Morgan Cazenove today initiates coverage of 888 Holdings PLC (LON:888) with a overweight investment rating and price target of 320p.

StockMarketWire.com
888's revenue increased 3% to US$270.1m in the six months to the end of June - up 9% on a constant currency basis - but the group reported a pre-tax loss of $17.3m (H1 2016: profit $27.8) as a result of exceptional charges of US$50.8m during the period.

B2C revenue increased 6% to US$242.6 million - on a constant currency basis B2C revenue increased 11%.

Casino revenue increased 6% to US$146.0 million - up 11% at constant currencies.

Poker revenue increased 1% to US$42.5 million - on a constant currency basis poker revenue increased 1%.

Sport Revenue increased 35% to US$33.7 million; on a constant currency basis sport revenue increased 45%.

B2B revenue decreased 15% to US$27.5 million; on a constant currency basis B2B revenue decreased 6%.

Revenue from Europe (excluding UK) markets increased 24% to US$133.6 million (H1 2016: US$107.5 million) representing 49% (H1 2016: 41%) of Group revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 8% to US$47.6 million (H1 2016: US$44.1 million); on a constant currency basis Adjusted EBITDA increased 22% to US$53.8 million.

Adjusted profit before tax increased 12% to US$37.6 million (H1 2016: $33.7 million).

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StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming entertainment and solutions provider 888 expects adjusted EBITDA for the year ending 31 Dec to be in line with market forecasts.

It said this has been achieved despite the increased regulatory focus, primarily in the UK, and the strategic decision to exit from five markets in the first half of the year.

The group said its business had again been driven by further progress in Casino, strong momentum with 888Sport, increased activity on mobile devices and continued expansion in regulated Continental European markets, most notably Italy and Spain.

Chief executive Itai Frieberger said: '888 has continued to develop its position in European regulated geographies, further diversified the business and maintained a firm focus on enhancing operational efficiencies.

'A major focus in 2017 has been on ensuring that 888 is leading the way in terms of compliance and responsibility.

'This is an ongoing process of continuous improvement and I am confident that 888 is well positioned as the regulatory focus on the industry continues to become tighter, particularly in the UK.

'888 is an agile business with an entrepreneurial culture and team and we have successfully adapted to opportunities and challenges during 2017.

'Our progress has again been underpinned by the strength of 888's proprietary technology as well as the Group's core expertise in CRM, marketing and business analytics. With these qualities, 888 remains well positioned for future growth.'

JP Morgan Cazenove today reaffirms its overweight investment rating on 888 Holdings PLC (LON:888) and raised its price target to 325p (from 315p).

StockMarketWire.com
888 holdings slashed its dividend after pre-tax profit slumped 68% to $18.8m for the year to the end of December amid a charge of $50.8m incurred during the period.

The firm said $45.3m of the charge related to potential past VAT matters and $5.5m was in connection with the UK Gambling Commission settlement.

A final dividend of 5.9 cents per share was declared, plus an additional one-off 5.6 cents per share, taking the total for the year to 15.5 cents per share, down from 19.4 cents per share the prior year.

Revenue rose 4% to $541.8m from $520.8m supported by gains in its sport and casino businesses.

Revenue from the core B2C business - includes casino, poker, sport, and bingo - increased 6% to $486.6m from $460.2m, but B2B reported revenue slipped 9% to $55.2m from $60.6m.

The firm warned that 'uncertainty exists' in certain territories in which it operates. In Germany, a subsidiary of the group was prohibited from offering online gaming services in the state of Baden Wurttemberg.

Current trading since the start of the year was said to be in line with management's expectations with average daily revenue 6% above the previous year, representing an 8% increase when adjusted for the withdrawn markets.

Numis today downgrades its investment rating on 888 Holdings PLC (LON:888) to hold (from add) and set its price target at 258p.

Peel Hunt today reaffirms its buy investment rating on 888 Holdings PLC (LON:888) and set its price target at 320p.