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 firm 888 Holdings said today total operating income was up 10.5% to $130m in the half-year to end-June, compared to $118m the prior year period.

EBITDA was down 39% to $13m (H1 2009: $21m), impacted by marketing and R&D spend.

Total Operating Income B2C was up 18% to $110m (H1 2009: US$94m).

Total Operating Income B2B was down 18% to $20m (H1 2009: $24m).

Total Operating Income B2B on a pro-forma basis was up 9% to $27m (H1 2009: $24m).

Total Operating Income B2C Bingo was up 363% to $24m (H1 2009: $5m).

Real money registered customer accounts were up 22% to 7.9m (H1 2009: 6.4m).

888 said its cost reduction programme has been implemented and is expected to reduce overheads in H2 2010 by approximately $5m-$6m.

Gigi Levy, CEO, commented: 'Our business experienced a difficult first half against the backdrop of a challenging economic environment, with trading impacted by a number of factors including general online poker weakness, adverse F/X movements and, in relation to Poker and Casino in Q2, the FIFA World Cup. A cost reduction programme has been implemented to help mitigate against this impact, the benefit of which will be seen in H2. A reorganisation of the technology and product divisions and a re-focusing of certain aspects of the business is also underway to better position the business for the future.

'Despite the economic environment, we committed additional research and development spend to innovative new products and increased marketing spend, which has generated some increase in revenues and a rise in real money registered accounts. However, this important investment for future growth has impacted H1 EBITDA.

'Trading in August has been significantly stronger than in July, with a double digit daily revenue increase especially in casino and poker. Boosted by the release of the new platform, Poker has seen an increase of more than 15% in revenue in August.

'In order to continue investing for future growth, and to support potential acquisitions, the board has decided not to declare an interim dividend at this time and finalise the full year dividend when the full year results are available.'

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming group 888 Holdings will announce its Q3 key performance indicators on 3rd November 2010.

StockMarketWire.com
Online gaming company, 888 reports operating income flat during the 3rd quarter of 2010 at $61m. For the year to date, total operating income is $191m, an increase of 7% over the same period last year.

As at 30 September 2010, 888 had 8.2 million Casino, Poker and Sport real money registered customer accounts, representing an increase of 21% since 30 September 2009.

Total B2C operating income during the 3rd quarter was $51m, which represents a 6% increase on the same period last year, but is at the same level as Q2 2010.

Casino income was 9% lower than last year at $27m and Poker income was 34% lower than last year at $8m, but 3% higher than Q2 2010.

Bingo income rose 344% over the same period last year to $13m.

Total Operating Income B2B during the first nine months of the year at US$29 million, an increase of 6% on a pro-forma basis.

For the final quarter, the Group says trading during October was stronger than the third quarter across all business lines.

Average daily revenue increased by approximately 6%, led by poker showing a more than 16% increase. This revenue increase was driven by higher deposit levels and more active players, with a significant increase in new customer recruitment of over 20%.

Overall, current trading remains in line with the Board's expectations and the Board expects the trading performance for the current financial year to be in line with consensus forecasts.

Fresh rumours have surfaced that Caesars Entertainment may be about to bid for 888.

i have never ever bought into this sector, as i really cannot understand why the average joe would want to chance his puny arm against the professional poker sharks who assuredly lurk awaiting an easy dinner

here's the answer .... Ladbroke's new offer is pitched at about 70 pence a share, the Sunday Telegraph said.

those that are in must be rubbing their hands in glee - and a large measure of relief

Ladbrokes??? Where do they fit into the picture?
Also, these bid rumours have being the rounds for a while now, so they may just be speculative rubbish.

Reuters report on bid talks

as expected, sp jumped a lump this morning to 60, but that doesn't leave much meat for anyone wanting to get in now

What's happening to 888 today?

A couple of things. Rumour of Ladbrokes pulling out of a bid and also an article in the Daily Mail suggesting that HMG may curb advertising by foreign gambling companies in the U.k. in order to try and reduce the incidence of compulsive gambling.

So 888 may go back to 40p then...

All depends on the bid, imo. Lots of press speculation, but nothing definite yet.

yep heard the chat about ladbrokes pulling out - but i have also heard better and basically various investors just being impatient + large long position closed - i would be very surprised if the t/o didnt happen - both want it esp with the gov news today - 888 could do with ladbrokes right now ref uk based and ladbrokes need 888 - what a match.... plus an article:

Ladbrokes 888 takeover buzz persists despite a heavy slide
Rosamund Urwin
14 Jan 2011

Shares in 888 Holdings dropped 8% today (at time of writing), but the City's biggest gossips haven't given up on the takeover talk.

Last month, Ladbrokes said it was in very preliminary discussions about buying the online gambling group.

Earlier this week, the rumour on the Square Mile grapevine was that the bookie was considering coughing up 80p for 888, rather than the 70p that was originally mooted.

I reckon we'll hear news of a deal in the next fortnight, said a talkative type in a Savile Row suit. I think both of them want to do this deal.

To explain today's drop, he pointed to rumours that an unidentified investor was forced to close a long position to satisfy margin calls relating to an American stock.

Other traders claimed some investors have grown impatient given the lack of an update from Ladbrokes. 888's shares dropped 5p to 57p (at time of writing). while Ladbrokes slipped 0.8p to 128p.

roll on next week - have a good weekend

"..a talkative type in a Savile Row suit.." so probably a guy working for an arbitrage company trying to talk it up???

lol hc - maybe??

this may be mentioned soon, bit of recyclyled city news:-

888 is rumoured to have held further discussions with potential rival bidders, including Sportingbet and private equity-owned US gambling giant Harrah's, in addition to other overseas based gaming interests & apparently - not from me but apparently "it could be likely this will flush other bidders out of the woodwork" said one industry source. "They've been looking to do something for a while." Its not just Ladbrokes in the loop - hence the rumour of the 80p from Ladbrokes - I may get me self some more very early Monday morn. gl
& lol Ladbrokes sees massive advantages to a deal with 888, given that it would pep up the company's online offering and enhance its position in the casino and poker businesses. It also offers a business to business service, providing games for others and, crucially, a business to Government offering. The latter is important as countries ease regulation on gaming as they seek to generate tax revenues.

15/1/11 - '
Gibraltar-based PartyGaming, which merged with Austrian gaming firm bwin to become the world's largest gaming group, fell to 207p and ended 3.3p off at 211.40p. 888 Holdings, which is still expected to be soon be swallowed by Ladbrokes (0.8p easier at 128.1p), ended 7.25p or 11.6% down at 55p. '

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/markets/article.html?in_article_id=521260&in_page_id=3

something will happen for sure in my view and it might not just be ladbrokes - william hill in addition to the others said to be interested, and from ladbrokes & 888's own mouths:

'Full review of the business

The talks with 888 are one of the first major moves by Ladbrokes' recently appointed chief executive Richard Glynn, who is carrying out a full review of the business including how to improve its online offer.

Mr Glynn joined in April from betting firm Sporting Index with a 12 million incentive to double the share price of the group, which traces its history back to 1886, has more than 2,700 betting shops and is a market leader in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

888 has made no secret of its intention to join with a rival, following in the footsteps of industry peers PartyGaming and Bwin, which announced they would merge in July.

888 chief executive Gigi Levy said in August: "We look at consolidation as one of the possible routes to realising our full value and feel that longer term this is the direction the industry will take.'

i would not want to be outta 888 right now!! lol

i would be very nervous if i held and would be keeping a close eye on where sp heads next .... further south and sharply looks favourite

Or a big bounce off the 50 DMA?