25th Apr 2006 07:01
Playtech Limited25 April 2006 25th April 2006 Playtech Limited First Quarter Trading Update Playtech, the international designer, developer and licensor of software for thegambling industry, today announces a trading update for the first quarter of2006. The Board are pleased to announce a very strong start to 2006 with revenuesahead almost 150% on the same period in 2005. Playtech's Casino offering,currently the main revenue generator, made a strong contribution, growing 136%on Q1 '05 and 34% on Q4 '05. There has been particularly encouraging progress inthe contribution from Poker as the company has focused on developing itsoffering. Commenting on the announcement, Avigur Zmora, Chief Executive Officer, said: "During the quarter, which has included the Company's IPO, we have significantlyincreased revenues across all of our sectors, both year on year and compared tothe previous quarter. Based on this increase, and the underlying growth ofexisting clients, we are delighted to have traded in the first quarter of 2006ahead of market expectations. "It is particularly encouraging to see that our drive into the exciting and fastgrowing Asia Pacific market is showing clear results. Revenue contribution fromthis region has more than doubled within the year whilst US players this quartercontribute approximately 50 per cent of revenues, down from 67 per cent thistime last year. This clearly illustrates the ongoing success of our strategy tocreate a more balanced geographical business portfolio. First Quarter Highlights Q1 Q1 Q4 2006 2005 2005 '000 '000 % Change '000 % Change RevenuesTotal Revenues $20,767 $8,402 + 147 % $15,312 + 36 %Casino Revenues $18,136 $7,676 + 136 % $13,493 + 34 %Poker Revenues $2,090 $166 + 1159% $1,249 + 67 % LicenseesNumber of Licensees 39 31 26 % 38 + 3 %Number of Game Sites 115 90 28 % 109 + 6 % Income by Players Q1 Q1 Q4Geography 2006 2005 % Change 2005 % Change North America 53 % 67 % - 14 % 53 % 0 %Europe 24 % 18 % + 6 % 23 % + 1 %Asia Pacific 21 % 7 % + 14 % 22 % - 1 %Rest of the World 2 % 3 % - 1 % 2 % 0 % - ends - Analyst conference call An analyst conference call has been organized for 9.30 am GMT today hosted bythe Chief Executive Officer, Avigur Zmora. The dial in details are: 00 44 208 515 2399. For further information: Avigur Zmora,Chief Executive Officer, Playtech Ltdc/o Bell Pottinger + 44 (0) 207 861 3232Bell PottingerDavid Rydell/Peter Otero + 44 (0) 20 7861 3232 Notes to Editors The Playtech Group designs, develops and licenses software for the gamblingindustry. Founded in 1999, Playtech has grown rapidly since inception; from 2 licensees in2001 to 40 today (one licensee has joined since the end of Q1). Its platformssupport 94 online casinos, 15 online poker rooms and 15 online bingo sites. Thecompany listed on AIM in March 2006. Revenues have grown from approximately US$12.9m in 2003 to US$47.6m in 2005 withprofits growing from US$8.3m to US$35.6m respectively. Licensees include online operators who have migrated their gaming systems ontothe Playtech group's platform, such as Intercontinental Casinos, traditionalland-based organisations such as Christchurch Casinos and sports bettingoperators such as Bet365, the Tote, BetWWTS.com, SportsInterAction and BetFred. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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