Half-year Report
RNS Number : 2638Q
Webis Holdings PLC
25 February 2021
Webis Holdings plc
("Webis" or "the Group")
Interim Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 30 November 2020 ("The Report")
Webis Holdings plc, the global gaming group, today announces its unaudited interim results for the period ended 30 November 2020, extracts from which are set out below.
The Report is available on the Company's website www.webisholdingsplc.com and at the Group's registered office: Viking House, Nelson Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2AH.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014.
For further information:
Webis Holdings plc Tel: 01624 639396 Denham Eke
Beaumont Cornish Limited Tel: 020 7628 3396 Roland Cornish/James Biddle
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
I am pleased to report a sustained improvement in trading for our principal subsidiary WatchandWager.com, with a significant return to profitability and a continuation of the positive trends reported at the end of the 2019/20 financial year. Moreover, I anticipate a sustained performance to the financial year ending May 2021, with certain caveats for the continued impact of Covid-19 and other factors outside our control. In short, I am pleased to report the Group is now in a far better position than in recent years, with a much better business mix and clear avenues for growth ahead.
Equally significantly, despite the impact of Covid-19, the business has proved very resilient. In common with other interactive operators, on-line business levels have continued to be strong. This reflects and validates our strategy to provide by far the widest range of live content available to our clients with a truly 24/7 global platform for players. This has served us well during these difficult times, and we expect this position to continue for the foreseeable future.
For the long term, the Board is fully aware of our licensed position in the USA and California in particular, and how this position can be leveraged to benefit shareholders. As a result, we have taken measures to protect our assets in the USA and will continue to do so as a priority. We stand in an enviable position as a licensed operator in the States, and in particularly in California, the fifth biggest economy in the world, and where we hold both an online licence and a license to operate retail operations at Cal Expo racetrack in Sacramento. Momentum continues to gather daily for regulated Sports Betting in numerous states, including California. At time of writing, the Board is confident that California will approve this measure no later than 2022, with many other major States actively operating by then. Conversely, the position in other jurisdictions for online gambling is becoming increasingly difficult, with significant regulatory headwinds facing operators exposed to Europe and the UK. As a result, there is significant interest in our USA licensed position as we outline our plans to maximise this position.
Half Year Results Review
Group amounts wagered were US$ 45.3 million, up 20% on prior year (2019: US$ 37.7 million). Turnover reported was US$ 7.4 million (2019: US$ 8.1 million), but with gross profit also increasing significantly to US$ 2.67 million (2018: US$ 1.79 million), a growth of 49% versus prior year. This resulted in a profit on the period of US$ 0.72 million (2019: loss of US$ 0.21 million). This turnaround of almost US$ 1 million in profit over the six months reflects the changing business mix in the operation, again improving our overall margin derived from more "retail-style" wagering activity, especially on-line. This is encouraging for the future.
Operating costs showed a small increase to US$ 2.17 million (2019: US$ 2.00 million), reflecting the additional costs of setting up racetrack operations in the autumn of 2019 during the Covid-19 pandemic. These costs are expected to stabilise. It should be noted that Cash and cash equivalents stand at US$ 2.93 million, and an improvement from last year (2019: US$ 1.49 million).
Operations Update
Business-to-consumer - this division performed well over the period and continues so to do. In common with other interactive platforms, the impact of Covid-19 has not materially affected trading and in some areas has increased business. Racetracks now operate globally with no crowds with very few retail off-track betting shops open, as well as fewer other recreational competition. This has assisted on-line operations, to the extent that we have seen a 62% increase in handle (amounts bet) over the period reported. We have every intention of maintaining this momentum.
At the same time, we are very aware that, as a racetrack operator at Cal Expo, the impact of Covid-19 has been far more severe for our associated horsemen and racetrack partners. Under the pari-mutuel model, increases in handle are directly passed on to our partners in terms of host track fees, horsemen contributions, and statutory duties. In fact, in certain States, notably our key State of California, we have volunteered to pay increased contributions to purses in 2021. We believe this is the right thing to do to encourage and protect an industry that employs millions of staff globally.
Business-to-business - trading for this division continued to be largely flat. This sector is becoming increasingly competitive in nature. We compete with a wide range of operators who seem intent on maximising the volume of amounts wagered at the expense of margin. This is, of course, commercially unattractive, and we have specifically declined to compete, avoiding accepting wagers at little or no commission which is a race to the bottom. We expect that this situation will continue for the foreseeable future but is not sustainable long term. Major racing and wagering jurisdictions need to realise the importance of achieving a proper return on the rights to wager on their content, especially from "high rollers". This is never more important than during the Covid-19 crisis, to support the horsemen and all related participants in the industry.
Cal Expo
During the period, we were mainly closed for racing as planned during the summer months. However, we benefited from a higher proportion of revenues from interactive platforms. This helped to build up our cash flows in our operating and purse pool funds to restart the season.
In early November, we re-commenced harness racing at the Cal Expo racetrack in Sacramento for the ninth season, and we plan to race until end of April 2021. This has been a difficult period to run any retail operation, and we have and continue to race behind closed doors, so losing our important on track revenue. We have been very mindful to abide with all County and State legislation in respect to Covid-19 guidelines, and I would greatly like to thank all our staff, horsemen and all persons situated at Cal Expo for respecting and adhering to these regulations on an ongoing basis.
Licenses
During the period, we have concentrated on obtaining important licence applications and renewals. I am pleased to report that all licence applications were successfully renewed, and include the key strategic states of California, New York and Kentucky, amongst others. These licences are all in good standing through the entirety of 2021 and, in certain cases, beyond.
Compliance
There were no compliance issues reported to our various regulations during the period.
Health & Safety
There were no health and safety issues to report across the entire Cal Expo operation, where equine and participant welfare remain our highest priority.
Outlook
Short term
Despite our positive first six months, as anticipated, our performance has slightly tapered off in the last few months. This is normal and expected. It is a factor of reduced content, poor weather and the unique constraints of Covid-19 which have impacted our racetrack performance. The operations at Cal Expo have been particularly difficult, but we are committed to live operations and ensuring a safe meeting and a form of income for all concerned.
In a more positive vein, we expect an upturn in performance in the Spring in 2021 as the weather improves and we promote the high quality domestic and international content for which we are licensed. As a result, we expect a steady trading pattern to year-end May 2021. We will keep shareholders appraised of performance, should this deviate from that anticipated.
Longer term
Existing operations
The Board remains optimistic regarding current operations and performance. The USA operation is a much better place financially than two years ago. Equally positively, our core content of horseracing globally has performed extremely well as an "elite sport" to keep live operations to high capacity globally, contrary to some other sports. It should be noted however that an easing in in Covid-19 restrictions will increase competition to the leisure dollar in relation to our B2C operations. We have anticipated this welcome development globally but are also working to maintain our positive business momentum. We have recently hired an expert consultant in marketing recruitment, retention and reactivation strategies across the platform and we see this as an important part of our strategy going forward.
Conversely of course a return to on track attendance and other retail betting operations would be most welcome to our operations at Cal Expo. We have as good racing product at the venue and see this product is integral to the future. We welcome to receiving our loyal patrons back at our track, as permitted under Sacramento County regulations.
USA Expanded Gaming
It cannot have gone unnoticed to shareholders and observers alike that the sustained growth of USA licensed expended gambling is the hottest subject in the global industry. In that regard, Webis and our principal subsidiary WatchandWager, remain very well-positioned as a licensed operator in many states, and of course in California. Almost all factors are in our favour with legislation passing or on the verge of passing in many key states, as updated almost daily both in trade and financial media. At the same time, many major large multi-national gambling entities continue to search for merger or acquisition of key assets in the USA. This is compounded due to the ongoing downturn in the industry, in the UK, where the affordability review is a very real threat to non-USA players, unlike our operation. On top of that the unfortunate economic impact of Covid-19 and other natural disasters has hastened the need for more taxes and duties in states, especially in California.
It now seems a certainty that more and more states will continue to legalise sports betting in the next two years, including California, the most complex but lucrative state. As a result, the Board believes that now is the time to escalate our plans to take advantage of our position. As a relatively small but well positioned company, we will upgrade our profile on several levels. This includes to reviewing and improving our Board structure, especially in the USA, plus increasing our presence in California and our overall profile in the industry. One key factor is educating the decision-makers and regulators to understand the fiscal benefits of including mobile wagering within retail operations.
Overall, we consider the company to be undervalued on key metrics and our potential for growth it is important that now we "fight above our weight' to make the industry aware of this. We will keep shareholders fully informed of developments in our exciting future strategies.
In the meantime, we would continue to thank our staff, participants and shareholders for their on-going support for our growing business during tricky times.
Denham Eke
Non-executive Chairman
25 February 2021
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the period ended 30 November 2020
| Note | Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) US$'000 | |
| Amounts wagered | 45,391 | 37,725 | |
| Turnover | 3 | 7,430 | 8,060 |
| Cost of sales | (4,713) | (6,228) | |
| Betting duty paid | (60) | (42) | |
| Gross profit | 2,657 | 1,790 | |
| Operating costs | (2,172) | (2,006) | |
| Other losses | (7) | (10) | |
| Government grants | 1.5 | 272 | - |
| Other income | 34 | 60 | |
| Operating profit / (loss) | 784 | (166) | |
| Finance costs | 4 | (63) | (41) |
| Profit / (loss) before income tax | 721 | (207) | |
| Income tax expense | 5 | - | - |
| Profit / (loss) for the period | 721 | (207) | |
| Other comprehensive income for the period | - | - | |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | 721 | (207) | |
| Basic and diluted earnings per share for profit / (loss) attributable to the equity holders of the Company during the period (cents) | 6 | 0.18 | (0.05) |
| Note | As at 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Year to 31 May 2020 (audited) US$'000 | |
| Non-current assets | |||
| Intangible assets | 7 | 9 | 30 |
| Property, equipment and motor vehicles | 375 | 415 | |
| Bonds and deposits | 101 | 101 | |
| Total non-current assets | 485 | 546 | |
| Current assets | |||
| Bonds and deposits | 882 | 882 | |
| Trade and other receivables | 1,085 | 1,256 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 8 | 4,490 | 3,969 |
| Total current assets | 6,457 | 6,107 | |
| Total assets | 6,942 | 6,653 | |
| Equity | |||
| Called up share capital | 6,334 | 6,334 | |
| Share option reserve | 42 | 42 | |
| Retained losses | (4,787) | (5,508) | |
| Total equity | 1,589 | 868 | |
| Current liabilities | |||
| Trade and other payables | 3,605 | 3,749 | |
| Deferred income | - | 272 | |
| Loans, borrowings and lease liabilities | 9 | 86 | 97 |
| Total current liabilities | 3,691 | 4,118 | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Loans, borrowings and lease liabilities | 9 | 1,662 | 1,667 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 1,662 | 1,667 | |
| Total liabilities | 5,353 | 5,785 | |
| Total equity and liabilities | 6,942 | 6,653 |
| Called up share capital US$'000 | Share option reserve US$'000 | Retained earnings US$'000 | Total equity US$'000 | |
| Balance as at 31 May 2019 (audited) | 6,334 | 42 | (5,224) | 1,152 |
| Total comprehensive income for the period: | ||||
| Loss for the period | - | - | (207) | (207) |
| Transactions with owners: | ||||
| Share-based payment expense | - | - | - | - |
| Balance as at 30 November 2019 (unaudited) | 6,334 | 42 | (5,431) | 945 |
| Balance as at 31 May 2020 (audited) | 6,334 | 42 | (5,508) | 868 | |||||||
| Total comprehensive income for the period: | |||||||||||
| Profit for the period | - | - | 721 | 721 | |||||||
| Transactions with owners: | |||||||||||
| Share-based payment expense | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| Balance as at 30 November 2020 (unaudited) | 6,334 | 42 | (4,787) | 1,589 | |||||||
| Note | Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) US$'000 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||
| Profit / (loss) before income tax | 721 | (207) | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| - Depreciation | 40 | 47 | |
| - Amortisation of intangible assets | 21 | 38 | |
| - Rent concession received | (5) | - | |
| - Finance costs | 4 | 63 | 41 |
| - Government grant utilised | (272) | - | |
| - Other foreign exchange movements | 107 | (8) | |
| Changes in working capital: | |||
| - Decrease in receivables | 171 | 226 | |
| - (Decrease) / increase in payables | (144) | 81 | |
| Cash flows generated from operations | 702 | 218 | |
| Bonds and deposits utilised in the course of operations | - | - | |
| Net cash generated from operating activities | 702 | 218 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Purchase of intangible assets | - | - | |
| Purchase of property, equipment and motor vehicles | - | (5) | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | - | (5) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||
| Interest paid | 4 | (63) | (41) |
| Payment of lease liabilities | (21) | (17) | |
| Repayment of loans and borrowings | (3) | - | |
| Loans, borrowings and lease liabilities received | 13 | - | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (74) | (58) | |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 628 | 155 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 2,499 | 1,363 | |
| Exchange (losses) / gains on cash and cash equivalents | (107) | 9 | |
| Increase in movement of restricted cash | (27) | (30) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 2,993 | 1,497 |
| Reportable segments | ||||
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) | Racetrack US$'000 | ADW US$'000 | Corporate operating costs US$'000 | Total US$'000 |
| External revenues | 5,874 | 1,556 | - | 7,430 |
| Segment revenue | 5,874 | 1,556 | - | 7,430 |
| Segment profit before tax | 282 | 385 | 54 | 721 |
| Finance costs | (12) | (2) | (49) | (63) |
| Depreciation and amortisation | (20) | (41) | - | (61) |
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) | ||||
| Segment assets | 1,409 | 3,511 | 2,022 | 6,942 |
| Segment liabilities | 801 | 3,139 | 1,413 | 5,353 |
| Reportable segments | ||||
| Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) | Racetrack US$'000 | ADW US$'000 | Corporate operating costs US$'000 | Total US$'000 |
| External revenues | 6,879 | 1,181 | - | 8,060 |
| Segment revenue | 6,879 | 1,181 | - | 8,060 |
| Segment loss before tax | (37) | (149) | (21) | (207) |
| Finance costs | (8) | (2) | (31) | (41) |
| Depreciation and amortisation | (21) | (64) | - | (85) |
| Period to 31 May 2020 (audited) | ||||
| Segment assets | 1,185 | 3,216 | 2,252 | 6,653 |
| Segment liabilities | 870 | 3,513 | 1,402 | 5,785 |
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) US$'000 | |
| Profit / (loss) before tax | ||
| Total profit / (loss) before tax for reportable segments | 667 | (186) |
| Profit / (loss) before tax for other segments | 54 | (21) |
| Consolidated profit / (loss) before tax | 721 | (207) |
| Reportable segments | ||||
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) | Racetrack US$'000 | ADW US$'000 | Total US$'000 | |
| Primary geographic markets | ||||
| North America | 5,874 | 1,146 | 7,020 | |
| British Isles | - | 410 | 410 | |
| Segment revenue | 5,874 | 1,556 | 7,430 | |
| Major service lines | ||||
| ADW wagering | 4,772 | 1,556 | 6,328 | |
| Race hosting | 1,102 | - | 1,102 | |
| 5,874 | 1,556 | 7,430 | ||
| Timing of revenue recognition | ||||
| Services transferred at a point in time | 5,874 | 1,556 | 7,430 | |
| Revenue from contracts with customers | 5,874 | 1,556 | 7,430 | |
| External revenue as reported in Note 2 | 5,874 | 1,556 | 7,430 | |
| Reportable segments | ||||
| Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) | Racetrack US$'000 | ADW US$'000 | Total US$'000 | |
| Primary geographic markets | ||||
| North America | 6,879 | 765 | 7,644 | |
| British Isles | - | 404 | 404 | |
| Asia Pacific | - | 12 | 12 | |
| Segment revenue | 6,879 | 1,181 | 8,060 | |
| Major service lines | ||||
| ADW wagering | 2,733 | 1,181 | 3,914 | |
| Race hosting | 4,146 | - | 4,146 | |
| 6,879 | 1,181 | 8,060 | ||
| Timing of revenue recognition | ||||
| Services transferred at a point in time | 6,879 | 1,181 | 8,060 | |
| Revenue from contracts with customers | 6,879 | 1,181 | 8,060 | |
| External revenue as reported in Note 2 | 6,879 | 1,181 | 8,060 | |
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) US$'000 | |
| Loan interest payable | (50) | (31) |
| Lease liability interest payable | (13) | (10) |
| Finance costs | (63) | (41) |
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) US$'000 | |
| Profit / (loss) before tax | 721 | (207) |
| Tax charge at IOM standard rate (0%) | - | - |
| Adjusted for: | ||
| Tax debit / (credit) for US tax profits / (losses) (at 15%) | 80 | (65) |
| (Deduct) / add back deferred tax losses not recognised | (80) | 65 |
| Tax charge for the period | - | - |
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Period to 30 November 2019 (unaudited) US$'000 | |||
| Profit / (loss) for the period | 721 | (207) | ||
| No. | No. | |||
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue | 393,338,310 | 393,338,310 | ||
| Dilutive element of share options if exercised | 14,000,000 | 14,000,000 | ||
| Diluted number of ordinary shares | 407,338,310 | 407,338,310 | ||
| Basic earnings per share (cents) | 0.18 | (0.05) | ||
| Diluted earnings per share (cents) | 0.18 | (0.05) | ||
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Year to 31 May 2020 (audited) US$'000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents - company and other funds | 2,993 | 2,499 |
| Restricted cash - protected player funds | 1,497 | 1,470 |
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 4,490 | 3,969 |
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Year to 31 May 2020 (audited) US$'000 | ||
| Unsecured loan (current portion) | 6 | 5 | |
| Lease liabilities (current portion) | 80 | 92 | |
| 86 | 97 |
| Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Year to 31 May 2020 (audited) US$'000 | ||
| Unsecured loan (non-current portion) | 22 | 25 | |
| Lease liabilities (non-current portion) | 290 | 292 | |
| Secured loans - Galloway Ltd | 1,350 | 1,350 | |
| 1,662 | 1,667 |
| Nominal interest rate | Year of maturity | Period to 30 November 2020 (unaudited) US$'000 | Year to 31 May 2020 (audited) US$'000 | ||||
| Unsecured loan | 8.90% | 2025 | 28 | 30 | |||
| Lease liabilities | 7.00-9.00% | 2021-25 | 370 | 384 | |||
| Secured loan - Galloway Ltd | 7.75% | 2022 | 500 | 500 | |||
| Secured loan - Galloway Ltd | 7.00% | 2024 | 350 | 350 | |||
| Secured loan - Galloway Ltd | 7.00% | 2025 | 500 | 500 | |||
| Total loans and borrowings | 1,748 | 1,764 |