The firm would save over USD 19 M due to a quicker integration of the Ladbrokes online business

GVC Holdings reduces estimate on UK FOBTs cap impact for 2020

GVC Holdings, owner of Ladbrokes, bwin, Coral, Crystalbet and Eurobet, held a Capital Markets Day on Thursday.
2019-05-17
Reading time 2:11 min
The company expects the new stake limit's impact on core earnings would be nearly USD 165.7 M in 2020, lower than its earlier estimate of USD 184.9 M. GVC’s shares were boosted by over 1%. Rival companies are reporting higher revenues driven by growing US operations.

GVC Holdings on Thursday pointed to a lower than expected impact of a new betting price cap on some of its business in Britain, boosting the company’s shares. UK’s largest high street bookmaker said the impact of the new regulations on core earnings would be 130 million pounds (USD 165.7 M) in 2020, lower than its earlier estimate of 145 million pounds (USD 184.9 M).

UK implemented the new price cap on Fixed Odd Betting Terminals (FOBTs) in April, bringing down the maximum betting amount to 2 pounds (USD 2.5) from an earlier 100-pound limit (USD 127.5). The decision sparked a reaction within bookmakers, who have argued that the terminals are a major source of income for their retail outlets which are struggling as younger gamblers move online.

The company, which owns brands such as Ladbrokes, bwin, Coral, Crystalbet and Eurobet had earlier said a cut to the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals would result in the closure of up to 1,000 shops and shave about 135 million pounds (USD 172.1 M) off core earnings in 2019.

“This actually follows on what William Hill said regarding the same subject. William Hill didn’t adjust their guidance in the same way but the tone of the results was certainly positive around the impact of the FOBT changes,” Hargreaves Lansdown analyst George Salmon said, as reported by Reuters.

GVC’s shares were 1.14% higher at 600.2 pence at 08.03 GMT. The company, which held a Capital Markets Day on Thursday, also said it would save a further 15 million pounds (USD 19.1 M) in 2020 as the integration of the Ladbrokes online business has been quicker than anticipated. It acquired Ladbrokes Coral Group in 2018 for about 4 billion pounds.

European gambling companies such as GVC, Paddy Power and 888 PLC have been looking to expand across the Atlantic as Britain introduces tighter regulations - particularly on lucrative fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) - and as U.S. states ease curbs on sports betting.

The head of rival Paddy Power said earlier this month that the fixed odds betting terminal revenue hit would be at the top end of estimates. Rival William Hill on Wednesday reported higher revenue for the year to April 30, driven by the success of its online business and operations in the United States countered a weaker retail performance back home.

Isle of Man-based GVC has also been trying to expand in the U.S. market, where it has entered into a joint-venture with hotel and casino operator MGM Resorts International to capitalise on the sports-betting and gaming opportunities in the region. “We have had an excellent start to the year with strong momentum across all divisions continuing into the second quarter,” Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Alexander said.

Leave your comment
Subscribe to our newsletter
Enter your email to receive the latest news
By entering your email address, you agree to Yogonet's Condiciones de uso and Privacy Policies. You understand Yogonet may use your address to send updates and marketing emails. Use the Unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
Unsubscribe
EVENTS CALENDAR