Lottomatica reports results
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Board of Directors of Lottomatica S.p.A. (Pink Sheets: LTTOY), chaired by Mr. Lorenzo Pellicioli, approved today the consolidated accounts of Lottomatica Group for the first nine months of 2007, which ended September 30, 2007.
"Lottomatica's financial performance was good, and the fundamentals of our core business continue to experience positive growth," said W. Bruce Turner, CEO of Lottomatica Group. "GTECH has had positive results with the implementation of a program to enhance same store revenues. Our Italian operations experienced continued growth. With a first-to-market rollout of our sports betting brand, we are generating significant player interest that we believe will be sustainable. And, the Italian scratch and win segment continues to perform at record levels."
"Our financial results are positive and in line with our guidance, despite some unfavorable market conditions," said Stefano Bortoli, CFO of Lottomatica Group. "We experienced overall sustainable high margins, and as we continue to move forward with our disciplined execution of numerous initiatives, we believe we will improve our financial position through cash flow generation."
Revenues for the first nine months of 2007 totaled euro 1.22 billion, including approximately euro 623.0 million from GTECH operations and euro 598.7 million from Italian operations. For the same period in 2006, total revenues were euro 566.0 million, including approximately euro 492.4 million from Italian operations and euro 73.6 million from GTECH's operations. Overall, revenues grew 115.9% year-over-year, while revenue from Italian operations grew 21.6% year-over-year.
EBITDA was euro 541.5 million with an EBITDA margin of 44.3%.
Operating income was euro 324.2 million for the first nine months of 2007, with a 26.5% margin.
Net income was euro 72.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to euro 38.8 million for the same period last year, up 86.5%.
Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was euro 46.9 million, compared to euro 32.8 million for the same period last year.
GTECH Operating Results and Business Highlights
Revenues for the first nine months of 2007 were euro 623.0 million, with approximately euro 554.0 million from the Lottery segment, euro 47.0 million from Gaming Solutions, and approximately euro 22.0 million from Commercial Services.
During this period, GTECH continued to focus its efforts on the core lottery business and expanding its Gaming Solutions business. The Company secured contracts in the United Kingdom and Kansas, and received a contract extension in New York. Over the life of the U.K. contract, GTECH expects to receive revenues of more than euro 600 million, with the Kansas contract expected to generate revenues for GTECH of approximately euro 60 million. The New York extension is expected to generate revenues to GTECH of approximately euro 147 million.
Additionally, customers in Denmark, Belgium, and Western Canada awarded GTECH product sale agreements for new lottery terminals.
In the Gaming Solutions vertical, GTECH was chosen to provide a new server-based gaming system and interactive video terminals to Svenska Spel in Sweden.
GTECH's subsidiary, Spielo, was selected to provide Manitoba Lotteries Corporation with new slot/bingo gaming terminals. Both contracts combined are expected to generate total revenues to GTECH of approximately euro 50 million.
Italian Operating Results and Business Highlights
For the first nine months of 2007, revenues from Italian operations grew approximately 21.6% to euro 598.7 million, from euro 492.4 million in the first nine months of 2006.
Lotto and instant ticket wagers grew approximately 38.3% to euro 10.6 billion in the first nine months of 2007, from euro 7.7 billion for the same period last year, as strong Instants lottery performance more than offset the slight decrease in Lotto.
Total Lotto wagers reached euro 4.7 billion, down slightly against euro 5.0 billion in the first nine months of 2006. Wagers in the first nine months of 2006 included a record late number, Cagliari 34. Core wagers were comparable to the same period last year at euro 3.9 billion. Lotto revenues were euro 302.9 million, compared to euro 323.7 million in the same period last year.
The continued strong performance of instant tickets, resulted in sales of approximately euro 5.9 billion, compared to sales of approximately euro 2.7 billion, in the first nine months of 2006, an increase of 123.6% year-over- year. Approximately 1.7 billion Scratch & Win tickets were sold in the first nine months of 2007, compared to 1.1 billion in the same period last year. The average price point grew from euro 2.3 to euro 3.4, driven principally by the introduction of the euro 10 lottery ticket in January 2007, which generated new sales of euro 1.8 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Revenues for the Instant Lottery business totaled euro 207.9 million compared to euro 94.4 million during the first nine months of 2006, an increase of 120.3%.
Sports betting wagers, with over 1,000 locations in operation, were approximately euro 26.7 million, for the months of August and September. Revenues from sports betting were approximately euro 5.2 million, equal to gross wagers net of prize payouts.
Revenues from Gaming Solutions were up 163.9% over the same period last year, driven by the increased placement of Amusement with Prizes (AWP) machines, from approximately 10,000 machines installed at the end of 2006, to approximately 21,000 machines installed as of the end of September 2007.
Revenues from Commercial Services were stable compared to the same period last year, despite the negative impact of regulatory changes.
Consolidated Cash Flow and Net Financial Position
At September 30, 2007, Lottomatica Group had a Net Financial Position of euro 2.31 billion, with Cash and Cash Equivalents of approximately euro 444.2 million at the end of period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Group generated euro 369.3 million of net cash flows from operating activities, compared to euro 106.2 million in the same period last year.
Consolidated Shareholders' Equity
Consolidated shareholders' equity totaled euro 1.77 billion.
Additional Information
Third-Quarter Financial Results
Revenues for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 totaled euro 386.2 million, including approximately euro 195.3 million from GTECH operations and euro 190.9 million from Italian operations. Overall, revenues grew 71.3% year-over-year, with one month of contribution from GTECH operations in the third quarter of last year.
EBITDA was euro 160.8 million with an EBITDA margin of 41.6%. Operating Income was euro 84.8 million for the quarter, and Net income was euro 4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, compared to Net income of euro 6.9 million in the third quarter of 2006.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2007 include euro 195.3 million from GTECH operations, with approximately euro 173.9 million from the Lottery segment, euro 18.0 million from Gaming Solutions, and approximately euro 3.4 million from Commercial Services.
During the quarter, GTECH secured a 19 month contract extension with the New Jersey Lottery. After the close of the third quarter, GTECH signed a long- term contract in Oregon, valued at euro 50 million, and also extended its contract with the Illinois Lottery for an additional year through October 16, 2008, with expected revenues to GTECH of approximately euro 24 million over the one-year extension period.
Revenues from Italian operations grew approximately 25.7% to euro 190.9 million, from euro 151.9 million in the third quarter of 2006. Lotto wagers were stable at euro 1.53 billion while Instant ticket sales were approximately euro 1.72 billion, compared to sales of approximately euro 883 million in the third quarter of 2006.
Leadership Changes
Also at the Board of Directors meeting, it was announced that W. Bruce Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Lottomatica S.p.A. and GTECH Corporation, has tendered his resignation effective from December 31, 2007, at the latest. Citing his intent to pursue an opportunity to start an investment firm, Mr. Turner noted that he has overseen the successful integration of GTECH and Lottomatica and positioned the Company well for future growth. The Board of Directors accepted Mr. Turner's resignation and thanked him for his service.
Upon Mr. Turner's departure, Lorenzo Pellicioli, Chairman of Lottomatica S.p.A., will take on the additional responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer of Lottomatica Group. In addition, Jaymin Patel, currently President and Chief Operating Officer of GTECH, will become Chief Executive Officer of GTECH Corporation.
Commenting on the changes, Mr. Pellicioli said, "I am confident in Lottomatica's growth plan and committed to driving its continued success. I look forward to working with our operational leaders, Marco Sala - Managing Director for the Italian operations -- and Jaymin Patel, to ensure that we are successful in taking advantage of the significant opportunities ahead and deliver enhanced value to our shareholders."
Updated Guidance for 2007 and Preliminary Guidance for 2008
Updated guidance for 2007
Lottomatica has updated its guidance for 2007 and provides preliminary guidance for the full year of 2008.
Lottomatica expects total revenues in the range of euro 1.65 billion to euro 1.68 billion, for the year ending December 31, 2007, reflecting the strengthening of the euro against the US dollar.
Gross sales for Italian Scratch & Win is expected in the range of euro 7.5 billion to euro 7.8 billion for the full year 2007. Italian Lotto sales are expected to be around euro 6.2 billion.
At the GTECH level, same store revenues are expected to be in the range of 4% to 5% in the full year.
EBITDA for the full year is expected in the range of euro 695 million to euro 700 million. EBITDA is impacted by one time costs of approximately euro 10 million to euro 15 million associated with the restructuring plan put in place by GTECH in the fourth quarter of 2007. This item is offset by a one time recovery related to legal matters in Brazil. In October 2007, GTECH's subsidiary in Brazil received a ruling to release 40 million Brazilian reais (approximately euro 14 million) held in escrow in a Brazilian court account in connection with the injunction brought by the Brazilian Federal Attorneys in 2004. The decision to release the funds was made unanimously by a five-judge panel in the Superior Tribunal Justice, Brazil's highest court for non- constitutional matters. GTECH has been advised that this ruling cannot be appealed to a higher court.
Operating Income is expected to be in the range of euro 405 million to euro 410 million, with margins of 24% to 25%.
The effective tax rate is expected in the range of 47% to 48%, for the full year.
Earnings per share as reported are estimated in the range of euro 0.35 to euro 0.37.
Preliminary guidance for 2008
2008 guidance is based on a euro /$ exchange rate of 1.40 and on the consolidation of Atronic by the end of the first quarter of 2008.
Lottomatica expects total revenues in the range of euro 1.90 billion to euro 2.00 billion, for the year ending December 31, 2008.
Italian Scratch & Win sales are expected to grow at a low single digit rate in 2008, while Lotto sales are expected to be stable.
At the GTECH level, same store revenues are expected to be in the range of 4% to 5% in the full year.
EBITDA for the full year is expected in the range of euro 750 million to euro 765 million, and Operating Income in the range of euro 440 million to euro 455 million.
The effective tax rate is expected to be lower than that of 2007 and in the range of 42% to 44%, for the full year.
Earnings per share as reported are estimated in the range of euro 0.67 to euro 0.77.
Other Information
In December 2003, Lottomatica issued a euro 360 million bond due December 22, 2008. The Euro bond has a fixed coupon payment of 4.80%, payable annually each December. Pursuant to Italian Stock Exchange requirements, the Company notes that the bond is set to expire in less than 14 months.
Declaration
The manager responsible for preparing the Company's financial reports, Stefano Bortoli, declares, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 154-bis of the Consolidated Law on Finance, that the accounting information contained in this press release corresponds to the document results, books, and accounting records.

