Sportech PLC Sportech PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 2015 A WORLD LEADER IN POOL BETTING Welcome to our Annual Report 2015 Sportech is one of the largest pool betting operators and technology suppliers in the world, with international reach and a presence in over 30 countries. What’s inside this report Strategic report Corporate governance Financial statements 01 Highlights of the year 20 Chairman’s statement 64 Consolidated income statement 02 Overview 22 Board of Directors 65 Consolidated statement 04 Chief Executive’s review 23 Senior management of comprehensive income/ 08 KPIs 24 Corporate governance report (expense) 09 Financial review 32 Report of the Remuneration 66 Statements of changes in equity 14 Principal risks Committee 67 Balance sheets 18 Corporate social 33 Remuneration report 68 Statements of cash flows responsibility report 52 Directors’ report 69 Accounting policies 55 Independent Auditors’ report 78 Notes to the financial statements 114 Shareholder and corporate information Sportech PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2015 01 Strategic report Corporate governance Highlights of the year Financial statements Investment in technology drives progress Group highlights – Results in line with expectations with EBITDA of £23.1m (2014: £24.0m) – Balance sheet strengthened with net debt down by 10% – Investment in technology delivering new international customers – Expansion into providing lottery products for professional sports teams – Football Pools division nearing completion of modernisation programme – Expansion of venues strategy into California – Disposal of online interests in New Jersey for a pre-tax gain of £8.1m – £97m VAT refund appeal to be held in Court of Appeal on 7/8 April 2016 Divisional highlights Sportech – EBITDA growth of £0.5m to £8.6m (2014: £8.1m) Racing and – Continued investment in technology attracting new international Digital customers and successful installation of new hardware and software for Betfred (Totepool) – Opening of office in Asia delivering benefits with new contracts Sportech – EBITDA of £2.8m (2014: £3.2m), affected by the previously Venues highlighted severe winter weather in Connecticut and year-long closure for refurbishment of a key Jai Alai venue – Officially opened on 28 January 2016 the only sports bar, restaurant and betting venue in San Diego – Discussions continue regarding expanded gaming (slots) in Connecticut Football – EBITDA of £15.2m (2014: £16.6m) in line with expectations Pools – Ongoing improvements in technology platforms and processes – The division is now set for stability and growth 02 Sportech PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Overview Sportech at a glance Sportech Racing and Digital Sportech Venues Football Pools We are starting to see the results of our technological investments across the Group, with the modernisation of the Football Pools division, new contracts in the US and Asia and the expansion of customers for Bump 50:50. We look forward to a year of growth in 2016. Roger Withers Chairman Supplier of tote equipment, services Operator of betting on racing in venues Operator of pools betting predominantly and software both on and off-track and online across Connecticut and the through subscription and online channels. (online and mobile). The division also Netherlands. New venue opened in includes Bump 50:50, our professional California in 2015. sports charitable lotteries business. Division information The division is the largest supplier of tote The division operates brands Winners 300,000 customers playing a range of pools based technology and services to the global (Connecticut), Striders (California) and and instant win games every week racing industry and has expanded into Runnerz (the Netherlands) sports charitable lotteries Location US, Canada, UK and Ireland US (Connecticut and California) UK and the Netherlands Customers Worldwide Connecticut, California and the Netherlands Predominantly UK Divisional Revenue EBITDA Revenue EBITDA Revenue EBITDA performance £34.6m £8.6m £32.7m £2.8m £33.8m £15.2m Contribution to Group revenue 34% 33% 33% Sportech PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2015 03 Strategic report Corporate governance Financial statements Sportech Racing and Digital Sportech Venues Football Pools We are starting to see the results of our technological investments across the Group, with the modernisation of the Football Pools division, new contracts in the US and Asia and the expansion of customers for Bump 50:50. We look forward to a year of growth in 2016. Roger Withers Chairman Supplier of tote equipment, services Operator of betting on racing in venues Operator of pools betting predominantly and software both on and off-track and online across Connecticut and the through subscription and online channels. (online and mobile). The division also Netherlands. New venue opened in includes Bump 50:50, our professional California in 2015. sports charitable lotteries business. Division information The division is the largest supplier of tote The division operates brands Winners 300,000 customers playing a range of pools based technology and services to the global (Connecticut), Striders (California) and and instant win games every week racing industry and has expanded into Runnerz (the Netherlands) sports charitable lotteries Location US, Canada, UK and Ireland US (Connecticut and California) UK and the Netherlands Customers Worldwide Connecticut, California and the Netherlands Predominantly UK Divisional Revenue EBITDA Revenue EBITDA Revenue EBITDA performance £34.6m £8.6m £32.7m £2.8m £33.8m £15.2m Contribution to Group revenue 34% 33% 33% 04 Sportech PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2015 Chief Executive’s review Positioning Sportech as one of the leaders in the global betting market Overview Sportech is one of the world’s leading pool betting operators and technology suppliers, focused on highly regulated markets worldwide. The Group comprises three divisions: Racing and Digital, Venues and The Football Pools. Both the Racing and Digital division (which processes $13bn bets annually) and the Venues division (which operates legal betting exclusively and in perpetuity in Connecticut in venues, online and mobile on horseracing and The Group has reached an important stage greyhounds) are based in the US and Canada where we employ 630 people across field in its development, as our US businesses operations and four corporate offices. We are make continued progress on many fronts, licensed by gaming regulators in 28 US States. and our UK Football Pools business arrives The Football Pools is based in the UK, at the inflection point of expected stability and is the oldest football gaming business after years of modernisation. in the world. Group highlights – Results in line with expectations with EBITDA of £23.1m (2014: £24.0m) – Balance sheet strengthened with Business model net debt down by 10% – Investment in technology delivering new international customers – Expansion into providing lottery products for professional sports teams Technology Stabilise – Football Pools division nearing completion Implement technology Stabilise and to drive operational grow EBITDA of modernisation programme performance – Expansion of venues strategy into California – Disposal of online interests in New Jersey Sportech The Racing Football for a pre-tax gain of £8.1m nsib and po il Pools More s it e y – £97m VAT refund appeal to be held in Digital contracts R Court of Appeal on 7/8 April 2016 E x More t s C p s u e contracts r a r We have invested substantial time into e t T i i s s with greater e t h margins i n developing our activities and licensing f l u o t w r position in the US. During the year, we sold o f p r o Sportech Venues p our iGaming interest in New Jersey, realising o m e a threefold return on our investment after c r o u r t e Continue Enhance u only three months of operation. f b venue roll out profitability e u v s ri in Based on licences Enhance profitability d We continue to evaluate opportunities e in CT and CA from existing and t s n se future ventures ri to deliver the full potential of our divisions s p , s ot tr fo whilst ensuring we maintain prudent financial en y gt or h o lat ratios. In this regard, over the past twelve f e egu xisti nd r Opportunities ng relationships a Opportunities months we have considered approaches for iGaming and sports Grow a trusted brand the Group as well as for The Football Pools. betting as regulation permits Opportunities New venues, online, mobile and slots Sportech PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2015 05 Strategic report Corporate governance Financial statements Despite this, we have remained focused Bump 50:50 provides in-stadia electronic on our operations and we will continue to lotteries to professional sports teams. investigate any proposals that recognise Since acquiring the business in late 2014, the value of the inherent potential of these we have grown the seven contracts the businesses. We look forward to moving into business had at that time to 21, with new a year of growth in 2016. customers including teams from the NHL, NBA, NFL, Nascar, MLS and the Canadian Sportech Racing and Digital F1 Grand Prix. 2016 has already seen the Sportech entered the market in the US five launch of the first 50/50 lottery in the State years ago, and has substantially developed of Texas and the launch of the first-ever its technology, gaming products and licensing online raffles, providing fans of the Colorado position over that time. Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Rapids, the chance In 2015, we have seen the benefits of our to play on PC, tablet and mobile, as well as significant investment in improving our in-stadia. Under Sportech’s ownership, Bump systems with the deployment of new 50:50 is forecast to make profits for the first hardware and software to Betfred’s Totepool time in 2016.