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Home > Internet Casino News > FUN Technologies releases 2004 year-end results
FUN Technologies releases 2004 year-end results
March 31, 2005
LONDON, England, March 31 - FUN Technologies plc (the "Company" or
"FUN"), a leading provider of person-to-person skill gaming, exchange-betting
technology and online sports information, today announced its financial
results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. A complete
set of consolidated financial statements is available at www.sedar.com, or at
our website, www.funtechnologies.com. A copy of the announcement released to
the U.K. market is also available on our website.
Commenting on the announcement, Chief Executive Officer Lorne Abony said,
"2004 was a year of unprecedented corporate activity for FUN. Through a mix of
strategic entry acquisitions and very successful fundraisings, we are now
extremely well placed to exploit the dynamic, rapidly growing markets in which
we operate. Furthermore, our skill-gaming operation has now established a
market-leading position within its industry."
Chairman Andrew Rivkin added, "Since the year end we have strengthened
our senior management team through the appointment of Rick Weil as President.
He has assumed the responsibility of the integration of Don Best and the
identification of other complementary acquisition opportunities, as well as
many of the day-to-day operating responsibilities. In terms of revenue, while
2004 saw the advent of first revenues, we anticipate that 2005 will see
significant growth in our business. Furthermore, given that the Don Best
acquisition closed on January 31 and the AOL license agreement is only just
beginning to have an impact, we anticipate stronger growth in the second half
of 2005. Our strategy continues to be to grow our core businesses organically
by exploiting their market-leading positions, and use our strong balance sheet
to make acquisitions at attractive prices. The Board remains committed to
building long-term shareholder value.
Operational Highlights
- Acquisition of SkillJam Technologies, a leader in the skill-gaming
market, for an initial cash consideration of pnds stlg 4.5 million
plus a reducing net revenue sharing arrangement on European operations
for the five years following closing.
- Secondary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and
pnds stlg 28.7 million fundraising.
- Acquisition of Don Best Sports, the leading provider of sports
information and odds in the gaming industry, for pnds stlg 27 million
at the end of January 2005.
- Signing of multi-year license agreements to provide "white-label"
skill-gaming platforms for AOL Inc., Golden Palace, SPO Ventures, and
the Game Show Network.
- Vienna Stock Exchange listing of "betbull plc" (formerly "Ebex"), a
FUN exchange-betting licensee and a company in which FUN holds a 25%
equity stake.
Financial Highlights
- Fundraising of a gross total of pnds stlg 28.7 million via share
issues and placings.
- First revenues of approximately pnds stlg 1 million generated during
the five months since the acquisition of SkillJam.
Acquisition of SkillJam
On July 30, 2004, the Company closed its acquisition of SkillJam
Technologies Corporation (www.skilljam.com). SkillJam is a leading provider of
diversified, fee-based skill-gaming solutions. The business was acquired for
an initial cash consideration of US$8 million (approximately
pnds stlg 4.5 million), as well as a declining net revenue sharing arrangement
on SkillJam's European operations for five years following the closing of the
transaction. The cash portion of the purchase price was satisfied through an
offering of special warrants and ordinary shares, which raised total gross
proceeds of CAD$11.5 million (approximately pnds stlg 4.7 million).
SkillJam is well-positioned for growth in the burgeoning skill-gaming
marketplace. Since the acquisition it has continued its strong momentum,
entering into agreements with a number of new distribution partners including
AOL Inc., Golden Palace, SPO Ventures and the Game Show Network. As a result
of this acquisition, FUN recorded its first major revenue stream since the
Company's inception - revenue for the five months since the business was
acquired amounted to approximately pnds stlg 1 million.
Exchange Betting IPO
The Company also reached a milestone in its exchange-betting business.
betbull - The European Betting Exchange plc ("betbull"), a licensee of FUN's
exchange-betting technology and an investee company, completed its initial
public offering on the Vienna Stock Exchange in October 2004 and commenced
commercial operations.
Listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange
On October 5, 2004, the Company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX) under the symbol "FUN", and significantly strengthened its balance
sheet, closing additional equity financings with aggregate proceeds of
approximately pnds stlg 24 million (before expenses). This listing diversified
the Company's existing shareholder base and exposed the Company to a broader
potential investor audience, and we believe it has also helped to enhance
overall shareholder liquidity.
Don Best Acquisition
On January 31, 2005, the Company closed on its acquisition of Don Best
Sports ("Don Best"). Founded in 1989 and based in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.,
Don Best (www.donbest.com) is a leading sports information provider. It
publishes a wide range of market-sensitive information via the Internet,
enabling its customers to make a more educated wager.
The Don Best business complements FUN's other gaming divisions. The
overall consideration for the acquisition consisted of the payment of
US$41 million in cash, the issuance of 3,240,000 ordinary shares of FUN, and
the issuance of a maximum of one million further ordinary shares pursuant to
an earn-out clause. The Company believes that the acquisition will create
additional value for FUN shareholders.
Name Change to FUN Technologies
On January 26, 2005, the name change from "CES Software plc" to "FUN
Technologies plc" was approved by shareholders. The name "FUN" was chosen
because it reflects the Company's overall goal of facilitating high-quality,
efficient gaming and betting experiences for its customers. The Company's new
identity incorporates a new logo - representative of the new name and the
"person-to-person" nature of the organization's products and services - as
well as a new website, www.funtechnologies.com.
Outlook
While 2004 saw the advent of first revenues, we anticipate that 2005 will
see significant growth in our business. Since the Don Best acquisition closed
recently on January 31, and the AOL license agreement is only just beginning
to have an impact, we anticipate stronger growth in the second half of 2005.
About FUN Technologies plc
FUN Technologies plc (formerly "CES Software plc" or "CES") is a leading
provider of person-to-person skill gaming, exchange-betting technology and
online sports information. FUN's strategy is to provide its cutting-edge,
person-to-person gaming systems to top, licensed distribution partners in
regulated markets around the world. FUN is a public company, incorporated in
England and Wales, and is listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the
Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange under the
symbol "FUN".
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current
projections and are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain
risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The future results of
the Company may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking
statements contained in this news release, due to, among other factors, the
risks and uncertainties inherent in the business of the Company, the risk
factors discussed in the Company's final prospectus (dated October 22, 2004),
and in other documents published or filed from time to time. The Company does
not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
For further information: FUN Technologies, Lorne Abony, CEO,
(416) 840-0806; James Lanthier, CFO, (416) 840-0806; Alex Mackey, Catullus
Consulting, +44 (0)207 736 2938
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