GVC declare they will pay an interim dividend of 17.6p, reflecting an increase of 10% compared to last year, and in-line with the new policy of double-digit year-on-year increases.
Other financial highlights include:
Very strong operational performance:
o Online proforma2 NGR +17% (+18% cc3) and market share gains in all major territories
o UK Retail Like-for-Like7 NGR -10%, ahead of expectations
o European Retail proforma2 NGR +7% (+8% cc3) with growth in all territories
Full year EBITDA4/8 and Operating profit5/8 now expected to be a further £10m ahead of expectations
Net Debt / EBITDA (pre IFRS 16) leverage full year guidance improved to 2.9x
Significant Responsible Gambling commitments:
o Ten-fold increase in contributions to Responsible Gambling causes
o Voluntary whistle-to-whistle television advertising ban in the UK
o Withdrawal of all marketing associated with English and Scottish football teams, and donation of existing shirt sponsorships to 'Children with Cancer' charity
US: New Jersey full online launch on-track for the start of the 2019 NFL season in September
The Group expects to continue to offer online sports-betting and gaming into Germany in the period through to the new regulatory framework in 2021
