News in brief: NetPlay back in profit; RAY egaming profits up 14%
AIM-listed group records first-half profit before tax of £0.37m, compared to a loss of £9.8m for H1 2010.
NetPlay TV has returned to profitability following the AIM-listed group’s restructuring in 2010, its first half interim results have shown. The company reported EBITDA of £1.69m and a profit before tax of £0.37m compared to a loss of £9.8m in the first half of 2010. Active casino players rose by 13.9% and new casino sign-ups by 20.4%. The company said the second half of this year was off to a good start with July revenues up compared to 2010 and the group predicting a strong set of full year results. It added that it is currently exploring expansion opportunities in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
Finnish state operator RAY‘s profits from gaming operations have increased by 10.5% year-on-year for the six months ended 30 June, from 322m to 355.8m. Turnover also rose in H1, from 295.5m to 320.3m, an 8.4% increase. The operator’s online operations generated 14m in profits, with more than 100,000 registered players, and the profit figure is expected to reach 28m by the end of the calendar year. RAY launched its online gaming site, powered by Playtech at the end of last year.
The iconic Monopoly brand has been given a new twist by the launch of a new International Game Technology‘s (IGT) online slot game. MONOPOLY: You’re in the money is a 30-payline slot that takes players around London landmarks, activating mini-slots as they land on properties, offering two, high-money bonus opportunities.