TIDMSPO

RNS Number : 5074W

Sportech PLC

18 April 2023

 
  18 April 2023 
 

SPORTECH PLC

('Sportech', the 'Group' or the 'Company')

Final Results

Sportech, an international betting & technology business, is pleased to announce its final results for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 
                                        Actual Reported   Constant 
   Continuing Operations       2022           2021         Currency 
                              GBP'000       GBP'000          2021 
                                                           GBP'000 
 Revenue                     26,004         22,942         25,608 
                           ----------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Gross profit                14,157         11,453         12,792 
                           ----------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Adjusted(1) EBITDA           1,599         (1,783)        (1,641) 
                           ----------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Adjusted loss before 
  tax                         (99)          (3,358)          n/a 
                           ----------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Loss before tax(2)           (934)          (246)           n/a 
                           ----------  ----------------  ---------- 
 Adjusted cash (3)            7,420         21,912           n/a 
                           ----------  ----------------  ---------- 
 

1. Adjusted EBITDA excludes expenditure that management believe should be added back (separately disclosed items) and other income. See note 1 of this announcement.

   2.        Includes separately disclosed items 

3. Adjusted cash excludes customer balances at 31 December 2022. Adjusted Cash at 31 March 2023 was GBP 8.5 million

Financial Overview

Continuing operations:

   --    Strong operational performance. 
   --    Stable revenue growth +2% to GBP26.0 million. 
   --    Gross profit +11% to GBP14.2 million. 
   --    Adjusted EBITDA returned to positive GBP1.6 million (2021: GBP1.8 million loss). 

Group:

   --    Year end 2022 cash net of customer balances was GBP7.4 million (2021: GBP21.9 million). 
   --    GBP7 million dividend paid during 2022 (7p per share). 

Post Year end:

   --    Successful receipt of CN $2 million earn-out related to a 2021 disposal. 

-- Following the sale of lottery contracts late in 2021, the remaining Lot.to systems operating assets were sold to Inspired Entertainment in February 2023 for GBP500,000 (plus a GBP500,000 contingent performance earnout).

   --    Adjusted cash at 31 March 2023 was GBP8.5 million. 
   --    2023 Q1 Retail Sports Betting Hold +39% vs. Q1 2022 

Group Developments

   --    Stable revenue growth + 2% to GBP26.0 million. 

-- Strong operational performance, adjusted EBITDA returning to positive territory of GBP1.6 million (2021: a loss of GBP1.8 million).

-- Disposals: Post year end the Group sold further non-core assets as noted above and received an additional GBP1m, net of fees and incentives relating to the 2021 Bump 50:50 sale.

-- Corporate: During 2022 the Company continued to return capital to investors, via a GBP7 million (7p per share) dividend. The 2023 dividend will be announced before the Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 30 May 2023. All Corporate costs continue to be reviewed to improve Group efficiency and capital retention.

-- Venues: The Group's core business line delivered a strong performance, with traditional Pari-Mutuel handle declining only 4.7% on a like-for-like basis despite the introduction of additional competing betting products such as iLottery, iCasino, and Sports Betting. Throughout the year, the Group focused on investing in building a solid foundation to expand opportunities for delivering Sports Betting to retail customers.

-- Sports Betting: In August 2021, Sportech agreed to become a distributor for the Connecticut Lottery Corporation's (CLC) sports betting product at the majority of venues across the state. Through Sportech Venues, the gross retail sports betting handle during the year was an impressive $98.7 million, from which Sportech received a percentage of the net hold.

-- Digital: In recent years the Company has advanced two online pool betting sites in the US, both of which delivered revenue growth in the year. Additional opportunities for these sites are under review.

-- Plc Board: The Board was reshaped following various departures during the year to better align with the Company's evolved strategy.

-- Strategy: The Board are focused on delivering further corporate opportunities; materially reducing the corporate cost base; delivering further capital returns to shareholders, while evaluating significant growth opportunities that build on the core skills withing the Group.

Richard McGuire, Executive Chairman of Sportech, said:

"2022 was a year of consolidation and progress and the team are excited about the potential in 2023. Our investment in the growth of US sports betting has started to deliver results. 2022 Operational leverage was impressive, as modest revenue gains translated to impressive gross profit gains and a return to positive EBITDA during the year. We are reviewing various strategic options for the current business lines while evaluating online betting opportunities that leverage our brand, people and expertise. Cash position is strong and we will update the market regarding potential further shareholder capital returns ahead of the May AGM."

Shareholder briefing:

The summary presentation will be available on the Company website https://www.sportechplc.com/investors/results/ .

Management is available as required for analyst and investor meetings; requests should be made via Peel Hunt.

Contacts:

 
Sportech PLC 
Richard McGuire, Executive Chairman                   ir@sportech.net 
 Clive Whiley, Senior Independent Director 
Peel Hunt (Corporate Broker and NOMAD to    Tel: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900 
 Sportech)George Sellar / Andrew Clark / 
 Lalit Bose 
 

Forward-looking statements This announcement contains certain statements that are forward-looking statements. They appear in a number of places throughout this announcement and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations and those of our officers, directors and employees concerning, amongst other things, results of our operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the business we operate. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, these statements involve risks and uncertainties since future events and circumstances can cause results and developments to differ materially from those anticipated. Any such forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this announcement. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014), as it applies in the UK), the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast. The Company and its directors accept no liability to third parties in respect of this announcement save as would arise under English law.

Notes to Editors:

About Sportech

Sportech operates in the gaming market and has two main businesses. Firstly, it runs Sports Bars and other betting venues in Connecticut, USA, where it has an exclusive license to offer pari-mutuel wagering, it also has a distribution agreement with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation to provide retail sports betting. Secondly, Sportech provides online gaming through two separate lines of business. Mywinners.com operates under an exclusive license to offer pari-mutuel betting online in Connecticut, while 123bet.com offers pari-mutuel betting online across the wider USA.

Operating Review

2022 was year of consolidation and progress

After selling several business lines and moving to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), the Group achieved operational stability and growth in 2022.

The introduction of the Sports Betting product suite in late 2021 required significant capital investment, but the Venues business, now including sports betting, is experiencing a period of positive change with busier operations and a new crowd of patrons to service. Despite the Omicron surge affecting early 2022, the food and beverage revenues performed well, and the retail division's focus on delivering sports betting was the major difference in the company's operations.

The company's business relationship with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) continues to strengthen, with a more robust agreement progressed to build on the early success of sports betting across the state. One non-performing location was closed, and certain leases were extended to meet demand and secure the profitable estate.

The UK-based digital technology team executed and delivered a contracted digital solution to a major client, and post year-end, the team was transferred to Inspired Entertainment with additional Lot.to Systems assets.

A focus on efficient use of cash and accurately measuring returns on capital deployed remain core metrics. The introduction of the Sports Betting product suite in late 2021, required obvious capital investment to secure our position with the master wagering licensee, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC). Moreover, the United States as a whole remains a land of new opportunity in the gambling sector as sports betting continues to enter the pantheon of entertainment State by State. Sportech, as a participant with a significant USP in its Venues business, has the ability both to seize the immediate opportunities in Connecticut and demonstrate its skills in doing so to position itself for other opportunities which may arise across the rest of the US. Accordingly, there will be extra focus on operational efficiency and service to ensure that the value of this USP is maximised.

The introduction of Sports Betting to the Connecticut Venues business and the successful rollout across locations demanded a significant amount of management focus and planning and given the opportunity will continue to be a core part of business planning in 2023 and beyond. Adding this additional betting product to our existing pari-mutuel product range has clearly increased consumer traffic driving a higher F&B revenue and proportionally reduced the Pari-Mutuel cost base as costs are allocated proportionally between F&B, pari mutuel and sports betting.

Food and beverage revenues in 2022 performed well despite the Omicron surge negatively affecting the early months: +46% at GBP3.44m (2021: GBP2.37m). Sports betting handle comparisons are not a useful measure as 2022 was the initial year for sports betting. However worth noting early progress in 2023 with Q1 handle +18% and Q1 hold +39%, vs. Q1 2022.

Delivering Sports Betting across our retail division was the major difference to the operational focus during the year. Retail Sports Betting handle was an impressive $98.7 million in this initial year, across our eight approved locations. The core 'hold' metric was a solid 9.4% during the year, significantly better than forecast (hold being the gross profit from wager), primarily driven by 40% of gross handle being accumulator wagers with respective higher risk and therefore higher potential margin.

Major League Baseball topped the handle charts, however the importance of American Football, both NFL and NCAAF remains evident for both sports betting and F&B demand. Soccer, is not a major sport yet in the US however, we noted increasing volume in major European leagues. Our retail clients beat our book in the World Cup as they supported an Argentina victory and France to be top European team resulting in modest loss for the book. That said, the attendance when USA played, across our sports bars was very strong, delivering impressive F&B surges.

Our business relationship with the CLC, continues to strengthen and we have progressed a new agreement with CLC, providing further commitment to build on the early success of Sports Betting across the State.

During 2022, one non-performing location was closed and certain leases extended to meet demand and secure the profitable estate. Whilst the significant New Haven, lease was extended to February 2024, it is expected that the business will move out of this property to a new venue in the vicinity, to maintain betting handle growth. Additionally two new locations are being evaluated that would provide pari-mutuel and sports betting product suite to more Connecticut retail consumers and in doing so will create the blueprint for a future Venue model for the business.

The UK based digital technology team executed and delivered a contracted digital solution to the customer as part of the lottery contract concluded in late 2021. Post year end the team were transferred to Inspired Entertainment with additional assets, for GBP500,000. This transfer will reduce costs and ultimately enhance Group cashflow during 2023.

During the year the Group concluded and exited various legacy litigation claims in California and have now successfully exited that historic endeavour. The tax position in relation to the treatment of the GBP4.6m gain included in the 2016 financial statements for the Spot the Ball VAT refund remains uncertain. The Company has made payment of the amount at issue, in order to freeze the accumulation of interest, although the directors continue to dispute that this amount is ultimately payable. The directors await HMRC's final assessments whereupon they will consider if any further actions are appropriate.

The 2022 dividend reduced the cash position of the Group to a comfortable level to enable the business to explore further organic investment opportunities in broader initiatives within the gaming sector.

As the Group transitions through 2023, revenues and profitability will return to the fore as key metrics. The tail of legacy issues that affected the business are concluded and we have a simpler business with clear strategy aligned to stakeholders' interests. For the first time in many years, we can provide with some accuracy a future outlook for 2023, having emerged from the depths of COVID, and having experience of a full year of Sports Betting in Connecticut.

Management are confident that trade is recovering, Q1 2023 has delivered early encouraging performance and a good rate of handle and growth is being experienced in the new sports product.

DIVISIONAL SPORTECH VENUES

Sportech Venues, ('Venues') operates across the State of Connecticut offering legal betting through two distinct types of operations.

Firstly, Venues offer pari-mutuel betting on horseracing, greyhound racing and jai alai through both online and venue-based operations under an exclusive and perpetual licence. Secondly, they offer sports betting under a distributorship type arrangement with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation.

Their venues operations are of two types: Sports Bar/Restaurants and Off-Track Betting (OTB) shops. The Sports Bar/Restaurants offer a main-stream leisure-based experience where betting is an exciting additional customer attraction. The Off-Track Betting (OTB) shops are dedicated primarily to retail gambling operations, although they do offer some light refreshments and other products.

 
                                            Constant 
                                            currency 
  GBP'000                            2022       2021 
Wagering revenue                   19,116     21,835 
Commission from sports betting      1,974        313 
Food and beverage revenue           3,443      2,366 
                                  -------  --------- 
Total revenue                      24,533     24,514 
                                  -------  --------- 
Contribution                       13,240     12,048 
Contribution margin                 54.0%      49.1% 
Adjusted (1) operating expenses   (9,194)   (10,453) 
                                  -------  --------- 
Adjusted(1) EBITDA                  4,046      1,595 
                                  -------  --------- 
Capex                                 142         27 
 

1. Adjusted amounts excludes expenditure that management believe should be added back (separately disclosed items) and other income. See note 1&2 of this announcement

Developments during the year

Connecticut has three licensed sports books in operation: Mohegan casino engaged Fan Duel, the Mashantucket Pequot casino engaged Draft Kings, and CLC engaged Rush Street Interactive to provide their Play Sugarhouse sports book, which is delivered across most of the retail outlets.

CLC is the only licensee authorized to provide retail sports betting across the state. The two casinos are limited to within casino property. All three are authorized to provide online sports betting (1 online skin each), and the casinos are also authorized and provide iCasino.

Sports betting was the major feature and focus of 2022, and Sportech Venues increased staffing to manage the additional regulatory, planning, and execution requirements. This was the first full year of sports betting in Connecticut and a learning curve for all state participants.

Sportech Venues provides a sports betting product range across eight venues under a commercial agreement with the CLC, and they also receive a modest share of online sports betting net hold.

Sports betting handle grew during the year to an impressive $98.7 million from the Group's eight sports betting locations, with an equally impressive 9.42% hold. US Sports dominate the 'action' with Baseball, American Football, and Basketball leading the turnover. Post-year-end, the Company continues to note significant increases in sports betting handle with January and February 2023 +33% and +18% respectively vs 2022.

Pari-mutuel handle remained stable in the face of increased competition for discretionary gambling dollars, dropping only 4.7% on a like-for-like basis. The non-retail component (online and tele-betting) represented 25.4% of the total handle in 2022, which is higher than the pre-Covid level of 18.9% in FY 2019.

Sports betting provides a strong vertical that attracts new patronage to the venues. Therefore, it leverages both pre-existing products with new sales and existing cost base with new revenues, enhancing the entire operation.

Looking forward

Plans for 2023 include the delivery of an improved pari-mutuel website, providing additional marketing opportunities and closer management of online clientele. In addition the Group is working with Sports Betting partners to progress a retail client relationship management rewards initiative.

Sport and capturing the wagering revenues of its followers is clearly the opportunity for the Venues business and we continue to reshape the business accordingly.

Management have developed a retail brand and experience format optimising the mix of formats and locations of venues to further enhance and better capture the sports betting market without detraction from the mainstay earnings of pari-mutuel betting.

We see the most promising signs of improvement in bar and restaurant formats, which cater to sports patrons and offer a close-to-live game experience for customers.

To capitalize on the sports betting market without compromising on our main source of earnings from pari-mutuel betting, the management team have developed a retail brand and experience format. This approach optimizes the mix of formats and locations of venues, enhancing our ability to capture the sports betting market opportunity.

SPORTECH DIGITAL

Sportech Digital is comprised of two small, digitally focused businesses.

The first is a US-facing B2C trading operation called 123Bet.com, which was previously a white-label customer of the now-discontinued Racing and Digital business. In 2019, it was brought in-house, and since then, it has operated with experienced management and a tight marketing budget derived from its own profits. Despite its small size, 123Bet.com has achieved success and continues to grow. We believe that it is ready for a refreshed offer and the next stage of growth.

The second business in 2022, was a B2B operation based in Chester, UK, that served markets with a proprietary platform for lottery management.

 
                                                                Constant 
                                                                 currency 
  GBP'000                                            2022          2021 
Services revenue                                  1,471           1,094 
Contribution                                        531            409 
Contribution margin                              36.1%            37.4% 
Adjusted(1) operating expenses                          (838)    (1,021) 
                                 -----------------------------  --------- 
Adjusted(1) EBITDA                                (307)           (612) 
                                 -----------------------------  --------- 
Capex                                                      201     169 
 
 

1. Adjusted amounts excludes expenditure that management believe should be added back (separately disclosed items) and other income. See note 1&2 of this announcement

The team at Lot.to Systems, based in Chester, provided invaluable research and development support to several Sportech businesses, including the Global Tote and the Lotteries division. Their contributions enhanced the capabilities and profile of these business lines, resulting in improved client deliverables, numerous contract extensions, and ultimately, sales of certain business lines in 2021.

In 2022, the team delivered the online lottery product as contracted to do within the late 2021 sale of the LEIDSA lottery contract. Their successful delivery of this product demonstrates their expertise and commitment to providing high-quality solutions that meet client needs.

Developments post year end

After selling significant operational businesses in 2021 and successfully delivering the online platform, Sportech decided to sell certain assets of Lot.to Systems Ltd, and transfer the team to Inspired Entertainment. The sale was for GBP0.5 million (a further GBP0.5m being an unrecognised, contingent performance earnout). This decision was made early in 2023.

Sportech remains optimistic about the future of 123Bet.com. We believe that this business line has a strong future and going forward we will be reporting the results within our retail Venues business.

GROUP OUTLOOK

There is little doubt that the pandemic tested our organisation in recent years, however Sportech employees are professionals who work with incredible passion and purpose and the Board continues to be inspired by their dedication to improve in every area.

2022 marked a year of consolidation and redefining growth opportunities within the Group. Within the Venues business, the attraction of Sports Betting boosted F&B revenue while the team catered to a new clientele eager to find that live game experience.

The emphasis on accountability and an ownership culture that commenced in 2020 thrives as the entire team promote an entrepreneurial attitude to client service and growth opportunities.

A summary of our strategic objectives for 2023 includes:

   1.    Evaluate and execute further corporate opportunities. 
   2.    Materially reduce the corporate cost base. 
   3.    Evaluate and execute growth opportunities across the gaming sector. 
   4.    Deliver further capital returns to shareholders. 

The Board and management remain fully engaged and focused on enhancing shareholder value and effectively managing opportunities.

Richard McGuire

Executive Chairman

18 April 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Income Statement - Detailed View

 
                                                                              Constant 
                                                                  Reported    Currency 
   GBP'000                                              2022       2021(1)        2021 
 Service revenue                                      20,587        20,547      22,928 
 Sports betting commission                             1,974           280         313 
 F&B revenue                                           3,443         2,115       2,366 
 Total revenues                                       26,004        22,942      25,608 
 Cost of sales                                      (11,847)      (11,489)    (12,835) 
                                                   ---------  ------------  ---------- 
 Gross profits                                        14,157        11,453      12,773 
 Marketing and distribution costs                      (386)         (276)       (315) 
                                                   ---------  ------------  ---------- 
 Contribution                                         13,771        11,177      12,457 
 Contribution margin %                                 53.0%         48.7%       48.6% 
 Adjusted operating expenses(2)                     (12,172)      (12,960)    (14,240) 
 Impact of FX on reported earnings                         -             -         142 
                                                   ---------  ------------  ---------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                       1,599       (1,783)     (1,641) 
                                                                            ---------- 
 Separately disclosed items                            (657)       (1,101) 
 Other income                                            120         4,101 
 Non-cash items: 
 Share option charges                                      -         (334) 
 Depreciation                                        (1,366)         (982) 
 Amortisation of software                              (252)         (129) 
 Amortisation of acquired intangibles                   (29)         (509) 
 Reversal of impairment of Property, Plant 
  & Equipment                                            190           335 
 Impairment of goodwill                                (517)             - 
 Total - non-cash items                              (1,974)       (1,619) 
                                                   ---------  ------------ 
 LBIT                                                  (912)         (402) 
 Net finance (charges)/income                           (22)           156 
                                                   ---------  ------------ 
 LBT                                                   (934)         (246) 
 Taxation - continuing operations                       (79)         (192) 
                                                   ---------  ------------ 
 Result after taxation - continuing operations       (1,013)         (438) 
 Result after taxation - discontinued operations       1,183        35,001 
                                                   ---------  ------------ 
 Profit for the year                                     170       34,563 
                                                   ---------  ------------ 
 Adjusted loss before tax for the year from 
  continuing operations (1)                             (99)       (3,358) 
                                                   ---------  ------------ 
 

1. Adjusted loss before tax for the year from continuing operations is the aggregate of adjusted EBITDA, share option charges, depreciation, amortisation (excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles), and certain finance charges (see note 1 for reconciliation).

2. Adjusted operating expenses exclude depreciation, amortisation, impairments, share option charges, other income and separately disclosed items.

Revenue - continuing operations

 
                                                     Constant 
                                         Reported    Currency 
   GBP'000                      2022         2021        2021 
 Wagering revenue             19,116       19,515      21,835 
 Sports betting commission     1,974          280         313 
 F&B revenue                   3,443        2,115       2,366 
                             -------  -----------  ---------- 
 Total Sportech Venues        24,533       21,910      24,514 
                             -------  -----------  ---------- 
 Total Sportech Digital        1,471        1,032       1,094 
                             -------  -----------  ---------- 
 Total revenues               26,004       22,942      25,608 
                             -------  -----------  ---------- 
 

Revenue from continuing operations increased by 2% on a constant currency basis. The growth in F&B and Sports betting helping to offset the wagering revenue decline. A further location was closed during 2022, resulting in the Venues business operating nine current locations. The Digital revenue was principally supported by improved performance from the online pari-mutuel operations.

Adjusted EBITDA - continuing operations

 
                                            Constant 
   GBP'000                       Reported    currency 
                        2022         2021      2021 
 Sportech Venues       4,046        1,620       1,595 
 Sportech Digital      (307)        (579)       (612) 
 Central costs       (2,140)      (2,824)     (2,624) 
                    --------  -----------  ---------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA       1,599      (1,783)     (1,641) 
                    --------  -----------  ---------- 
 

The significant Adjusted EBITDA improvement from a loss of GBP(1,783)k, which included a GBP260,000 sports betting investment, representing lobbying costs, in 2021. Returning to a profit of GBP1,599k from continuing operations, was delivered through improvements across all divisions. The Venues business more than offset the decline in pari-mutuel revenue through its strong results in its first full year of sports betting commission in addition to the recovery of the F&B product after COVID. The digital division reduced its losses, with growth through CRM in the 123.bet online business. Central costs were also reduced significantly in the year.

Discontinued operations

Further consideration was received from the Bump 50:50 businesses of GBP1,229k , ( GBP1,013k net of fees) as well as retrospective receipt of other income of GBP170k in respect of the CARES Act in relation to the Global Tote business.

Separately disclosed items

 
                                                                           2022     2021 
 Continuing operations                                  Note             GBP000   GBP000 
 Included in operating costs: 
  Onerous contract provisions and other losses 
   resulting from exit from Californian operations                        (120)       91 
  Redundancy and restructuring costs(1)                                     414      625 
  Corporate activity costs                                                   57       21 
  Costs in relation to the Spot the Ball VAT refund                           -       10 
  Settlement of a contract(2)                                               304        - 
  Costs in relation to exiting the Group's interests 
   in India                                                                   2       13 
  Costs in relation to the Group's move from Main 
   Market to AIM                                                              -      341 
                                                                            657    1,101 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 Discontinued operations 
 Included in operating costs                             11                   -      371 
 Total included in operating costs                                          657    1,472 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 
 Included in finance costs - continuing operations: 
   Interest accrued on corporate tax related to 
    the STB refund received in 2016                                          24      150 
                                                         8                   24      150 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 
 Net separately disclosed items                                             681    1,622 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 

1. The redundancy and restructuring costs relate to settlements made to former Directors in lieu of notice.

2. Settlement of a contract relates to the Group exiting a royalty arrangement in the period relating to branding at its Connecticut venues. This required a termination fee to be paid and will financially benefit the Group in the long term.

The Group's lease issues in California were finally resolved during the year, avoiding further litigation and bringing those matters to a close, below the previous provisions.

Cash flow

The Group's cash flow for the year is as follows (including discontinued operations):

 
 GBP'000                                                                  2022       2021 
 Adjusted EBITDA - continuing operations                                 1,599    (1,783) 
 Adjusted EBITDA - discontinued operations                               1,183      6,879 
                                                                     ---------  --------- 
 Total Adjusted EBITDA                                                   2,782      5,096 
 Payment of lease liabilities including interest                       (1,357)    (1,512) 
                                                                     ---------  --------- 
 EBITDA after lease payments                                             1,425      3,584 
 Add:                  Net proceeds from disposals                           -     41,040 
 Less: 
  Capitalised software                                                   (196)    (1,012) 
  Property plant and equipment (net 
   of proceeds from sales)                                               (147)      (582) 
  Separately disclosed items and 
   other income (net)                                                    (657)         76 
  Working capital                                                      (3,398)    (2,418) 
  Tax and interest (paid)/received                                     (5,083)        438 
  Dividends paid                                                       (7,000)          - 
  Share buy-back including expenses                                          -   (35,880) 
  FX impact                                                                565      (171) 
                                                                     ---------  --------- 
 Net cash flows 
  in year                                                             (14,491)      5,075 
 Opening cash, excluding customer balances                              21,912     16,837 
                                                                     ---------  --------- 
 Closing cash, excluding customer                                        7,420 
  balances                                                                 (*)     21,912 
                                                                     ---------  --------- 
 
 

(* There is a modest rounding adjustment of GBP1,000, within the aggregate table above to match Closing cash.)

Net cash outflow (excluding movement in customer balances) in the year was GBP14,491k.

The significant outflow items related to distributions to shareholders with a GBP7,000k dividend paid during the year and the agreement to place in Escrow an amount related to a potential tax liability, in order to stop interest accruing with no settlement yet reached with HMRC.

The business generated EBITDA on its continuing operations, improving on this measure year-on year.

Following the disposals of major businesses in 2021, the capitalized software and PPE investment were reduced for the continuing 2022 business. The Venues business introduced a significant new product line late 2021 and expanded upon that during 2022, requiring additional working capital during the period.

Consolidated Income Statement

f o r t he y ear end ed 31 December 2022

 
 
                                                                   2022       2021 
                                                       Note      GBP000     GBP000 
 Revenue                                                 2       26,004     22,942 
 Cost of sales                                           3     (11,847)   (11,489) 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 Gross profit                                                    14,157     11,453 
 Marketing and distribution costs                        3        (386)      (276) 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 Contribution                                                    13,771     11,177 
 Operating costs                                         3     (14,803)   (15,680) 
 Other income                                           10          120      4,101 
 Operating loss                                                   (912)      (402) 
 Finance costs                                           8        (254)      (305) 
 Finance income                                          8          232        461 
 Loss before tax from continuing operations                       (934)      (246) 
 Tax - continuing operations                             9         (79)      (192) 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 Loss for the year - continuing operations                      (1,013)      (438) 
 Profit after taxation from discontinued operations    11(g)      1,183     35,001 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 Profit for the year                                                170     34,563 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                                              170     34,563 
 
 Basic (loss)/earnings per share attributable 
  to owners of the Company 
 From continuing operations                            12(a)     (1.0)p     (0.3)p 
 From discontinued operations                          12(a)       1.2p      20.6p 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 Total                                                 12(a)       0.2p      20.3p 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 
 Diluted (loss)/earnings per share attributable 
  to owners of the Company 
 From continuing operations                            12(b)     (1.0)p     (0.3)p 
 From discontinued operations                          12(b)       1.2p      20.6p 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 Total                                                 12(b)       0.2p      20.3p 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 
 Adjusted loss per share attributable to owners 
  of the Company 
 Basic                                                 12(c)     (0.1)p     (1.7)p 
 Diluted                                               12(c)     (0.1)p     (1.7)p 
                                                              ---------  --------- 
 

See note 1 for a reconciliation of the above statutory income statement to the adjusted performance measures used by the Board of Directors to assess divisional performance.

Consolidated Statement o f C o m p r e h e n s i ve I n c o me

f o r t he y ear end ed 31 December 2022

 
                                                                    2022        2021 
                                                           Note   GBP000    GBP000 
 Profit for the year                                                 170    34,563 
 Other comprehensive income: 
 Items that will not be reclassified to profit 
  and loss 
  Actuarial gain/(loss) on retirement benefit liability 
   - discontinued operations                                           -       186 
                                                                     170       186 
 Items that may be subsequently reclassified to 
  profit and loss 
  Currency translation differences - continuing 
   operations                                                      1,047     (617) 
  Currency translation differences - discontinued 
   operations                                                          -     (550) 
  Less: gain reclassified to profit and loss on 
   disposal of foreign operations                           11             (3,373) 
                                                                 -------  -------- 
                                                                   1,047   (4,540) 
 
 Total other comprehensive income/(expense) for 
  the year, net of tax                                             1,217   (4,354) 
 
 Total comprehensive income for the year                           1,217    30,209 
                                                                 -------  -------- 
 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                                             1,217    30,209 
                                                                 -------  -------- 
 
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2022

 
                                                              2022       2021 
                                                   Note     GBP000     GBP000 
 ASSETS 
 Non-current assets 
  Goodwill                                         13           87        604 
  Intangible fixed assets                          14        6,939      6,357 
  Property, plant and equipment                    15        4,522      4,261 
  Right-of-use assets                              16        5,042      4,657 
  Trade and other receivables                      18          177        158 
  Deferred tax assets                              19           15          - 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
   Total non-current assets                                 16,782     16,037 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 Current assets 
  Trade and other receivables                      18        1,978      1,750 
  Inventories                                      20          146        124 
  Current tax receivable                           9           228          - 
  Contingent consideration (gross receivable)    11(e)       1,229          - 
  Cash and cash equivalents                        21        7,811     22,367 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
    Total current assets                                    11,392     24,241 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 
 TOTAL ASSETS                                               28,174     40,278 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 
   LIABILITIES 
 Current liabilities 
  Trade and other payables                         22      (6,564)    (7,945) 
  Provisions                                       23            -      (736) 
  Contingent consideration (bonuses payable)     11(e)       (216)          - 
  Lease liabilities                                24      (1,155)      (923) 
  Current tax liabilities                          9             -    (4,718) 
    Total current liabilities                              (7,935)   (14,322) 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 
 Net current assets                                          3,457      9,919 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 Non-current liabilities 
  Lease liabilities                                24      (6,200)    (6,091) 
  Deferred tax liabilities                         19            -       (43) 
   Total non-current liabilities                           (6,200)    (6,134) 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                                        (14,135)   (20,456) 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 
   NET ASSETS                                               14,039     19,822 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 
 EQUITY 
  Ordinary shares                                  28        1,000      1,000 
  Other reserves                                             4,574      3,527 
  Retained earnings                                          8,465     15,295 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 TOTAL EQUITY                                               14,039     19,822 
                                                         ---------  --------- 
 

Consolidated Statement o f C h a n g es in E q u i ty

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 
 
                                                           Other reserves 
                                                     Capital                Foreign 
                                      Ordinary    redemption      Other    exchange    Retained 
                                        shares       reserve    reserve     reserve    earnings     Total 
                                        GBP000        GBP000     GBP000      GBP000      GBP000    GBP000 
 At 1 January 2022                       1,000           888        314       2,325      15,295    19,822 
 Comprehensive income                                                                                   - 
  Profit for the year                        -             -          -           -         170       170 
 Other comprehensive items                                                                              - 
  Currency translation differences 
   arising in the year                       -             -          -       1,047           -     1,047 
   Total other comprehensive items           -             -          -       1,047           -     1,047 
                                     ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total comprehensive items                   -             -          -       1,047         170     1,217 
                                     ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Transactions with owners                                                                               - 
  Dividend paid                              -             -          -           -     (7,000)   (7,000) 
   Total transactions with owners            -             -          -           -     (7,000)   (7,000) 
                                     ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Total changes in equity                     -             -          -       1,047     (6,830)   (5,783) 
                                     ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2022                     1,000           888        314       3,372       8,465    14,039 
                                     ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 

for the year ended 31 December 2021

 
 
 
 
                                                                Other reserves 
                                                          Capital                Foreign 
                                           Ordinary    redemption      Other    exchange    Retained 
                                             shares       reserve    reserve     reserve    earnings      Total 
                                             GBP000        GBP000     GBP000      GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
 At 1 January 2021                           37,750        10,312      (638)       6,865    (29,130)     25,159 
 Comprehensive income 
  Profit for the year                             -             -          -           -      34,563     34,563 
 Other comprehensive items 
  Actuarial gain on defined benefit 
   pension liability                              -             -        186           -           -        186 
  Cumulative actuarial loss on 
   defined benefit 
   pension liability disposed of, 
   transferred to retained 
   earnings                                       -             -        766           -       (766)          - 
  Currency translation differences 
   arising in the year                            -             -          -     (4,540)           -    (4,540) 
   Total other comprehensive items                -             -        952     (4,540)       (766)    (4,354) 
                                          ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Total comprehensive items                        -             -        952     (4,540)      33,797     30,209 
                                          ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Transactions with owners 
  Share option charge                             -             -          -           -         334        334 
  Cancellation of capital redemption 
   reserve                                        -      (10,312)          -           -      10,312          - 
  Capital reduction                        (35,862)             -          -           -      35,862          - 
  Fees in relation to capital reduction           -             -          -           -        (66)       (66) 
  Fees in relation to share buy-back              -             -          -           -       (314)      (314) 
  Share buy-back                              (888)           888          -           -    (35,500)   (35,500) 
   Total transactions with owners          (36,750)       (9,424)          -           -      10,628   (35,546) 
                                          ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 Total changes in equity                   (36,750)       (9,424)        952     (4,540)      44,425    (5,337) 
                                          ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 At 31 December 2021                          1,000           888        314       2,325      15,295     19,822 
                                          ---------  ------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 
 
 
 

Consolidated Statement o f ca sh f l o ws

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 
                                                                         2022       2021 
                                                              Note     GBP000     GBP000 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
  Cash (used in)/generated from operations, before 
   separately disclosed items                                 29          119        511 
  Tax refund received                                         9             -      1,442 
  Tax paid                                                    9       (5,083)    (1,029) 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
  Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities 
   before separately disclosed items                                  (4,964)        924 
  Cash inflows - other income                                 10            -      2,483 
  Cash outflows - separately disclosed items                  4       (1,457)    (2,407) 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
  Cash generated from operations                                      (6,421)      1,000 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
  Disposal of Sports Haven (net of transaction costs)                       -      4,193 
  Disposal of Bump 50:50 (net of cash disposed of 
   and transaction costs)                                                   -      4,644 
  Disposal of LEIDSA contract (net of cash disposed 
   of and transaction costs)                                                -      9,417 
  Disposal of Global Tote (net of cash disposed of 
   and transaction costs)                                                   -     22,636 
  Proceeds from sale of intangible assets                     14            -        150 
  Investment in intangible fixed assets                       14        (196)    (1,012) 
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment                   15        (147)      (582) 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
  Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities                (343)     39,446 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
 Cash flows used in financing activities 
  Principal paid on lease liabilities                                 (1,127)    (1,333) 
  Interest paid on lease liabilities                                    (230)      (179) 
  Share buy-back including transaction costs                  28            -   (35,880) 
  Dividend paid                                                       (7,000)          - 
  Interest received                                                         -         27 
  Interest paid                                                             -        (2) 
  Cash used in financing activities                                   (8,357)   (37,367) 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents                (15,121)      3,079 
 Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents                  565      (171) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the 
  year                                                                 22,367     11,821 
 Opening cash included in asset held for sale and 
  excluded from cash and cash equivalents                                   -      7,638 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
 Group cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 
  year                                                        21        7,811     22,367 
 Represented by: 
 Cash and cash equivalents                                    21        7,811     22,367 
 Less customer funds                                          21        (391)      (455) 
 Adjusted net cash at the end of the year                     21        7,420     21,912 
                                                                    ---------  --------- 
 

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 17April 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

Richard McGuire

Director

Company Registration Number: SC069140

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 December 2022

All accounting policies applied in this Preliminary Statement are consistent with those in the full financial statements which have yet to be published. The preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2022 were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 April 2023. The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute statutory financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006, but is extracted from those financial statements. The auditors have reported on those financial statements and have given an unqualified report which does not contain a statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

G ene r a l i nf o r m a t i on

Sportech PLC (the "Company") is a company domiciled in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market ("AIM"). The Company's registered office is Collins House, Rutland Square, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland EH1 2AA. The consolidated financial statements of the Company as at and for the period ended 31 December 2022 comprise the Company, its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates (together referred to as the "Group"). The principal activities of the Group were the provision of pari-mutuel betting (B2C) and the supply of wagering technology solutions (B2B) up until the disposal of the Group's Global Tote business on 17 June 2021, the disposal of the Group's 50:50 Lottery business (Bump 50:50) on 2 June 2021 and the disposal of the Group's supply contract with LEIDSA in the Dominican Republic on 31 December 2022. Following the disposals the Group continued to provide pari-mutuel betting (B2C) and lottery technology (B2B) .

G oi n g c on c e rn

The Directors have concluded that it is reasonable to adopt a going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. This is based on a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months from the date of signing of these accounts. At the 31st December 2022 the Group had unrestricted cash of GBP7.4 million, with no debt in the business.

The Directors have prepared forecasts covering the period to December 2024, built from the detailed Board-approved budget for 2023.

The forecasts used in the analysis of the Group's ability to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future include both the base plan and downside scenarios. The downside case makes far more pessimistic commercial assumptions, for instance that online handle remains flat rather than continue on growth trajectory, and a significant reduction in the contribution from sports betting. It also considers the impact of a weakening dollar.

Both the base plan and downside scenario forecasts led the Directors to have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

B a s i s of a cc o u n t i ng

All accounting policies applied in this Preliminary Statement are consistent with those in the full financial statements which have yet to be published. The preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2022 were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 April 2023. The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute statutory financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006, but is extracted from those financial statements. The auditors have reported on those financial statements and have given an unqualified report which does not contain a statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

   1.   Adjusted Performance Measures 

The Board of Directors assesses the performance of the operating segments based on a measure of adjusted EBITDA which excludes the effects of expenditure that management believe should be added back (separately disclosed items) and other income. The share option expense is also excluded given it is not directly linked to operating performance of the divisions. Interest is not allocated to segments as the Group's cash position is controlled by the central finance team. This measure provides the most reliable indicator of underlying performance of each of the trading divisions as it is the closest approximation to cash generated by underlying trade, excluding the impact of separately disclosed items and working capital movements.

Adjusted EBITDA is not an IFRS measure, nevertheless although it may not be comparable to adjusted figures used elsewhere, it is widely used by both the analyst community to compare with other gaming companies and by management to assess underlying performance.

A reconciliation of the adjusted operating expenses used for statutory reporting and the adjusted performance measures is shown below:

 
 
                                                     Note       2022       2021 
   Continuing operations                                      GBP000     GBP000 
 Operating costs per income statement                       (14,803)   (15,680) 
 Add back: 
  Depreciation                                     15,16       1,216        982 
  Amortisation, excluding acquired intangible 
   assets                                            14          252        129 
  Amortisation of acquired intangible assets         14           29        509 
  Impairment of goodwill                             13          517          - 
  Reversal of impairment of property, plant and 
   equipment                                         15        (190)      (335) 
  Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment    15,16         150          - 
  Share option charge                                2             -        334 
  Separately disclosed items (net)                   4           657      1,101 
                                                           ---------  --------- 
 Adjusted operating costs                                   (12,172)   (12,960) 
                                                           ---------  --------- 
 

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as below:

 
 
                                             2022       2021 
   Continuing operations                   GBP000     GBP000 
 Revenue                                   26,004     22,942 
 Cost of sales                           (11,847)   (11,489) 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Gross profit                              14,157     11,453 
 Marketing and distribution costs           (386)      (276) 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Contribution                              13,771     11,177 
 Adjusted operating income and costs     (12,172)   (12,700) 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                            1,599    (1,523) 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 

The 2021 Adjusted EBITDA reported in 2021, included an amount of GBP260,000 Sports betting investment and therefore a total 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of GBP(1,783). This has been adjusted to provide clarity and consistency and 'like for like' reporting.

Adjusted profit/(loss) is also an adjusted performance measure used by the Group. This uses adjusted EBITDA, as defined above as management's view of the closest proxy to cash generation for underlying divisional performance, and deducting share option charges, depreciation, amortisation of intangible assets (other than those which arise in the acquisition of businesses) and certain finance charges. This provides an adjusted profit before tax measure, which is then taxed by applying an estimated adjusted tax measure. The adjusted tax charge excludes the tax impact of income statement items not included in adjusted profit before tax.

 
 
                                                        2022      2021 
 From continuing operations:                          GBP000    GBP000 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                       1,599   (1,783) 
 Share option charge                                       -     (334) 
 Depreciation                                        (1,216)     (982) 
 Amortisation (excluding amortisation of acquired 
  intangibles)                                         (252)     (129) 
 Net finance costs (note 8)                            (230)     (130) 
                                                    --------  -------- 
 Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax                      (99)   (3,358) 
 Tax                                                    (79)       551 
                                                    --------  -------- 
 Adjusted profit/(loss) after tax                      (178)   (2,807) 
                                                    --------  -------- 
 
 
 
                                  Note     2022      2021 
 From discontinued operations:           GBP000    GBP000 
 Adjusted EBITDA                   11     1,183     6,879 
 Depreciation                      11         -     (221) 
 Amortisation                      11         -     (151) 
 Net finance costs                 11         -        54 
                                        -------  -------- 
 Adjusted profit before tax               1,183     6,561 
 Tax                                          -   (1,693) 
                                        -------  -------- 
 Adjusted profit after tax                1,183     4,868 
                                        -------  -------- 
 
   2.    Segmental reporting 
 
 2022                                               Sportech   Sportech   Corporate 
                                                     Digital     Venues       costs        Group 
                                                      GBP000     GBP000      GBP000       GBP000 
 Revenue from sports betting services                      -      1,974           -      1,974 
 Revenue from food and beverage sales                      -      3,443           -      3,443 
 Revenue from rendering of services                    1,471     19,116           -     20,587 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Total revenue                                         1,471     24,533           -     26,004 
 Cost of sales                                         (944)   (10,903)           -   (11,847) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Gross profit                                            527     13,630           -     14,157 
 Marketing and distribution costs                          4      (390)           -      (386) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Contribution                                            531     13,240           -     13,771 
 Adjusted net operating costs (note 1)                 (838)    (9,194)     (2,140)   (12,172) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                       (307)      4,046     (2,140)      1,599 
 Depreciation                                           (10)    (1,192)        (14)    (1,216) 
 Amortisation (excluding amortisation of 
  acquired intangible assets)                          (162)          -        (90)      (252) 
 Amortisation of acquired intangibles                   (29)          -           -       (29) 
 Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment             -      (133)        (17)      (150) 
 Impairment of goodwill                                (517)          -           -      (517) 
 Reversal of impairment                                    -        190           -        190 
 Other income                                              -        120           -        120 
 Separately disclosed items                                -      (307)       (350)      (657) 
 Operating (loss)/profit                             (1,025)      2,724     (2,611)      (912) 
 Net finance income                                                                       (22) 
 Loss before taxation from continuing operations                                         (934) 
 Taxation - continuing operations                                                         (79) 
                                                                                     --------- 
 Loss for the year from continuing operations                                          (1,013) 
 Net profit from discontinued operations                                                 1,183 
                                                                                     --------- 
 Loss for the year                                                                         170 
                                                                                     --------- 
 
 
                                              Sportech   Sportech   Corporate 
                                               Digital     Venues       costs      Group 
                                                GBP000     GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
 Segment assets                                    951     27,055         168     28,174 
 Segment liabilities                              (50)   (12,831)     (1,254)   (14,135) 
                                             ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Other segment items - capital expenditure 
 Intangible assets (continuing operations)         196          -           -        196 
 Property, plant and equipment (continuing 
  operations)                                        5        142           -        147 
                                             ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 
 
 2021                                               Sportech   Sportech   Corporate 
                                                     Digital     Venues       costs        Group 
                                                      GBP000     GBP000      GBP000       GBP000 
 Revenue from sports betting services                      -        280           -        280 
 Revenue from food and beverage sales                      -      2,115           -      2,115 
 Revenue from rendering of services                    1,032     19,515           -     20,547 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Total revenue                                         1,032     21,910           -     22,942 
 Cost of sales                                         (548)   (10,941)           -   (11,489) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Gross profit                                            484     10,969           -     11,453 
 Marketing and distribution costs                       (76)      (200)           -      (276) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Contribution                                            408     10,769           -     11,177 
 Adjusted net operating costs (note 1)                 (987)    (9,149)     (2,564)   (12,700) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA (pre sports betting investment)       (579)      1,620     (2,564)    (1,523) 
 Sports betting investment                                 -      (260)           -      (260) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                       (579)      1,360     (2,564)    (1,783) 
 Share option charge                                       -          -       (334)      (334) 
 Depreciation                                           (10)      (950)        (22)      (982) 
 Amortisation (excluding amortisation of 
  acquired intangible assets)                           (97)          -        (32)      (129) 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Segment result before amortisation of acquired 
  intangibles                                          (686)        410     (2,952)    (3,228) 
 Amortisation of acquired intangibles                  (509)          -           -      (509) 
 Reversal of impairment of property, plant 
  and equipment                                            -        335           -        335 
 Separately disclosed items                            (165)       (84)       (852)    (1,101) 
 Other income                                            100      4,001           -      4,101 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Operating (loss)/profit                             (1,260)      4,662     (3,804)      (402) 
 Net finance income                                                                        156 
 Loss before taxation from continuing operations                                         (246) 
 Taxation - continuing operations                                                        (192) 
                                                                                     --------- 
 Loss for the year from continuing operations                                            (438) 
 Profit after tax from discontinued operations                                          35,001 
                                                   ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Profit for the year                                                                    34,563 
 
 
                                                Sportech   Sportech   Corporate 
                                                 Digital     Venues       costs      Group 
                                                  GBP000     GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
 Segment assets                                    1,252     20,288      18,738     40,278 
 Segment liabilities                               (208)   (12,144)     (8,104)   (20,456) 
                                               ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 Other segment items - capital expenditure 
 Intangible assets (continuing operations)           165          -           -        165 
 Intangible assets (discontinued operations)         847          -           -        847 
 Property, plant and equipment (continuing 
  operations)                                          4         27           -         31 
 Property, plant and equipment (discontinued 
  operations)                                        551          -           -        551 
                                               ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
 
   2b    Information by geographical area 
 
                                                           Revenues from 
                                 Revenues from           external customers 
                               external customers           Discontinued 
                              Continuing operations          operations         Non-current assets 
 
                                   2022         2021        2022        2021        2022       2021 
                                 GBP000       GBP000      GBP000      GBP000      GBP000     GBP000 
 United Kingdom                      93           62           -       1,867         702      1,316 
 North and South America         25,911       22,880           -      12,534      16,080     14,721 
 Europe                               -            -           -       1,724           -          - 
 Other                                -            -           -         294           -          - 
                           ------------  ----------- 
 Total                           26,004       22,942           -      16,419      16,782     16,037 
                           ------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
   3.   Expenses by nature 
 
 
                                                                   2022     2021 
                                                         Note    GBP000   GBP000 
 Cost of sales 
 Tote and track fees                                             10,208   10,205 
 F&B consumables                                                  1,144      818 
 Betting and gaming duties and licences                             125       99 
 Repairs and maintenance cost of sales                               28       34 
 Programs                                                           256      266 
 Other cost of sales                                                 86       67 
                                                                -------  ------- 
 Total cost of sales                                             11,847   11,489 
                                                                -------  ------- 
 
 Marketing and distribution costs 
 Marketing                                                          368      253 
 Vehicle costs                                                       18       23 
 Total marketing and distribution costs                             386      276 
                                                                -------  ------- 
 
 Operating costs 
 Staff costs - gross, excluding share option 
  charges                                                         6,323    6,661 
 Less amounts capitalised                                         (171)    (165) 
                                                                -------  ------- 
 Staff costs - net                                                6,152    6,496 
 Property costs                                                   2,688    2,581 
 IT & Communications                                                628      457 
 Professional fees and licences                                   1,524    2,323 
 Insurance                                                          913      968 
 Travel and entertaining                                             94       26 
 Banking transaction costs and FX                                   107      109 
 Other costs                                                         66        - 
                                                                -------  ------- 
 Adjusted operating costs (including sports betting 
  investment)                                                    12,172   12,960 
 Share option charge                                                         334 
 Depreciation                                            15,16    1,216      982 
 Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment                      150        - 
 Amortisation, excluding amortisation on acquired 
  intangibles                                             14        252      129 
 Amortisation of acquired intangibles                     14         29      509 
 Impairment of goodwill                                   13        517        - 
 Impairment reversal of property, plant and equipment 
  and right-of-use assets                                15,16    (190)    (335) 
 Separately disclosed items                               15        657    1,101 
 Total operating costs                                           14,803   15,680 
                                                                -------  ------- 
 
   4.   Separately disclosed items 
 
                                                                           2022     2021 
 Continuing operations                                  Note             GBP000   GBP000 
 Included in operating costs: 
  Onerous contract provisions and other losses 
   resulting from exit from Californian operations                        (120)       91 
  Redundancy and restructuring costs(1)                                     414      625 
  Corporate activity costs                                                   57       21 
  Costs in relation to the Spot the Ball VAT refund                           -       10 
  Settlement of a contract(2)                                               304        - 
  Costs in relation to exiting the Group's interests 
   in India                                                                   2       13 
  Costs in relation to the Group's move from Main 
   Market to AIM                                                              -      341 
                                                                            657    1,101 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 Discontinued operations 
 Included in operating costs                             11                   -      371 
 
 Total included in operating costs                                          657    1,472 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 
 Included in finance costs - continuing operations: 
   Interest accrued on corporate tax relating to 
    the balance sheet date on STB refund received 
    in 2016                                                                  24      150 
                                                         8                   24      150 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 
 Net separately disclosed items                                             681    1,622 
                                                              -----------------  ------- 
 

1. Redundancy and restructuring costs relate to settlements made to former Directors in lieu of notice.

2. Settlement of a contract relates to the Group exiting a royalty arrangement in the period relating to branding at its Connecticut venues. This required a termination fee to be paid.

Below is a summary of cash outflows from separately disclosed items:

 
                                                                     2022       2021 
                                                                   GBP000     GBP000 
---------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
  Continuing operations - cash outflows from separately 
   disclosed items: 
  Onerous contract provisions and other losses resulting            (688)          - 
   from exit from Californian operations 
  Settlement of a contract                                          (304)          - 
  Redundancy and restructuring costs                                (414)      (625) 
  Costs in relation to the Spot the Ball VAT refund                     -       (37) 
  Costs in relation to corporate activity                            (49)       (71) 
  Costs in relation to the Group's move to AIM                          -      (341) 
  Costs in relation to the Group's lease in Norco, 
   California                                                           -      (785) 
  Costs in relation to exiting the Group's interests 
   in India                                                           (2)       (13) 
---------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
  Cash outflows from separately disclosed items -continuing 
   operations (net)                                               (1,457)    (1,872) 
  Cash outflows from separately disclosed items - discontinued 
   operations (net)                                                     -      (535) 
---------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
  Cash outflows from separately disclosed items - total           (1,457)    (2,407) 
---------------------------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 
   5.   E m pl o y me nt c o s ts 

Average number of monthly employees (full-time equivalents) including Executive Directors comprised:

 
                          Continuing   Discontinued    Total   Continuing   Discontinued    Total 
                                2022           2022     2022         2021           2021     2021 
 Continuing operations        Number         Number   Number       Number         Number   Number 
 S a l e s and ma r 
  k e t i ng                       5              -        5            4             13       17 
 O p e r a t i o n s 
  and d i s t ri b u 
  t i on                         140              -      140          134            195      329 
 A d min i s t r a t 
  i o n and management            12              -       12           12             24       36 
                         -----------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  ------- 
 T o t a l e m pl oy 
  e es                           157              -      157          150            232      382 
                         -----------  -------------  -------  -----------  -------------  ------- 
 

T he i r ag g r e g a te r e m u n e r a t i on c omp r i s e d:

 
                                                    Continuing       Discontinued 
                                                    2022     2021     2022     2021 
                                                  GBP000   GBP000   GBP000   GBP000 
 Wages and Salaries                                5,545    5,933        -    4,145 
 Social security costs                               530      475        -      406 
 Pension costs - defined contribution scheme 
  (note 25)                                           75       88        -      225 
 Employee remuneration, excluding share option 
  charges                                          6,150    6,496             4,776 
 Share option expense                                  -      334                 - 
                                                 -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Total remuneration                                6,150    6,830             4,776 
                                                 -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
   6.   D i r ec t o rs a nd key mana geme nt r e m u ne r a t i on 
 
                                             Directors & 
                                            Key Management 
                                         ------------------ 
                                             2022      2021 
                                         --------  -------- 
                                           GBP000    GBP000 
 Sho rt - t e rm e m pl oy ee b e n e 
  f i ts                                      365     1,701 
 Sha r e - b as e d p a y m e n ts              -         - 
 P a y in l i eu of n ot i ce                 266       368 
 Po s t -e m pl o y m e nt b e n e f i          -         - 
  ts 
                                         --------  -------- 
 T o t a l r e m u n e r a t i on             631     2,069 
                                         --------  -------- 
 

In the above table, the prior year includes approved bonuses for 2021 and excludes any bonus which was contingent on the completion of the disposal of the held for sale assets at 31 December 2021. Those bonuses which have now been paid in 2021 have been included in the 2021 amounts in the above table.

   7.     Auditor remuneration 

Fees paid to the Auditors of the consolidated financial statements during the period comprise:

 
                                 2022     2021 
                               GBP000   GBP000 
 Audit fees                       258      264 
 Corporate finance services         -       55 
 Other assurance services          15       18 
                              -------  ------- 
 Total fees                       273      337 
                              -------  ------- 
 
   8.   Net finance income/(costs) 
 
                                                                  2022     2021 
 Continuing operations:                                         GBP000   GBP000 
 Finance costs: 
   Interest accrued and paid on tax liabilities                   (24)    (150) 
   Interest on lease obligations (note 24)                       (230)    (155) 
   Foreign exchange loss on financial assets and liabilities         -        - 
    denominated in foreign currency 
   Total finance costs                                           (254)    (305) 
 
 Finance income: 
   Interest received on bank deposits                                -       25 
   Foreign exchange gain on financial assets and liabilities 
    denominated in foreign currency                                232      436 
                                                               -------  ------- 
   Total finance income                                            232      461 
 
 Discontinued operations                                             -       54 
 
 Net finance (costs)/income                                       (22)      210 
                                                               -------  ------- 
 

Of the above amounts the following have been excluded for the purposes of deriving the alternative performance measures in note 1.

 
 Continuing operations:                                          2022      2021 
                                                               GBP000    GBP000 
 Foreign exchange gain on financial assets and liabilities 
  denominated in foreign currency                                 232       436 
 Interest accrued and paid on tax liabilities                    (24)     (150) 
                                                                  208       286 
                                                             --------  -------- 
 
   9.   Taxation 

The Group's tax charge from continuing and discontinued operations comprises:

 
                                                                         2022       2021 
                                                                       GBP000     GBP000 
 Current tax: 
  Current tax on profit for the year                                      287      1,219 
  Adjustments in respect of prior years                                 (150)          6 
                                                                      -------  --------- 
  Total current tax                                                       137      1,225 
                                                                      -------  --------- 
 Deferred tax: 
   Origination and reversal of temporary differences                     (43)       (56) 
   Change in rates                                                          -        (4) 
   Adjustments in respect of prior years                                 (15)         13 
   Derecognition of previously recognised deferred tax assets               -          - 
                                                                      -------  --------- 
   Total deferred tax                                                    (58)       (47) 
                                                                      -------  --------- 
 Total tax charge                                                          79      1,178 
                                                                      -------  --------- 
 
                                                                         2022         2021 
                                                          Note         GBP000       GBP000 
  Total tax charge in continuing operations                                79          192 
  Total tax charge in discontinued operations              11               -          986 
                                                                  -----------  ----------- 
  Total tax charge                                                         79        1,178 
                                                                  -----------  ----------- 
 
 

The taxation on the Group's profit/(loss) before taxation differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted average tax rate applicable to profits and losses of the consolidated entities as follows:

 
                                                                  2022      2021 
                                                        Note    GBP000    GBP000 
 Profit for the year                                               169    34,563 
 Total tax charge                                                   79     1,178 
                                                               -------  -------- 
 Profit before tax                                                 248    35,741 
 
 Tax calculated at domestic tax rates applicable to 
  (losses)/profits in the respective countries                      44     8,065 
 Tax effects of: 
 - income not taxable net of expenses not deductible 
  for tax purposes                                                 201   (5,282) 
 - foreign taxes paid not provided for                               -       689 
 - adjustments in respect of prior years - current 
  tax                                                            (150)         6 
 - adjustments in respect of prior years - deferred 
  tax                                                             (15)        13 
 - effect of change in rates                                         -       (4) 
 - deferred tax not recognised during the year                       -       319 
 - deferred tax not previously provided                              -   (2,628) 
 - derecognition of previously recognised deferred                   -         - 
  tax assets 
                                                               -------  -------- 
 Total tax charge                                                   79     1,178 
                                                               -------  -------- 
 

No deferred tax asset has been recognised in the US businesses as at 31 December 2022 or 2021 as there is not sufficient certainty over the recoverability of these against suitable future profits. There are no changes expected in the US federal income tax rate from the current rate of 21%.

These financial statements account for the change in the UK Corporation Tax rate from 19% to 25% based on enacted legislation..

The tax position in relation to the treatment of the GBP4.6m gain included in the 2016 financial statements for the Spot the Ball VAT refund remains uncertain. The directors continue to consider that this amount is in dispute and await the HMRC final determination of assessments whereupon they will consider if any further actions are appropriate. No contingent asset is provided in this respect.

An analysis of the net current tax (assets)/ liabilities is as follows:

 
 
                                                                2022     2021 
                                                              GBP000   GBP000 
 At 1 January                                                  4,718    3,258 
 Charged to the income statement - continuing operations         153      239 
 Charged to the income statement - discontinued 
  operations*                                                      -      791 
 Paid during the year - continuing operations                (5,083)    (105) 
 Received during the year - continuing operations                  -    1,442 
 Paid during the year - discontinued operations*                   -    (904) 
 Transferred to liabilities associated with assets                 -        - 
  held for sale 
 Foreign exchange movements                                     (16)      (3) 
 At 31 December                                                (228)    4,718 
                                                            --------  ------- 
 
 Included in: 
 Current assets                                                (228)        - 
 Current liabilities                                               -    4,718 
                                                            --------  ------- 
                                                               (228)    4,718 
                                                            --------  ------- 
 

* Relating to LEIDSA contract. Tax paid in the other discontinued operations was GBP20k.

10. Other income

Other income recognised in the income statement during the year is as follows:

 
                                                                  2022     2021 
                                                         Note   GBP000   GBP000 
 Settlement for early termination of a contract                      -      100 
 CARES Act credits received - continuing operations                120    1,426 
 Profit on disposal of Sports Haven                                  -    2,575 
                                                               -------  ------- 
 Total - continuing operations                                     120    4,101 
 CARES Act credits received - discontinued operations    11c       170    1,057 
                                                               -------  ------- 
 Total                                                             290    5,158 
                                                               -------  ------- 
 

CARES Act credits were received given the impact on the Group's operations of the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in the USA. All amounts were received in cash either during the year or in February 2023. Proceeds from the settlement for early termination of a contract are due to be received in early Q2 of 2022.

11. Discontinued operations and assets held for sale

11a) On 28 April 2021 the Group completed the disposal of its freehold property in New Haven, Connecticut, known as "Sports Haven" for gross consideration of GBP4,346k ($6,000k). The asset was classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2020 and was part of the Sportech Venues division. Costs related to the disposal amounted to GBP153k ($210k). The property was leased back for an initial 18 months to 31 October 2022, then extended to February 2024 at a rental of cGBP36k per month ($50k). On disposal, a lease liability of GBP633k was recognised as well as a right-of-use asset of GBP169k.

11b) On 2 June 2021 the Group completed the disposal its 50:50 lottery division, Bump 50:50. In addition to the consideration received during 2021, further consideration was received by the group in March 2023 following Bump 50:50 achieving the revenue trigger in the financial year ending 31 December 2022. The gross amount received of GBP1,229k has been recognised within discontinued operations in the Income Statement with a net gain of GBP1,013k.

The profit for the period and cashflows from Bump are shown below:

 
                                                                        Period 
                                                                       ended 2 
                                                             2022    June 2021 
 Bump (Worldwide) Inc.:                             Note   GBP000       GBP000 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------- 
 Revenue                                                    1,229          810 
 Cost of sales, marketing and distribution and 
  adjusted operating expenses                               (216)        (487) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                            1,013          323 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                  -            - 
 Separately disclosed items                                     -            - 
 Finance income                                                 -           78 
------------------------------------------------- 
 Profit before tax                                          1,013          401 
 Tax, excluding tax arising on disposal                         -            - 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------- 
 Profit after tax                                               -          401 
 Gain from selling discontinued operations after 
  tax (net of disposal costs)                        11e    1,013        3,805 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------- 
 Profit for the period                                      1,013        4,206 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------- 
 
 Net cash flow from operating activities                        -          462 
 Net cash flow (used in) investing activities                   -         (37) 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------- 
 Net cash inflow/(outflow)                                      -          425 
-------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ----------- 
 

11c) On 17 June 2021 the Group completed the disposal of its Global Tote division which also formed part of the Sportech Racing division and was classified as held for sale as at 31 December 2020. Gross Consideration amounts to GBP33,906k including a payment for cash transferred to the buyer with the business of GBP3,609k net of debt like items of GBP1,294k, received in July 2021 plus a settlement of net working capital which was in excess of an agreed Target working capital (and other adjustments) of GBP559k also delivered. In addition, the historical underlying tote software code was disposed of by Sportech PLC to BetMakers Technology Group Limited within the same agreement, proceeds of GBP150k resulted in a profit on disposal of GBP68k.

The Group has recognised GBP170k relating to Cares Act claims for the period prior to disposal which were received by the Group in 2023.

The profit for the period and cashflows from Global Tote are shown below:

 
 
                                                                              Period 
                                                                               ended 
                                                                             17 June 
                                                                    2022        2021 
 Global Tote Group:                                        Note   GBP000      GBP000 
--------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ---------- 
 Revenue                                                               -      12,245 
 Cost of sales, marketing and distribution and adjusted 
  operating expenses                                                   -     (8,140) 
--------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ---------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                                       -       4,105 
 Other income                                                        170       1,057 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                         -           - 
 Profit on disposal of intangible assets                               -          68 
 Separately disclosed items                                            -       (371) 
 Finance costs                                                         -        (24) 
-------------------------------------------------------- 
 Profit before tax                                                   170       4,835 
 Tax, excluding tax arising on disposal                                -       (195) 
--------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ---------- 
 Profit after tax                                                      -       4,640 
 Gain from selling discontinued operations after tax 
  (net of disposal costs)                                   11e      170      17,051 
--------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ---------- 
 Profit for the period                                               170      21,691 
--------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ---------- 
 
 Net cash flow from operating activities                               -       1,944 
 Net cash flow (used in) investing activities                          -       (930) 
 Net cash flow (used in) financing activities                          -       (160) 
--------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ---------- 
 Net cash inflow                                                       -         854 
--------------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ---------- 
 

11d) The profit for the period and cashflows from Sportech Lotteries, LLC are shown below:

 
                                                        Note     2022     2021 
 Sportech Lotteries, LLC:                                      GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 Revenue                                                            -    3,364 
 Cost of sales, marketing and distribution and 
  adjusted operating expenses                                       -    (913) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA                                                    -    2,451 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                      -    (372) 
 Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment                -       47 
----------------------------------------------------- 
 Profit before tax                                                  -    2,126 
 Tax, excluding tax arising on disposal                             -    (791) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 Profit after tax                                                   -    1,335 
 Gain from selling discontinued operations after 
  tax (net of disposal costs)                            11e        -    7,769 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 Profit for the period                                              -    9,104 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 
 Net cash flow from operating activities                            -    1,068 
 Net cash flow (used in) investing activities                       -    (429) 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 Net cash inflow                                                    -      639 
-----------------------------------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 

11e) A summary of the gain on disposal of each discontinued operation is as follows:

 
                                                          Global                        Sportech 
                                                      Tote Group   Bump (Worldwide)    Lotteries 
                                                                               Inc.          LLC    Total 
                                              Note        GBP000             GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
------------------------------------------  ------  ------------  -----------------  -----------  ------- 
 Cash consideration received and 
  receivable                                                 170              1,229            -    1,399 
 Cash consideration received and 
  receivable net of cash disposed 
  of                                                         170              1,229            -    1,399 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------------  -----------  ------- 
   Costs of disposal                                           -              (216)            -    (216) 
 Pre-tax gain on disposal of discontinued 
  operations                                                 170              1,013            -    1,183 
 Taxation 
------------------------------------------  ------  ------------  -----------------  -----------  ------- 
 Gain on disposal of discontinued 
  operations                                                 170              1,013            -    1,183 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------------  -----------  ------- 
 

Costs of disposal include bonuses paid to Group employees and former employees of GBP216k for Bump.

11f) A summary of the cash consideration received and receivable net of cash disposed of is as follows:

 
                                                   Global                        Sportech 
                                               Tote Group   Bump (Worldwide)    Lotteries 
                                                                        Inc.          LLC    Total 
                                       Note        GBP000             GBP000       GBP000   GBP000 
-----------------------------------  ------  ------------  -----------------  -----------  ------- 
 
 Cash consideration received and 
  receivable net of cash disposed 
  of before disposal costs paid in 
  the period                                          170              1,229            -    1,399 
-------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------------  -----------  ------- 
 

11g) Reconciliation to profit/(loss) for the period included in the income statement:

 
                            Note     2022     2021 
                                   GBP000   GBP000 
-------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 Global Tote                11c       170   21,691 
 Bump                       11b     1,013    4,206 
 Sportech Lotteries, LLC    11d         -    9,104 
-------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
                                    1,183   35,001 
-------------------------  -----  -------  ------- 
 

12. E a rn i n gs/(loss) per s ha re

(a) Basic

Basic earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

 
 
                               Continuing   Discontinued     Total   Continuing   Discontinued     Total 
                                     2022           2022      2022         2021           2021      2021 
                                   GBP000         GBP000    GBP000       GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
 (Loss)/profit attributable 
  to the owners of the 
  Company                         (1,014)          1,183       169        (438)         35,001    34,563 
 Weighted average number 
  of ordinary shares in 
  issue ('000)                    100,000        100,000   100,000      169,785        169,785   169,785 
                              -----------  -------------  --------  -----------  -------------  -------- 
 Basic (loss)/earnings 
  per share                        (1.0)p           1.2p      0.2p       (0.3)p          20.6p     20.3p 
                              -----------  -------------  --------  -----------  -------------  -------- 
 

(b) Diluted

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. Where there is a loss attributable to owners of the Company, the earnings per share is not diluted.

 
 
                                 Continuing   Discontinued     Total   Continuing   Discontinued     Total 
                                       2022           2022      2022         2021           2021      2021 
                                     GBP000         GBP000    GBP000       GBP000         GBP000    GBP000 
 Profit attributable to the 
  owners of the Company             (1,014)          1,183       169        (438)         35,001    34,563 
 Weighted average number 
  of ordinary shares in issue 
  ('000)                            100,000        100,000   100,000      169,785        169,785   169,785 
 Dilutive potential ordinary 
  shares                             (1.0)p           1.2p      0.2p          N/A            N/A       N/A 
                                -----------  -------------  --------  -----------  -------------  -------- 
 Total potential ordinary 
  shares                            100,000        100,000   100,000      169,785        169,785   169,785 
                                -----------  -------------  --------  -----------  -------------  -------- 
 Diluted earnings per share          (1.0)p           1.2p      0.2p       (0.3)p          20.6p     20.3p 
                                -----------  -------------  --------  -----------  -------------  -------- 
 

The number of potentially dilutive shares not taken into account in respect of the VCP in prior year was unlimited. The VCP expired on 31 December 2022 and there are no longer any potentially dilutive shares.

c) Adjusted

Adjusted EPS is calculated by dividing the adjusted loss after tax (as defined in note 1) attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

 
                                      2022                              2021 
                        -------------------------------- 
                                      Weighted                          Weighted 
                          Adjusted     average              Adjusted     average 
                              loss      number       Per        loss      number       Per 
                             after   of shares     share       after   of shares     share 
Continuing operations          tax                amount         tax                amount 
                            GBP000      GBP000     Pence      GBP000      GBP000     Pence 
Basic adjusted EPS           (143)     100,000    (0.1)p     (2,807)     169,785    (1.7)p 
Diluted adjusted EPS         (143)     100,000    (0.1)p     (2,807)     169,785    (1.7)p 
 

1 3 . G o o d w ill

Goodwill cost brought forward arose on the acquisition of Lot.to Systems Limited (which is now subsumed into Sportech Digital) in February 2019. The goodwill is attributable to the knowledge and expertise of the workforce.

Movements in the Group's goodwill are shown below:

 
                                   2022    2021 
                                 GBP000  GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January                        604     604 
At 31 December                      604     604 
Accumulated impairment charges 
At 1 January                                  - 
Impairment charge                   517       - 
At 31 December                      517       - 
Closing net book value               87     604 
 

As required by IAS 36, an impairment test has been carried out as at 31 December 2022.

The recoverable amount of the CGU has been determined based on a value-in-use calculation. The key base case assumptions made in calculating the value-in-use were:

On 3 February, Lot.to Systems Limited received GBP500k cash in initial consideration for the disposal of its trade and assets to Inspired Gaming Ltd. The purchase consideration represented value for the transfer under TUPE of the development team and the intangible assets, being the software they had internally developed with the costs of their time having been capitalised in previous periods.

The carrying value of the acquired goodwill in the Group in respect of Lotto is GBP604k which along with the intangible assets of GBP412k comes to GBP1,016k. This means an impairment loss of GBP517k is required to write down the fixed assets to the value of the purchase consideration.

14. I n t an gi ble f i x ed as s e ts

 
 
  2022 
                                             Software    Licences    Total 
                                               GBP000      GBP000   GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2022                               4,576       5,696   10,272 
Additions - continuing operations                 196           -      196 
Disposals - continuing operations                 (2)           -      (2) 
At 31 December 2022                             4,770       5,696   10,466 
Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 January 2022                               3,592         914    4,506 
Charge for year - continuing operations           277           4      281 
Disposal - continuing operations                    2           -        2 
At 31 December 2022                             3,871         918    4,789 
Exchange differences at 1 January 2022          (247)         838      591 
Movement in the year                                0         671      671 
Exchange differences at 31 December 2022        (247)       1,509    1,262 
Net book amount at 31 December 2022               652       6,287    6,939 
 

Of the amounts capitalised in the year in continuing operations, GBP196k arose from capitalising staff costs for development expenditure (2021: GBP165k). Amortisation has been included within operating costs.

Impairment - Licences

The Group holds a licence in perpetuity to offer pari-mutuel off-track betting in the State of Connecticut in the US for its Venues division. This asset has a book value in GBP at the reporting date, prior to any impairment that may be considered necessary, of GBP6,287k ($7,569k, 2021: GBP5,616k, $7,569k). Given this licence is in perpetuity, the book value of the asset is not amortised and the useful economic life allocated to the asset is indefinite.

As required by IAS 36, an impairment test has been carried out as at 31 December 2022. In testing for impairment, other assets used solely to generate cash flows in the Venues CGU are also included, totalling (together with the licence carrying value) GBP15,814k, $19,039k (2021: GBP12,680k, $17,088k).

The recoverable amount of the asset has been determined based on a value-in-use calculation. The key base case assumptions made in calculating the value-in-use were:

- EBITDA forecasts assume year-on-year handle decline in the core operating business of 2.8% in the next 5 years and a 2% decline into perpetuity;

- a significant increase in F&B revenues in 2023 reflecting a full recovery from the overhang of COVID-19 restrictions, thereafter the revenue is held flat into perpetuity;

- Online and Sports betting revenues are forecasted to increase by 2% into perpetuity (is it assumed the 10-year contract with CLC will be renewed in perpetuity);

- capital expenditure was included in the cash flows at management's best estimate of industry norm for reinvestment in retail outlets of the kind under review; and

- a post-tax discount rate of 13.9% (2021: 13.5%) was used representing a market-based weighted average cost of capital appropriate for the Sportech Venues CGU.

The above assumptions are together considered by management to be the most likely trading performance outcome for the CGU, having taken into account past experience and knowledge of the future trading environment.

Following the impairment review, the recoverable amount of those assets was deemed to be GBP17,726k ($21,340k) and accordingly no impairment was identified (2021: no impairment).

The below assumptions represent a reasonable downside case for sensitivity purposes. This would reduce the carrying value of the trading assets in the business to GBP12,946k, being headroom to the carrying value of GBP266k.

   -    4% decline for 2023 through 2025 rather than 2% for core wagering handle; 
   -    No growth in the F&B revenue; 
   -    On line and sports betting revenues growth rate halved to 1% 
   -    All other costs remain constant; 
 
 
  2021 
                                              Software    Licences    Total 
                                                GBP000      GBP000   GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2021                                5,353       5,696   11,049 
Additions - continuing operations                  165           -      165 
Additions - discontinued operations                 23           -       23 
Disposal                                         (965)           -    (965) 
At 31 December 2021                              4,576       5,696   10,272 
Accumulated amortisation 
At 1 January 2021                                3,594         879    4,473 
Charge for year - continuing operations            603          35      638 
Charge for year - discontinued operations          151           -      151 
Disposal                                         (756)           -    (756) 
At 31 December 2021                              3,592         914    4,506 
Exchange differences at 1 January 2021               -         767      767 
Movement in the year                                 -          71       71 
Disposal                                         (247)           -    (247) 
Exchange differences at 31 December 2021         (247)         838      591 
Net book amount at 31 December 2021                737       5,620    6,357 
 

15. P r o pe r t y, pl a nt a nd e q ui p me nt

 
                                        Leasehold 
  2022                               improvements                                              Assets 
                                        and owned            Plant        Fixtures      in the course 
                                         land and    and machinery    and fittings    of construction     Total 
                                        buildings           GBP000          GBP000             GBP000    GBP000 
                                           GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2022                           8,393              502           3,598                  1    12,494 
Additions - continuing operations               -                3             109                 35       147 
Disposals                                   (193)                -           (374)                  -     (567) 
At 31 December 2022                         8,200              505           3,333                 36    12,074 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2022                           4,640                1           3,508                  -     8,149 
Charge for year - continuing 
 operations                                   231               21             182                  -       434 
Reversal of impairment                      (190)                -               -                  -     (190) 
Disposals                                   (119)                -           (315)                  -     (434) 
A t 31 December 2022                        4,562               22           3,375                  -     7,959 
Exchange differences at 1 
 January 2022                                  54            (472)             333                  1      (84) 
Movement in the year                          441                3              47                  -       491 
Disposals                                       -                -               -                  -         - 
Exchange differences at 31 
 December 2022                                495            (469)             380                  1       407 
N e t b o ok am o u nt at 
 31 December 2022                           4,133               14             338                 37     4,522 
 

Depreciation charges and the loss on disposal of PPE have been included in operating costs.

Reversal of impairment

The assets at the Stamford sports bar venue in Connecticut, USA were fully impaired in prior periods. Given the new arrangement for sports betting in the venue which came into force in late October 2021, management have considered whether any of the previous impairment of assets should be reversed based on the venue's trading performance. Modelling was undertaken to calculate the value-in-use of the assets at the venue. The following key assumptions were made in the value-in-use calculation:

- The break clause in May 2025 will not be activated to end the lease in June 2026 and the trade at the venue will continue into perpetuity (this a reversal of the assumption taken in June 2020 that the break would be taken). This has been reflected in the year with the lease liability remeasured resulting in an increase in the lease liability of GBP2,835K and a corresponding increase in the right-of-use asset was made (see note 16 and 24);

- All operating assumptions driving revenues and costs were considered in the same way as the overall venues business;

- Capital expenditure will average at $60k per annum until 2025 and then $40k per annum into perpetuity; and

- a post-tax discount rate of 13.9% (2021: 13.5%) was used representing a market-based weighted average cost of capital appropriate for the Sportech Venues CGU.

As part of the discounted cashflow exercise with the above assumptions the recoverable amount of those assets was deemed to be GBP4,071k Accordingly a reversal of impairment of GBP190k was identified and has been credited to the income statement within operating costs.

No indicators of impairment of other property, plant and equipment arose in the second half of the year.

 
                                          Leasehold 
  2021                                 improvements                                              Assets 
                                          and owned            Plant        Fixtures      in the course 
                                           land and    and machinery    and fittings    of construction     Total 
                                          buildings           GBP000          GBP000             GBP000    GBP000 
                                             GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2021                             8,393            3,022           3,553                 31    14,999 
Additions - continuing operations                 -               16              45               (30)        31 
Additions - discontinued operations               -              343               -                 64       407 
Disposals                                         -          (2,879)               -               (64)   (2,943) 
At 31 December 2021                           8,393              502           3,598                  1    12,494 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2021                             4,780            1,513           3,274                  -     9,567 
Charge for year - continuing 
 operations                                     195               19             234                  -       448 
Charge for year - discontinued 
 operations                                       -              221               -                  -       221 
Reversal of impairment                        (335)                -               -                  -     (335) 
Disposals                                         -          (1,752)               -                  -   (1,752) 
A t 31 December 2021                          4,640                1           3,508                  -     8,149 
Exchange differences at 1 
 January 2021                                   122            (672)             195                  -     (355) 
Movement in the year                           (68)                1             138                  1        72 
Disposals                                         -              199               -                  -       199 
Exchange differences at 31 
 December                                        54            (472)             333                  1      (84) 
N e t b o ok am o u nt at 
 31 December 2021                             3,807               29             423                  2     4,261 
 

16. Right-of-use assets

 
 
  2022 
                                               Land and                    Fixtures 
                                              buildings    Vehicles    and fittings     Total 
                                                 GBP000      GBP000          GBP000    GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2022                                 8,881          29              53     8,963 
Additions                                           652           -               -       652 
Disposals                                         (102)           -               -     (102) 
At 31 December 2022                               9,431          29              53     9,513 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2022                                 4,217           7              37     4,261 
Charge for year                                     765           5              12       782 
Disposals                                          (85)           -               -      (85) 
A t 31 December 2022                              4,897          12              49     4,958 
Exchange differences at 1 January 2022             (42)         (1)             (2)      (45) 
Movement in the year                                520           4               8       532 
Exchange differences at 31 December 2022            478           3               6       487 
N e t b o ok am o u nt at 31 December 2022        5,012          20              10     5,042 
 

The addition in year relates to the extension of the existing lease of the Sports Haven venue.

 
 
  2021 
                                               Land and                    Fixtures 
                                              buildings    Vehicles    and fittings     Total 
                                                 GBP000      GBP000          GBP000    GBP000 
Cost 
At 1 January 2021                                 6,941          29              53     7,023 
Additions                                         1,240           -               -     1,240 
Reassessment of lease term                          604           -               -       604 
Transferred from held for sale                       96           -               -        96 
At 31 December 2022                               8,881          29              53     8,963 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 1 January 2021                                 5,878           2              27     5,907 
Charge for year                                     519           5              10       534 
Reassessment of lease term                      (2,231)           -               -   (2,231) 
Transferred from held for sale                       51           -               -        51 
A t 31 December 2022                              4,217           7              37     4,261 
Exchange differences at 1 January 2021               20         (1)             (2)        17 
Movement in the year                               (62)           -               -      (62) 
Exchange differences at 31 December 2022           (42)         (1)             (2)      (45) 
N e t b o ok am o u nt at 31 December 2022        4,622          21              14     4,657 
 

Depreciation charges have been included in operating costs.

Reassessment of lease assumption - break clause

During the year ended 31 December 2020, management had judged that the break clause in the lease of the Stamford sports bar venue in Connecticut, USA, would be exercised and that the venue would be exited in May 2025.

Following the new arrangement which came into force in late October 2021 and allowed sports betting to commence in the venue, management now consider that the break will not be taken and the Group will continue to operate the venue until at least the end of the lease in May 2035. As a result, during the year ended 31 December 2021, the lease liability was remeasured resulting in an increase of GBP2,835k (see note 24) and a corresponding increase in the right-of-use asset.

This GBP2,835k increase to the right-of-use asset should wholly be recognised as an increase in cost but GBP2,231k was taken against accumulated depreciation with only GBP604k recognised as an increase in cost. This is to ensure that the correct closing cost and accumulated depreciation figures are reported as, during the year ended 31 December 2020, the reassessment of the lease term which led to a decrease in the right of use asset of GBP2,231k was shown as an increase in accumulated depreciation when it should have been recognised as a reduction in cost. This had no impact on the net book amount of the right-of-use asset reported nor on profit for the year. Rather than restate the cost and accumulated depreciation figures for the year ended 31 December 2020 with no overall impact, management have reversed the GBP2,231k adjustment to accumulated depreciation during the year ended 31 December 2021 and correctly recognised the excess of GBP604k as an increase in cost.

Value in use

Management considered that indicators of impairment of the right-of-use assets of the Stamford sports bar lease in Connecticut, USA, following the reassessment of the break clause assumption. The carrying value was considered to be supported by the discounted future cashflows and as a result no further impairment was identified. See note 15 for details of assumptions used in the forecasting.

No indicators of impairment arose in relation to any other right-of-use asset during the period.

Further lease disclosures are given in note 24.

17. N et i nv es t me nt in joi nt v e n t u r e

The Group held a 50% investment in Striders sports bar in San Diego, as part of the joint venture company S&S Venues California, LLC. Striders is a food and beverage venue with on-site wagering facilities in California. It commenced trading in February 2017 and ceased trading in December 2019. The Group's obligations in relation to the joint venture have been settled and the legal process to dissolve the joint venture company was completed in 2022.

18. Trade and other receivables

 
                                                               2022     2021 
                                                             GBP000   GBP000 
N o n -cur r e nt 
  Other receivables                                             177      158 
  N o n -cur r e nt t r ade and o t h er r e c e 
   i v a bl es                                                  177      158 
C ur r e n t 
  T r ad e r e c e i v a bl es                                1,112      781 
  L e s s p ro vis i on f or i mp air m e nt of                   -        - 
   r e c e i v a bl es 
  T r ad e r e c e i v a bl es - n et                         1,112      781 
  O t h e r r e c e i v a bl es                                 491      480 
  A c c ru e d i n c ome                                        231      279 
  P r e p a y m e n t s                                         144      210 
  C ur r e n t t r ade and o t h er r e c e i v 
   a bl es                                                    1,978    1,750 
T o t a l t r ade and o t h er r e c e i v a bl 
 es                                                           2,155    1,908 
 

The fair value of trade and other receivables is not considered to be different from the carrying value recorded above.

Movements in the provision for impairment of receivables in the year is shown below:

 
                                                                      2022           2021 
                                                                    GBP000         GBP000 
  At 1 January                                                           -            111 
  Charged to the income statement - discontinued operations              -              - 
  Utilisation of provision                                               -          (111) 
  Transferred to held for sale                                           -              - 
  Foreign exchange movements                                             -              - 
  At 31 December                                                         -              - 
 

The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

 
                         2022             2021 
                       GBP000           GBP000 
  Sterling                104              233 
  US Dollar             1,835            1,675 
  Total                 1,939            1,908 
 

Trade receivables that are not more than three months past due are not considered impaired. As at 31 December 2022, GBP48k (2021: GBP102k) of trade receivables were more than three months past due and not impaired. Management also considers that these receivables are recoverable in full.

19. D e f e r r ed t ax

T h e m ov e m e nt on t he n et d ef e r r ed tax ba l an ce is as f o l l o w s:

 
 
                                                    Asset    Liability       Net 
                                                     2022         2022      2022      2021 
                                           Note    GBP000       GBP000    GBP000    GBP000 
  N e t d ef e r r ed tax ass et at 1 
   Janua ry                                                       (43)      (43)      (90) 
  Income statement credit - continuing 
   operations                                 9                     58        58        47 
  N e t d ef e r r ed tax ass et at 31 
   De c e mb er                                         -           15        15      (43) 
 
  Included in: 
  Non-current assets                                    -           15        15         - 
  Current liabilities                                   -            -         -         - 
  Non-current liabilities                               -            -         -      (43) 
                                                        -           15        15      (43) 
 

D eferre d tax liabilities

 
                                                         Other 
                                         temporary differences 
                                                        GBP000      Total 
                                                                   GBP000 
A t 1 Janua ry 2021                                       (90)       (90) 
In c om e s t a t e m e nt credit 
 - continuing operations                                    47         47 
A t 1 January 2022                                        (43)       (43) 
In c om e s t a t e m e nt credit- 
 continuing operations                                      58         58 
A t 31 December 2022                                        15         15 
 

20. Inventories

 
                             2022      2021 
                           GBP000   GBP 000 
  F in i s h e d goo ds       146       124 
                              146       124 
 

The cost of inventories (food and beverage inventory) recognised as an expense and included in cost of sales amounted to GBP1,147k (2021: GBP818k). Food and beverage inventory is included in finished goods. There was no provision for obsolescence held against inventories at 31 December 2022 (2021: GBPnil).

21. Cash and cash equivalents

 
                                          2022      2021 
                                 Note   GBP000    GBP000 
  Cash and short-term deposits           7,420    21,912 
  Customer funds                  22       391       455 
                                         7,811    22,367 
 

T h e f air v a l ue of c ash and c ash e q u i v a l e n ts is n ot c o n s i d e r ed to be d i f f e r e nt f r om t he c a r r y i ng v a l ue r e c o r d ed in t he f i nan c i al s t a t e m e n ts.

Cash balances of GBP391k (2021: GBP455k) are held on behalf of customers in respect of certain online and telephone betting activities (amounts deposited by telephone betting customers in Connecticut, USA are held in separate accounts). The corresponding liability is included within trade and other payables (see note 22).

22. Trade and other payables

 
                                                           2022      2021 
                                                  Note   GBP000   GBP 000 
  T r ad e p a y a bl es                                  4,588     3,545 
  O t h e r ta x es and s o c i al s e cur i ty 
   co s ts                                                  148       178 
  A c c rua l s                                           1,437     3,767 
  Pl ay e r l i a b il i ty                        21       391       455 
                                                          6,564     7,945 
 

T h e r e is no d i f f e r e n ce b e t w een book v a l ues and f air v a l ues of t r ade and o t h er p a y a bl es. A ll amo u n ts a re due wi t hin one y ea r.

23. Provisions

 
 
                                                       Total 
                                                      GBP000 
A t 1 Janua ry 2021                                      1,442 
Utilised during the year                                 (785) 
Transferred to liabilities associated with assets 
 held for sale                                              91 
Cur r enc y dif f e r en c es                             (12) 
A t 1 January 2022                                         736 
Utilised during the year                                 (677) 
Released to the income statement                          (69) 
Cur r enc y dif f e r en c es                               10 
A t 31 December 2022                                         - 
Of which: 
  Current provisions                                         - 
 

P ro vis i o n s h ave b een r e c o gn i s ed w h e re t he G r o up h as c o n t r ac t ual o b li g a t i o ns to p ro v i de s e r v i c es w h e re t he es t i m a t ed u n av oi da ble co s ts to c a r ry o ut t he o b li g a t i on e x c eed t he e x p e c t ed f ut u re e c ono mic b e n e f i ts to be r e c e i v e d.

The Group had committed financial obligations arising from onerous leases it had entered into in California. The final liability was settled in March 2022.

24. Lease liabilities

 
                                                       2022    2021 
Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash    GBP000  GBP000 
 flows 
Less than one year                                    1,435   1,211 
Between 2 and 5 years                                 2,955   2,615 
More than 5 years                                     4,783   4,824 
Total                                                 9,173   8,650 
 

The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities was 4.16%, lowest rate being 4.00% and highest rate of 5.75%.

 
                                                        2022     2021 
  Lease liabilities included in the balance sheet     GBP000   GBP000 
Current                                                1,155      923 
Non-current                                            6,200    6,091 
Total                                                  7,355    7,014 
 
 
Movement in lease liability during the year                      2022     2021 
                                                        Note   GBP000   GBP000 
At 1 January                                                    7,014    3,882 
New leases entered into                                           652    1,698 
Reassessment of lease term                               16         -    2,835 
Interest charged to the income statement - continuing 
 operations                                              8        230      155 
Lease rentals paid - continuing operations                    (1,357)  (1,354) 
Disposed of on settlement of lease dispute                          -    (169) 
Movement as a result of foreign exchange                          816     (33) 
At 31 December                                                  7,355    7,014 
 

25. Pension schemes

The Group now solely operates a single defined contribution scheme in the UK. Prior to their transfer in February 2023, Lot.to employees contributed to a separate defined contribution scheme to that of Sportech PLC employees. In previous years, the Group operated a funded defined benefit scheme and two defined contribution schemes in the US.

Su m ma ry of p e n s i on c o n t r i but i ons paid:

 
                                                         2022           2021 
                                                       GBP000        GBP 000 
D e f i n e d c o nt ri b u t i on sc h e me c o nt 
 ri b u t i o ns - continuing operations                   75             88 
 

D efi n e d c o n t r i but i on s c h e m es

Continuing and discontinued operations

In the UK, employer contributions for Sportech are set at a maximum of 8% of pensionable salaries.

Pension risks

The Group is no longer subject to risks associated with defined benefit pension schemes having transferred the US scheme with the disposal entities to Betmakers Technology Group Limited.

26. Financial instruments

F i nan c i a l r i sk man a g e m ent p oli c ies and o bje c t i v es

The key financial risks borne by the Group, and the policy of managing those risks, are outlined below:

Li q uid ity risk

The Group is exposed to liquidity risk and has to manage its cash requirements. In managing short term divisional liquidity risks, cash flow forecasting is performed on a weekly basis in the operating entities and is aggregated by Group finance. This weekly forecasting recognises committed short-term payables of the Group which are monitored and managed through regular discussions with suppliers. Group Finance monitors rolling forecasts of the Group's liquidity requirements to ensure each operating entity has sufficient cash to meet operational needs. Cash surpluses are managed centrally by Group finance and cash swept up/pushed down as cash surpluses/requirements arise.

C r e d it risk

The Group's main exposure to credit risk is in accounts receivable and is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. However, management also considers the factors that may influence the credit risk of its customer base, including the default risk associated with the industry, country in which customers operate. Credit risk is managed locally by assessing the creditworthiness of each new customer before agreeing payment and delivery terms.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables. To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due. The expected loss rates are based on annual revenue and the corresponding historical credit losses experienced over the past five years as annual percentages. On that basis, no loss allowance as at 31 December 2022 (2021: GBPnil) was determined other than specific provisions for bad debts in trade receivables.

The Group does not hold significant amounts of deposits with banks and financial institutions and the cash which is deposited is spread over a few of financial institutions with Moody's ratings of A or above (defined as upper-medium grade and subject to low credit risk). Amounts held in cash for the Sportech Venues division are held in highly secure environments.

Fo r e i gn e x c han ge risk

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect to the US Dollar. Foreign exchange risk arises from transactions undertaken in foreign currencies, the translation of foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities and from the translation into Sterling of the results and net assets of overseas operations.

The Group continually monitors the foreign currency risks and takes steps, where practical, to ensure that the net exposure is kept to an acceptable level. In doing so, the Group considers whether use of foreign exchange forward contracts would be appropriate in fixing the economic impact of forecasted profitability. As at 31 December 2022, there were no outstanding commitments on foreign exchange forward contracts (2021: none). The Group did not enter into any forward contracts during the year (2021: the Group did not enter into any forward contracts).

The functional currencies of the individual entities in the Group is kept under review.

The average rate for the US Dollar and Euro in both the current and previous reporting period are as outlined below.

 
                   2022              2021 
             Average  Closing  Average  Closing 
US Dollars    1.23     1.20     1.37     1.35 
Euro          1.17     1.13     1.16     1.19 
 

If the exchange rates in 2022 were comparable to those in 2021, profit after tax would have been GBP98,473 and the net assets would have been GBP12,666k at 31 December 2022.

If exchange rates had be 1% higher/lower in 2021 than the prevailing rates during the year, profit for the year would have been GBP1k higher/lower and net assets as at 31 December 2022 would have been GBP154k higher/lower.

C ap it al risk mana gement

The Group's objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders, benefits for other stakeholders and to achieve an efficient capital structure to minimise the cost of capital.

F i nan c i a l a ss e ts and li a bili t ies

A t ea ch r e port i ng d a t e, t he G r o up had t he f o l l o w i ng c a t e go ri es of f i nan c i al ass e ts and l i a b il it i e s:

 
                                                               2022        2021 
                                                             GBP000     GBP 000 
Financial assets measured at amortised cost                   9,755      24,065 
F i nan c i a l l i a b il it i es me a s u r ed at amort 
 i s ed co st                                                13,309    (14,781) 
 

Maturity of financial liabilities

Except for lease obligations (see note 24) all non-derivative financial liabilities are all payable within twelve months.

27. Contingencies and commitments

C a pit a l c o m m i t m en ts

T h e G r o up had no c o nt r ac ts pl a c ed f or c a p i t al e x p e n d i t u re t h at w e re n ot p ro v i d ed f or in t he f i nan c i al s t a t e m e n ts at t he cur r e nt or p ri or y ear e nd d a t es.

O p e r a t in g le a se c o m m i t m en ts

The Group includes all leases on balance sheet as Right-of-use assets with a corresponding lease liability, other than leases which are short leases (terms of 12 months or less) or low value leases, being leases with asset value of less than GBP4,000 ($5,000). Leases that qualify for these exemptions are included within the disclosures below.

The expenditure charged to the income statement was GBP158k (2021: GBP114k).

T h e f ut u re ag g r e g a te mini m um l e ase p a y m e n ts u nd er no n-c an c e l l a ble l e as es not accounted for elsewhere under IFRS 16, a re as f o l l o w s:

 
                                                     2022      2021 
                                                   GBP000   GBP 000 
N o l a t er t han one y ear                           13        26 
L a t e r t han one y ear and no l a t er t han 
 f i ve y ea rs                                         -         1 
T o t a l                                              13        27 
 

Contingent items

Bump contingent consideration receivable

In addition to the consideration received during 2021, further consideration was received by the group in March 2023 following Bump 50:50 achieving the revenue trigger in the financial year ending 31 December 2022. The gross amount received of GBP1,229k has been recognised within discontinued operations in the Income Statement with a net gain of GBP1,013k.

Tax

The Group's only remaining open case is in relation to the treatment of the GBP4.6m gain included in the 2016 financial statements for the Spot the Ball VAT refund. The directors continue to consider that this amount is not payable and await the HMRC final determination of assessments whereupon they will consider if any further actions are appropriate.

Certain contingent items exist at the reporting date with respect to tax liabilities as outlined below.

Other contingent items

M&A activity

Both the 2017 sale of the Football Pools division and the 2018 sale of the Group's Venues business in The Netherlands have customary seller tax warranties under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreements. The possibility of material claims being made under the seller tax warranties in either deal is considered by management to be remote. In addition, the 2021 sales of the Bump 50:50, the Global Tote business and Sportech Lotteries, LLC have customary seller warranties under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreements. Those warranties have been provided in good faith by management in light of the probability of certain events occurring. The possibility of material claims being made under the seller warranties in either deal is considered by management to be remote.

28. Ordinary shares

 
  Authorised, issued and fully paid ordinary          2022                   2021 
   shares of 1p 
                                                    '000  GBP 000        '000       GBP 000 
  At 1 January                                   100,000    1,000     188,751        37,750 
  Cancellation of 19p nominal value                    -        -           -      (35,862) 
  Buy-back and cancellation                            -        -    (88,751)         (888) 
  At 31 December                                 100,000    1,000     100,000         1,000 
 

29. Cash generated from operations

R e c on c ilia t i o n of profit b ef o re ta x a t i on to cash g e n e r ated f r om op e r a t i ons, b ef o re separately disclosed items:

 
                                                                        2022          2021 
                                                         Note        GBP 000       GBP 000 
Loss before tax - continuing operations                  2             (934)         (246) 
Profit before tax - discontinued operations             11e            1,183        35,987 
Total profit before tax                                                  249        35,741 
Adjustments for: 
  Separately disclosed items (included in operating 
   costs)                                                4               657         1,472 
  Other income (excluding profit on disposal of 
   Sports Haven)                                         10            (120)       (2,583) 
  Depreciation and amortisation                       14,15,16         1,497         1,992 
  (Profit) on disposal of discontinued operations                          -      (28,625) 
  (Profit) on disposal of Sports Haven                                     -       (2,575) 
  Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment      15, 16            150          (47) 
  Profit on sale of intangible assets                                      -          (68) 
  Impairment of goodwill                                 13              517             - 
  Impairment of assets(reversal of impairment)           15            (190)         (335) 
  Net finance income/(costs)                             8                22         (210) 
  Share option expense                                                     -           334 
Changes in working capital: 
  Decrease in trade and other receivables                            (1,476)       (2,162) 
  (Increase)/Decrease in inventories                                    (22)           192 
  Decrease in trade and other payables                               (1,101)         (448) 
  Decrease in customer funds                                            (64)       (2,167) 
Cash generated from operating activities, before 
 separately disclosed items                                              119           511 
 

30 . R e l a t ed pa r ty t r a n s a c t i o ns

i. The extent of transactions with related parties of Sportech PLC and the nature of the relationships with them are summarised below. Key management compensation is disclosed in note 6.

ii. No cash was invested in and there were no trading transactions between the Group and any of its joint ventures during the year or prior year, and no amounts outstanding at the reporting date (2021: GBPnil).

31. Related undertakings

 
Subsidiaries, excluding       Country of        Registered  Class of shares  Shareholding 
 dormant companies             incorporation      address              held 
Sportech Group Holdings       England & 
 Limited                       Wales                1              Ordinary      85% 
                              England & 
Sportech Gaming Limited        Wales                1              Ordinary      100% 
                              England & 
Sportech Pools Limited         Wales                1              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech Pools Games          England & 
 Limited                       Wales                1              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech Holdco 2             England & 
 Limited                       Wales                1              Ordinary      100% 
                              England & 
Lot.to Systems Limited         Wales                1              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech Mauritius 
 Limited                      Mauritius             2              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech, Inc.                United States         3              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech Venues, 
 Inc.                         United States         3              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech Venues California, 
 LLC (2)                      United States         3              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech Venues CA 
 Holdco, LLC (2)              United States         3              Ordinary      100% 
Sportech Games Holdco, 
 LLC                          United States         3              Ordinary      100% 
1891323 Ontario, 
 Inc. (1)                     Canada                4              Ordinary      100% 
                              British Virgin 
Sportech Racing Limited        Islands              5              Ordinary      100% 
 
   1.     1891323 Ontario Inc.was dissolved on 6 July 2022. 

2. Sportech Venues California, LLC. And Sportech Venues CA Holdco, LLC were dissolved on 28 February 2022.

D uri n g t he y ea r, t he G r o up he ld i nv es t m e n ts in r e l a t ed u nd ert a ki n gs as f o l l o w s:

 
Joint ventures and       Country             Registered  Class of shares          Shareholding 
 associates               of incorporation     address    held 
Sportshub Private 
 Limited                 India                   6                      Ordinary        50% 
S&S Venues California, 
 LLC (1)                 United States           3                      Ordinary        50% 
DraftDay Gaming Group, 
 Inc                     United States           7                      Ordinary        30% 
 
   1.     S&S Venues California, LLc. was dissolved on 28 February 2022. 
 
Dormant companies             Country             Registered      Class of  Shareholding 
                               of incorporation     address    shares held 
                              England & 
Thepools.com Limited(1)        Wales                  1         Ordinary           100% 
                              England & 
C&P Promotions Limited(2)      Wales                  1         Ordinary           100% 
                              England & 
Pools Promotions Limited       Wales                  1         Ordinary           100% 
Sportech Pools Competitions   England & 
 Company Limited               Wales                  1         Ordinary           100% 
                              England & 
Bet 247 Limited                Wales                  1         Ordinary           100% 
                              England & 
Pools Company Limited          Wales                  1         Ordinary           100% 
Sportech Management 
 Limited(2)                   Scotland                8         Ordinary           100% 
Sportech Pools Trustee 
 Company Limited(2)           Scotland                8         Ordinary           100% 
 
 
1. Thepools.com Limited, C&P Promotions Limited and Pools Company Limited 
 were dissolved on 8 March 2022. 
 

2. Sportech Management Limited and Sportech Pools Trustee Company Limited were dissolved on 1 March 2022.

R e g istere d add resses (whilst under Sportech ownership for those entities disposed of during the year)

 
N u mbe    Co u nt r y     A d d r e s s 
 r 
1          E n gl an d     Icarus House, H a w kf i e ld C l o s e, Hawkfield 
            & W a l es      Business Park, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0BN 
2          M a ur it ius   I n t e r c o n t i n e n t a l T r u st L im i t 
                            ed, L e v el 3, Al ex and er H o us e, 35 Cy b e r 
                            c i t y, E b e n e, M a ur it ius 
3          U n i t e d     6 00 L ong W harf D r i v e, N ew H av e n, CT 0 6 
            S t a t es      5 11 
4          U n i t e d     10 9 5 Wi n d w a rd Ri dge P a rkw a y, S u i te 
            S t a t es      1 7 0, Al pha r e t t a, GA 30005 
5          C anada         C S C N orth Am e ri ca Inc., 45 O ' C onnor S t r 
                            e e t, S u i te 1600, O tt a w a, O n t a rio K 1P 
                            1 A4 
7          P anam a        A ria s , F ab r e ga & F ab r e g a, Pl aza 2000 
                            B u i ldi n g, 50 th S t r e e t, P anama 
7          B r it i s h    T ri d e n t Chamb e r s, POB 1 46, R oad T o w n, 
            V i r gin I     T ort ol a, B r it i sh V i r gin I s l an ds 
            s l an ds 
8          I r e l and     U n i t 3, I DA T e c hn ol o gy P a r k, G a r r 
                            y c a s t l e, A t h l on e, C o. W es t me at h, 
                            I r e l and 
9          G e r ma ny     N i e nha us e n s t rass e 4 2, 458 83 G e l s e 
                            n ki r c h e n, G e r ma ny 
10         G e r ma ny     K a t e r nb e r g e r s t rass e 1 0 7, 4 5 3 27 
                            E ss e n, G e r ma ny 
11         T ur k e y      Ak s u K os u y ol u C a d. K a l ay c i o gluS i 
                            t e si N o: 1 9 /1 B a kir koy Is t anb ul 
1 2        F r an c e      8 R ue des F r e r es C aud r o n, 7 8 1 40 V e l 
                            i z y, V il l a c o ubl a y, F r an ce 
13         In dia          T o w e r 2, 4 th F l oo r, I n t e r n a t i onal 
                            I n fo t e ch P a r k, V ashi R a i lw ay S t a t 
                            i o n, N ew M u mb ai 
1 4        U n i t e d     C o r po r a t i o n S e r v i ce C ompa n y, 2 7 
            S t a t es      11 Ce nt re vil le R oa d, S u i te 400, W i lmi n 
                            g t o n, DE 19808 
15         S c ot l an     C o ll in s H o us e, R u t l and Squa r e, E di nb 
            d               u r g h, M idl o t hi a n, E H1 2AA 
16         E n gl an d     3a Cestrian Court, Lightfoot Street, Chester, Cheshire, 
            & W a l es      CH2 3AD 
 

Ends

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END

FR FDLLFXZLBBBQ

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 18, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

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