Zone4Play Considers Public Offering on AIM
Multi-platform gaming solutions provider Zone4Play Inc. (ZFPI.OB), announced that it is considering listing its common stock on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The company has dramatically increased its presence in the U.K. market in recent months and is anticipating considerable growth in the region, especially if the new Gambling Bill introduces new business opportunities. The company has made several announcements lately, including a partnership with Orbis Technology, the acquisitions of SMS-TV gaming company MiXTV, and the launch of a fixed-odds betting service that is accompanied by a broadcast television network.
Cassava Appoints Advisors, Confirms Speculation
Much speculation was confirmed last week when it was revealed that Gibraltar-based Cassava Enterprises--owner of 888.com, Pacific Poker and Casino-On-Net--has appointed Credit Suisse First Boston as advisors to a potential public offering. At the moment analysts are predicting that the company will seek an initial valuation of $1.6 billion sometime in the second half of 2005. The London Stock Exchange is the likely market for such an offering. Arguably the largest Internet casino in operation, 888.com was founded by and is controlled by two pairs of Israeli brothers, Avi and Aharon Shaked and Shai and Ron Ben-Yitzhak.
First Two Months of Trading Bring Growth to Gaming VC
Gaming VC Holdings (GMHq.L) a German online casino and gaming group that raised 115 million euros through a float on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market in December 2004, has issued a trading update following its first two months of trading to announce a 20 percent year-on-year increase in daily net revenue. The company experienced daily net revenue in January and February of 130,000 euro compared to 108,00 euro in the comparable period of 2004. Average daily net revenue for November and December 2004 was 117,000 euro. The total combined wagers place in the Gaming VC's online casinos in January and February 2005 was 311 million euro, compared to 274 million euro during those same months in 2004. The company attributed the increases to its new products and well as to an increase in active customers. During January and February 2005, Gaming VC welcomed 4,500 new customers, 2,900 of which deposited money, bringing the total lifetime number of depositing customers up to 63,000. Most of the new customers are from Germany and Austria, but 14 percent are from the United Kingdom.
IG Index Could Re-list at Twice its Sale Value in 2003
CVC Capital Partners, which took spread betting firm IG Index off the public market by purchasing it for £143 million in 2003, has appointed investment bank UBS and Lexicon Partners to carry out a strategic review of the business, which could result in yet another floating of the company. The company hopes to more than double its selling price two years ago by floating with a valuation of £375 million.
World Gaming Meeting to Address Listing
World Gaming Plc (WGMGY.OB) will hold an extraordinary general meeting for shareholders on record as of April 7th, 2004 to consider certain resolutions regarding its proposed listing on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market, including the adoption of certain changes to the company's articles of association.
Figures for First Six Months of Midas Poker Operation
Online poker software provider Midas Entertainment, Inc. took in more than $3.5 million in deposits, processed more than $45.2 million in bets and earned more than $937,000 in rake during its first six months of operation.
Reports Released
iTouch Plc (ITU.L), a U.K.-based provider of mobile content and solutions, turned its first full-year profit in 2004, due to acquisitions and the growing demand for mobile content. Revenues rose 29 percent on the year to £78 million. Pre-tax profit for the period was £1.76 million, compared to 2003's loss of £13.5 million. iTouch recently announced that it would begin testing a mobile blackjack gaming service. The company has already signed an agreement to provide a technology platform to distribute Zone4Play's mobile gaming services to iTouch customers through its direct mobile channel model and also via its media, telco and broadcast partners in the United Kingdom. iTouch is also negotiating partnership agreements with other gaming groups.
iTouch Plc - Annual Report