888 Holdings’ shares tank on weakness in core UK market

Online gambling operator 888 Holdings saw its shares hit their lowest point in over two years after reporting ongoing struggles in its core UK market.

Figures released Thursday show the UK-listed 888’s revenue hitting US$273.2m in the six months ending June 30, a 1% year-on-year improvement. However, in constant currency terms, group revenue suffered a 5% decline.

Adjusted earnings were up 10% to $42.5m – only 1% at constant currency – while actual earnings came in at $70m versus a $7.3m loss in H1 2017. Similarly, adjusted profit improved 13% to $42.5m while actual profit swung to $60.1m from a $17.3m loss in the previous year.

888 was dealing with some significant items in H1 2017, including a $45.3m charge for unpaid VAT in its German operations. 888 also walked away from several newly inhospitable markets, including Australia and Poland, that didn’t help the H1 2018 numbers.