Strength in U.S. boosts Australian game maker - Friday 12th of August 2005
Australian gaming equipment manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. reported record first-half revenues and earnings today, thanks primarily to a strong performance in the United States that offset those in weaker markets in Australia and Japan.
Aristocrat, which capitalized on the popularity of penny slots in the United States and operates the Millioniser progressive jackpot games that offer a $1 million prize in a low-denomination environment, reported first-half earnings of $101.7 million in Australian dollars, 10 cents a share, on revenue of $525.3 million. That compares with earnings of $62.9 million, 4 cents a share, on revenue of $523.4 million for the same period a year ago.
The company, traded on the Australian Stock Exchange, is only required to report earnings twice a year.
"North America has been the standout performer of the last six months," said Paul Oneile, chief executive of Aristocrat, in a conference call that occurred Wednesday night in the United States.
Oneile said delivery delays and a slow-down in regulatory approval of games in the United States kept the North American results from being even stronger.
The company generated 47 percent of its revenue in North America for the first half of 2005, compared with 29 percent a year ago.
Oneile said a number of government restrictions in Australia resulted in reduced demand for the period. Tax increases, casino smoking restrictions and the removal of some 2,000 slot machines from casinos in South Australia and the imposition of new responsible gaming measures in New South Wales had a negative impact on the companys results.
Other news from around the same time
Gaming ship to lay off 415 people, CEO still looking for investors - Friday 12th of August 2005
On Tuesday, the cruise line that operates the Ocean Jewel gambling ship filed notice with the state ....
Gambling addict conned parents out of £100,000 - Friday 12th of August 2005
A GAMBLING addict conned his mother out of almost £17,000 by pretending his debtors were holding hi....
Staff terrified in Bookie raid - Friday 12th of August 2005
CUSTOMERS were ordered to lie face down on the floor by armed raiders during a robbery at a Bury boo....
Man shot in lotto hold-up - Friday 12th of August 2005
Armed robbers yesterday shot a man in the arm as they were being chased after staging a hold-up on a....
MGM Mirage defends valet parking with key left in car - Friday 12th of August 2005
Company: Leaving key in ignition faster, security is adequateUntil July, only one car had been stole....
Gold Reef Casino Resorts shine - Friday 12th of August 2005
Listed gaming group Gold Reef Casino Resorts (GRCR, GDF) reports a 9.9% rise in its headline earning....
888 TO LAUNCH - Friday 12th of August 2005
A FORMER Ladbrokes director is set for a big win after plans to launch poker website 888.com on the ....
Too scared to be a millionaire? - Friday 12th of August 2005
Most people are not natural gamblers, reveals a study of the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire....
Video poker dilemma - Friday 12th of August 2005
At the request of a GamingToday columnist, Wynn Las Vegas last week installed two banks of video pok....
Casino boat trip turns out to be a bad gamble - Friday 12th of August 2005
One man missed his cancer treatment. A father scrambled to reach his 11-year-old daughter, who was l....
