888
Annual Report 2006

Plain-text annual report

Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company l 8 8 8 H o d n g s P u b i l i c L m i i t e d C o m p a n y A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 6 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Suite 601/701 Europort Europort Road Gibraltar T: +350 49800 F: +350 48280 E: Info@888holdingsplc.com www.888holdingsplc.com Click to return to contents Highlights Shareholder Information Net gaming revenue (US$ million) Net gaming revenue from continuing operations* (US$ million) up7% 2006 2005 up28% 289.9 271.0 2006 2005 157.0 123.0 Profit before tax** (US$ million) Cash and cash equivalents at year end (US$ million) up34% 2006 2005 up84% 90.5 67.4 2006 2005 114.4 62.2 Click on the page number or heading below to go direct to selected page Contents ifc Highlights 02 Our Strategy 04 Chairman’s Statement 06 Chief Executive Officer’s Review 12 Enhanced Business Review 28 Board of Directors 29 Corporate Governance 33 Remuneration Report 40 Directors’ Report 42 Independent Auditors’ Report 44 Consolidated Income Statement 45 Consolidated Balance Sheet 46 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 47 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 48 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 66 Company Balance Sheet 67 Company Statement of Changes in Equity 68 Company Statement of Cash Flows 69 Notes to the Company Financial Statements ibc Shareholder Information Continuing operations relates to all non-US facing operations (see note 2 of the financial statements). * ** Excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million) and reorganisation costs of US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). Group websites A range of shareholder information is available in the Investor Relations area of the Group’s website, www.888holdingsplc.com, including: • • • Latest information on the Group’s share price Information on the Group’s financial performance News and events The following websites can also be accessed through the Group’s main web portal 888.com. Casino 888’s Casino games are offered through its Casino-on-Net and Reef Club Casino offerings. • • www.Casino-on-Net.com www.ReefClubCasino.com Poker 888’s Poker offering is through Pacific Poker. • www.PacificPoker.com Betmate Offers access to a betting exchange including sporting and non-sporting betting. • www.Betmate.com 888.tv A portal for skill games allowing customers to download games, open accounts and play tournaments. • www.888.tv 888.info Allows customers to practise their gaming skills for fun through a number of key Casino and Poker games. • www.888.info Shareholder services All enquiries relating to Ordinary Shares, Depository Interests, dividends and changes of address should be directed to the Group’s Transfer Agent: Capita Registrars The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU Tel: 0870 162 3100 www.capitaregistrars.com Further information For further information please contact: Company Secretary 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Suite 601/701 Europort, Europort Road Gibraltar info@888holdingsplc.com Principal bankers The Royal Bank of Scotland plc 280 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4RB Solicitors Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 65 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1HS Hassans 57/63 Line Wall Road Gibraltar Auditors BDO Stoy Hayward LLP Chartered Accountants 8 Baker Street London W1U 3LL BDO Fidecs Chartered Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants Montagu Pavilion 8-10 Queensway Gibraltar Incorporated in Gibraltar with registered number 90099 Click to return to contents At 888 we believe that entertainment is the spark that completes our lives; that, after the challenges and routine that occupies our daily lives, everyone seeks fun and enjoyment… At 888 we believe that we are the home of online gaming entertainment. We believe that our primary responsibility is to provide the best gaming experience to our customers. This means the most entertaining, innovative and relevant games and the most exciting and rewarding opportunities to win in a responsible yet fun environment. Our strategy is to achieve profitable growth through the acquisition and retention of valuable customers by providing our customers a differentiated, intentional customer experience in a safe, secure, trustworthy and responsible environment. Our goal is to become the leading online gaming entertainment company in the world. To achieve this we must consistently provide our customers with the right customer experience. Real money registered customer accounts from continuing operations* (million) 3.6m 2006 2005 3.6 2.7 Quarterly active customers from continuing operations* (’000) 189.1 Q406 Q405 189.1 181.5 Annual active customers from continuing operations* (’000) 451.7 2006 2005 451.7 389.4 * Continuing operations relates to all non-US facing operations. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 01 Our Strategy Thinking global while acting local A global brand means thinking global but delivering on a local basis. The right customer experience must have a local flavour, with offerings and support which are relevant to that particular set of customers. Enhanced and innovative offering Providing an innovative gaming experience acts to improve customer acquisition and retention and maximise our share of the customers’ gaming spend. We are constantly working to enhance our offering with new and innovative games. In 2007 we are adding sport, Bingo and Backgammon to our offering and launching a unique single software client including all games. We are also moving our offerings to additional platforms such as mobile, in-flight and interactive television. Seville Football Club sponsorship State of the art integrated marketing We will continue to invest in the brand using our multi-channel marketing approach including sport sponsorships, while continuing to pioneer channels to attract new customers. We are also aiming to reach new target segments through strategic alliances with a number of selected partners. We are further investing in our existing customers with a new loyalty programme, a dedicated CRM department and investment to improve customer communication. 02 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents A changing market ● ● ● ● ● ● The market continues to grow International expansion is the key driver of growth Consolidation is under way leading to a smaller number of stronger competitors Branding is taking over from awareness and announcements as the marketing role Brand proliferation within companies and with white labelling is exploiting the Internet’s “Long Tail” Technical concentration into “one-stop shops” with “shared wallets” simplify the customers’ experience and the ability to cross-sell Effective organisation and employer of choice To remain competitive and increase profitability in current market conditions we must run the operation efficiently while maintaining focus on our goals. Our continued investment in being the employer of choice in our sector assists us in retaining and motivating current employees while attracting additional top talent. Customer intimacy The value to us of each customer is different. Being able to predict who will be our best customers and the capability to tailor the customer experience to different segments of customers will allow us to prioritise resources and maximise the return from each of these different groups. To do this we have invested in a state of the art Data Warehouse which will give us better and more timely insight into our customers’ behaviour and ensure they remain within responsible gaming boundaries. Market leading customer service Critical for the positive customer experience, the quality of our Customer Service enhances our reputation and the loyalty of our customers while also assisting in the acquisition of new customers. We continue to provide and improve our uniquely high level of service, adding additional CRM functionality in our back office systems and ensuring that when we introduce new products or enter new regional markets we have also added the ability to service these new customers. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 03 Chairman’s Statement 2006 – A year of change The year proved to be a watershed for the online gaming industry following the passing of the UIGEA in the United States on 29 September 2006 as a consequence of which we ceased all activity with US based customers. Richard Kilsby Chairman On behalf of the Board of 888 Holdings I am pleased to present the financial results for the year ended 31 December 2006. The year proved to be a watershed for the online gaming industry following the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in the United States on 29 September 2006 as a consequence of which we ceased all activity with US based customers. We were particularly disappointed by this development as we believe in a global regulated online industry. 888 has been at the forefront of self-regulation since its inception. This is with a view to both protecting our customers and ensuring they have a safe environment in which they can enjoy their chosen entertainment experience. The enactment of this law radically altered the landscape of the online gaming industry and had a significant impact on 888’s business performance. However, the broad international reach of the Group’s business, especially in Europe, meant that the impact of our withdrawal from the US market left us with a viable cash flow positive business on which we have built significantly. Management rose to the significant operational challenge this placed on the business and proved that this Group has a robust and flexible business model. The results are testament to all our staff who continue to operate with both professionalism and commitment. Financial results Despite our withdrawal from the US in October 2006, we have achieved record turnover of US$289.9 million, an increase of 7% above 2005, driven by 28% turnover growth from operations outside the US and profit before tax* of US$90.5 million, an increase of 34% compared to previous year. Dividends In line with our policy, and despite the negative effect of the UIGEA, given the strong financial performance, the Board has recommended a final dividend of 8.88¢ per share. Board changes There have been a number of changes during the year under review. In June Gigi Levy joined the Group as COO and Shay Ben-Yitzak, a founding shareholder, stepped down from his executive role to take up a non-executive directorship. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Shay for his valuable contribution and wish him every success in the future. Gigi brought with him a strong technology and customer service background, having worked in the international communications, broadband cable and satellite industry, and this experience has proved invaluable to the business as it focuses on the customer offering. * Excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million) and reorganisation costs of US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). 04 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Good start to 2007 Quarter 1 2007 started well, driven by the rollout of innovative products such as localised Video Slots, Blackjack in Poker and Crazy Blackjack, to name a few. Our ability to succeed in the new environment is the outcome of a strategy that encompasses vision, new product and enhancing the customer experience. Having led the business for six years and taken it through its successful flotation on the London Stock Exchange, John Anderson stepped down as CEO on 31 December 2006 and was succeeded by Gigi Levy. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank John for his valuable contribution and wish him every success in the future. The Group continues to benefit from John’s vast experience in his role as a Non-executive Director. I would like to thank my Board colleagues for their continued support and on your behalf to express my thanks to all the 888 team. They are a fantastic group of people whose dedication and commitment has been outstanding. Outlook The Group has worked hard to continue expanding its non-US business, a strategy we have pursued as core to our objectives and we are especially pleased with the results and our performance since ceasing the US business. Our ability to succeed in the new environment is the outcome of a strategy that encompasses vision, new products and enhanced customer experience. We have continued to build our brand and business in new geographic areas, expand our innovative product offering and extend our multi-channel customer acquisition and retention through our market-leading customer service. Quarter 1 2007 started well, driven by the rollout of innovative products such as localised Video Slots, Blackjack in Poker and Crazy Blackjack, to name a few. We are confident that these initiatives together with the release of our all new home-grown Backgammon, coupled with the Bingo acquisition, will deliver further growth. Your Board believes we are well positioned to develop and grow our business in this exciting and expanding space for the foreseeable future. Richard Kilsby Chairman Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 05 Chief Executive Officer’s Review Delivering on our strategy Our success in 2006 was based on the same strategic principles that made us successful over our 10 years of operation – namely acquiring and retaining customers by delivering a compelling, localised, innovative, unique customer experience while being mindful of the complex regulatory environment that we operate in and the necessary social responsibilities that come with our industry. Gigi Levy Chief Executive Officer When I joined 888 as COO in June 2006 I joined one of the world’s foremost internet companies, a leader in the online gaming entertainment market, with one of the strongest brands in the industry and my focus was to ensure the continuance and acceleration of the company’s spectacular growth. 888, is known for its unique marketing capabilities, its strong global brand, the high quality service and support it provides its customers and the state-of-the-art technology it develops and uses. My challenges for 2006 were mostly related to the refinement of the company’s strategy, the need to continue to innovate and introduce additional games and the desire to continue to expand geographically, a long declared strategy of the Group. Everything was set for another record year. The UIGEA bill was signed into law on October 13 and we ceased all activity in the US market. This was not an easy change to make, losing the majority of our 26 million registered customers at the time and 55% of our revenue could have potentially delivered a lethal blow to the business. However I am pleased to say that we already had the infrastructure and plans in place to ensure our survival. The impact was immediate, with revenue falling by 55%, new customer acquisition numbers by almost 40% and active customer numbers by 35%. The company’s cost structure was inappropriate for such reduced revenue levels, and we had to act swiftly, taking appropriate action including the regrettable but necessary headcount reduction and a refocus of our marketing activity on new markets. We made a bold and conscious decision not to reduce headcount by similar percentages to the revenues we lost. It was – and still is – our belief that growth will only come from an innovative offering and cutting-edge marketing. Thus the number of Research & Development and marketing professionals was hardly changed, ensuring we can continue performing on our declared product and marketing strategy. Current trading suggests that this was the right strategy, which enabled us to remain a profitable and fast growing business. Our 2006 results, despite the UIGEA setback, prove again the attractiveness of our business model and the resilience of our Group. Altogether, our revenues grew by 7% year on year, and based on our improved operational performance and larger scale, our PBT* grew 34% making 2006 the group’s most successful financial year ever. More importantly, our revenue from non-US markets grew by 28%, in line with our strategy to continue reducing exposure to the US market. Delivering on our strategy Our success in 2006 was based on the same strategic principles that made us successful during our 10 years of operation, namely acquiring and retaining customers by delivering a compelling, localised, innovative, unique customer experience while being mindful of the complex regulatory environment that we operate in and the necessary social responsibilities that come with our industry. * Excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million) and reorganisation costs of US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). 06 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents To achieve the desired customer experience, we continued our investment in our Enhanced and Innovative Offering – 2006 saw the largest investment we have ever made in Research and Development to date, more than US$19 million. This resulted in a whole new Casino version – our best-ever online entertainment arena, the introduction of our multi-hand Poker and a significant investment in gaming infrastructure which will be the basis for rapid games introduction in 2007. This infrastructure enabled us to introduce an average of one new game a month in our Casino offering in the last quarter of 2006 as well as Blackjack in Poker and most recently the all new home-grown Backgammon. 2006 was a record year in terms of marketing activity, in which we kept our focus on delivering State of the art Integrated Marketing. We did more than before in every aspect of our marketing activities in 2006; more online marketing campaigns in more countries; more affiliates working with us; more offline campaigns; more promotions and retention activities with our customers; the first 888 Magazine (‘Eight’ which has become a huge success); and more sponsored sports events. In 2006 we continued developing our 888.com brand, which became the most recognised online gaming brand in the UK. It is this unique marketing capability which enabled us to turn the business around so quickly when we had to abruptly cease US activities and which will continue to drive our customer acquisition and retention. A common thread in our activities, we ensured we are Thinking Global while Acting Local. The winning customer experience always has a local flavour to it, and we kept pushing to deliver the most localised experience available. With campaigns in more than 15 languages, Casino software in 11 languages, Poker in 7 languages and customer service available in 11 languages, we continued delivering one of the most localised gaming experiences in the industry. One of our core capabilities, we kept providing our customers Market-Leading customer service. Taking care of our customers has been one of the cornerstones of our success, and through 2006 we kept delivering a phenomenal Service Level Agreement answering the vast majority of customers’ calls and chat requests in less than 18 seconds and responding to e-mails in less than 20 minutes. This is visibly the best customer service in the industry and we constantly receive positive feedback on our service levels from our customers. As part of our investment in improving our Customer Intimacy, we met more of our customers in 2006, asked a larger sample of them to answer our satisfaction and research surveys and invested even more in our data mining and analytical capabilities. In 2006 we also completed our new Data Warehouse, which is providing a far better insight into our customers’ behaviours and needs. This resulted in more personalised promotions to customers in 2006, which assisted in maintaining and increasing customers’ lifetime value. Our strategy We aim to achieve profitable growth through the acquisition and retention of Valuable Customers by providing our customers with a differentiated, intentional customer experience. Our goal is to become the leading online gaming entertainment company in the world. Annual NGR growth 2005/06* up28% * From continuing operations. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 07 Chief Executive Officer’s Review continued Poker annual NGR growth 2005/06* up80% * From continuing operations. With all the challenges we had to overcome in 2006, it became even more critical then ever to act as a Focused, Efficient and Effective Organisation. We have managed to reduce a considerable part of our cost base throughout the year and completed a quick cost reduction plan following UIGEA without which we would not have been able to secure our margins in 2007. To complete our recovery, it was our proactive Employer of Choice philosophy which enabled us to retain our professional, dedicated and motivated employees in the midst of the storm our industry went through. Responsible gaming Responsible gaming has always been at the heart of our activity. As a founding member of eCOGRA, the self-regulating industry body, we have continuously aimed to set an example when it comes to acting responsibly. 2006 was no different. We continued to restrict hundreds of customers whom we suspected had a gaming problem and direct them to seek help and support; we enabled customers to impose limits on their activities and when appropriate proposed they do so; we offer self-exclusion tools to all customers and continue to utilise all available methods and work with industry experts to detect underage gamblers and prevent them from playing. In 2006 we continued to train our staff to recognise signs of problem gamers and act accordingly; we have further developed our automatic protocols looking for gaming problems in customers’ behaviours. We have also recruited an experienced executive (who previously worked at Gamcare) as Director of Responsible Gaming. She acts at the most senior levels in the Company and focuses all of her time on this most important issue. The regulatory landscape While the regulatory landscape has always been a key focus for us, this has intensified following UIGEA and other anti-online gaming legislation in various jurisdictions. Managing regulatory compliance is a vital task for an online gaming company, and we continue investing significant effort, both internally and through our network of advisors worldwide, to better understand regulatory developments and ensure appropriate actions are taken. It has always been our belief that there will be a growing regulatory clarity in the coming years, mostly in the form of a regulatory framework in the various markets, and we continue to see this as the most sensible evolution for this highly popular form of online entertainment. Clearly, regulatory developments can have both positive and negative impacts on our business, and when faced with the right opportunities to reduce regulatory risk we would do so. In line with this strategy we applied in 2006 for, and were successfully granted, a Sports Betting licence in Italy. We will keep monitoring regulatory changes throughout 2007 and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Our employees I cannot overstate the importance of our employees to our success, especially in light of UIGEA and the changes we had to implement immediately.Had it not been for our professional, motivated and committed employees all around the world, we could not have refocused as quickly and effectively as we did. We will continue investing in our employees, developing their skills and ensuring we provide them a professional and challenging working environment keeping 888 one of the best companies to work for world wide. Our success is based on excellent people and we will continue bringing on board and promoting key talent wherever we find it. 08 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Casino annual NGR growth 2005/06* up4% * From continuing operations. Our strategy for 2007 and beyond While our core strategy remains unchanged, our management team has significantly refined our strategy to meet the new challenges in the newly formed, post-UIGEA market. The new emphasis in our strategy set out below aims to further enhance our customers’ experience, ensuring that we provide our customers the widest variety of relevant games, better and more rewarding opportunities to play and win wherever and whenever they wish. Unified offering – from different games to a single multi-dimensional gaming environment In order to provide our customers with a wider selection and a complete entertainment experience, we have decided to move all of our offering into a single software client, using a single wallet which will make all games available to all customers. This is a unique approach in the market, and in coming months our customers will enjoy the ability to play Poker, Casino and Backgammon all from the same software client and wallet. The process has already started with the successful introduction of Blackjack into our Poker offering, which was an instant success. Early in Quarter 2 2007 our customers will be able to access Video Slots, Video Poker and Roulette (comprising a total of 19 new games) and our new Backgammon game in the same software client and later during the year they will be able to access directly all of our additional Casino games. This is a unique offering which is more exciting than what is currently available in the market as it makes it a lot easier for customers to enjoy their deposited funds in a large variety of games without the need to download different software clients for each game. Coupled with our newly acquired Bingo offering and our anticipated Sports Betting proposition we aim to have the best offering in the market by the end of 2007. Entertainment focus – from just gaming to additional forms of entertainment Whilst online gaming remains the core of our offering, to ensure our customers enjoy their membership of 888 even more, we will be adding Video and Audio entertainment to our proposition throughout the year. Following extensive studies of our customers’ interest areas and given our ability to personalise our offering, we are confident we can deliver relevant content which will further delight our customers. Community tools – from individuals playing at the same table to a community of people looking to have fun We believe that our customers are looking for the best entertainment available online. Growth of social networks in recent years, demonstrates clearly that communication and networking is key in creating a sense of belonging and loyalty. We have always had chat available for customers playing Poker as well as forums, but we are now taking this further so our customers can interact better with each other, use messaging technologies, know when their friends are online and even be able to ‘set appointments’ to play with these friends. These features which will be available throughout 2007 will ensure that our customers not only enjoy the games but also enjoy being part of the 888 community. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 09 Chief Executive Officer’s Review continued Total real-money registered customer accounts from continuing operations increase up35% Mobile and TV – from a single platform to multi platform access As the worlds of the PC, mobile phone and television are converging, our customers want to be able to access their favourite games not only from their computer but also from their mobile phone and television. In 2006 we launched our mobile Casino, which currently features our most popular games on most handsets and enables users to play the same games using the same account and wallet as online. In 2007 we will seek to expand our mobile reach and extend our offering to additional platforms such as television. More localisation – from localising games to adding local games While our offering is already localised today, we aim to do even more, and will introduce in 2007 not only further localised versions of our games but also local games which are relevant for target markets. Asian games, South American games and others will be added to our offering to accommodate local gaming preferences in each market. To accelerate the pace of adding new games, we have opened our platform for integration, and will be choosing key partners worldwide to provide games which will operate in our proprietary gaming environment. So while we will be able to integrate new third party games rapidly into our front line we will continue to have a single integrated financial, transactional and back office system. Strategic partnerships – from just an operator to service provider to virtual operators Following significant technological investment, the Group has embarked on a new venture, partnering with key brands to deliver specific propositions to target segments. These partnerships will enable the Group to reach new customers rapidly, leveraging the partners’ assets and sharing the revenue from these customers. We have already announced our first such partnership, an innovative cooperation with Rileys, the UK’s leading chain of 168 Snooker, Pool and Poker clubs. In this partnership, we use our online Poker capabilities to power www.rileyspoker.com. This Poker site is promoted by Rileys in their clubs to their 525,000 customers and externally in new club customer recruitment giving us immediate reach to these new potential customers. We are currently in the final stages of negotiating additional similar partnerships, which will further broaden our potential audience and accelerate our customer recruitment. New Customers Club – from a 2-tier VIP club to a state of the art Customers Club 2007 will see the launch of The Max, our newly formed loyalty club which will give customers an unparalleled membership experience. With a simple, 4-tier membership level, innovative prizes, quicker points accumulation and lots of surprises, The Max, which will be launched mid year, will aim to be the best membership club in online gaming and the major one to offer points collection from all types of online games into a single account. As can be seen, we plan to have an exciting year, in which we will continue to deliver on our successful strategy. 10 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Our first acquisition We recently announced the first acquisition in the history of the Group, in which we acquired the Bingo business and assets from Globalcom Limited*. Bingo is a fast growing segment of online gaming, and we are certain this acquisition will assist us in delivering quick growth. We are constantly looking for additional opportunities to enhance our strong organic growth with selective acquisitions. Current trading and outlook We had a good start to 2007 with record turnover in March 2007 for non-US operations with 16% NGR growth in Quarter 1 2007 compared to Quarter 4 2006. During the period 1 March to 21 April 2007 average daily turnover as well as Poker rake plus tournament fees were both 20% higher than during the last week of October 2006, while average daily Poker and Casino active customers were 28% and 11% higher respectively, than the last week of October 2006. Given this start to 2007, the release of new products, our Bingo acquisition and our clear business strategy, we are confident of delivering future growth in 2007. Gigi Levy Chief Executive Officer * See note 23 to the Financial Statements. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 11 Enhanced Business Review 888.com – A world class operator In 2005 888.com was the proud recipient of Best Online Casino and Best Online Operator of the Year at the e-gaming Awards. 888.com was also voted “Best Online Casino 2005” in the Inside Edge magazine and in 2006 888.com received “Best Online Casino 2006” award at the UK Gambling Awards and the “2006 Casino Operator of the Year” award at the e-gaming Awards. Aviad Kobrine Chief Financial Officer Introduction 888 Holdings plc is one of the world’s most popular online gaming entertainment companies. 888 owns and operates various websites including www.888.com, www.Casino-on-Net.com and www.PacificPoker.com which are amongst the most well known online brands. We are the home of online gaming entertainment. In 2005, 888.com was the proud recipient of Best Online Casino and Best Online Operator of the Year at the e-gaming Awards. 888.com was also voted “Best Online Casino 2005” in the Inside Edge magazine and in 2006 888.com received “Best Online Casino 2006” award at the UK Gambling Awards and the “2006 Casino Operator of the Year” award at the e-gaming Awards. 2006 was a year of change for the Group. Externally the passing of the UIGEA in the United States in October 2006 has had a major impact on the financial performance and share price of the Group. 888 was the first public company to announce its withdrawal from US-facing operations on 2 October 2006 as a result of UIGEA and the new regulatory reality necessitated determined swift action. As a result, the Group underwent an internal restructuring process following a detailed review of its cost base in order to adapt its operations to the new environment. In addition 888 underwent a significant change in operating structure and management focus which will allow it to better align its resources towards the challenge of growing in a more diverse and rapidly changing market. In accordance with accounting standards and to provide a clear understanding of the Group’s continuing operations, the financial results for 2006 and the comparative 2005 period have been segmented into Continuing and Discontinued operations. Discontinued operations represent activities undertaken by the Group that were US customer facing, while Continuing operations are those activities offered to non-US customers. All costs which could not be specifically allocated were attributed to the continuing operations, see also note 2 of the financial statements. While the financial statements show the consolidated performance all references to financial performance or Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) throughout this document refer to the Continuing operations unless expressly stated otherwise. 12 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Results – Group (continuing and discontinued operations) Revenue Total Net Gaming Revenue (“NGR”) of the Group in 2006 was up almost 7% at US$289.9 million (2005: US$271.0 million) driven by 28% turnover growth from operations outside the US. NGR from the US was down by 10% reflecting the cessation of all real-money games to US customers in October 2006 following UIGEA. Expenses Operating expenses increased 6.2% to US$77.5 million (2005: US$73.0 million) slightly lower than the NGR percentage growth. This was primarily as a result of expansion of the customer facing employee base and maintaining the overall operating expense ratio of NGR at 27%, despite considerable decline in NGR following the withdrawal of US operations in October 2006. Research and development expenses increased 71.2% to US$19.4 million (2005: US$11.3 million) due to the expansion of our product development, a direct result of our strategic decision to accelerate development and release of our innovative product range. Marketing expenses fell 15.7% to US$84.3 million (2005: US$100.0 million) due to the cessation of our marketing activities to US based customers in October 2006 following the enactment of UIGEA and our tightened control over our marketing activities focusing our efforts on attracting and retaining valuable customers. Administrative expenses* increased 14.8%** to US$23.1 million (2005: US$20.1 million) as a result of an increase of US$6.7 million in salaries to US$14.6 million (2005: US$7.9 million) and higher lobbying expenses partly offset by US$4.7 million exchange gain (2005: US$0.4 million exchange loss). The increased salaries reflected the change in management structure required for a quoted company and the payment due to the outgoing Chief Executive Officer under his agreement. Reorganisation costs For a number of years the Group sought to minimise its exposure to the US market and as a result of the decision to cease real-money games offered to US customers in October 2006 the Group incurred relatively modest reorganisation costs of only US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). This amount primarily represents the cost of regrettable but necessary redundancies of US facing employees across the Group’s three main operating units in Gibraltar, Antigua and Israel. Year ended 31 December 2006 Year ended 31 December 2005 Continuing US$m Discontinued US$m Total US$m Continuing US$m Discontinued US$m 88.8 68.2 157.0 49.4 19.4 51.0 19.8 17.3 22.2 72.0 60.9 132.9 28.1 0.0 33.3 3.3 68.3 68.3 160.8 129.1 289.9 77.5 19.4 84.3 23.1 85.6 90.5 85.2 37.8 123.0 43.3 11.3 54.9 17.0 (3.5) (2.8) 76.0 72.0 148.0 29.7 0.0 45.1 3.1 70.2 70.2 Total US$m 161.2 109.8 271.0 73.0 11.3 100.0 20.1 66.7 67.4 13 Group Revenue NGR in 2006 was up almost 7% at US$289.9 million driven by 28% turnover growth from operations outside the US. Results – Group Financial summary** Net Gaming Revenue Casino Poker Total Net Gaming Revenue Operating expenses Research and development expenses Selling and marketing expenses Administrative expenses* Operating profit* Profit (loss) before tax* * Excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million) and reorganisation cost of US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). ** Rounded. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Enhanced Business Review continued Highly cash generative business – Net cash increase in 2006 up52.2m US$ Share benefit charges At the time of our IPO, as part of our commitment to investment in human capital, eligible management and employees received equity awards under the 888 All Employee Share Plan (“Share Plan”) including a grant by the founders of immediately vested shares. These equity grants had no cash effect on the Group, but under the applicable Accounting Standard (IFRS 2) this results in a charge against income calculated on a phased basis as set out in the accounting policies section of the financial statements. In 2006 the Group awarded shares and options to seven senior executives vesting over the period 14 April 2007 to 14 September 2010 and subject to certain performance related targets being met. Finance income With the Group continuing to generate and retain cash surpluses throughout the year net interest income increased to US$4.9 million (2005: US$0.7 million). Profit before tax* As a result of increased revenues, keeping expenditure under control and better management of resources, profit before tax increased 34% to US$90.5 million (2005: US$67.4 million). Reconciliation of profit before tax Profit before tax Reorganisation costs Share benefit charges Profit before tax after share benefit charges and reorganisation costs 2006 US$m 90.5 (4.0) (8.8) 2005 US$m 67.4 0.0 (17.2) 77.6** 50.2 Cash flows and balance sheet In accordance with the Group’s practice, customers are required to deposit funds into their accounts prior to participating in any real- money activity. As a matter of policy the Group keeps sufficient liquid resources to meet the possible withdrawal of all customer balances at any time. The Group is highly cash generative with a net cash increase in 2006 of US$52.2 million (2005: US$21.9 million) after the payment on 31 October of an interim dividend of 4.5¢ per share and a special dividend of 4.0¢ per share totalling US$28.7 million (aggregate dividend 2005: US$63.1 million). Cash position at 2006 year end remained strong at US$114.4 million (2005: US$62.2 million) and represented 83.1% of total assets (2005: 71.0%). Out of this amount US$22.7 million was owed to customers (2005: US$29.3 million). The Group has no debt. * 2006 excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million) and reorganisation costs of US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). ** Rounded. 14 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Results – Continuing operations The continuing operations demonstrated strong growth in 2006 with NGR up 27.6% to US$157.0 million (2005: US$123.0 million) driven mainly by strong growth in our Poker product particularly in the EMEA region. Operating profit* increased after a loss in 2005 of US$3.5 million to a profit in 2006 of US$17.3 million. The table set out below includes a summary of the continuing operations. Net Gaming Revenue Poker Casino Total Operating profit (loss)* Profit (loss) before tax* 2006 US$m 68.2 88.8 157.0 17.3 22.2 2005 US$m 37.8 85.2 123.0 (3.5) (2.8) * 2006 excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million). Poker The Poker operations delivered the strongest growth in 2006 with NGR increasing by 81% to US$68.2 million (2005: US$37.8 million). The progressive development of our Poker product in combination with strong customer recruitment are the major factors contributing to the success of our Poker offering. The Poker segment result, after directly attributable costs but before allocation of overheads, increased by 196% to US$41.4 million (2005: US$14.0 million) reflecting the volume driven nature of this business. Poker now contributes 43% (2005: 31%) of the Group’s NGR. Casino Growth in our Casino business was moderate with NGR up by 4% to US$88.8 million (2005: US$85.2 million). The introduction of Blackjack into Poker at the end of 2006 was an instant success and the addition of further Casino games into Poker and the migration into our unified platform planned for 2007 are expected to accelerate Casino growth. Nonetheless the Casino segment result, after directly attributable costs but before allocation of overheads, increased by 26% from US$41.2 million to US$52.1 million as the focus of the marketing expenditure was tightened. Expenses Operating expenses increased 14.1% to US$49.4 million (2005: US$43.3 million) primarily as a result of the increase in customer facing staff and communication costs which offset the reduction in the cost of chargebacks. The ratio of operating expenses to NGR reduced to 31.5% (2005: 35.2%). Research and Development expenses increased 71.2% to US$19.4 million (2005: US$11.3 million) due to the expansion of our product development, a direct result of our decision to accelerate development and the release of our innovative product range. Marketing expenses fell 7.1% to US$51.0 million (2005: US$54.9 million) as we focused our marketing expenditure on attracting and retaining valuable customers. The ratio of marketing expenses to NGR reduced to 32.5% (2005: 44.7%). Snooker World Championship sponsorship Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 15 Enhanced Business Review continued Administrative expenses* increased 16.8% to US$19.8 million (2005: US$17.0 million) as a result of an increase of US$6.5 million in salaries to US$13.9 million (2005: US$7.3 million) offset by US$4.7 million exchange gain (2005: US$0.4 million exchange loss). Increased salaries reflect the change in management structure required for a fully listed quoted company and payment due to the outgoing Chief Executive Officer under his agreement. The ratio of administrative expenses* to NGR reduced to 12.6% (2005: 13.8%). Innovation Accelerated research and development investment – US$19.4 million in 2006. Profit before tax* After finance income of US$4.9 million (2005: US$0.7 million) profit before tax grew from a loss of US$2.8 million in 2005 to a profit of US$22.2 million in 2006. Our strategy We aim to achieve profitable growth through the acquisition and retention of valuable customers by providing our customers with a differentiated, intentional customer experience. Our goal is to become the world leading online entertainment gaming company and exceed our pre-US shutdown annual revenue and profit. To do this we must give our best customers the right customer experience. The main cornerstones of our strategy are summarised below. For a detailed review of our strategy see the Chief Executive Officer’s Review on pages 6 to 11. Thinking global while acting local: Providing a consistent, first class, relevant experience to our customers. Enhanced and innovative offering: Offering a full range of entertainment options to our customers. State of the art integrated marketing: Coordinating our marketing channels to provide a strong relevant marketing message using an integrated multi-channel approach to maximise the acquisition and retention of valuable customers. Customer intimacy: Using our customer knowledge to maximise their customer experience while prioritising our resource allocation to them. Market leading customer service: To provide the most positive customer interface possible. Focused, efficient and effective organisation: To remain competitive we must run the operation efficiently and maintain focus on our particular plans and goals. Employer of choice: Our aim is to be the employer of choice in the market in which we operate. * 2006 excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million). 888.com – World leading online entertainment company 16 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Localisation In 2006 the Group underwent two fundamental changes – accelerated geographical expansion and localisation and management re-focus. Review of 2006 In 2006 the Group underwent two fundamental changes. The impact of UIGEA on the industry, competitive landscape and our business environment are well documented. The impact on our business was less severe than some of our competitors as in previous years one of our main strategic objectives had been to reduce our reliance on the US market and diversify into other geographical markets. We will continue to build on the strength of our brand and utilise our unique experience and know-how, gained over years of operating in non-US markets, to accelerate our geographical expansion and localisation focus. The other fundamental change has been our management re-focus designed to utilise our resources more efficiently in face of the changing business environment. The recruitment of several key senior management team members signified a shift in our execution capabilities necessitated by the changes we faced. This in turn led to a change in our management and regional operational focus which has allowed us to withstand the adverse effect of UIGEA. The key aspects of this are set out below. Organisation structure The new organisation structure is aimed at re-focusing the core elements of our organisation; marketing, R&D, product offering and support, but at the same time improving interfaces and communication between them. Marketing and CRM is now focused on a regional basis with the goal of recruiting the customer segment of our choice and providing the smoothest route from initial brand awareness to playing real- money games. R&D is focused on developing and integrating our gaming and back office systems to ensure a shorter time to market of our innovative offering. Product offering is focused on ensuring that we offer the best set of games and the widest selection of payment methods available in all locations. US$ The final element is our support function that is tasked with ensuring that we provide world class customer support, maintaining close, intimate contact with our customers and thereby ensuring we leverage and deliver through all core functions. Profit before tax* 90.5m * Excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million) and reorganisation costs of US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 17 Enhanced Business Review continued Total real registrations million 4 3 2 1 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Gross Poker revenue by quarter of sign-up US$ million Q4 06 Q4 05 Q4 04 Q3 06 Q3 05 Q3 03 Q2 06 Q2 05 Q1 06 Q1 05 25 20 15 10 5 0 Player growth Attracting valuable new customers is a key driver of our business growth. During the year our continuing operations recruited more than 260,000 new First Time Depositors (“FTDs”) from more than 920,000 new real play registrations despite the normal seasonal slowdown during the summer months which this year suffered particularly from the World Cup effect. Total customer registrations increased by 34.7% in 2006. Player retention The ability to retain customers is as an important factor in the success of our business as is the ability to recruit them in the first place. High churn rates can mean that the cost of recruiting new customers outweighs their value, so recruiting and retaining customers with high lifetime values is a key component to profitability. We measure retention by tracking the revenue generated by groups of customers pooled together according to the quarter they joined, over successive quarters. The chart to the left shows the steady performance for the Poker product during the last two years. As can be seen from the chart a considerable portion of our revenue in each given period is derived by dedicated customers who joined more than a year ago representing the monetary “stickiness” of our revenue stream. Q1 05 Q2 05 Q3 05 Q4 05 Q1 06 Q2 06 Q3 06 Q4 06 Another method to measure retention is by comparing the level of revenue received from customers active over a specific period, over the following months. The chart on the left compares the rake and tournament fees received from Poker customers active in January 2005 and January 2006 over the following 12 months. As can be seen from the two sample populations, on average customers tend to play more during the first few months after joining with spend profile decaying over time. In addition, revenue is generally higher for 2006 customers until the last three months of the year when the loss of American customers reduced liquidity on higher value tables with the result that customers contributed 46% of their January levels in December 2006 compared with 59% for the 2005 customers in December 2005. Nevertheless overall NGR from our Poker offering rose 17% in Quarter 4 2006 compared to Quarter 3 2006 due to successful customer acquisition efforts coupled with increased yield per customer as described in the KPI analysis on the opposite page. Similarly the Casino revenue retention chart on the left compares the net deposits (a close proxy to NGR) received from Casino customers active in January 2005 and January 2006 over the following 12 months. As can be seen from the two sample populations the revenue is generally higher for 2006 customers than 2005. However, by year end 2006 customers contribute 38% of their January levels in December compared with 44% for the 2005 customers. Poker revenue retention* % 100 75 50 25 0 2006 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 months 8 9 10 11 12 * Poker Revenue defined as Poker rake and tournament fees. Casino revenue retention* % 100 75 50 25 0 2006 2005 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 months 8 9 10 11 12 * Casino revenue defined as deposit less withdrawal. 18 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents KPIs – Continuing operations The performance of the business is reviewed on the basis of a number of key determinants. These are analysed below on a quarterly basis for the last two years for the Casino and Poker operations and for the business in total. Casino Year Quarter 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 2005 2006 NGR (’000) Active customers NGR per active customer 20,227 50,565 400 21,856 56,812 385 21,647 56,553 383 21,498 62,933 342 21,496 54,053 398 22,531 48,425 465 22,646 46,444 488 22,088 41,307 535 The Casino has delivered a steadily increasing NGR per quarterly active customer in 2006 reaching US$535 in Quarter 4 2006. This follows the developments of the offering with greater localisation and the rollout of new games, particularly the higher margin Video Slots introduced in early 2006, and the migration of customers to these games. Casino NGR increased further in Quarter 1 2007 with the introduction of Blackjack into Poker. This growth has compensated for, on an NGR basis, a decline in active customer levels after strong growth in 2005. Nevertheless the Casino offering has seen a steady annual growth in NGR with a similar seasonal pattern of quarter by quarter movement within each year. Poker Year Quarter NGR (’000) Active customers NGR per active customer 1 5,254 61,710 85 2005 2006 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 7,808 92,489 84 10,166 105,714 96 14,527 119,116 122 17,857 134,710 133 16,322 122,087 134 15,686 132,995 118 18,374 147,805 124 Poker has seen constant strong growth across all KPIs since Quarter 1 2005 demonstrating the value of the enhancements made to the product over the period. NGR per quarterly active customer has once again resumed its climb aided by the growth in liquidity from the continuing increase in active customers. Customer growth remained strong despite the seasonal pattern and the competition from the World Cup. The combination of these two factors have resulted in impressive NGR growth over the period which has continued in Quarter 1 2007. Total Year Quarter 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 2005 2006 NGR (’000) Active customers NGR per active customer 25,481 112,275 227 29,664 149,301 199 31,813 162,267 196 36,025 182,049 198 39,353 188,763 208 38,853 170,512 228 38,332 179,439 214 40,463 189,112 214 The combined KPIs reveal a healthy increase in NGR over the period which has continued with 16% growth in Quarter 1 2007. Active customer growth has been steady, coupled with a stable total NGR per active customer. Our products Casino Founded in 1997, Casino on Net, our major Casino brand, has consistently been ranked as the leading online Casino brand in the world. The Casino continues to generate substantial business, and represented more than 55% of the Group’s NGR in 2006. In our non-US business from Quarter 1 2005 to Quarter 4 2006 we experienced 9% NGR growth. 2006 has seen consistent development of our Casino offering. January 2006 saw a major update with new games, added promotional features and a more contemporary design. The Video Slot offering gives a unique playing experience and has proved a hugely popular feature with a growth rate of 227% from January to December for non-US customers. To capitalise on this we aim to add one new slot machine a month and with its greater margins we are actively promoting the feature across our customer base and across languages. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 19 Enhanced Business Review continued New Pacific Poker 2006 has been in many ways a transition year for our Poker brand, Pacific Poker. The growth phase from a new, young and raw Poker room into a mature, competitive and influential Poker room has been achieved by addressing previous gaps in our offering. The new Pacific Poker The integration of Blackjack into our Poker client in December 2006 was an overnight success. Poker customers can now play our exciting and innovative Blackjack while enjoying our successful Poker games. With 18% of 888’s Poker customers in the first two months of 2007 playing Blackjack, this enhancement of our offering has proven to be both popular and profitable, supporting our plans to integrate more Casino games into our Poker client. As part of our localisation strategy, we will be releasing our new Casino version in further languages. In October 2006, the new French version was released and has already shown significant increase in revenue and first time depositors compared to the previous version. In January 2007, the new version was released in German and Spanish and will soon be available in 12 languages in total. Our commitment to provided our diverse membership base with unique games, features and more convenient payment methods to support local markets, will further our international growth and our plan is to add more languages in 2007. Poker 2006 has been in many ways a transition year for our Poker brand, Pacific Poker. The growth phase from a new, young and raw Poker room into a mature, competitive and influential Poker room has been achieved by addressing previous gaps in our offering. In January 2006 the Jackpot features “Bad Beat” and “Royal Jackpot”, were introduced and have created additional activity and excitement. Multi-table, the ability to play at more than one table at the same time, was introduced in March 2006, and was probably the most influential positive product upgrade of the year. 27% of the customers at any given time are using this feature, playing in two or more ring games and/or tournaments. This feature aids retention of our more experienced customers and obviously increases liquidity and profitability. In Quarter 3, in an effort to increase our growing global reach and to connect between big offline tournaments and our online experience, we created a section dedicated to sending our customers to exciting offline tournaments around the world; customers can find online qualifying tournaments to the WSOP in Las Vegas, Aussie Millions in Melbourne, the European Poker Tour and World Poker Tour tournaments among others. In October, following UIGEA and feedback from our customers, a major effort was made to revamp all our tournaments; sit and go and multi-table tournaments, reviewing buy-in amounts, fees, playing times, and guaranteed amounts. Initial results suggest this has had a positive effect, creating a more exciting environment for customers and increasing the appeal of our tournaments to our customers. December marked a big step in our quest to become a one stop shop for gaming by the addition of Blackjack to the Poker client, generating significant interest from our customers and adding NGR by complementing the Poker product. As one of the market leaders, we cannot rest on our laurels and we plan to continue our progress in two directions; improving our Poker offering and continuing the progress towards a one stop entertainment shop. 2007 will see the introduction of further uplifts, enhancements, updates and new games. 20 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Bingo – Our first acquisition This acquisition is a landmark step forward in delivering our strategy of a one stop shop – providing our customers with all of their online gaming needs. Bingo Since the year end we have announced the acquisition of our online Bingo business from Globalcom Limited. The Bingo business operates its own leading network of 45 online Bingo sites or “skins” including Bingoballroom.com, UK-Bingo.net, Bingofabulous.com and Twofatladies.com. In addition it provides Bingo solutions to business partners operating their own networks and other third party sites. This acquisition is a landmark step forward in delivering our strategy of a one stop shop – providing our customers with all of their online gaming needs. This is already a well established market leader, highly cash generative and profitable which uses its own proven and scalable software. Bingo will be a valuable addition to our entertainment services, and we expect to be able to provide excellent cross-selling opportunities for customers worldwide. This is a great acquisition which is expected to be earnings enhancing for us in the current financial year. It also supports our newly established partnership approach, as the Bingo business today provides services to many licensees and skins. Sports licence – Italy In December 2006 the Group was awarded one of the Italian Sports Betting licences issued by the Italian Government. This gives us the right to provide online betting facilities to the Italian market. The Group is currently negotiating for the provision of odds setting facilities from the approved list of vendors and intends to launch its full online Sports Betting service in Italy later this year. The licence process also represents a step forward in relation to the e-gaming industries’ relationship with the jurisdictions in which they operate. Sportsbook The Group continues to investigate opportunities to add a Sportsbook proposition to its offering to fulfil our one stop shop strategy. While this process continues we will continue to offer a sports betting option through our Betmate betting exchange. Customer service Excellent customer service continues to be a central tenet of the Company’s proposition. Our dedicated contact centres in Gibraltar and Antigua offer first class customer support 24/7 to our customers around the world. We offer support in 11 languages. During the year we further upgraded our call routeing and call monitoring systems in Antigua to ensure the consistency of our global service. The termination of real-money games to customers in the US resulted in an adjustment to staff numbers in the contact centres but we are committed to maintaining the high standards of service previously enjoyed by our customers. During the year the following performance was attained by the Gibraltar contact centre: World class customer service • Casino • 98.9% of all phone calls in English answered within, on average, 18 seconds. 81.4% of all e-mails received in English replied to within, on average 20 minutes. Poker • 98.6% of all phone calls in English answered within, on average, 16 seconds. 76.5% of all e-mails received in English replied to within, on average 20 minutes. • Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 21 Enhanced Business Review continued Wide menu of payment methods tailored locally The ongoing dialogue with customers is maintained by a dedicated Customer Relationship Management team whose aim is to enrich the customer experience. The Group has developed sophisticated data mining tools that assist in identifying and predicting customer behaviour, based on data collected since the Group was founded, which allows the Group to offer its customers tailor made incentives to suit their profile and thus maximise their lifetime values. The level of service given to individual customers is also differentiated, with our best customers receiving a more personalised service. Payments and Risk Management In 2006 customers were offered a total of 21 different depositing and 10 different withdrawal methods. When customers enter 888.com they are offered a range of payment options tailored to suit their local market based on their physical location and from which they can choose their preferred method. The aim is to offer a wide selection of secure payment methods in each location so as not to restrict the ease of customer deposit or withdrawal. Credit cards and debit cards are the most popular method of payment representing 86.7% of total deposits in 2006 (2005: 87.7%) followed by online wallets representing 11.7% (2005: 11.1%). Deposits and withdrawals are carefully monitored by our in-house Fraud and Payment Risk Management department. This department has a depth of experience in fraud prevention from many years’ operation and has integrated their internally developed prevention and verification procedures with conventional commercially available measures. Marketing We have created a world leading brand through multi-channel integrated marketing across all media channels worldwide. Our vision for marketing is: • to find every person worldwide, who wants to play games and to bring them to the 888 lobby to play; to let them play more games, to play more often and to play more of the time; and in a safe, responsible and trustworthy environment. • • The Group leads the industry in online marketing including search engine optimisation, advertising banners, pop-ups on websites and portals and the new tools of viral advertising, RSS and others. The Group is constantly copied as it pioneers the use of all media including traditional advertising, direct mail, sponsorships and public relations activities. Indirectly the Group also partners with affiliate sites to generate traffic and drive new customers to the site by paying a commission or revenue share to the affiliate. Finally, effective use of CRM tools, loyalty and VIP programmes allow a personalised brand experience for new and existing customers. Employees At the year end the Group had 736 employees (2005: 886) at the following locations; Gibraltar, Israel, Antigua, London. The UIGEA had a dramatic effect on our financial performance. However, due to our diversified customer base and internal structure the readjustment to compensate for this lost revenue was not too significant. It did, however, require an adjustment to those US facing parts of the operation and redundancies were unfortunate but inevitable. Overall headcount was reduced by 210 with the largest percentage losses being in the Antigua and Gibraltar support centres. 22 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Dividend The Group’s stated policy at the time of IPO was that it intended to pay dividends to holders of Ordinary Shares and depositary interests representing at least 50% of annual profit. On 31 October 2006 the Group paid an interim dividend of 4.5¢ per share and also a special dividend of 4.0¢ per share, in all totalling US$28.7 million. Given the Group’s strong financial performance, and despite the negative effect of the UIGEA, the Board recommends a final dividend of 8.88¢ per share. Responsible gaming The Group is dedicated and committed to a policy of social responsibility. The Group has taken a proactive role in setting, maintaining and improving high standards of protection for its customers. This is essential for shaping future regulation through industry best practice, improving communications with customers and eradicating the incidence of problematic and underage gambling. The Group recognise that while most people gamble for entertainment and even though studies suggest that only a very small percentage of the adult population encounters compulsive gambling problems the problem does exist. We take this matter seriously and have accordingly implemented a number of measures to address this matter. The Group has sought to take the lead in setting industry standards for self regulation to ensure customer protection, fair gaming, and responsible conduct are met. It was one of the founding members of eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), an independent body, which has developed a rigorous series of self- regulatory guidelines. These guidelines have been adopted by our Casino and Poker businesses and they are subject to independent review to ensure compliance with these guidelines. The Group has been awarded a seal of approval by eCOGRA for the Casino and Poker businesses following examination of its procedures and controls. The Group is also an active participant in the Interactive Gaming Council and has adopted their Code of Conduct which requires fairness, honesty and integrity in members’ operating procedures. John Anderson, while CEO, was a key driver of industry self-regulation and is a board member of the IGC and a founder of eCOGRA. The Group does not rely solely on external certification and continues to update its policies and practices to ensure a safe environment is provided to its customers. The Group has developed, and continues to update, its procedures to address underage and compulsive gaming. The Group’s contact centre staff receive training on a regular basis on all issues of social responsibility and problem gambling. The Group enables customers to set their own stringent deposit limits and upon request to self exclude themselves should they feel the need to. In order to protect minors, verification systems are used wherever available to verify and identify the age and identity of our customer before they are able to play for real money. In Quarter 3 2006 the Group appointed a dedicated Director of Responsible Gaming, whose role is to manage the internal and external responsible gaming policy. She brings considerable relevant experience to the Group including working at Gamcare. The Group has recently finalised its Gamcare audit and will soon be receiving the Gamcare certificate. Gamcare is a UK recognised charity which has a commitment to promote responsible attitudes to gambling and to work for the provision of proper care for those who are vulnerable. Gamcare with its pro-responsible stance maintains a dialogue with all eCOGRA The Group was one of the founding members of eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), an independent body, which has developed a rigorous series of self-regulatory guidelines. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 23 Enhanced Business Review continued 888.com – A responsible operator The Group has sought to take the lead in setting industry standards for self regulation to ensure customer protection, fair gaming, and responsible conduct are met. It was one of the founding members of eCOGRA, an independent body, which has developed a rigorous series of self-regulatory guidelines. sectors of the gambling industry, including regulators and governments. In addition, the Group has also added the GamAid button to the site to provide information and support for those customers who feel that their gambling habit is a matter of concern. The “GamAid Safety Net” is accessed through a link from the 888.com home page and also the responsible gambling page. The GamAid link supplies core services to the customers; one to one live online advice, an e-mail advice service, a full support database (which includes a directory for local services in 13 countries including the UK) and a self help information section where the problem gambler can educate and assist themselves. In 2006 the Group formalised its Corporate Social Responsibility programme which replaces the charitable donations previously made by the individual subsidiary companies. Through this global scheme it provides the means to encourage employees to become actively involved in their local community. The new programme’s success will rely on the initiative, involvement, skills and knowledge of our employees. During 2007 the Group aims to develop programmes with a broader global reach. The aim is also to judge results not just by the input but also by outcomes: the difference the Group makes to the world of which it is a part. Principal risks The Group operates in a new and dynamic business environment. In addition to the day to day commercial risks faced by most enterprises the online gaming industry presents particular risks of which regulatory and compliance risks are highlighted in the review below. Regulatory and Compliance Review The regulatory framework of online gaming in different countries around the world remains as dynamic and rapidly evolving as ever. While some jurisdictions have moved to curtail the activities of online gaming sites, others are currently contemplating liberalisation and regulation of the industry. The Board notes that there are significant risks, unique to the online gaming industry, including from past activity in the US where customers of 888 generated in 2006 46% of its NGR. The Board remains committed to monitoring closely and addressing regulatory changes as they occur, and to fostering, so far as possible, the trend towards liberalisation and regulation of online gaming throughout the world. 888 is licensed and regulated in Gibraltar. In December 2005, the Government of Gibraltar enacted a new Gambling Act. The Act introduces a tailor-made regime for the regulation of remote gaming. 888 has actively supported the introduction of such legislation and the Board looks forward to its continued implementation in the coming months, which will include the appointment of a new regulator. In the US, UIGEA added a new section to the United States Code making it illegal for anyone engaging in the business of betting or wagering to knowingly accept any credit, electronic funds transfer, check, draft etc. in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful Internet gaming. In essence, the bill prohibits online gambling operators from receiving the proceeds of financial transactions in connection with Internet gaming if the gaming is illegal in the state where the bettor is located. In addition, the United States Secretary of Treasury and Federal Reserve are directed under UIGEA to promulgate regulations which will require financial institutions to block transactions in connection with Internet gaming. In October 2006 the Group stopped taking bets from US customers. 24 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Regulation remains a key focus of 888.com The Board remains committed to monitoring closely and addressing regulatory changes as they occur, and to fostering, so far as possible, the trend towards liberalisation and regulation of online gaming throughout the world. It was recently found by the World Trade Organisation that the US legislative position with respect to Internet gambling violates US trade commitments. The effect of this ruling, and whether any further action will be taken, is at this current time unclear. The EU Commission is challenging the online gambling regulatory regime of various European states, as the Commission holds that these regimes might infringe the enshrined freedom to provide services and freedom of establishment. This effort is reflected in, inter alia, the infringement proceedings initiated against several EU States. While these proceedings may, in the end, cause the European States to liberalise their gambling markets, it should be noted that they could last for a very long time before (if at all) resolutions or judgements are reached. Recently, the European Court of Justice issued its ruling in the Placanica case, involving criminal proceedings initiated against agents of Stanley International Betting placed in Italy. The court, although not calling for a liberalisation of the European gambling market, placed heavier burdens on the European states if they maintain their restrictive policies toward online gambling. It remains to be seen what impact this judgement will have. In Italy, the Group received a Sports Betting licence, which allows it to offer Sports Betting services (supervised by the State Monopoly Authority). In France, during March 2007, 888’s Non-executive Director and former Chief Executive Officer, John Anderson, attended an interview with the French authorities. 888 is in consultation with its legal advisers with regards to this matter and closely monitors the situation for any developments. In Israel, law enforcement authorities have raided the offices of several Internet portals and arrested several individuals on the suspicion that they had advertised online gaming sites in Israel, in contravention of the Israeli Penal Law. The Group does not allow Israelis to wager on its websites and has systems to prevent them doing so. 888 has been advised that since it does not facilitate, offer or provide gaming activities prohibited under the Penal Law to Israeli residents, the Penal Law will not be applicable to the Group since no offence is committed wholly or in part within Israeli territory. The Board continues to monitor these developments closely and is alert to changes as they may occur in areas where the Group operates. The Group also has potential risk relating to: Taxation The Group benefits from favourable fiscal arrangements in the jurisdictions in which it operates without which its results would be adversely affected. All gaming activities are based in Gibraltar where the Group currently benefits from a tax exempt status. The tax exempt status is due to be removed in 2010 when the Government of Gibraltar intends to introduce a fiscal regime that complies with EU requirements. The replacement regime is still to be unveiled although the Gibraltar Government has pledged its commitment to maintain fiscal competitiveness. The Group is required to pay a gaming duty currently set at 1% of the gaming yield with an annual maximum cap of £425,000. The Group’s subsidiary in Israel, Random Logic Limited, and the Israeli branch of Intersafe Global Limited have each entered into Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 25 Enhanced Business Review continued Diversified product offering separate transfer pricing agreements on an arm’s length basis with the Israeli Income Tax Commissioner. The arrangements for Random Logic Limited are effective until 2010 while the position for the Intersafe Global Limited branch after 2007 has yet to be agreed. The operation in Antigua also benefits from a low tax regime and the current scale of the operation there mitigates against a significant exposure to any change. 2007 Plans This year will see full implementation of our strategy which will provide the infrastructure for future growth. The Group will continue to expand its innovative product offering, platforms, diversify its geographical footprint and localisation, and extend its multi-channel customer acquisition campaigns including by striking additional strategic alliances with business partners. Finally, we will continue to offer the same, excellent, customer service as we always have. Our offering Poker – our Poker offering has already benefited from a further uplift released at the end of March 2007 with enhanced graphics and significantly improved game play features. We have also introduced additional Casino games as well as our Backgammon game into the Poker environment. Casino – in Quarter 1 2007 the Casino offering has been updated with two new Video Slots and the introduction of Crazy Blackjack featuring side bets and a special jackpot. In addition, our Casino product underwent additional localisation with the release of the new Casino-on-Net in four additional languages. Future upgrades in 2007 will include new languages, more Video Slots and new Casino games. Backgammon – 888’s Backgammon game is being launched in Quarter 2 2007 and will be available to all customers, initially from the Poker client. We believe that Backgammon will become an important anchor in our P2P games offering. Bingo – following the aforementioned acquisition of the Bingo assets of Globalcom Limited, the Group will be able to immediately launch an 888 Bingo brand in the second half of the year. Sports book – the Group will be adding a Sports Betting proposition to its customers in 2007. Unified offering – to enhance the customer entertainment experience, we will be moving all our offerings into a single software client making all the games available in one location. This process has already started with the successful introduction of Blackjack into Poker and customers will soon be able to access all our Casino games and our new Backgammon offering in the same software client. Additional products (Bingo and Sports Betting) will be integrated into the client later on to create a full one stop shop. New platforms – in February 2006, the Group successfully launched its mobile Casino, offering customers easy, secure, and entertaining access to three of our most popular Casino games; Blackjack, Roulette, and Slots all available in fun or real-money play. The mobile software is compatible with over 340 models representing approximately 85% of the European market. In 2007 we will seek to expand our mobile reach and extend our offering to additional platforms such as television. 26 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents New entertainment and community features and tools – We will be adding video and audio entertainment to our proposition throughout the year, with the specific content selected based on studies of our customers’ interest areas conducted in 2006. We will also be creating an 888 virtual community to allow greater interaction between customers to enhance the entertainment experience. Our local focus In 2007 we will aim to continue investing in localising our offering, not only by introducing localised versions of our offerings but also by adding games which are relevant to that specific target market. While we will push to grow in various markets worldwide, some markets will get special attention in 2007. One such market would be Italy, where we plan to leverage our recently obtained Italian Sports Betting licence to generate rapid growth. Adding new payment methods in each country is a key factor in the ability to expand geographically. In 2007, the Group will be performing the first phase of updating its back office payments system. This upgrade would increase ease of use for customers, and will significantly speed up the integration of new payment methods into our offering, ensuring better penetration to new markets. Our integrated marketing The Group plans to continue investing in its brand and use integrated marketing campaigns to acquire new customers. In addition, in 2007 we will commence partnering with key brands to deliver specific online gaming propositions to target segments. These partnerships will enable us to reach new customers rapidly through a “white label”, leveraging the partners’ assets and sharing the revenues. In February, the Group announced a pioneering cooperation agreement with the owner of Rileys, the UK’s leading chain of Snooker and Pool clubs. 888.com will power and support a www.rileyspoker.com website which will be promoted by Rileys to their members. This deal provides the blueprint for future online expansion via business partnerships with a carefully selected set of capable partners. We expect to reach agreement on a few similar additional partnership deals in 2007. A further key part of our 2007 marketing plan includes The Max, our state of the art Members Club, which will give customers an improved membership experience. The club will have simple, “airline-like” 4-tier membership levels, innovative tangible prizes, quicker points accumulation to the higher-tier members and many additional features important to our customers. The Max will be soft-launched mid year. Effective and efficient organisation In March 2007 the Group’s operation in Israel moved from the two central Tel Aviv locations it operated from to new offices located near Tel Aviv. The new offices provide a significant upgrade and should increase the integration between the various units of the Company and ensure better coordination by improving ease of communication. 2007 – 888.com’s new virtual community Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 27 Board of Directors Richard Kilsby ♥ ♠ Non-executive Chairman Richard Kilsby has been Chairman since March 2006, having previously been Deputy Chairman of the Company from August 2005. He is currently a Director of Collins Stewart plc and Tullett Prebon plc. Since 2001 he has held several board and management positions in various private and venture- capital funded companies. In 2004, he acted as independent monitor for the SEC and US Department of Justice. From 1999 to 2002, he was Chief Executive of Tradepoint and subsequently Executive Vice Chairman of Virt-x plc. From 1995 to 1998 he was an Executive Director of the London Stock Exchange prior to which he was a Managing Director of Bankers Trust from 1992 to 1995. He was also Vice Chairman of Charterhouse Bank from 1988 to 1992 and a Partner of Pricewaterhouse from 1984 to 1988. Age 55. Gigi Levy Chief Executive Officer Gigi Levy has been Chief Executive Officer of the Company since January 2007, following six months in the Chief Operating Officer position. Prior to his appointment, Gigi worked for Amdocs, one of the world’s largest software providers and systems integrators in the telecoms market (NYSE: DOX), most recently as Division President managing Amdocs’ activity in Europe (except Eastern Europe), Central and Latin America. Prior to joining Amdocs, Gigi held several interim management and consulting roles for various companies in Israel and the UK. Gigi has also headed Giltek, a telecommunication systems integrator and Girit Telecommunications, an Israeli Information and Communications Technology systems integrator. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Age 36. Aviad Kobrine Chief Financial Officer Aviad Kobrine has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since June 2005 and was appointed to the Board in August 2005. From October 2004 he was a consultant to 888. Previously, he was a banker with the Media Telecoms Investment Banking Group of Lehman Brothers and prior to that, he was a senior associate with Slaughter and May. He holds a Masters in Finance from the London Business School (Distinction), a BA in Economics and an LLB from Tel Aviv University. Age 43. John Anderson ♠ Non-executive Director John Anderson was the Chief Executive Officer of the Company from September 2000 to December 2006. He is currently Non-executive Chairman of Burford Holdings plc and was Chief Executive Officer of Burford Holdings plc from 1996 to 2000. He is also a board member of IGC and eCOGRA. He held a number of senior executive positions within Ladbrokes plc and from 1990 to 1996 he served as an Executive Director. Age 58. Shay Ben-Yitzhak Non-executive Director Shay Ben-Yitzhak is one of 888’s founders and has been the Chief Technical Officer of the Company and in charge of Research and Development since the establishment of its Research and Development centre in Tel Aviv in 1998 until June 2006. Previously he was a software engineer for Tower Semi Conductor Limited and CIBAM Technologies Limited. He holds a BSc in computer science from Technion – the Israel Institute of Technology. Age 38. Brian Mattingley ♦ ♥ ♣ Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Non-executive Director Brian Mattingley has been Deputy Chairman since March 2006, having been appointed to the Board in August 2005. He is currently Non-executive Chairman of the Academy Music Group and was previously Chief Executive of Gala Regional Developments Limited until 2005. From 1997 to 2003 he was Group Finance and Strategy Director of Gala Group Plc, prior to which he was Chief Executive of Ritz Bingo Limited. He has held senior executive positions within Kingfisher Plc and Dee Corporation Plc. Age 55. Michael Constantine ♦ ♥ ♣ ♠ Independent Non-executive Director Michael Constantine was appointed in August 2005. He is a chartered accountant. From 1996 to 1998 he was Deputy Superintendent of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission and in 1995 he was head of the Financial Supervision Unit of the Mauritius Offshore Business Activities Authority. From 1991 to 1995 he was an inspector at the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, latterly Acting Commissioner. Prior to this he was a Partner of Spain Brothers & Company and served in the Royal Naval Reserve reaching the rank of Commander. Age 68. Amos Pickel ♦ ♥ ♣ ♠ Independent Non-executive Director Amos Pickel was appointed in March 2006. Currently the Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Management Company Limited. Formerly Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Red Sea Hotels Ltd. Previously a non-executive director of Gresham Hotel Group Plc, he is a solicitor holding a Masters in Law from New York University and a BA in Law from Tel Aviv University. Age 40. Committee Memberships ♦ Audit ♥ Nominations ♣ Remuneration ♠ Regulatory and Compliance 28 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Corporate Governance 888 is listed on the London Stock Exchange, but it is not subject to the UK Combined Code on Corporate Governance issued in July 2003 (“the Code”) because it is a Gibraltar registered company. The Directors support the high standards of Corporate Governance set out in the Code and will apply the principles as far as appropriate for a company based outside the UK. The Board The Directors consider it essential that the Company should be both led and controlled by an effective Board. Composition The Board consists of three Independent Non-executive Directors, two Non-independent Non-executive Directors, a Non-executive Chairman, and two Executive Directors, comprising Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The biographical details of all the Directors are given on page 28. Strategic approach The Board focuses upon the Group’s long-term objectives, strategic and policy issues and considers management of key risks facing the Group. The Board is responsible for acquisitions and divestments, major capital expenditure projects and considering Group budgets and dividend policy. The Board also determines key appointments. The Board receives regular updates on shareholders’ views and more detailed briefings are to be given to the Board immediately following the publication of the Company’s annual and interim results. The Board has established a calendar of business within which it is currently working, post flotation, to structure the conduct of its activities going forward. This provides for the financial calendar, strategic planning, annual budgets and performance self-assessments, as well as the conduct of standing business. The calendar is intended to form the basis for effective integration of business activities as between the Board and its principal Committees (see pages 30 and 31), which individually consider their own operating frameworks against the Board’s business programme. The Board plans to meet six times a year. During 2006, the Board met 11 times and all the Directors attended each of the Board meetings. The Chairman has responsibility for ensuring that agendas for Board meetings are set in advance. Board papers are, where practicable, issued to Directors sufficiently in advance of meetings to facilitate both informed debate and timely decisions. Non-executive review and performance appraisal The Chairman holds meetings at least once per year with the Non-executive Directors without the Executive Directors being present. Led by the Senior Independent Director, the Non-executive Directors also plan to meet without the Chairman present at least once a year to appraise the performance of the Chairman. The first of such meetings is due to take place during May 2007, prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Directors have wide ranging business experience, and no individual, or group of individuals, dominates the Board’s decision making. The Board considers that Brian Mattingley, Michael Constantine and Amos Pickel satisfy the criteria of the Code to act as Independent Non-executive Directors. The Board is satisfied that, upon his appointment as Chairman, Richard Kilsby met the independence criteria of the Code. The Chairman is not considered as independent for the purposes of assessing the balance of the Board pursuant to the Code. Reserved powers and delegation A schedule of matters reserved to the Board has been adopted and its content is being kept under review as the business develops, to align it with operational needs and the Board’s preference to monitor and, where appropriate, approve matters of substance to the Group as a whole. Senior executives have given written undertakings to ensure compliance within their business operations with the Board’s formal schedule of matters reserved for itself for decision or approval. Within these parameters, a framework of delegated authorities has been developed to ensure that management can exercise on an ongoing basis requisite authority for an effective business operation. Division of responsibilities The responsibilities of the Chairman are clearly and formally defined, with the Chairman being responsible for the effective operation of the Board as a whole and supporting key external relationships. Other issues All Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and the Company’s nominated advisers, who are responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are followed. Directors are able to seek independent professional advice, if required, at the Company’s expense provided that they have first notified their intention to do so. The appointment or removal of the Company Secretary is a matter for the Board as a whole. The Board accepts that there should be a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure for the induction of new Directors, which has been formulated with the guidance of the Nominations Committee. The opportunity to hold office as non-executive directors of other companies enables Directors of 888 to broaden their experience and knowledge, which will benefit the Company. Executive Directors may be allowed to accept non-executive appointments with the Board’s prior permission, so long as these are not likely to lead to conflicts of interest. Executive Directors may be required to account for fees received from such other companies. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 29 Corporate Governance continued The Company has arranged insurance cover in respect of any legal action against its Directors. To the extent permitted by Gibraltar law, the Company also indemnifies the Directors. Neither the insurance nor the indemnity provides cover where a Director has acted fraudulently or dishonestly. Re-election of Directors All Directors are subject to re-appointment by shareholders at the first Annual General Meeting after their appointment, and thereafter, in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company, at intervals of no more than three years. Richard Kilsby (Non-executive Chairman), Brian Mattingley, Michael Constantine and Amos Pickel (the Independent Non-executive Directors) were appointed for an initial period of three years, following their re-appointment by the shareholders at the 2006 Annual General Meeting. Audit Committee The Audit Committee comprises three Independent Non- executive Directors: Brian Mattingley (Chair), Michael Constantine and Amos Pickel. The Board is satisfied that Brian Mattingley has sufficient recent and relevant financial experience to Chair the Audit Committee. Normally, by invitation, the Chief Financial Officer and Internal Auditor attend committee meetings, as may representatives of the Company’s external auditors. In 2006, the Audit Committee met three times and all the Committee members attended the meeting. The Audit Committee’s terms of reference are available on request to the Company Secretary and are included on the Company’s website, www.888holdingsplc.com. In summary, the Audit Committee assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities with regard to financial reporting, external and internal audits and controls, including reviewing 888’s annual financial statements, considering the scope of annual audit and the extent of non-audit work undertaken by external auditors, approving 888’s internal audit programme, advising on the appointment of external auditors and reviewing the effectiveness of internal control systems. Nominations Committee The Nominations Committee assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to the composition of the Board. The Nominations Committee is responsible for reviewing, from time to time, the structure of the Board, determining succession plans for the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and identifying and recommending suitable candidates for appointment as Directors. The Nominations Committee’s terms of reference are available on request to the Company Secretary and are included on the Company’s website, www.888holdingsplc.com. The Nominations Committee comprises three Independent Non-executive Directors, Michael Constantine (Chair), Brian Mattingley, Amos Pickel and Richard Kilsby, Chairman. The Nominations Committee met twice during 2006. Both meetings were attended by all the Committee members. Remuneration Committee The Company’s Remuneration Committee comprises solely Independent Non-executive Directors. Brian Mattingley chairs the Remuneration Committee and its other members are Michael Constantine and Amos Pickel. The Remuneration Committee met three times during 2006. All meetings of the Remuneration Committee were attended by all the Committee members during the period. The Remuneration Committee anticipates meeting not less than twice in 2007 to address its responsibilities under its formal terms of reference, through the creation of a considered schedule of business. The Remuneration Committee assists the Board in determining its responsibilities in relation to remuneration, including making recommendations to the Board on 888’s policy on executive remuneration, determining the individual remuneration and benefits of each of the Executive Directors, and recommending and monitoring the remuneration of senior management below Board level. The Remuneration Report, which outlines the Remuneration Committee’s work and details of Directors’ remuneration, is on pages 33 to 39. The Remuneration Committee’s terms of reference are available on request to the Company Secretary and are included on the Company’s website, www.888holdingsplc.com. Regulatory and Compliance Committee At the time of the IPO the Board established a Regulatory and Compliance Committee to assist 888 to conduct its operations in accordance with the highest ethical standards. In particular, the Regulatory and Compliance Committee assists the Board in relation to compliance with all current and prospective applicable regulatory and legal requirements, as well as the development and implementation of 888’s internal codes and policies. The Regulatory and Compliance Committee comprises Michael Constantine (Chair since March 2006), Richard Kilsby, Amos Pickel and John Anderson. The Committee did not meet during 2006 as the matters falling within its remit were dealt with by the Board of Directors as a whole. The Board intends to review the need for Regulatory and Compliance Committee given that the matters under its remit, by their nature, are regularly discussed by the Board. The Regulatory and Compliance Committee’s terms of reference are available on request from the Company Secretary and are included on the Company’s website, www.888holdingsplc.com. Risk management and internal control The Directors acknowledge that they are responsible for the Company’s system of internal control, for setting policy on internal control, and for reviewing the effectiveness of internal control. It is management’s role to implement Board policies on risk and control, including reporting. The system of internal control is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. 30 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents The Board has delegated responsibility to the Audit Committee to review the appropriateness and adequacy of systems of internal control on an ongoing basis and to make recommendations to the Board. The Company has an Internal Auditor who reports to the Audit Committee, whose audit programme for 2007 will be reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved shortly. 888’s payment risk management team, based in Gibraltar, has developed stringent payment risk management and fraud control procedures. The team makes use of external and internal systems to manage the payment risks faced by 888’s operational systems. Detailed procedures exist throughout the Company’s operations and compliance is monitored by operational management and the Internal Auditor. An extensive risk review was conducted in preparation for the flotation in October 2005; Part II of the Prospectus described risk factors faced by the Group. The Directors have reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal control, taking account of key risks identified during the flotation process. The review considered individual risk control responsibilities, reporting lines and qualitative assessments of residual risks. The results have been discussed by the Audit Committee, which has advised the Board on the ongoing development of corporate controls. The Audit Committee is guiding internal audit on the establishment of a framework for the monitoring of management processes operated to develop, integrate and embed effective Group-wide controls. Relations with shareholders and key financial audiences The Company maintains an active and regular dialogue with principal and institutional shareholders and sell-side analysts through a planned programme of investor relations and financial PR activity. The outcome of these meetings is reported to the whole Board to ensure it keeps in touch with shareholder and City opinion. The programme includes formal presentations of full year and interim results. Brian Mattingley, the Senior Independent Director, is available to shareholders to address any issues that normal contact with the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has failed to resolve or is inappropriate. All shareholders are welcome to attend the 2007 Annual General Meeting and private investors are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity given to ask questions. The Chairmen (or nominated members) of the Audit, Remuneration, Nominations and Regulatory and Compliance Committees will attend the meeting and be available to answer questions. Compliance with the Code provisions As 888 Holdings Public Limited Company is registered in Gibraltar, it is subject to compliance with Gibraltar statutory requirements and is not bound by the UK Combined Code. The main legislation relevant to companies in Gibraltar is the Gibraltar Companies Act 1930, which is based on the UK Companies Act 1929. This statement sets out how the Board has applied the principles set out in Section 1 of the Code during 2006. The Board of Directors confirm that the Company has complied with the majority of the provisions set out in Section 1 of the Combined Code. Going concern After reviewing the Group’s budget for 2007 and its medium term plans, the Directors are confident that the Company and the Group have adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. They have therefore continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements. Corporate and Social Responsibility Statement The Group’s Chief Executive Officer is the Director responsible for monitoring corporate and social responsibility within 888. The Board receives periodic reports on the Group’s activities in this area from the Chief Executive Officer. The Group appointed a Director of Responsible Gaming during 2006. Further details of this appointee are set out in the Responsible Gaming section of the Enhanced Business Review on page 23. Customers The Board is eager to promote online gaming as a responsible, self-regulating industry which is prepared to submit itself to regulatory licensing and believe this is a key factor in attracting more participation in online gaming activities. 888 has sought to take the lead in setting the industry standards and a separate report on Responsible Gaming is set out on page 23. Other aspects which 888 promotes include: • providing the highest levels of service and support to the Group’s customers; protecting member privacy and the proper handling and use of data in accordance with applicable law; ongoing training, development and motivation of employees to retain the widest possible range of talented staff; and provision of a safe and healthy workplace in accordance with relevant legislation. • • • Service and support to customers 888 is committed to providing the highest levels of service and support to its customers. There is a dedicated team of trained in-house customer support representatives for each of the Group’s brands providing support 24/7 in up to 11 different languages. A separate, highly skilled team is dedicated to VIP members. Customer support representatives are strictly monitored and benefit from ongoing refresher training courses. 888 has retained leading call centre experts to further enhance the quality of its customer support. Protecting customer privacy All 888’s online products maintain a privacy policy which is clearly accessible from each of the Group’s websites, explaining how the Group deals with customers’ Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 31 Corporate Governance continued personal data. All processing of customers’ personal data is undertaken in-house and where personal data is transferred between Group companies, appropriate intra-Group processing contracts are put in place. 888 carries out the processing of its members’ personal data in accordance with the appropriate EU Directive. Employees The Group respects individuals’ human rights and treats individuals with dignity and respect. The Board supports high standards of employment practice, including providing equal opportunities in the workplace in terms of selection, promotion, training and development, and a safe environment in which to work. The Group has reviewed its compliance with health and safety legislation in its various locations. Training and development Training and development is provided to individuals throughout their career to enable employees to maintain and improve standards of performance, deal effectively with any changes to the work environment and to develop their abilities and realise their potential. Selection for further training and development is based upon individual and business needs. In 2006 the Group launched the 888 Certification Scheme, an initiative that develops all employees, regardless of level, covering a range of disciplines unique to our brand. Equal opportunities 888 is an equal opportunity employer. No employee or potential employee will therefore receive less favourable treatment due to their race, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, political or other opinion, affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family connections, membership or non-membership of a trade union, or disability. Communication The Board values the involvement of all the Group’s employees and is committed to communicating effectively with them through formal and informal meetings and internal publications, including in-house newsletters and employee reports. Community Sponsorship 888 is a sizeable employer with a visible presence in Gibraltar and enjoys a good relationship with the local community. During 2006 the Group continued its policy of reinforcing this relationship by making contributions to a number of local causes, primarily educational. Charities In 2006 the Group made donations totalling US$32,000 to organisations promoting various social causes in Gibraltar and Israel. 32 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Remuneration Report This is the second Remuneration Report of the Board as a UK Listed Public Company. The Company is not required to comply with the Directors’ Remuneration Report requirements in Schedule 7A to the UK Companies Act 1985, but has chosen to prepare this Remuneration Report on the basis of those requirements. The Report sets out the structure and details of the remuneration of the Directors for the year ended 31 December 2006. It also describes the Board’s approach to the Principles of Good Governance relating to Directors’ remuneration. A resolution to approve the Remuneration Report is proposed, annually, to shareholders for approval. This Remuneration Report will be put to shareholder vote at the 2007 Annual General Meeting. Remuneration Committee The Remuneration Committee consists solely of independent Non-executive Directors, currently Brian Mattingley (Chair), Michael Constantine and Amos Pickel. Details of attendances at committee meetings are contained in the statement on Corporate Governance on page 30. The Remuneration Committee has formal terms of reference (which are available on request in writing to the Company Secretary and on the Company’s website, www.888holdingsplc.com). The Board has overall responsibility for determining the framework of executive remuneration and its cost. It is required to take account of any recommendation made by the Remuneration Committee in determining the remuneration, benefits and employment packages of the Executive Directors and senior management and the fees of the Chairman. Independent advice The Board intends that executive remuneration policies be both formal and transparent. It further acknowledges the importance of taking into consideration independent advice in setting remuneration policies and benefit levels. In the preparatory period for the Company’s flotation on the London Stock Exchange, the Board was advised by BDO Stoy Hayward LLP (who also acted as reporting Accountants) on its initial policies, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as English legal counsel and Herzog, Fox & Neeman as Israeli counsel. As anticipated in the previous Remuneration Report, the Remuneration Committee retained New Bridge Street Consultants (NBSC) as independent advisors to advise the Remuneration Committee with respect to Executive Directors remuneration. NBSC’s recomendations were presented to and accepted by the Remuneration Committee. Remuneration Policy Executive Directors Remuneration packages must be sufficient to attract, retain and motivate Directors of the calibre appropriate to a global business in a competitive environment. The components of the remuneration structure are set out here after. At least half of the total potential remuneration of the former Chief Executive Officer, the incoming Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and former Chief Operating Officer are represented by a variable element, dependent on the performance of the Company. The Remuneration Committee considers that these represent achievable and motivational levels of personal rewards commensurate with stipulated levels of corporate performance. The former Chief Technical Officer received only a base salary and no additional performance-related remuneration. His significant share interest in 888 was considered to provide substantive linkage to corporate performance. The Remuneration Committee is mandated by the Board to satisfy itself that the level of the Directors’ and senior management’s remuneration is appropriate having regard to pay and conditions throughout the rest of the Group. It will further satisfy itself that such remuneration aligns with the risks and rewards to shareholders. In this context the Remuneration Committee will regularly review individual and corporate performance targets. Non-executive Directors The Chairman and the Non-executive Directors receive fees only, and are not eligible to participate in any bonus plan, pension plan, share plan, or long-term incentive plan of the Company. The Chairman and the Executive Directors determine the fees paid to the Non-executive Directors. The Chairman’s fee is determined by the Remuneration Committee. Fees paid to the Non-executive Directors were set by reference to an assessment of the time commitment and responsibility associated with each role. Levels take account of additional demands placed upon individual Non-executive Directors by virtue of their holding particular offices, such as Committee Chairman and/or Deputy Chairman. The fees paid to each Non-executive Director during 2006 are disclosed in the Directors’ remuneration summary on page 36. Remuneration structure Base salary and benefits Base salaries are subject to annual review with the first review following flotation having taken place in September 2006 for Aviad Kobrine. The first review for Gigi Levy took place in November 2006. Benefits provided to Executive Directors include a car allowance, and health, disability and life insurance. Following his appointment to Chairman in March 2006 the fee payable to Richard Kilsby was reviewed with a further review taken place in October 2006. Following his appointment as senior Non-executive Director the fee payable to Brian Mattingley was also reviewed. Annual cash bonus John Anderson and Aviad Kobrine were each entitled to an annual cash bonus subject to the achievement of a predetermined level of net earnings. These earnings targets Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 33 Remuneration Report continued were met and John Anderson and Aviad Kobrine received the maximum annual cash bonus which was 200% of annualised salary in the case of John Anderson and 100% in the case of Aviad Kobrine. Gigi Levy received 65% of his proportional annualised 2006 salary reflecting the fact that he was employed part of the year only. Gigi Levy is entitled to an annual cash bonus of up to 100% annualised salary. The bonuses were paid by their respective employers (in the case of John Anderson and Gigi Levy, the Company and in the case of Aviad Kobrine, the Company and Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Limited). Pensions John Anderson (while an Executive Director), Gigi Levy and Aviad Kobrine are each entitled to an annual contribution to their personal pension schemes of 15% of their respective basic salaries (in the case of Aviad Kobrine, 15% of his basic salary under both service agreements). Shay Ben-Yitzhak was entitled to an annual contribution to his personal pension scheme and managers’ insurance scheme of 13.33% of his basic salary. Long term incentives On 30 August 2005 the Company adopted two employee share incentive plans which took effect from flotation: (i) the 888 All-Employee Share Plan; and (ii) the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan. The Company currently grants awards under the 888 All- Employee Plan. The 888 Long Term Incentive Plan was approved prior to flotation but no awards have been granted under it. The Remuneration Committee has resolved to amend the Plans to permit grants under both Plans in the same calendar year. The maximum value of awards granted to any individual in any calendar year will remain 200% of annual salary (other than in exceptional cases). Performance-dependent options and awards were granted under the 888 All-Employee Plan to the Executive Directors and other senior executives on 14 September 2006. Details of these awards and options are set out on page 38. 888 All-Employee Share Plan All employees, exclusive consultants and Executive Directors of the Group who are not within six months of their normal retirement age are eligible to participate in the 888 All-Employee Share Plan at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. Awards under the 888 All-Employee Share Plan can either be granted for no consideration (or with a nil exercise price) or at an exercise price that will normally be no less than the market value of an Ordinary Share at the time of grant or average share price during a period as determined by the Remuneration Committee at time of grant. In countries where an award or option involving real shares is not appropriate or feasible for legal, regulatory or tax reasons, a phantom award may be used. The maximum number of Ordinary Shares that an eligible employee may acquire pursuant to share awards or options granted to him in any calendar year under the 888 All- Employee Share Plan and the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan may not have an aggregate market value, as measured at the date of grant, exceeding 200% of his annual base salary or such higher limits as the Remuneration Committee may determine is appropriate in any individual case. Awards vest in instalments over a fixed period of up to four years. The Remuneration Committee may determine that the vesting and release or exercise of share awards and options under the 888 All-Employee Share Plan is subject to performance conditions imposed at the time of grant. The performance conditions to vesting determined by the Remuneration Committee in respect of the grant made in September 2006 to Executive Directors and members of senior management, are driven solely by financial performance, not by a comparison to external peer group. Vesting is subject to annual EPS (before share benefit charges) growth with a threshold of 50% such that vesting is nil where threshold EPS growth is not met. At 50% target EPS growth vesting equal to 50% increasing linearly up to 100% vesting at 100% target. Performance conditions are capable of being amended by the Remuneration Comittee if circumstances which prevailed at the date of grant have subsequently changed and the amended performance conditions would be a fairer measure of performance. 888 Long Term Incentive Plan All employees and Executive Directors of the Group who are not within six months of their normal retirement age are eligible to participate in the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. Share incentives under the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan can be awarded either for no nominal consideration (or with a nil exercise price) or granted as an option at an exercise price that will normally not be less than the market value of an Ordinary Share at the time of grant. In both cases, the share award or option vests subject to, and to the extent that, performance conditions determined at the time of grant are satisfied during the applicable performance period. Performance conditions are capable of being amended by the Remuneration Comittee if circumstances which prevailed at the date of grant have subsequently changed and the amended performance conditions would be a fairer measure of performance. 34 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents In countries where a share award or option involving real shares is not appropriate or feasible for legal, regulatory or tax reasons, a phantom award may be used. The maximum number of Ordinary Shares that an eligible employee may acquire pursuant to share awards or options granted to him in any calendar year under the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan may not have an aggregate market value, as measured at the date of grant, exceeding 200% of his annual base salary or such higher limits as the Remuneration Committee may determine is appropriate in any individual case. Subject to the satisfaction of applicable performance conditions, performance share awards and options will normally vest in equal tranches over a four-year vesting period, on each anniversary of the date of the grant or on such other period or such other basis as the Remuneration Committee may decide. Policy on Long Term Incentives As noted above, the Remuneration Committee obtained independent advice from NBSC and granted options and made awards to senior executives and Directors in September 2006, having regard to the total remuneration packages of all senior executives and Directors when determining the amount of share awards. These grants were subject to performance criteria (see page 34 above). Scheme Limits Awards and options granted under the 888 All-Employee Share Plan and the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan may be satisfied through the issue of new shares. In accordance with the Association of British Insurers’ Guidelines on Executive Remuneration, grants of options and awards are to be planned so as not to exceed 5% of the issued Ordinary Share capital in any rolling 10 year period for the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan, and 10% of the issued Ordinary Share capital in any rolling 10 year period for both the 888 All- Employee Share Plan and the 888 Long Term Incentive Plan. The Committee intends to have regard to appropriate annual flow-rates so as to ensure that these limits are not breached. Employee Trusts The Company has established two Trusts to further the interests of the Company, its subsidiaries and shareholders by providing share incentives to employees (including Executive Directors) of any Group company to enable the Group to attract, retain and motivate employees. The 888 IPO Share Award Trust was created pursuant to a Trust Deed dated 14 September 2005 and operated in connection with the grant of share awards and nil cost options to employees of the Group upon the 2005 flotation. The Trust currently holds 170,091 Ordinary Shares in the Company. The 888 Holdings plc Share Plan Trust was created pursuant to a Trust Deed dated 14 September 2005. Director Appointments – Service Contracts and Directors’ Fees Executive Directors In accordance with the Combined Code, each Executive Director’s service agreement is terminable on no more than 12 months’ written notice. Each Executive Director’s employment can be terminated by making a payment equal to the salary and pension contributions and the value of other contractual benefits due to the Executive Director in lieu of any unexpired notice period. Gigi Levy and Aviad Kobrine continue to be entitled to be paid a bonus during any unexpired part of the notice period even if the employment is terminated by making payment in lieu of notice. Awards granted under the 888 All-Employee Share Plan to Gigi Levy and Aviad Kobrine pursuant to their service agreements continue to vest during any unexpired part of the notice period and they shall be treated as a “good leaver” under the terms of the 888 All-Employee Share Plan where their employment has been terminated by making a payment in lieu of notice. No other benefits upon termination of employment are payable. An Executive Director’s entitlement to share awards and share options under the 888 All-Employee Plan on termination of employment will be governed by the terms of that plan (and in the case of Gigi Levy and Aviad Kobrine by the relevant provisions of their service agreements). Resignations and changes Gigi Levy was appointed as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Company on 18 June 2006. Mr Levy was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on 31 December 2006. Marie Stevens resigned from the Board on 10 March 2006. Shay Ben-Yitzhak resigned as Chief Technical Officer and as an Executive Director as of 18 June 2006 and was appointed as a Non-executive Director on the same date. Upon termination Shay Ben-Yitzhak received severance payment. Shay Ben-Yitzhak did not receive an annual bonus. John Anderson resigned as Chief Executive Officer and as an Executive Director as of 31 December 2006 and has been appointed as a Non-executive Director of the Company. John Anderson was paid a termination package calculated in accordance with his service contract namely, payment in lieu of a 12-month notice period comprised of salary, bonus, share awards and all other payments and monetary equivalent of all benefits which John Anderson would have been entitled to receive under the service contract during the 12-month notice period. As part of John Anderson’s termination agreement share awards which would have vested during October 2007 and October 2008 were accelerated and vested on 23 December 2006 and share awards which would have vested during October 2009 lapsed. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 35 Remuneration Report continued Name John Anderson Gigi Levy Aviad Kobrine Aviad Kobrine Shay Ben-Yitzhak Position Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer Chief Technical Officer 1 Wholly-owned subsidiary company. 2 The unexpired term of the Executive Directors’ Service Agreements is 12 months. Employer/ contracting party Document date2 14/09/2005 18/06/2006 14/09/2005 Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Limited1 14/09/2005 Random Logic Limited1 14/09/2005 The Company The Company The Company Chairman and Non-executive Directors The Chairman and the Non-executive Directors do not have service contracts but have signed Letters of Appointment. Non-executive Directors’ appointments may be terminated by the Company without notice in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association and the Gibraltar Companies Act 1930, except for the Chairman who is required to be given six months’ prior written notice of termination. No compensation is payable on the termination of the appointment. Richard Kilsby, Brian Mattingley, Michael Constantine and Amos Pickel are appointed to serve until the 2010 Annual General Meeting. Shay Ben-Yitzhak is appointed to serve until the 2007 Annual General Meeting and, if renewed at the Annual General Meeting, his appointment will continue for a term of three years. Name1 Richard Kilsby Brian Mattingley Michael Constantine Amos Pickel Shay Ben-Yitzhak Position Chairman Deputy Chairman Non-executive Director Non-executive Director Non-executive Director 1 Marie Stevens was appointed as Chairman on 14/09/2005 and resigned from the Board on 10/03/2006. Directors’ Remuneration Summary The audited cash emoluments or fees received by the Directors for 2006 are shown below: Employer/ contracting party Document date The Company The Company The Company The Company The Company 14/03/2006 14/03/2006 14/09/2005 14/03/2006 18/06/2006 Executive John Anderson Gigi Levy Aviad Kobrine2 Shay Ben-Yitzhak3 Non-executive Richard Kilsby Brian Mattingley Michael Constantine Amos Pickel Marie Stevens Total Base salary/fees US$’0001 Annual bonus US$’000 Benefits US$’000 Compensation for loss of office US$’000 Total 2006 US$’000 Total 2005 US$’000 877 338 478 128 268 141 111 93 48 1,858 538 538 – – – – – – 222 182 146 11 10 – – – 6 3,026 – – 117 – – – – 122 5,983 1,058 1,162 256 278 141 111 93 176 2,164 – 434 75 46 35 35 – 227 2,482 2,934 577 3,265 9,258 3,016 1 Where Directors’ remuneration is denominated in Sterling, costs have been converted at the applicable rate of exchange at the transaction date. 2 Part of Mr Kobrine’s remuneration is paid by one of his employers, Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. 3 Mr Ben-Yitzhak’s remuneration as an Executive Director was paid by his employer, Random Logic Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The amount noted in the Compensation for loss of office column includes an amount of US$117,000 paid as severance pay. 36 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents The bonuses became payable to John Anderson and Aviad Kobrine upon achievement of the corporate performance target which required that Net Profit excluding share benefit charges for 2006 exceeded US$60 million. The bonus became payable to Gigi Levy upon achievement of the corporate performance target which was determined by the Board. Directors’ Interests in Ordinary Shares The notified interests of Executive and Non-executive Directors in the issued share capital of the Company are: Executive John Anderson Gigi Levy Aviad Kobrine Shay Ben-Yitzhak3 Non-executive Richard Kilsby Brian Mattingley Michael Constantine Amos Pickel Marie Stevens Ordinary Shares 31 December 20062 31 December 20051 1,146,129 – 202,258 57,522,358 724,758 – 55,621 57,522,358 114,285 142,857 22,857 – – 114,285 142,857 22,857 – 142,857 1 Or date of appointment if later and adjusted to reflect the restructuring of the share capital restructures during 2005. 2 Or date of resignation if earlier. 3 These shares are held on trust and are subject to a Relationship Agreement dated 14 September 2005 between, among others, the Company and the Principal Shareholder Trusts. Further details can be found on page 40. Except where stated, all interests were held beneficially. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 37 Remuneration Report continued Directors’ Interests in Share Awards and Share Options The audited number of shares subject to Share Awards or Share Options granted to the Executive Directors in 2006 and outstanding as at 31 December 2006 is set out below: John Anderson 888 All-Employee Share Plan2,6 Gigi Levy1 888 All-Employee Share Plan2,4 888 All-Employee Share Plan2,7 888 All-Employee Share Plan2,5 Aviad Kobrine 888 All-Employee Share Plan2 888 All-Employee Share Plan3 888 All-Employee Share Plan3,7 888 All-Employee Share Plan2,7 Earliest exercise/ vesting date 4/10/06 4/10/07 4/10/08 4/10/09 18/6/07 18/6/08 18/6/09 18/6/10 14/4/07 14/4/08 14/4/09 14/4/10 18/6/07 18/6/08 18/6/09 18/6/10 4/10/06 4/10/07 4/10/08 4/10/09 1/1/06 4/10/06 4/10/07 4/10/08 4/10/09 14/4/07 14/4/08 14/4/09 14/4/10 14/4/07 14/4/08 14/4/09 14/4/10 Date of award 4/10/05 4/10/05 4/10/05 4/10/05 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 29/9/05 29/9/05 29/9/05 29/9/05 4/10/05 4/10/05 4/10/05 4/10/05 4/10/05 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 14/9/06 Exercise period end date Awards at Exercise 31 December 20051 price Awarded 2006 Vested in 2006 Market price at vesting date Exercised/ Awards at transferred 31 December 2006 2006 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4/10/15 4/10/15 4/10/15 4/10/15 4/10/15 14/9/16 14/9/16 14/9/16 14/9/16 n/a n/a n/a n/a £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil £nil 421,371 421,371 421,370 421,370 421,371 421,371 421,370 – 108.0p 132.5p 132.5p 421,371 – – – – 421,371 421,370 – 337,096 337,096 337,096 337,097 58,315 233,260 145,787 145,787 138,845 138,845 138,845 138,845 15,620 62,480 39,050 39,050 19,091 76,365 47,728 47,728 – – – – – – – – – – – – 55,621 – – – 45,508 45,508 – – – – – – – – – – – 55,621 55,621 55,621 55,621 45,508 45,508 45,508 45,508 45,508 – – – – 337,096 337,096 337,096 337,097 – 58,315 – 233,260 145,787 – 145,787 – – – – – 138,845 138,845 138,845 138,845 55,621 – – – 45,508 45,508 – – – – – – – – – – – – 55,621 55,621 55,621 – – 45,508 45,508 45,508 15,620 62,480 39,050 39,050 19,091 76,365 47,728 47,728 108.0p 194.0p 108.0p All awards were made through the 888 All-Employee Share Plan during the year. 1 Date of appointment, being 18 June 2006, for Gigi Levy. 2 Awarded as a share award. 3 Awarded as a nil cost option. 4 This award was granted pursuant to Gigi Levy’s service agreement. 5 This award was made in addition to the annual cash bonus noted on pages 36 and 37, subject to the annual cash bonus criteria being met. 6 As part of John Anderson’s agreement share awards which would have vested during October 2007 and October 2008 were accelerated and vested on 23 December 2006. Share awards which would have vested during October 2009 lapsed as part of the termination agreement. 7 Vesting subject to performance conditions. 38 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents The closing price of one Ordinary Share was 132.5p at 29 December 2006. The highest closing price during 2006 was 244.8p and the lowest was 93.5p. No Director was materially interested during the year in any contract which was significant in relation to the business of the Company otherwise than as disclosed in the Prospectus or these Report and Accounts. Total shareholder return The chart below shows the volume of an investment of Sterling £100 in the companies shares and in the FTSE 250 Index from admission to 31 December 2006. The Directors have chosen the FTSE 250 Index as the most appropriate comparator index as the company was a constituent member until October 2006. Value of Sterling £100 in 888 Since IPO v. FTSE 250 160 120 80 40 0 888 share FTSE 250 5 0 / 9 / 9 2 5 0 / 0 1 / 3 1 5 0 / 0 1 / 7 2 5 0 / 1 1 / 0 1 5 0 / 1 1 / 4 2 5 0 / 2 1 / 8 5 0 / 2 1 / 2 2 6 0 / 1 / 5 6 0 / 2 / 2 6 0 / 1 / 9 1 6 0 / 2 / 6 1 6 0 / 3 / 2 6 0 / 3 / 6 1 6 0 / 3 / 0 3 6 0 / 4 / 3 1 6 0 / 4 / 7 2 6 0 / 5 / 1 1 6 0 / 5 / 5 2 6 0 / 6 / 8 6 0 / 6 / 2 2 6 0 / 7 / 6 6 0 / 8 / 3 6 0 / 7 / 0 2 6 0 / 8 / 7 1 6 0 / 8 / 1 3 6 0 / 9 / 4 1 6 0 / 9 / 8 2 6 0 / 0 1 / 2 1 6 0 / 0 1 / 6 2 6 0 / 1 1 / 9 6 0 / 1 1 / 3 2 6 0 / 2 1 / 7 6 0 / 2 1 / 1 2 Approval This report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by: Brian Mattingley Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 30 April 2007 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 39 Directors’ Report The Directors submit to the members their Annual Report and Accounts of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2006. The report on Corporate Governance and the Remuneration Report on pages 29 to 30 and 33 to 39 respectively, form part of this Directors’ Report. Principal activities During 2006 the Group’s principal activities were the provision of online gaming entertainment. A review of the business is given in the Chairman’s statement on pages 4 to 5, the Chief Executive Officer’s Review on pages 6 to 11 and the Enhanced Business Review on pages 12 to 27. The principal subsidiary undertakings are listed on page 60. Results and dividends The Group’s profit for the financial year of US$74.5 million is reported in the Consolidated Income Statement on page 44. The Board has recommended a final dividend in respect of the financial year in an amount of 8.88¢ per share. Directors and their interests Biographical details of the current Board of Directors are shown on page 28. The Directors who served during the year are shown below: John Anderson Marie Stevens Gigi Levy Aviad Kobrine Shay Ben-Yitzhak Richard Kilsby Brian Mattingley Michael Constantine Amos Pickel (appointed 30 August 2005 and re-appointed 10 May 2006) (appointed 1 February 2005, resigned 10 March 2006) (appointed 18 June 2006) (appointed 30 August 2005 and re-appointed 10 May 2006) (appointed 30 August 2005 and re-appointed 10 May 2006) (appointed 30 August 2005 and re-appointed 10 May 2006) (appointed 30 August 2005 and re-appointed 10 May 2006) (appointed 30 August 2005 and re-appointed 10 May 2006) (appointed 14 March 2006) The beneficial and non-beneficial interests of the Directors in shares of the Company are set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 33 to 39. Except as noted above, none of the Directors had any interests in the shares of the Company or in any material contract or arrangement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Gigi Levy, who was appointed as a Director during the year, will retire at the Annual General Meeting and, being eligible, will offer himself for re-election. Brian Mattingley, Michael Constantine and Amos Pickel will retire by rotation and offer themselves for re-election. Share capital Changes in the Company’s share capital during the financial year are given in note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 59. Substantial shareholdings As at 30/4/2007 the Company had been notified of the following interests in 3% or more of its share capital: E Shaked Shares Trust O Shaked Shares Trust Ben-Yitzhak Family Shares Trust Number of Shares % Issued Share Capital 86,283,534 86,283,534 57,522,358 25.56 25.56 17.04 As disclosed in the Prospectus, a Relationship Agreement governing the relationship between the above Principal Shareholder Trusts and the Company was entered into in connection with the Company’s flotation. The Relationship Agreement provides that all transactions between the Group and the Principal Shareholder Trusts will be on a normal business basis, that the Group will be allowed to carry on business independently of them and that the Principal Shareholder Trusts will not cause the Group to contravene the Combined Code unless required by law or as contemplated in the Relationship Agreement. It further provides that each of the Principal Shareholder Trusts will not solicit Group employees without consent, that only Independent Directors can vote on proposals to amend the Relationship Agreement, that the Principal Shareholder Trusts will consult the Group prior to disposing of a significant number of shares in order to maintain an orderly market and shall not disclose confidential information unless required to do so or having first received the Company’s consent. The Relationship Agreement also includes restrictions on the Principal Shareholder Trusts, power to appoint Directors and obligations to ensure that the majority of the Board, excluding the Chairman, is independent. The Principal Shareholder Trusts can nominate a Non-executive Director for appointment to the Board and the Directors will consider the appointment of the nominated person to the Remuneration Committee. In the event that this right is exercised and it results in fewer than half the Board (excluding the Chairman of the Board) being Independent Directors, such appointment shall only become effective upon the appointment to the Board of an additional Independent Director. Such restrictions and obligations apply whilst the E Shaked Shares Trust and O Shaked Shares Trust collectively or the Ben-Yitzhak Family Shares Trust individually, hold not less than 7.5%. 40 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Directors’ Responsibility Statement The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company, for safeguarding the assets, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and for the preparation of a Directors’ report which complies with the Gibraltar Companies (Accounts) Act 1999, the Gibraltar Companies (Consolidated Accounts) Act 1999 and the Gibraltar Companies Act 1930. Financial statements are published on the Group’s website in accordance with legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Group’s website is the responsibility of the Directors. The Directors’ responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein. The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements. The Directors are required to prepare financial statements for the Group in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and have also chosen to prepare financial statements for the Company in accordance with IFRSs. Group and Parent Company Financial Statements Company law requires the Directors to prepare such financial statements in accordance with IFRSs and the Gibraltar Companies (Accounts) Act 1999, the Gibraltar Companies (Consolidated Accounts) Act 1999 and the Gibraltar Companies Act 1930. International Accounting Standard 1 requires that financial statements present fairly for each financial year the Company’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. This requires the faithful representation of the effects of transactions, other events and conditions in accordance with the definitions and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses set out in the International Accounting Standards Board’s “Framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements”. In virtually all circumstances, a fair presentation will be achieved by compliance with all applicable IFRSs. A fair presentation also requires the Directors to: • consistently select and apply appropriate accounting policies; present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information; and provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs is insufficient to enable members to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and financial performance. • • Auditors A resolution for the reappointment of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP and BDO Fidecs Chartered Accountants Limited as auditors of the Company will be proposed at the 2007 Annual General Meeting. During the year ended 31 December 2006 BDO Stoy Hayward LLP were appointed auditors for the purposes of the Company meeting its obligations to prepare financial statements under the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority. For the purposes of filing the Company’s financial statements in Gibraltar, BDO Fidecs Chartered Accountants Limited have been appointed to act as auditors for the purposes of issuing an audit report pursuant to Section 10 of the Gibraltar Companies (Accounts) Act 1999. On behalf of the Board Gigi Levy Chief Executive Officer 30 April 2007 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 41 Independent Auditors’ Report to the Shareholders of 888 Holdings Public Limited Company We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. The other information comprises only the Directors’ Report, Chairman’s Statement, Chief Executive Officer’s Review, Enhanced Business Review, Regulatory and Compliance Review, Corporate Governance Statement and the unaudited part of the Remuneration Report. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information. Our report has been prepared pursuant to the terms of our engagement letter and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of the terms of our engagement letter or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability. Basis of Audit Opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and the part of the Remuneration Report described as having been audited. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the Directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and Company’s circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements and the parts of the remuneration report described as having been audited, are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements and the part of the Remuneration Report to be audited. We have audited the Group and the Company financial statements (the “financial statements”) of 888 Holdings Public Limited Company for the year ended 31 December 2006 which comprise the Group Income Statement, the Group and Company Balance Sheets, the Group and Company Cash Flow Statements, the Group and Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes 1 to 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes 1 to 10 to the Company Financial Statements. These financial statements have been prepared under the accounting policies set out therein. We have also audited the parts of the Remuneration Report described as having been audited. Respective Responsibilities of Directors and Auditors The Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European Union are set out in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities. 888 Holdings Public Limited Company has complied with the requirements of rules 9.8.6 and 9.8.8 of the Listing Rules in preparing its Annual Report and has also complied with schedule 7A of the UK Companies Act 1985, as if it was incorporated in the UK. Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and whether the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Gibraltar Companies (Accounts) Act 1999, Gibraltar Companies (Consolidated Accounts) Act 1999 and the Gibraltar Companies Act 1930, and the part of the Remuneration Report described as having been audited, has been properly prepared in accordance with Schedule 7A of the UK Companies Act 1985. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Directors’ Report is not consistent with the financial statements, if the Company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit or if information specified by the Listing Rules and Gibraltar legislation is not disclosed. We review whether the Corporate Governance Statement reflects the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the 2003 FRC Combined Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority, and we report if it does not. We are not required to consider whether the Board’s statements on internal control cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures. 42 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Opinion In our opinion: • the Group financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, of the state of the Group’s and the Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2006 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Gibraltar Companies (Accounts) Act 1999, Gibraltar Companies (Consolidated Accounts) Act 1999 and the Gibraltar Companies Act 1930; the part of the Remuneration Report described as having been audited has been properly prepared in accordance with Schedule 7A of the UK Companies Act 1985; and the information given in the Director’s Report is consistent with the Financial Statements. • • • Emphasis of matter – Regulatory Position In forming our opinion, which is not qualified, we have considered the adequacy of, and draw attention to, the disclosures made in note 22 to the financial statements concerning the residual risk of an adverse impact arising from the Group having had customers in the US prior to the enactment of the UIGEA. Note 22 includes a statement that the Board is not able to identify reliably at this stage what, if any, liability may arise and accordingly no provision has been made. BDO Stoy Hayward LLP Chartered Accountants 8 Baker Street London WIU 3LL UK Date: 30 April 2007 BDO Fidecs Chartered Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants Montagu Pavilion 8-10 Queensway Gibraltar Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 43 Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 31 December 2006 Continuing operations Net Gaming Revenue Operating expenses Research and development expenses Selling and marketing expenses Administrative expenses Operating profit (loss) before share benefit charges Charges in respect of shares granted to employees on IPO Charges in respect of share and option awards Total share benefit charges Operating profit (loss) Finance income Profit (loss) before tax Taxation Profit (loss) from continuing operations Profit from discontinued operations Profit after tax for the year attributable to equity holders of parent Earnings per share Basic Diluted Discontinued operations Basic Diluted Total Basic Diluted The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these financial statements. Year ended 31 December 2006 Year ended 31 December 2005 Note US$’000 US$’000 3 4 5 6 157,000 49,448 19,381 51,037 28,653 17,310 – 8,829 8,829 8,481 4,883 13,364 3,117 10,247 21 64,254 74,501 7 21f 7 3.0¢ 3.0¢ 19.1¢ 18.8¢ 22.1¢ 21.8¢ 122,982 43,308 11,318 54,920 34,208 (3,538) 15,087 2,147 17,234 (20,772) 735 (20,037) 2,136 (22,173) 70,188 48,015 (6.6)¢ (6.6)¢ 20.8¢ 20.8¢ 14.2¢ 14.2¢ 44 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 December 2006 Assets Non-current assets Intangible assets Property, plant and equipment Deferred taxes Current assets Cash and cash equivalents Trade and other receivables Amounts due from related parties Total assets Equity and liabilities Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Share capital Share benefit reserve Retained earnings Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables Member deposits Amounts due to related parties Total liabilities Total equity and liabilities Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 30 April 2007. Gigi Levy Chief Executive Officer Aviad Kobrine Chief Financial Officer The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these financial statements. 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 Note 9 10 11 12 13 18 14 15 18 – 13,033 546 13,579 114,356 9,669 – 124,025 137,604 3,073 9,332 74,597 87,002 27,931 22,671 – 50,602 137,604 – 8,341 361 8,702 62,202 15,013 1,649 78,864 87,566 3,068 2,147 27,115 32,330 25,593 29,325 318 55,236 87,566 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 45 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 December 2006 Share capital US$’000 Share benefit reserve US$’000 Accumulated profit US$’000 Balance at 1 January 2005 Profit for the year Dividend paid Redemption of preference share capital Share benefit charge Transfer of shares granted on IPO Redenomination translation effect Balance at 1 January 2006 Profit for the year Dividend paid Issue of shares Lapsed share benefit charge Share benefit charge Balance at 31 December 2006 The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these financial statements. 3,066 – – (1) – – 3 3,068 – – 5 – – 3,073 – – – – 17,234 (15,087) – 2,147 – – (5) (1,639) 8,829 9,332 Total US$’000 30,179 48,015 (63,100) (1) 17,234 – 3 27,113 48,015 (63,100) – – 15,087 – 27,115 32,330 74,501 (28,658) – 1,639 – 74,501 (28,658) – – 8,829 74,597 87,002 46 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 December 2006 Cash flows from operating activities Profit before tax Adjustments for Depreciation Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment Amortisation Impairment Translation effect of redenomination of share capital Interest received Share benefit charges Decrease in trade receivables Decrease (increase) in related party balances (Increase) decrease in other accounts receivable (Decrease) increase in trade payables (Decrease) increase in member deposits Increase in other accounts payable Cash generated from operations Tax paid Net cash generated from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of intangibles Cash acquired on combination with ACTeCASH Purchase of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Interest received Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Issue/redemption of shares Dividends paid Net cash used in financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year The notes on pages 48 to 65 form part of these financial statements. Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 77,618 3,801 29 – – – (4,879) 8,829 85,398 6,346 1,331 (1,002) (1,439) (6,654) 3,527 87,507 (3,052) – – (8,621) 99 4,879 – (28,658) 50,151 2,700 32 20 832 3 (683) 17,234 70,289 579 (638) 142 1,177 10,184 9,680 91,413 (3,160) 84,455 88,253 (400) 263 (3,831) – 683 (3,643) (3,285) (1) (63,100) (28,658) 52,154 62,202 114,356 (63,101) 21,867 40,335 62,202 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 47 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 1 General information Company description and activities 888 Holdings Public Limited Company (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (together the “Group”) was founded in 1997 and originally operated as a holding company domiciled in the British Virgin Islands. On 12 January 2000, the Company was continued in Antigua and Barbuda as a corporation under the International Business Corporation Act 1982 with registered number 12512. On 17 December 2003, the Company redomiciled in Gibraltar with the Company number 90099. On 4 October 2005, the Company was admitted to the Official list of the UKLA and admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange. The Group has developed innovative proprietary software applications solutions for virtual Casinos, for Poker rooms, e-commerce, credit-card clearing services and online advertising methodologies. Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Limited (a subsidiary) carried out the operations of the Group during the year, principally under the name www.888.com under the terms of a gaming licence issued in Gibraltar. Definitions In these financial statements: The Company The Group Subsidiaries Related parties 888 Holdings Public Limited Company. 888 Holdings Public Limited Company and its subsidiaries. Companies over which the Company has control (as defined in International Accounting Standard 27) “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements” and whose accounts are consolidated with those of the Company. As defined in International Accounting Standard 24 – “Related Party Disclosures”. 2 Significant accounting policies The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows: Basis of preparation The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, including International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) and Interpretations, adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and endorsed for use by companies listed on an EU regulated market. The significant accounting policies applied in the financial statements of the Group in the prior years are applied consistently in these financial statements. The financial statements are presented in thousands of US dollars (US$’000) because that is the currency the Group primarily trades with its customers in. The consolidated financial statements comply with the Gibraltar Companies (Accounts) Act 1999, the Gibraltar Companies (Consolidated Accounts) Act 1999 and the Gibraltar Companies Act 1930. The following interpretations, issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), are effective for the first time in the current financial year and have been adopted by the Group with no significant impact on its consolidated results or financial position: IFRIC 4 – Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2006). IFRIC 5 – Rights to interests arising from decommissioning, restoration and environmental rehabilitation funds (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2006). IFIRC 6 – Liabilities arising from participating in a specific market, waste electrical and electronic equipment (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 December 2005). The following standards and interpretations, issued by the IASB or IFRIC, have not been adopted by the Group, and the Group is currently assessing the impact these standards and interpretations will have on the presentation of its consolidated results in future periods: IFRS 7 – Financial instruments: disclosure (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2007). IFRS 8 – Operating segments (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009). 48 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 2 Significant accounting policies continued IFRIC 7 – Applying the restatement approach under IAS 29 – Financial reporting in hyperinflationary economies (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 March 2006). IFRIC 8 – Scope of IFRS 2 – Accounting for share-based payments (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 May 2006). IFRIC 9 – Reassessment of embedded derivatives (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 June 2006). IFRIC 10 – Interim financial reporting and impairment (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 November 2006). IFRIC 11 – Group and treasury share transactions (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 March 2007). IFRIC 12 – Service concession arrangements (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2008). IAS 23 (revised) – Borrowing costs (effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009). IFRS 8 contains requirements for the disclosure of information about an entity’s operating segments and also about the entity’s products and services, the geographical areas in which it operates, and its major customers. The standard is concerned only with the disclosure and replaces IAS 14 – Segment reporting. Critical accounting policies, estimates and adjustments The preparation of consolidated financial statements under IFRS requires the Group to make estimates and judgements that affect the application of policies and reported amounts. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Included in this note are accounting policies which cover areas that the Directors consider require estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. These policies together with references to the related notes to the financial information can be found below: Taxation Share-based payments Discontinued operations Contingent liabilities Note 6 Note 17 Note 21 Note 22 Presentation of continuing and discontinued operations As a result of enactment of the UIGEA in October 2006, the Group withdrew from offering real-money activity to the US facing market. Although the Group did not operate the US facing business as a separate business, it is a separate geographical segment of the Group’s business and in accordance with IFRS 5 – “Non-Current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations” the income statement and related notes are required to show continued and discontinued operations separately. Net Gaming Revenue and certain direct costs associated with the discontinued operations, which are of distinct nature, were allocated accordingly. Other costs (such as R&D expenses, IT expenses, Share benefit charges, office rent and associated cost, depreciation of fixed assets, gaming duty, Directors and Officers insurance, Directors’ fees and tax), which are not distinguishable, were all allocated to the continuing operations and not to the discontinued business. In allocating the rest of the costs of the Group between the two operations, management has applied reasonable estimates in accordance with applicable accounting standards. However, as estimates have necessarily been used in disclosing a geographical segment as a discontinued operations, the results do not necessarily reflect the financial performance which would have been achieved had the discontinued operations been managed as a stand-alone business. Basis of consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries are Companies controlled by 888 Holdings Public Limited Company. Control exists where the Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date the parent gained control until such time as control ceases. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 49 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 2 Significant accounting policies continued The financial statements of the subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements using the purchase method of accounting. On the date of the acquisition, the assets and liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values and any excess of the fair value of the acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. Inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation. The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent company and using consistent accounting policies. Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Net Gaming Revenue Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. Net Gaming Revenue is defined as follows: Casino Casino winnings that are the differences between the amounts of bets placed by members less amounts won by members. Poker Ring games – Rake, which is the commission charged from each winning hand played. Tournaments – Entry fees charged for participation in Poker tournaments. Casino winnings and revenues from the Poker business are stated after deduction of certain bonuses granted to members. Foreign currency Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in non-US dollar currencies are translated into US dollar equivalents using year- end spot foreign exchange rates. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Exchange rate differences on foreign currency transactions are included in administrative expenses. The results and financial position of all Group entities that have a functional currency different from US dollars are translated into the presentation currency as follows: (i) monetary assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet; (ii) income and expenses for each income statement are translated at an average exchange rate (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and (iii) exchange rate differences on translation of Group entities that have functional currencies different from US dollars are included in administrative expenses. Research and development costs Research and development expenditure is charged to the statement of income as incurred. IAS 38 “Intangible Assets” requires capitalisation of certain software development costs, subsequent to technological and commercial feasibility being established and the Group having sufficient resources to complete development. Based on the Group’s product- development process, technological feasibility and therefore the creation of substantially improved product, is only established upon the completion of a working model. The Group generally does not incur any significant costs between the completion of the working model and the point at which the product is ready for general release. Taxation The tax expense represents tax payable for the year based on currently applicable tax rates. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the balance sheet differs from its tax base. Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the difference can be utilised. The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax 50 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 2 Significant accounting policies continued rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities/(assets) are settled/(recovered). Intangible assets All intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. Amortisation is provided to write off the cost, less estimated residual values, of all intangible assets, evenly over their expected useful lives, and the charge is included within operating expenses. Intangible assets are reviewed annually for evidence of impairment. The annual amortisation rate is as follows: Domain names – 10% Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment is stated at historic cost less accumulated depreciation. Carrying amounts are reviewed at each balance sheet date for impairment. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method, at annual rates estimated to write off the cost of the assets less their estimated residual values over their expected useful lives. The annual depreciation rates are as follows: IT equipment Office furniture and equipment Motor vehicles Leasehold improvements 33% 7–15% 15% Over the shorter of the term of the lease or useful lives Impairment of non-financial assets Impairment tests on goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful economic lives and other non-financial assets are subject to impairment tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Where the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount (i.e. the higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell), the asset is written down accordingly. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the impairment test is carried out on the asset’s cash generating unit (i.e. the lowest group of assets in which the asset belongs for which there are separately identifiable cash flows). Trade receivables Trade receivables are recognised and carried at the original transaction value and principally comprise amounts due from the credit card companies and from e-payment companies. An estimate for doubtful debts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad debts are written off when identified. Cash and cash equivalents Cash comprises cash in hand and balances with banks. Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. They include short-term bank deposits originally purchased with maturities of three months or less. Equity Equity issued by the Company is recorded as the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Trade and other payables Trade and other payables are recognised and carried at the original transaction value. Chargebacks and returned e-cheques The cost of chargebacks and returned e-cheques is included in operating expenses. Leases Leases are classified as finance leases wherever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group. All other leases are classified as operating leases and rentals payable are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 51 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 2 Significant accounting policies continued Provisions Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present or constructive obligation as a result of a past event from which it is probable that it will result in an outflow of economic benefits that can be reasonably estimated. Financial instruments The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, related parties, trade receivables, other accounts receivable, trade payables, member deposits and other accounts payable approximate to their fair value. The Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Segment information A business segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that is engaged in providing an individual product or service or a group of related products or services and that is subject to risks and returns that are different from those of other business segments. A geographical segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that is engaged in providing products or services within a particular environment and that is subject to risks and returns that are different from those of components operating in other economic environments. The Group operates in the following online gaming segments: • • Casino Poker Member deposits Member deposits are the amounts that clients place in the Group’s electronic “wallet” or bankroll, including provision for bonuses granted by the Group, less management fees and charges applied to member accounts, along with full provision for Casino jackpots. These amounts are repayable on demand in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions. Dividends Dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. In the case of interim dividends this is when declared by the Directors. In the case of final dividends, this is when approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. 3 Segment information Business segments – continuing operations Net Gaming Revenue Result Segment result Unallocated corporate expenses1 Operating profit Finance income Tax expense Profit for the period – continuing operations Profit for the period – discontinued operations (Note 21a) Profit for the period Assets Unallocated corporate assets Total assets Liabilities Segment liabilities – Poker Segment liabilities – Casino Unallocated corporate liabilities Total liabilities 1 Including share benefit charges of US$8,829,000. Casino US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2006 Poker US$’000 Consolidated US$’000 88,760 68,240 157,000 52,101 41,374 93,475 84,994 8,481 4,883 (3,117) 10,247 64,254 74,501 137,604 137,604 15,445 7,226 27,931 50,602 52 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 3 Segment information continued Net Gaming Revenue Result Segment result Unallocated corporate expenses1 Operating loss Finance income Tax expense Loss for the period – continuing operations Profit for the period – discontinued operations (Note 21a) Profit for the period Assets Unallocated corporate assets Total assets Liabilities Segment liabilities – Poker Segment liabilities – Casino Unallocated corporate liabilities Total liabilities Year ended 31 December 2005 Casino US$’000 85,227 Poker US$’000 Consolidated US$’000 37,755 122,982 41,163 13,957 55,120 75,892 (20,772) 735 (2,136) (22,173) 70,188 48,015 87,566 87,566 20,099 9,226 25,911 55,236 1 Including share benefit charges of US$17,234,000. Other than where amounts are allocated specifically to the Casino and Poker segments above, the expenses, assets and liabilities relate jointly to both segments. Any allocation of these items would be arbitrary. Geographical segments The Group’s performance can also be reviewed by considering the geographical markets and geographical locations within which the Group operates. This information is outlined below: Net Gaming Revenue by geographical market UK Europe Americas (excluding US) Rest of World Net Gaming Revenue – Continuing operations Net Gaming Revenue – Discontinued operations (Note 21c) Net Gaming Revenue Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 70,562 57,056 17,601 11,781 157,000 132,907 53,871 47,289 12,007 9,815 122,982 148,049 289,907 271,031 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 53 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 3 Segment information continued Assets by geographical location Caribbean Europe Rest of World 4 Administrative expenses Share benefit charges – all equity settled Other administrative expenses Administrative expenses – Continuing operations Administrative expenses – Discontinued operations (Note 21a) Administrative expenses 5 Operating profit (loss) from continuing operations Operating profit (loss) is stated after charging: Staff costs Audit fees Other fees paid to auditors Depreciation Amortisation Impairment Chargebacks and returned e-cheques Exchange (gains) losses Payment service providers’ commissions Share benefit charges – all equity settled Carrying amount of segment assets by location Additions to property, plant and equipment Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 357 121,008 16,239 137,604 235 74,589 12,742 87,566 281 1,832 6,508 8,621 72 1,731 2,028 3,831 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 8,829 19,824 28,653 7,284 35,937 17,234 16,974 34,208 3,120 37,328 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 52,131 434 179 3,801 – – 2,507 (4,742) 9,140 8,829 36,822 357 104 2,700 20 832 3,226 423 9,719 17,234 In the income statement total staff costs, excluding share benefit charges of US$8,829,000 (2005: US$17,234,000), are included within the following expenditure categories. Operating expenses Research and development expenses Administrative expenses At 31 December 2006 the Company employed 736 (2005: 886) staff. 2006 US$’000 23,810 14,467 13,854 52,131 2005 US$’000 19,507 9,968 7,347 36,822 54 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 6 Taxation Corporate taxes Current tax Deferred tax Taxation expense Analysis of current tax for the year Profit before taxation Current tax at the effective tax rate for the year Effect of provisions (note 11) Taxation expense Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 3,663 (546) 3,117 2,497 (361) 2,136 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 77,618 50,151 3,663 (546) 3,117 2,497 (361) 2,136 Current tax is calculated with reference to the profit of the Company and its subsidiaries in their respective countries of operation: Gibraltar – 888 and its Gibraltar registered subsidiaries are subject to the provisions of the Gibraltar Companies (Taxation and Concessions) Act (the “CTCA”) as a tax-exempt Company. Subject to a change of ownership or activity of a tax- exempt company, the grandfathering of tax-exempt benefits in respect of existing tax-exempt companies will extend up to 31 December 2010. Domestic corporate tax in Gibraltar is 35% (2005: 35%). Israel – 888’s subsidiaries in Israel have entered into separate transfer pricing agreements on an arm’s-length basis with the Israeli Income Tax Commissioner. Those agreements are effective until the end of 2007 in respect of the Israeli branch of Intersafe Global Limited and 2010 in respect of Random Logic Limited. Domestic corporate tax in Israel is 31% (2005: 33%). UK – 888’s subsidiary in the UK pays corporate tax in the UK at the applicable rate of 30% (2005: 30%). Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 55 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 7 Earnings per share Basic earnings per share from continuing operations Basic earnings per share have been calculated by dividing the profit (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. Diluted earnings per share In accordance with IAS 33, “Earnings per share”, the weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share takes into account all potentially dilutive shares and share options granted, which are not included in the number of shares for basic earnings per share. In addition, certain employee options have also been excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as their exercise price is greater than the weighted averaged share price during the year and therefore would not be advantageous for the holders to exercise the option. The number of options excluded from the diluted EPS calculation is 3,230,182 (2005: nil). Profit (loss) from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue Weighted average number of dilutive Ordinary Shares Continuing operations Basic Diluted Discontinued operations (Note 21f) Basic Diluted Total Basic Diluted Earnings per share excluding share benefit charges Profit (loss) from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders Share benefit charges Profit (loss) excluding share benefit charges Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue Weighted average number of dilutive Ordinary Shares Continuing operations Basic earnings per share excluding share benefit charges Diluted earnings per share excluding share benefit charges Discontinued operations (Note 21f) Basic earnings per share excluding share benefit charges Diluted earnings per share excluding share benefit charges Total Basic earnings per share excluding share benefit charges Diluted earnings per share excluding share benefit charges Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 10,247 (22,173) 337,223,724 337,096,320 341,834,214 338,419,476 3.0¢ 3.0¢ 19.1¢ 18.8¢ 22.1¢ 21.8¢ (6.6)¢ (6.6)¢ 20.8¢ 20.8¢ 14.2¢ 14.2¢ Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 10,247 8,829 (22,173) 17,234 19,076 (4,939) 337,223,724 337,096,320 341,834,214 338,419,476 5.7¢ 5.6¢ 19.1¢ 18.8¢ 24.8¢ 24.4¢ (1.5)¢ (1.5)¢ 20.8¢ 20.8¢ 19.3¢ 19.3¢ 56 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 8 Dividends Interim dividend Special dividends Dividends paid Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 15,172 13,486 28,658 – 63,100 63,100 The Board of Directors has recommended to the shareholders a final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2006 of 8.88¢ per share. 9 Intangible assets During 2005 there were additions to goodwill and domain names of US$452,000 and US$400,000 respectively. During the course of 2005 these balances were amortised and impaired to US$nil. Consequently the net book value of intangible assets at 31 December 2005 was US$nil. There have been no movements in respect of intangible assets during the current year and hence the net book value of intangible assets at 31 December 2006 was US$nil. 10 Property, plant and equipment Cost At 1 January 2006 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2006 Accumulated depreciation At 1 January 2006 Charge for the year Disposals At 31 December 2006 Depreciated cost At 31 December 2006 At 31 December 2005 Prior year amounts Depreciated cost at 1 January 2005 Additions in 2005 Disposals in 2005 Depreciation in 2005 Depreciated cost at 31 December 2005 IT equipment US$’000 Office furniture and equipment US$’000 Motor vehicles US$’000 Leasehold improvements US$’000 10,614 3,163 – 13,777 7,576 2,085 – 9,661 4,116 3,038 2,248 2,420 – (1,630) 3,038 2,077 254 – 2,331 618 208 – 826 1,505 1,459 1,087 702 – (330) 1,459 459 – (163) 296 61 128 (35) 154 142 398 215 272 (32) (57) 398 5,202 5,204 – 10,406 1,756 1,380 – 3,136 7,270 3,446 3,692 437 – (683) 3,446 Total US$’000 18,352 8,621 (163) 26,810 10,011 3,801 (35) 13,777 13,033 8,341 7,242 3,831 (32) (2,700) 8,341 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 57 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 11 Deferred taxes Deferred taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. The Group’s deferred tax assets resulting from temporary differences are as follows: Accrued severance pay Provision for share option charges Provision for vacation Provision for convalescence 12 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Restricted cash primarily relates to deposits held by banks for guarantees. 13 Trade and other receivables Trade receivables Other receivables and prepayments The carrying value of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair value. 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 141 176 213 16 546 195 – 154 12 361 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 106,811 7,545 114,356 56,146 6,056 62,202 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 6,189 3,480 9,669 12,535 2,478 15,013 58 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 14 Share capital Share capital comprises the following: Ordinary Shares of US$1 each Effect of share split Ordinary Shares of £0.005 each Ordinary Shares of US$1 each Effect of share split Ordinary Shares of £0.005 each Issue of Ordinary Shares of £0.005 each Authorised 31 December 2006 Number 31 December 2005 Number 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 3,101,000 – (3,101,000) – 426,387,500 426,387,500 426,387,500 426,387,500 – – 3,880 3,880 3,101 (3,101) 3,880 3,880 31 December 2006 Number Allotted, called up and fully paid 31 December 31 December 2006 2005 US$’000 Number 31 December 2005 US$’000 3,064,512 – (3,064,512) – 337,096,320 337,096,320 – 522,500 337,618,820 337,096,320 – – 3,068 5 3,073 3,065 (3,065) 3,068 – 3,068 On 4 October 2006, the Company issued 522,500 Ordinary Shares of £0.005 each in respect of shares issued and nil cost options exercised as part of the Company’s employee share option plan (see note 17). Shares issued are converted into US$ at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of issue. The issued and fully paid share capital of the Group amounts to US$3,073,000 (2005: US$3,068,000) and is split into 337,618,820 (2005: 337,096,320) ordinary shares. The share capital in UK Sterling (GBP) is £1,688,094 (2005: £1,685,482) and translates at an average exchange rate of US$1.82 (2005: US$1.82) to GBP. 15 Trade and other payables Trade payables Corporate taxes Other payables and accrued expenses The carrying value of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 3,111 1,016 23,804 27,931 4,550 766 20,277 25,593 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 59 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 16 Principal investments in subsidiaries Name Percentage of equity interest 2006 % Percentage of equity interest 2005 % Country of incorporation Gibraltar Intersafe Global Limited Antigua Cassava Enterprises Limited Virtual Services Limited BVI Virtual Holdings Management Services (Gibraltar) Limited Gibraltar Gibraltar Intersafe Global (Europe) Limited Gibraltar Cassava Enterprises Services (Gibraltar) Limited UK Virtual Marketing Services (UK) Limited Gibraltar Cassava Sports Limited Active Media Limited Virtual Marketing Services (Gibraltar) Limited Dixie Operation Limited Random Logic Limited ACTeCASH Limited1 BVI Gibraltar Antigua Israel Gibraltar 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 – 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 – Nature of business Payment processor Member call centre operator Advertising Operates Group headquarters Payment processor Gaming website operator Advertising Domain site owner through which a third-party operates a betting exchange Member call centre employer Marketing acquisition Member call centre operator Research, development and marketing e-Wallet service 1 On 20 December 2005, the Group took responsibility for the management of ACTeCASH Limited, a company with common shareholders. From this date ACTeCASH was managed as a unit of the Group and utilised staff employed by the Group. In accordance with IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements”, the Group is deemed to have control of ACTeCASH by virtue of the fact it has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of this company and derives economic benefit from doing so. As such ACTeCASH has been consolidated as part of the Group. 17 Share-based payment Prior to flotation, the Company adopted two equity-settled employee share incentive plans – the 888 All-Employee Share Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Awards have been granted under the 888 All-Employee Share Plan conditional upon flotation. The 888 All-Employee Share Plan is open to all employees and Executive Directors of the Group who are not within six months of their normal retirement age at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. Awards under this scheme will vest in instalments over a fixed period of up to four years. On 14 September 2006, the Company has granted awards to certain Executive Directors and members of its senior management. These awards are subject to performance conditions imposed by the Remuneration Committee at the date of grant. Details of shares and share options granted as part of the 888 All-Employee Share Plan and shares granted vesting immediately on IPO and thereafter: Share options granted Outstanding at the beginning of the year Market value options granted during the year Market value options lapsed during the year Outstanding at the end of the year1 Weighted average exercise price 31 December 2006 Number 31 December 2005 Number 3,578,287 2,224,131 (1,597,499) – 3,578,287 – 4,204,919 3,578,287 £1.67 £1.75 1 Of the total number of options outstanding at the end of the year 784,491 had vested and were exercisable at the end of the year (2005: nil). 60 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 17 Share-based payment continued Shares granted Outstanding at the beginning of the year Share granted – future vesting Share granted – immediate vesting Lapsed future vesting shares Shares issued during the year1 Outstanding at the end of the year 31 December 2006 Number 31 December 2005 Number 5,292,622 5,595,219 – (2,003,294) (567,908) – 5,292,622 5,078,357 – (5,078,357) 8,316,639 5,292,622 1 Of the total number of shares issued, 45,408 shares were issued as part of the IPO. The following information is relevant in the determination of the fair value of options granted during the year under the equity- settled 888 All-Employee Share Plan: Valuation information Option pricing model used Weighted average share price at grant date Weighted exercise price 2006 2005 Monte Carlo £1.61 £1.67 Binomial £1.75 £1.75 Exercise period of the market value options is from vesting until expiry of 10 years after grant date. In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards a charge to the income statement in respect of any shares or options granted under the above schemes will be recognised and spread over the vesting period of the shares or options based on the fair value of the shares or options at the date at grant, adjusted for changes in vesting conditions at each balance sheet date. This charge has no cash impact. Share benefit charges Charges in respect of shares granted to employees on IPO Charges in respect of share and option awards Charge for the year Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 – 8,829 8,829 15,087 2,147 17,234 The source of the shares granted to employees on IPO was the shareholders’ immediately before the IPO rather than the Company. An amount equalling the charge in relation to these shares has therefore been transferred from the share benefit reserve to accumulated profit in the prior year. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 61 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 18 Related party transactions At 31 December 2006, the Group was owed US$nil by companies controlled by shareholders of the Group and by its shareholders (2005: US$1,649,000), of which US$nil (2005: US$1,633,000) was due from shareholders relating to flotation expenses. At this date the Group owed to its shareholders US$nil (2005: US$318,000). During the year the Group paid US$212,464 (2005: US$198,768) in respect of rent and office expenses to companies of which Mr John Anderson is a Director. At 31 December 2006 the amount owed to those companies was US$nil (2005: US$nil). Remuneration paid to the Directors in the year totalled US$9,258,000 (2005: US$3,176,000). Share benefit charge in respect of awards granted to the Directors totalled US$4,544,000 (2005: US$6,059,000). 19 Commitments Lease commitments Future minimum lease commitments under property operating leases as at 31 December 2006, are as follows: Leases expiring within One year One to five years 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 3,060 8,204 11,264 1,985 2,617 4,602 The amount paid in the year was US$2,620,000 (2005: US$2,052,463). Lease commitments on the Group’s property are shown to the date of the first break clause. 20 Financial risk management objectives and policies The Group is exposed through its operations to currencies, interest rate and credit risk. Policy for managing these risks is set by the Board following recommendations from the Chief Financial Officer. The policy for each of these risks is detailed below. Currency risk The Group incurs foreign currency risk on sales and purchases that are denominated in a currency other than US dollars. The Group continually monitors the foreign currency risk and takes steps to ensure that the net exposure is kept to an acceptable level. Interest rate risk The Group’s exposure to interest rate risk is limited to the interest bearing deposits in which the Group invests surplus funds. Downside interest rate risk is minimal as the Group has no borrowings. Management monitors liquidity to ensure that sufficient liquid resources are available to the Group. Credit risk The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to receivables from payment service providers. Management monitors those balances on a regular basis. 62 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 21 Discontinued operations (a) Consolidated Income Statement from discontinued operations Net Gaming Revenue Operating expenses Research and development expenses Selling and marketing expenses Administrative expenses Operating profit before reorganisation costs Charges in respect of reorganisation costs Operating profit Finance income Profit from discontinued operations (b) Segment information Business segments Net Gaming Revenue Result Segment result Unallocated corporate expenses Operating profit Finance income Tax expense Profit for the period Net Gaming Revenue Result Segment result Unallocated corporate expenses Operating profit Finance income Tax expense Profit for the period Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 132,907 28,086 – 33,283 7,284 148,049 29,652 – 45,089 3,120 68,287 70,188 4,033 64,254 – 64,254 – 70,188 – 70,188 Year ended 31 December 2006 Poker Consolidated Casino US$’000 US$’000 US$’000 71,972 60,935 132,907 40,186 37,678 77,864 13,610 64,254 – – 64,254 Year ended 31 December 2005 Poker Consolidated Casino US$’000 US$’000 US$’000 75,987 72,062 148,049 38,392 41,212 79,604 9,416 70,188 – – 70,188 Other than where amounts are allocated specifically to the Casino and Poker segments above, the expenses relate jointly to both segments. Any allocation of these items would be arbitrary. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 63 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued 21 Discontinued operations continued (c) Geographical segments Net Gaming Revenue by geographical market US (d) Profit from discontinued operations Profit from discontinued operations is stated after charging: Staff costs Chargebacks and returned e-cheques Payment service providers’ commissions In note 21(a) total staff costs, are included within the following expenditure categories: Operating expenses Administrative expenses (e) Cash flows from discontinued operations Net cash from operating activities Net cash generated from investing activities Net cash used in financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents (f) Earnings per share Profit from discontinued operations attributable to ordinary shareholders Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue Weighted average number of dilutive Ordinary Shares Basic earnings per share Diluted earnings per share Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 132,907 148,049 132,907 148,049 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 6,638 15,465 5,821 5,114 15,417 7,936 2006 US$’000 2005 US$’000 5,842 796 6,638 4,542 572 5,114 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 53,506 2,244 (14,951) 40,799 79,496 376 (34,705) 45,167 Year ended 31 December 2006 Year ended 31 December 2005 64,254 70,188 337,223,724 337,096,320 341,834,214 338,419,476 19.1¢ 18.8¢ 20.8¢ 20.8¢ 64 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents 22 Contingent liabilities From time to time the Group is subject to legal claims and actions against it. The Group takes legal advice as to the likelihood of success of such claims and actions. Regulatory issues As part of the Board’s ongoing regulatory compliance and operational risk assessment process, the Board continues to monitor legal and regulatory developments, and their potential impact on the business, and continues to take appropriate advice in respect of these developments. Following the enactment of the UIGEA on 13 October 2006, the Group stopped taking any deposits from customers in the US and barred such customers from wagering real-money on all of the Group’s sites. Notwithstanding this, there remains a residual risk of an adverse impact arising from the Group having had customers in the US prior to the enactment of the UIGEA. The Board is not able to identify reliably at this stage what if any liability may arise and accordingly no provision has been made. 23 Events subsequent to the balance sheet date On 29 March 2007, the Company announced the acquisition of the online Bingo business of Globalcom Limited, a privately owned company registered in Belize, by way of an asset acquisition for an all cash consideration of US$32.4 million (less amounts payable to customers). A further earn-out payment of up to US$11.0 million may be payable in cash 12 months from completion on the basis of actual performance during the financial year ended 31 December 2007. The consideration is broken down as follows: US$10.8 million, initial consideration, payable at completion, US$5.4 million (less amounts payable to customers) payable 90 days from completion and the balance, payable on the first anniversary of completion of the acquisition. The majority of the consideration pertains to goodwill. Certain conditions must be met prior to acquisition being finalised. It is expected that the transaction will be completed during 2007. Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 65 Company Balance Sheet at 31 December 2006 Assets Non-current assets Investments in subsidiaries Current assets Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total assets Equity and liabilities Equity Share capital Share benefit reserve Retained earnings Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables Amounts due to shareholders Total liabilities Total equity and liabilities Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 30 April 2007. Gigi Levy Chief Executive Officer Aviad Kobrine Chief Financial Officer The notes on pages 69 to 70 form part of these financial statements. 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 Note 2 3 4 5 7 2,143 2,130 49,300 99,807 149,107 151,250 3,073 9,332 7,531 19,936 131,314 – 131,314 151,250 40,466 36,531 76,997 79,127 3,068 2,147 21,900 27,115 51,748 264 52,012 79,127 66 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 December 2006 Balance at 1 January 2005 Profit for the year Dividend paid Redemption of preference share capital Redenomination translation effect Share benefit charges (Note 6) Transfer of shares granted on IPO Balance at 1 January 2006 Profit for the year Dividend paid Issue of shares Share benefit charges (Note 6) Lapsed share benefit charge Balance at 31 December 2006 The notes on pages 69 to 70 form part of these financial statements. 3,066 – – (1) 3 – – 3,068 – – 5 – – 3,073 Share capital US$’000 Share benefit reserve US$’000 Accumulated profit US$’000 – – – – – 17,234 (15,087) 7,357 62,556 (63,100) – – – 15,087 Total US$’000 10,423 62,556 (63,100) (1) 3 17,234 – 2,147 21,900 27,115 – – (5) 8,829 (1,639) 9,332 12,650 (28,658) – – 1,639 12,650 (28,658) – 8,829 – 7,531 19,936 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 67 Company Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 December 2006 Cash flows from operating activities Loss before tax Adjustments for Interest received Translation effect of redenomination of share capital Share benefit charges Increase in amounts owed by subsidiaries Increase in other accounts receivable Increase in trade payables Increase in amounts owed to subsidiaries Increase/(decrease) in other accounts payable Cash generated from operations Tax paid Net cash generated from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Increase in investments in subsidiaries Interest received Dividends received Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Reduction in share capital Dividends paid Net cash used in financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year The notes on pages 69 to 70 form part of these financial statements. Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2006 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 Year ended 31 December 2005 US$’000 (15,916) (4,540) – 8,829 (8,386) (448) 110 78,496 609 58,754 (5) (13) 4,540 28,658 – (28,658) (544) (751) 3 17,234 (17,243) (377) 555 14,565 4,239 17,681 – 58,749 17,681 – 751 63,100 33,185 63,851 (1) (63,100) (28,658) 63,276 36,531 99,807 (63,101) 18,431 18,100 36,531 68 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Notes to the Company Financial Statements 1 General information and accounting policies A description of the Company, its activities and definitions are included in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The Company has applied accounting policies identical to the Group’s accounting policies listed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements other than in relation to investments in its subsidiaries which are held at cost less any impairment provision required. Under Section 10(2) of the Gibraltar (Consolidated Accounts) Act 1999, the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own income statement. 2 Investments in subsidiaries The Company’s principal subsidiaries are listed in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements and are held at cost less provisions for any impairment. 3 Trade and other receivables Amounts due from subsidiaries Other receivables and prepayments 4 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Restricted cash primarily relates to deposits held by banks for guarantees. 5 Share capital The disclosures in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements are identical for the Company. 6 Share-based payment The disclosures in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements are identical for the Company. 7 Trade and other payables Trade payables Amounts due to subsidiaries Other payables and accrued expenses The carrying value of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value. 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 48,475 825 49,300 40,089 377 40,466 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 97,827 1,980 99,807 33,497 3,034 36,531 31 December 2006 US$’000 31 December 2005 US$’000 665 125,422 5,227 131,314 555 46,926 4,267 51,748 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 69 Notes to the Company Financial Statements continued 8 Financial risk management objectives and policies The Company’s financial risk management objectives and policies are identical to those of the Group as disclosed in Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements. 9 Contingent liabilities The disclosures in Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements are identical for the Company. 10 Related party transactions During the year the Company received dividends from its subsidiaries totalling US$28,658,000 (2005: US$63,100,000) and paid to its shareholders dividends totalling US$28,658,000 (US$63,100,000). Remuneration paid to Directors of the Company by its subsidiaries in the year totalled US$929,000 (2005: US$319,000). Share benefit charges in respect of options and shares of the Company awarded to employees of subsidiaries in the year, totalled US$4,136,000 (2005: US$9,955,000). During the year subsidiaries of the Company participated in funding its costs which totalled US$20,712,000 (2005: US$556,000). At 31 December 2006, the Company owed to its subsidiaries US$76,947,000 (2005: US$6,837,000). 70 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Notes Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company 71 Notes 72 Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Click to return to contents Highlights Shareholder Information Net gaming revenue (US$ million) Net gaming revenue from continuing operations* (US$ million) up7% 2006 2005 up28% 289.9 271.0 2006 2005 157.0 123.0 Profit before tax** (US$ million) Cash and cash equivalents at year end (US$ million) up34% 2006 2005 up84% 90.5 67.4 2006 2005 114.4 62.2 Click on the page number or heading below to go direct to selected page Contents ifc Highlights 02 Our Strategy 04 Chairman’s Statement 06 Chief Executive Officer’s Review 12 Enhanced Business Review 28 Board of Directors 29 Corporate Governance 33 Remuneration Report 40 Directors’ Report 42 Independent Auditors’ Report 44 Consolidated Income Statement 45 Consolidated Balance Sheet 46 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 47 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 48 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 66 Company Balance Sheet 67 Company Statement of Changes in Equity 68 Company Statement of Cash Flows 69 Notes to the Company Financial Statements ibc Shareholder Information Continuing operations relates to all non-US facing operations (see note 2 of the financial statements). * ** Excluding share benefit charges of US$8.8 million (2005: US$17.2 million) and reorganisation costs of US$4.0 million (2005: US$nil). Group websites A range of shareholder information is available in the Investor Relations area of the Group’s website, www.888holdingsplc.com, including: • • • Latest information on the Group’s share price Information on the Group’s financial performance News and events The following websites can also be accessed through the Group’s main web portal 888.com. Casino 888’s Casino games are offered through its Casino-on-Net and Reef Club Casino offerings. • • www.Casino-on-Net.com www.ReefClubCasino.com Poker 888’s Poker offering is through Pacific Poker. • www.PacificPoker.com Betmate Offers access to a betting exchange including sporting and non-sporting betting. • www.Betmate.com 888.tv A portal for skill games allowing customers to download games, open accounts and play tournaments. • www.888.tv 888.info Allows customers to practise their gaming skills for fun through a number of key Casino and Poker games. • www.888.info Shareholder services All enquiries relating to Ordinary Shares, Depository Interests, dividends and changes of address should be directed to the Group’s Transfer Agent: Capita Registrars The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road Beckenham, Kent BR3 4TU Tel: 0870 162 3100 www.capitaregistrars.com Further information For further information please contact: Company Secretary 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Suite 601/701 Europort, Europort Road Gibraltar info@888holdingsplc.com Principal bankers The Royal Bank of Scotland plc 280 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4RB Solicitors Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 65 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1HS Hassans 57/63 Line Wall Road Gibraltar Auditors BDO Stoy Hayward LLP Chartered Accountants 8 Baker Street London W1U 3LL BDO Fidecs Chartered Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants Montagu Pavilion 8-10 Queensway Gibraltar Incorporated in Gibraltar with registered number 90099 Click to return to contents Annual Report & Accounts 2006 888 Holdings Public Limited Company l 8 8 8 H o d n g s P u b i l i c L m i i t e d C o m p a n y A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 2 0 0 6 888 Holdings Public Limited Company Suite 601/701 Europort Europort Road Gibraltar T: +350 49800 F: +350 48280 E: Info@888holdingsplc.com www.888holdingsplc.com Click to return to contents 

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