Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING JAN 2019 14 BREAKFAST BRIEFS REVENUE, PROFIT SOAR FOR ARISTOCRAT IN FY18 MARK BROWN SAYS IPI ON TRACK TO MEET CONSTRUCTION DEADLINES RECORD numbers in the Australia-New Zealand and North American markets have driven global slot machine developer Aristocrat Leisure Industries to a 47.7% increase in operating revenue and 34.3% rise in normalized profit after tax and before amortisation (NPATA) for the 12 months ended 30 September 2018. Revenue for the year hit AU$3.62 billion while NPATA reached AU$729.6 million, up from AU$543.4 million in the prior year. Aristocrat said the results reflected strong performance delivered across the group’s global portfolio, including profit growth of 16% in the Americas land-based business to US$650 million, a 9% increase in profit in the IMPERIAL Pacific International Chairman Mark Brown says the company remains on track to meet its deadlines for completion of Imperial Pacific Resort, despite being forced to lay-off staff and reduce operations in the wake of the devastating Typhoon Yutu that struck Saipan in October. Responding to inquiries from IAG , Brown – who returned to his former position with the company in October just nine months after previously stepping down – insisted that “timelines, as long as there’s no other major disaster, will all be kept.” Explaining IPI’s long-term plans in more detail, having earlier this year had its 31 August 2018 deadline for completion of Imperial Pacific Resort extended for two- and-a-half years until 28 February 2021, Brown added that “construction still continues to move forward and the Casino Control Commission is well aware of our schedule.” The immediate focus, he said, is on completion of the facility’s Beach Resort hotel – a separate VIP building along the beach front that includes 15 Paul Steelman- designed villas. Once done, work will move back to the resort’s main tower and completion of its 324 suites. However, Brown re-iterated that IPI was left with little choice but to cut back on staff levels for the time being as Saipan continues its recovery from the impact of Yutu. “Because of Typhoon Yutu, we are seeing a dramatic loss of business and staffing levels need to be adjusted,” he told IAG . “The island is coming back as much as it can and some flights are starting to return this coming week. But our staffing levels, as it’s affecting the entire island, had to be brought back in line for us to move forward and be successful.” ANZ business to AU$207 million and profit growth of over 170% to US$331 million in the digital business. Revenue in ANZ grew by 5.5% for FY18 to AU$455.2 million, driven by the company’s strong game portfolio in the region and configuration of its Helix cabinet. The Americas performed even better, with revenue up 12.9% to US$1.22 billion, although the International segment experienced a 5.8% decline to AU$202.3 million due to fewer casino openings than in the prior year. Nevertheless, Aristocrat CEO and Managing Director Trevor Croker praised the company’s progress in the face of largely flat markets and “increasing competitive pressures.”