WEBMASTER NEWS
XLMEDIA CONFIRMS RECORD REVENUE IN FIRST HALF
PERFORMANCE MARKETING GIANT
XLMedia has announced that it was able to
achieve record revenue in the six months up
to June 30, with profit also up.
Revenue in the first half amounted to a
record $51.2 million (€45.6 million), up 39%
from $36.8 million in the corresponding
period last year.
The amount is slightly higher than the
estimated figure stated in a trading update
in July.
Elsewhere, gross profit was up 47%
year-on-year to $27 million, with adjusted
earnings before interest, tax, depreciation
and amortisation also increasing by 37% to
$17.7 million.
XLMedia also said that profit before
tax grew by 20% to $15.8 million, with an
interim dividend of 3.8205 cents per share
up 47% on the previous year.
Ory Weihs, chief executive of XLMedia,
said: “During the first six months of the
year we continued to develop the business
and invest in our technology platform and
mobile capabilities, which further underpin
our key revenue and profit drivers.
“We recently established a US subsidiary
which will lead the group’s development
in this important territory, with a key focus
being mobile applications marketing.
“US mobile advertising growth is
accelerating, and presence in this important
territory will drive our growth in mobile
apps and additional verticals.
“We believe we have established a strong
foundation which, combined with our
technology investments, we expect will
drive the business to maximise the growth
opportunity we see across our markets.”
RGA CALLS FOR CHANGE OVER POLISH TAX REGIME
THE REMOTE GAMBLING Association
(RGA) has called on the Polish government
to amend its online sports betting tax,
saying current regulations are holding back
market development in the country.
Poland currently operates under a
regime based on turnover, but the RGA
said that operators should instead be
taxed on gross profit.
In a statement, the RGA said the 12%
turnover tax on sports betting has “failed
to build an attractive regime”, which has in
turn discouraged operators from applying
for licences in Poland, thus forcing punters
to look outside of the country and breach
blocking measures to place bets.
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of
the RGA, added: “Unfortunately, we
have already observed since 2011 the
effect of a turnover tax on the ability of
Poland’s online gambling regime to attract
European operators.
“We have advised the Polish authorities
that their fiscal framework is not workable.
Until it is changed, few operators will take
up licences in Poland.
“This will continue to stifle competition,
value and choice for consumers; it would
be a great shame if Poland did not seize the
opportunity created by the new Bill to move
towards a more viable regulatory option.”
The RGA appointed economic
consultants Roland Berger to conduct
a study of the Polish market, with the
report suggesting that a regime based on
a gross profit tax, “would contribute to a
better achievement of the government’s
goals as compared to the current
policies”.
BETWAY PENS RECORD ESPORTS SPONSORSHIP DEAL
BETWAY HAS ANNOUNCED a sponsorship
deal with esports team Ninjas in Pyjamas in
an agreement the company said represents a
record commercial link-up.
Under the six-figure deal, the
bookmaker will receive branding
placement on the front of players’ shirts,
in addition to content usage rights, onsite
branding at the team’s gaming house and
full player access.
The deal makes Betway the first UKbased bookmaker to directly invest in an
esports team.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to
work closely with the leading esports betting
company and are certain the partnership
will allow us to continue to grow our legacy
to give our millions of fans around the
world unforgettable experiences they will
remember for a lifetime,” Ninjas in Pyjamas
chief executive Hicham Chahine said.
Betway’s Anthony Werkman added:
“We are delighted to join forces with
Ninjas in Pyjamas, a team with an
unrivalled history of success in esports
that is hugely popular the world over.
“We have put a special focus on our
esports offering over the past few years by
launching the first esports-specific microsite
and content channels.”
SOUTHAMPTON NETS NEW BINARY TRADING PARTNER
BINARY OPTIONS TRADER Banc De
Binary has secured a partnership with English
Premier League football club Southampton.
The one-year deal will run for the
duration of the 2016-17 season.
Banc De Binary will serve as the
club’s official binary trading partner as
well as work with the team on a range
of supporter and customer initiatives,
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iGB Affiliate Issue 59 OCT/NOV 2016
including the chance to win VIP
experiences and signed merchandise.
“Football is a popular sport among people
in our field, and Southampton stands out
and shines amidst its competitors, which
is precisely why we at Banc De Binary
feel such a strong connection to the club,”
Banc De Binary executive director Christos
Taliadoros said.
David Thomas, commercial director at
Southampton, added: “Banc De Binary’s
core values are very much aligned with
those we have at the football club.
“Our passion to engage with
supporters matches the desire of Banc
De Binary to ensure their clients are
given the very best when it comes to
binary options trading.”