TIDMGMR

RNS Number : 2867J

Gaming Realms PLC

26 April 2022

Gaming Realms plc

(the "Company" or the "Group")

Annual Results 2021

Strong performance underpinned by increased global presence

Licensing strategy delivering adjusted EBITDA[1] growth of 69% and adjusted EBITDA of GBP5.7m[2]

Gaming Realms plc (AIM: GMR), the developer and licensor of mobile focused gaming content, announces its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2021 and Q1 highlights for 2022.

Gaming Realms' licensing strategy has enabled the Group to grow revenues at high margins during FY21. The Group launched in several new regulated iGaming markets which will provide continued growth in the coming year.

2021 Financial Highlights:

   --      Revenue increased by 29% to GBP14.7m (2020: GBP11.4m) for the year 

o Licensing revenue increased 48% to GBP11.1m (2020: GBP7.5m)

o Social publishing revenue decreased 8% to GBP3.6m (2020: 3.9m). On a constant currency basis, the decline was 1%

-- Adjusted EBITDA before share option and related charges increased 71% to GBP5.7m (2020: GBP3.3m)

   --      EBITDA increased 146% to GBP5.0m (2020: GBP2.0m) 

o Licensing segment generated GBP6.4m EBITDA (2020: GBP3.5m)

o Social publishing segment generated GBP1.1m EBITDA (2020: GBP1.4m)

o Head office costs were GBP2.5m (2020: GBP2.9m including GBP0.7m of restructuring costs and impairment charges) due largely to the increase in share option and related charges and growth in business activities

   --      Profit after tax for the year of GBP1.3m (2020: Loss of GBP1.5m) 
   --      Year-end cash balance increased to GBP4.4m (2020: GBP2.1m) 

2021 Operational Highlights:

-- Increased portfolio to 53 proprietary games on the Group's remote game server ("RGS") (2020: 44)

   --      Launched in 2 regulated iGaming markets in the U.S. in Michigan and Pennsylvania 
   --      Launched in European regulated iGaming markets in Italy, Romania and the Netherlands 

-- Launched with 35 new partners for Slingo Originals content including Wynnbet, Sisal, Aspire Global and Goldbet

-- Signed inward brand licensing deals with Everi, Discovery Channel, IGT, Play AGS, Pragmatic Play

   --      Increased unique players in licensing business by 48% 
   --      Prepared for launch in the Ontario, Quebec and Spanish markets 

-- Extended brand licensing deal with Scientific Games for Slingo branded lottery instant scratch cards

Q1 2022 Highlights:

   --      Increased licensing revenue 43% in Q1 2022 to GBP3.0m (Q1 2021: GBP2.1m) 
   --      Launched in Spain with Gamesys and Yo Bingo (part of Rank Group) 
   --      Launched with Loto-Québec 
   --      Obtained iGaming Supplier Licence from Ontario with subsequent launch earlier this month 
   --      Released four new Slingo games: Slingo Superspin, Slingo Fire & Ice and Slingo Racing 

[1] EBITDA is profit before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment expenses and is a non-GAAP measure. The Group uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to comment on its financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITA excluding non-recurring material items which are outside the normal scope of the Group's ordinary activities. Adjusting items in the prior year include management restructuring costs and impairment of financial assets.

[2] Adjusted EBITDA before share option and related charges.

Outlook:

Gaming Realms continues to deliver on its strategy of expanding its game portfolio and launching into new regulated markets. In 2021, the Group launched in 5 new regulated markets, including Michigan and Pennsylvania in the U.S., and will continue to grow its market share in these territories during 2022. Since the beginning of 2022, the Group has launched its Slingo portfolio in Spain and, more recently, Canada through the newly launched market in Ontario and with Loto-Québec. With 10 new partners launched to date in 2022, together with the launch of 4 new Slingo games, the Board is confident in the Group's strategy and expectations for the current year. Whilst still early in the year, the Company is currently trading ahead of management expectations and therefore is confident in the outlook for the year.

Commenting on the Group's performance, Michael Buckley, Executive Chairman, said:

"2021 was another exceptional year for the Group as we expanded our Slingo portfolio and entered new regulated iGaming markets, increasing revenue by 29% and producing a maiden profit for the financial year of GBP1.3m.

"Our core licensing business continued to go from strength to strength as we secured 35 new licensing and distribution partners throughout the year that supported a 48% growth in the number of unique players enjoying our content globally.

"The Group's commitment to increasing our global presence during the period has provided us with a strong foundation on which to deliver further growth in 2022 as we remain focused on expanding our foothold in these territories. Momentum has certainly continued into the year so far, having already released four new games and launched in both Spain and Canada. With additional planned launches in new markets and with new partners in the pipeline, we look forward to providing further updates in due course."

An analyst briefing will be held virtually at 9:00am today. To attend, please email gamingrealms@yellowjerseypr.com .

Enquiries

 
 Gaming Realms plc                     0845 123 3773 
 Michael Buckley, Executive 
  Chairman 
  Mark Segal, CFO 
 
   Peel Hunt LLP - NOMAD and broker      020 7418 8900 
 George Sellar 
  Andrew Clark 
  Lalit Bose 
 
   Yellow Jersey                         07747 788 221 
 Charles Goodwin 
  Annabel Atkins 
  Annabelle Wills 
 

About Gaming Realms

Gaming Realms creates and licenses innovative games for mobile, with operations in the UK, U.S., Canada and Malta. Through its unique IP and brands, Gaming Realms is bringing together media, entertainment and gaming assets in new game formats. The Gaming Realms management team includes accomplished entrepreneurs and experienced executives from a wide range of leading gaming and media companies.

Executive Chairman's Statement

Introduction

The Group made excellent progress during the year, increasing revenues by 29% to GBP14.7m (2020: GBP11.4m), and adjusted EBITDA by 71% to GBP5.7m (2020: GBP3.3m) before share options and related charges. We invested heavily in our proprietary Remote Game Server "RGS" platform, and expanded into multiple regulated markets. We also increased our Slingo Originals game portfolio to 53 with the addition of 10 new games, and licenced Slingo into adjacent markets including our lottery deal for physical scratch cards in North America.

This resulted in revenue growth of 48% in our licensing business to GBP11.1m (2020: GBP7.5m), and we are continuing to see strong momentum in this area with increased international demand for our Slingo Originals portfolio. With growing distribution via our RGS combined with control of overheads, we were able to increase our EBITDA margin within the licensing division to 57% (2020: 50%).

Licensing business highlights:

   --      Increased library of proprietary games to 53 games in total at year-end. 

-- Went live with 35 new partners during the year, all of whom have licensed the Company's Slingo Originals content.

-- Launched in 2 additional regulated iGaming markets in the U.S. being Michigan and Pennsylvania.

-- Launched in 3 regulated iGaming markets in Europe, being Romania, Italy and the Netherlands.

   --      Increased unique players in the year by 48% to 3.36m (2020: 2.28m). 

-- Signed deals with IGT, Play AGS and Pragmatic Play as partners for new branded Slingo games.

-- With growth in New Jersey, together with launches in Michigan and Pennsylvania in the second half of the year, U.S. content licensing revenues grew 47% in 2021, and by 56% with constant currency conversion.

-- Extended brand licensing deal with Scientific Games for Slingo branded lottery instant scratch games.

We continue to operate our Social business as a partially integrated division. This gives us an opportunity to rebrand our real money games for social users, and monetise them further. It also keeps the Slingo brand within the Group, and has the advantage of bringing our games to a wider audience, many of whom play for real money as and when they are in a regulated territory.

Revenue from Social decreased 8% to GBP3.6m (2020: GBP3.9m), but this decline was marginal at 1% on a constant currency basis. EBITDA decreased to GBP1.1m (2020: GBP1.4m), the decline again exaggerated by currency movements. However, the Social business continued to provide a positive cash contribution to the Group.

North America

The Group made significant progress during 2021 towards expanding its presence in the U.S. iGaming market beyond New Jersey, being granted additional full iGaming Supplier Licences in the U.S. states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. An application process was started for a supplier license in Ontario, Canada, which was subsequently granted in March 2022. Ontario is likely to be a larger market than any of the currently regulated U.S. states.

Capitalising on these opportunities, we signed a number of direct integration and multi-State deals, and the Group now has licensing agreements with the majority of the U.S. iGaming market. These include multi-State deals with BetMGM, Draftkings, Fanduel, Rush Street Interactive, Golden Nugget, Poker Stars, Barstool/PNG, Kindred, Wynn Interactive, Parx, Tropicana/Gamesys and Caesars Entertainment. The Company also has direct integrations with BetMGM, Draftkings, Rush Street Interactive, Fanduel, Golden Nugget, Gamesys, Wynn Interactive and 888.

Europe

Gaming Realms continued to strengthen its position in the growing European market having successfully launched in the Italian iGaming market with Goldbet and Sisal in January 2021.

In November 2021, Gaming Realms entered the regulated Romanian iGaming market through a partnership agreement with Superbet, the largest digital and retail betting operator in Romania. Superbet now publishes many of the games from the Slingo Original's portfolio.

Further bolstering its European presence, Gaming Realms went live in December 2021 with JVH gaming and entertainment group in the newly regulated Dutch market under the Jack's Casino and Sports brand ("Jack's Casino").

Board and employees

Despite a number of Covid-19-related challenges during 2021, the Group's senior management and staff demonstrated outstanding teamwork and resilience, and the operational and financial outcomes achieved during the year owe much to their skill and commitment. On behalf of the Board and shareholders, I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all of them.

After joining the Board in 2019, Chris Ash resigned as a Non-Executive Director of the Company in September 2021 given conflicts of interest that could arise from our third-party distribution agreement with 4ThePlayer.com, of which he is a Director. On behalf of the Company, I would like to thank Chris once again for the valuable guidance and strategic advice he provided in scaling our licensing business.

Post Period End and Outlook

Gaming Realms continues to focus on the following areas:

   --      International expansion - particularly in the US and European regulated markets 
   --      Adding new distributors, operators and licensors 
   --      Further penetration with existing distributors and operators driven by new games 

Momentum has continued into 2022, with Gaming Realms focusing on regulated markets and North America in particular. In this regard, we launched our game portfolio in Ontario on 4 April 2022, having already gone live with Loto Quebec in March. With the increased number of states we are now in, together with our multi-State deals with the largest operators, we are well placed to gain market share in North America.

In January of this year, the Group entered the regulated Spanish market with long-term strategic partner Gamesys (now part of Bally's Corporation) under its Monopoly and Botamania brands and has since launched with Yo Bingo (part of Rank Group). Looking to the future, we have recently signed a deal with Microgaming, one of the largest distributors of content in the industry, and hope to launch our game portfolio with some of their partners shortly.

We have already increased our games portfolio with 4 new games in 2022, and during the course of this year we will introduce new marketing features on our platform. These developments will maintain and drive stronger relationships with our partners and players. The Company has made an excellent start to the current year, with licensing revenues increasing by 43% year-on-year for the first quarter of 2022, and unique players increasing by 39% to over 1.5 million in the same period. This strong performance in the first quarter, combined with new markets and partners coming on stream, leads your Board to believe the Company will continue to grow significantly following its proven successful strategy.

Michael Buckley

Executive Chairman

Financial Review

Overview

The Group's financial results for the year ended 31 December 2021 reflect the continued delivery of the core strategy of scaling the licensing business.

The Group delivered total revenue growth of 29% to GBP14.7m (2020: GBP11.4m), driven by the performance of the licensing business.

For the year, the Group delivered adjusted EBITDA before share option and related charges of GBP5.7m (2020: GBP3.3m) which has translated into the Group recording a pre-tax profit of GBP1.0m compared with a GBP1.6m loss in the previous year.

The GBP1.0m pre-tax profit represents a GBP2.6m increase on the previous year (2020: GBP1.6m pre-tax loss). This is materially explained by; the GBP2.0m increase in adjusted EBITDA generated in the current year, no adjusting items in the current year (2020: GBP0.9m total charge for restructuring expenses and an impairment against financial assets), offset by a GBP0.2m increase in the current year amortisation charge and GBP0.1m higher net finance costs.

The table below sets out the split of revenue and adjusted EBITDA:

 
                             Licensing   Social Publishing   Head office         Total 
 2021                              GBP                 GBP           GBP           GBP 
------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Revenue                    11,100,085           3,567,616             -    14,667,701 
 Marketing expense            (20,348)           (282,579)      (76,303)     (379,230) 
 Operating expense         (1,209,530)           (992,789)             -   (2,202,319) 
 Administrative expense    (3,325,714)         (1,228,709)   (1,856,570)   (6,410,993) 
 Share option and 
  related charges            (170,062)             (7,441)     (521,691)     (699,194) 
------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Adjusted EBITDA             6,374,431           1,056,098   (2,454,564)     4,975,965 
------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 
                             Licensing   Social Publishing   Head office         Total 
 2020                              GBP                 GBP           GBP           GBP 
------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Revenue                     7,515,114           3,885,971         2,401    11,403,486 
 Marketing expense            (18,528)           (242,667)      (94,199)     (355,394) 
 Operating expense         (1,070,766)         (1,161,266)             -   (2,232,032) 
 Administrative expense    (2,610,275)         (1,090,014)   (1,803,905)   (5,504,194) 
 Share option and 
  related charges             (70,764)             (6,906)     (294,674)     (372,344) 
------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 Adjusted EBITDA             3,744,781           1,385,118   (2,190,377)     2,939,522 
------------------------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Performance

Year-on-year Group revenues increased 29% to GBP14.7m (GBP2020: GBP11.4m) due to the strong performance of the licensing segment, offset by an 8% decline in social publishing revenues in the year.

The overall Group generated adjusted EBITDA of GBP5.0m (2020: GBP2.9m) and GBP5.7m before share option and related charges (2020: GBP3.3m). Adjusting items in the prior year relate to management restructuring costs and impairment of financial assets, while there were no such costs in the current year.

Operating expenses incurred remained stable compared with the previous year at GBP2.2m (2020: GBP2.2m). Between the segments this was split between a GBP0.1m increase in revenue associated operational costs in the licensing segment offset against GBP0.2m lower operational costs in the social publishing division due to revenue driven costs falling in line with segmental revenues.

Adjusted administrative expenses increased to GBP6.4m (2020: GBP5.5m) predominantly due to increased staff costs in the licensing segment required to deliver the segments growth, along with other incremental business expansion costs.

Licensing

Licensing segment revenues increased 48% to GBP11.1m (2020: GBP7.5m). This can be split as:

   --      Content licensing revenue growth of 36% to GBP9.1m (2020: GBP6.7m); and 
   --      Brand licensing revenue increasing 137% to GBP2.0m (2020: GBP0.9m). 

The segment delivered GBP6.4m adjusted EBITDA (2020: GBP3.7m).

Content licensing

Growth in the content licensing business remains the key focus of the Group. The current year performance reflects the successful implementation of the Group's strategy of growing the games portfolio and increasing the distribution footprint to an increased number of operators in Europe and the U.S.

During 2021 the Group began operating with partners in 5 new regulated markets; Italy, Romania, the Netherlands, and the U.S. states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. After the year-end, the Group was awarded an iGaming supplier license within the Canadian province of Ontario and started trading in April 2022. The Group also started trading in the Spanish regulated market in January 2022.

Outside of going live with partners in these newly entered regulated markets, we also went live with a further 18 partners during 2021 in existing markets in Europe and New Jersey. This has been further bolstered with an additional 10 partners going live in 2022 to date in these jurisdictions.

The strong operational leverage and largely fixed cost base of the segment's content business model allowed total expenses (excluding share option and related costs) to increase by 23% to GBP4.6m (2020: GBP3.7m) compared to the 36% content licensing revenue increase.

The Group released 10 new Slingo games to the market during 2021, including Slingo Starburst and Slingo Lucky Larry's Lobstermania. Due to the popularity of Slingo as a genre amongst our partners and players, in addition to these new Slingo games, a number of partner themed Slingo and table games were released to the market during the year.

A key focus of the segment remains identifying and partnering with the leading gaming brands in the market, in order to bring the best possible content to players. During the year we released new Slingo game collaborations with key partners including King Show Games, NetEnt and Pragmatic Play. Further agreements were entered into during the year for the development of innovative new Slingo collaborations, which will be released to the market in 2022.

Revenues from North America continue to be a focus for the segment, and in 2021 increased to GBP4.5m (2020: GBP2.4m), representing 40% of total licensing revenues (2020: 32%). We anticipate this to increase further in 2022 with a full year of trading in Michigan and Pennsylvania, as well as the impact of the recent entry into the Ontario market and expected entry into the Connecticut market later in 2022.

Brand licensing

The significant GBP1.1m increase in brand licensing revenues in 2021 compared with the prior year is predominantly the result of a significant deal completed in the year.

The Group's Slingo brand is well-known by consumers, which allows us to license this brand into adjacent markets where the right opportunities arise.

Social publishing

The Group's social publishing business saw an 8% decline in revenues to GBP3.6m (2020: GBP3.9m), largely as a result of currency headwinds experienced during 2021, with the majority of the segments transactions denominated in U.S. Dollars. At constant currency, the revenue of the segment would have decreased by 1% as opposed to the reported 8%.

Operational costs, which are largely driven by revenues, reduced by 15% from the previous year to GBP1.0m (2020: GBP1.2m).

Marketing expenses of GBP0.3m were incurred (2020: GBP0.2m) with the aim of driving player activity and revenues.

The 13% increase in segmental administrative expenses is due to investment in the development and operational team. In recent years there has been a successful implementation of cost controls, which has resulted in the segment having a stable fixed cost base. Excluding staff costs, segmental administrative expenses remained stable with the prior year, increasing 3%.

As a result, the segment delivered GBP1.1m adjusted EBITDA for the year, a 24% reduction on the GBP1.4m in 2020.

Cashflow, Balance Sheet and Going Concern

Net cash increased by GBP2.3m in 2021 (2020: decreased by GBP0.5m) to GBP4.4m at 31 December 2021 (2020: GBP2.1m).

The current year increase in net cash was largely driven through the GBP5.0m cash inflow from operating activities (2020: GBP2.0m) and GBP1.0m deferred consideration received (2020: GBPNil), offset by the GBP3.4m of development costs capitalised in the year (2020: GBP2.4m).

The GBP1.0m increase in development costs capitalised in 2021 compared with the previous year is a function of the Group investing in the development teams in both the licensing and social publishing segments, to enable the delivery of an expanded games portfolio in both segments, and to develop and enhance the Group's proprietary RGS with new tools, features and capabilities to cater for the demands of expanding partner and territory numbers.

During the year, the Group received GBP1.0m from River Tech plc ("River") for full and final settlement of the deferred consideration receivable, certain other receivable balances, and various legal proceedings and out of court disputes between the parties.

Net assets totaled GBP13.1m (2020: GBP10.9m).

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant uncertainty to global markets and economies, including the real money gambling sector. The Directors have performed qualitative and quantitative assessments of the associated risks facing the business and its ability to meet its short and medium-term forecasts. The forecasts were subject to stress testing to analyse the reduction in forecast revenues required to bring about insolvency of the Company unless capital was raised. In such cases it is anticipated that mitigation actions, such as reduction in overheads could be implemented to stall such an outcome.

The Directors confirm their view that they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks facing the business. As a result of the assessment performed, the Directors consider that the Group has adequate resources to continue its normal course of operations for the foreseeable future.

Dividend

During the year, Gaming Realms did not pay an interim or final dividend. The Board of Directors are not proposing a final dividend for the current year.

Corporation and deferred taxation

The Group received GBP0.1m (2020: GBP0.05m) in research and development credits in Canada. A current year tax credit of GBP0.3m (2020: GBP0.05m) largely relates to the unwind of deferred tax of GBP0.1m (2020: GBP0.1m) which arose on prior year business combinations.

Mark Segal

Chief Financial Officer

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2021

 
                                                                         2021                             2020 
                                                                          GBP                              GBP 
-----------------------------------------   ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Revenue                                                          14,667,701                       11,403,486 
  Marketing expenses                                                (379,230)                        (355,394) 
  Operating expenses                                              (2,202,319)                      (2,232,032) 
  Administrative expenses                                         (6,410,993)                      (5,971,970) 
  Impairment of financial asset                                             -                        (449,422) 
  Share option and related charges                                  (699,194)                        (372,344) 
 
  Adjusted EBITDA                                                   4,975,965                        2,939,522 
  Impairment of financial asset                                             -                        (449,422) 
  Restructuring expenses                                                    -                        (467,776) 
  EBITDA                                                            4,975,965                        2,022,324 
                                            --------------------------------- 
 
  Amortisation of intangible assets                               (3,064,299)                      (2,817,043) 
  Depreciation of property, plant 
   and equipment                                                    (216,834)                        (216,323) 
  Impairment of property, plant and 
   equipment                                                                -                         (22,876) 
  Impairment of goodwill                                             (73,677)                                - 
  Finance expense                                                   (689,935)                        (882,032) 
  Finance income                                                       26,496                          333,664 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Profit / (loss) before tax                                          957,716                      (1,582,286) 
  Tax credit                                                          296,436                           48,229 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Profit / (loss) for the financial 
   year                                                             1,254,152                      (1,534,057) 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Other comprehensive income / (loss) 
  Items that will or may be reclassified 
   to profit or loss: 
  Exchange gain / (loss) arising 
   on translation of foreign operations                                39,153                        (226,666) 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Total other comprehensive income 
   / (loss)                                                            39,153                        (226,666) 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Total comprehensive income / (loss)                               1,293,305                      (1,760,723) 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Profit / (loss) attributable to: 
  Owners of the parent                                              1,257,698                      (1,527,964) 
  Non-controlling interest                                            (3,546)                          (6,093) 
                                            ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
                                                                    1,254,152                      (1,534,057) 
 -----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
  Total comprehensive income / (loss) 
   attributable to: 
  Owners of the parent                                              1,296,851                      (1,754,630) 
  Non-controlling interest                                            (3,546)                          (6,093) 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
                                                                    1,293,305                      (1,760,723) 
 -----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
 
  Profit / (loss) per share                                             Pence                            Pence 
  Basic                                                                  0.44                           (0.54) 
  Diluted                                                                0.42                           (0.54) 
------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 31 December 2021

 
                                           31 December    31 December 
                                                  2021           2020 
                                                   GBP            GBP 
--------------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
  Non-current assets 
  Intangible assets                         11,815,598     11,137,123 
  Other investments                                  -        401,291 
  Property, plant and equipment                484,578        560,793 
  Other assets                                 150,646        150,528 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                            12,450,822     12,249,735 
 --------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Current assets 
  Trade and other receivables                3,260,687      2,343,739 
  Deferred consideration                             -        972,554 
  Finance lease asset                                -        140,058 
  Cash and cash equivalents                  4,412,375      2,105,167 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                             7,673,062      5,561,518 
  Total assets                              20,123,884     17,811,253 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Current liabilities 
  Trade and other payables                   2,241,114      1,943,714 
  Lease liabilities                            172,887        343,859 
  Other Creditors                            3,489,278              - 
  Derivative liabilities                       744,000              - 
--------------------------------------   -------------  ------------- 
                                             6,647,279      2,287,573 
 --------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Non-current liabilities 
  Other Creditors                                    -      3,304,870 
  Derivative liabilities                             -        627,000 
  Deferred tax liability                       199,876        320,913 
  Lease liabilities                            168,227        340,175 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
                                               368,103      4,592,958 
 --------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Total liabilities                          7,015,382      6,880,531 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Net assets                                13,108,502     10,930,722 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Equity 
  Share capital                             28,970,262     28,664,731 
  Share premium                             87,370,856     87,258,166 
  Merger reserve                          (67,673,657)   (67,673,657) 
  Foreign exchange reserve                   1,418,269      1,379,116 
  Retained earnings                       (36,977,228)   (38,768,257) 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Total equity attributable to owners 
   of the parent                            13,108,502     10,860,099 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Non-controlling interest                           -         70,623 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
  Total equity                              13,108,502     10,930,722 
---------------------------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 December 2021

 
                                                            2021          2020 
                                                             GBP           GBP 
-------------------------------------------------   ------------  ------------ 
  Cash flows from operating activities 
  Profit / (loss) for the financial year               1,254,152   (1,534,057) 
  Adjustments for: 
  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment          216,834       216,323 
  Impairment of property, plant and equipment                  -        22,876 
  Loss / (profit) on disposal of property, 
   plant and equipment                                     2,125       (1,000) 
  Loss on disposal of intangible assets                  (2,004)             - 
  Impairment of goodwill                                  73,677             - 
  Amortisation of intangible fixed assets              3,064,299     2,817,043 
  Impairment of financial asset                                -       449,422 
  Finance income                                        (26,496)     (333,664) 
  Finance expense                                        689,935       882,032 
  Income tax credit                                    (296,436)      (48,229) 
  Exchange differences                                    22,374      (54,940) 
  Share based payment expense                            466,254       330,308 
  Increase in trade and other receivables              (745,778)     (463,237) 
  Increase / (decrease) in trade and other 
   payables                                              208,400     (233,543) 
  Net cash flows from operating activities 
   before taxation                                     4,927,336     2,049,334 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Net tax received / (paid) in the year                   40,439      (33,717) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Net cash flows from operating activities             4,967,775     2,015,617 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
  Investing activities 
  Acquisition of property, plant and equipment         (141,546)      (30,143) 
  Acquisition of intangible assets                     (323,608)             - 
  Capitalised development costs                      (3,435,308)   (2,440,559) 
  Proceeds from disposal of property, plant 
   and equipment                                               -         1,000 
  Disposal of other investments                          362,436             - 
  Interest received                                          145            47 
  Finance lease asset - sublease receipts                146,505       163,324 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Net cash used in investing activities              (3,391,376)   (2,306,331) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
  Financing activities 
  Receipt of deferred consideration                      972,554             - 
  Principal paid on lease liability                    (388,494)     (300,086) 
  Issue of share capital on exercise of 
   options                                               418,221       281,613 
  Interest paid                                        (215,169)     (225,516) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Net cash from / (used in) financing activities         787,112     (243,989) 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Net increase / (decrease) in cash and 
   cash equivalents                                    2,363,511     (534,703) 
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
   of year                                             2,086,785     2,608,455 
  Exchange (loss) / gain on cash and cash 
   equivalents                                          (37,921)        13,033 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year             4,412,375     2,086,785 
--------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2021

 
                                                                                               Total 
                                                                Foreign                    to equity 
                          Share        Share         Merger    Exchange       Retained       holders    Non-controlling         Total 
                        capital      premium        reserve     Reserve       earnings    of parents           interest        equity 
                            GBP          GBP            GBP         GBP            GBP           GBP                GBP           GBP 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
  1 January 2020     28,442,874   87,198,410   (67,673,657)   1,605,782   (37,570,601)    12,002,808             76,716    12,079,524 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
  Loss for the 
   year                       -            -              -           -    (1,527,964)   (1,527,964)            (6,093)   (1,534,057) 
  Other 
   comprehensive 
   income                     -            -              -   (226,666)              -     (226,666)                  -     (226,666) 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
  Total 
   comprehensive 
   income 
   for the year               -            -              -   (226,666)    (1,527,964)   (1,754,630)            (6,093)   (1,760,723) 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
  Contributions by 
  and 
  distributions 
  to owners 
  Share-based 
   payment on 
   share 
   options                    -            -              -           -        330,308       330,308                  -       330,308 
  Exercise of 
   options              221,857       59,756              -           -              -       281,613                  -       281,613 
  31 December 2020   28,664,731   87,258,166   (67,673,657)   1,379,116   (38,768,257)    10,860,099             70,623    10,930,722 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
 
 
  1 January 2021     28,664,731   87,258,166   (67,673,657)   1,379,116   (38,768,257)    10,860,099             70,623    10,930,722 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
  Profit for the 
   year                       -            -              -           -      1,257,698     1,257,698            (3,546)     1,254,152 
  Other 
   comprehensive 
   income                     -            -              -      39,153              -        39,153                  -        39,153 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
  Total 
   comprehensive 
   income 
   for the year               -            -              -      39,153      1,257,698     1,296,851            (3,546)     1,293,305 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
  Contributions by 
  and 
  distributions 
  to owners 
  Share-based 
   payment on 
   share 
   options                    -            -              -           -        466,254       466,254                  -       466,254 
  Exercise of 
   options              305,531      112,690              -           -              -       418,221                  -       418,221 
  Recycling of 
   non-controlling 
   interest                   -            -              -           -         67,077        67,077           (67,077)             - 
  31 December 2021   28,970,262   87,370,856   (67,673,657)   1,418,269   (36,977,228)    13,108,502                  -    13,108,502 
------------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -------------  ------------  -----------------  ------------ 
 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2021

   1.    Accounting policies 

General information

Gaming Realms Plc (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (together the "Group").

The Company is admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange. It is incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is Two Valentine Place, London, SE1 8QH.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in British Pounds Sterling.

Basis of preparation

The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and on a basis consistent with those policies set out in our audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The financial information set out in this document does not constitute the Group's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 or 31 December 2020.

Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and those for the year ended 31 December 2021 will be delivered to the Registrar in due course; both have been reported on by independent auditors. The independent auditor's report for the year ended 31 December 2021 is unmodified.

The independent auditor's reports on the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020 were unqualified and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Going concern

The Group meets its day-to-day working capital requirements from the cash flows generated by its trading activities and its available cash resources.

The Group prepares cash flow forecasts and re-forecasts at least bi-annually as part of the business planning process. The Directors have reviewed forecast cash flows for the period to December 2024, which include the potential repayment of the convertible loan in December 2022, and consider that the Group will have sufficient cash resources available to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least the forthcoming 12 months from the date of the approval of the financial statements.

Given the economic uncertainty resulting from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, these cash flow forecasts have been subject to short- and medium-term stress testing, scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis through to June 2023, which the Directors consider sufficiently robust. Scenarios considered include but are not limited to; failure to expand into planned new regulated jurisdictions during the forecast period and a significant reduction in trading cash flows compared to Group forecasts. The Directors note that in an extreme scenario, the Group also has the option to rationalise its cost base including cuts to discretionary capital, marketing and overhead expenditure. The Directors consider that the required level of change to the Group's forecast cash flows to give a rise to a material risk over going concern are sufficiently remote.

Accordingly, these financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which assumes that the Group and the Company will realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. Management has carried out an assessment of the going concern assumption and has concluded that the Group and the Company will generate sufficient cash and cash equivalents to continue operating for the next 12 months.

Adoption of new and revised standards

There were no new standards, amendments or interpretations that were relevant to the Group for the year ended 31 December 2021.

There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early.

The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 January 2022:

   --      Onerous Contracts - Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37); 
   --      Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16); 

-- Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 (Amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IFRS 16 and IAS 41); and

   --      References to Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3). 

The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 January 2023:

   --      Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to ISA 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2); 
   --      Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendments to IAS 8); and 

-- Deferred Tax Related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction (Amendments to IAS 12).

The Group is currently assessing the impact of these new accounting standards and amendments.

Business combinations

On acquisition, the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired, including separately identifiable intangible assets, is recognised as goodwill. Any discount on acquisition, i.e. where the cost of acquisition is below the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, is credited to the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the period of acquisition.

   2.    Adjusted EBITDA 

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and exclude exceptional items, depreciation, and amortisation. Exceptional items are those items the Group considers to be non-recurring or material in nature that may distort an understanding of financial performance or impair comparability.

Adjusted EBITDA is stated before exceptional items as follows:

 
                               2021        2020 
                                GBP         GBP 
  Impairment of financial 
   asset                          -   (449,422) 
  Restructuring costs             -   (467,776) 
 Adjusting items                  -   (917,198) 
---------------------------   -----  ---------- 
 

Restructuring costs

Restructuring costs of GBP467,776 in the prior year related to a management restructure following the change in focus to the licensing business. No such costs were incurred in 2021.

Impairment of financial asset

In the prior year, an impairment provision of GBP449,422 was recorded in the income statement following management's expected credit loss review performed over its deferred consideration and trade and other receivables balances. The provision was split between deferred consideration (GBP527,446) and other receivables (credit of GBP78,024). No such impairments were recognised in 2021.

   3.    Segment information 

The Board is the Group's chief operating decision-maker. Management has determined the operating segments based on the information reviewed by the Board for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance.

The Group has 2 reportable operating segments:

   --      Licensing - brand and content licensing to partners in Europe and the US 
   --      Social Publishing - providing freemium games to the US 
 
                                                              Social 
                                  Licensing               publishing              Head Office                    Total 
 2021                                   GBP                      GBP                      GBP                      GBP 
-------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
  Revenue                        11,100,085                3,567,616                        -               14,667,701 
  Marketing expense                (20,348)                (282,579)                 (76,303)                (379,230) 
  Operating expense             (1,209,530)                (992,789)                        -              (2,202,319) 
  Administrative 
   expense                      (3,325,714)              (1,228,709)              (1,856,570)              (6,410,993) 
  Share option and 
   related 
   charges                        (170,062)                  (7,441)                (521,691)                (699,194) 
-------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
  Adjusted EBITDA                 6,374,431                1,056,098              (2,454,564)                4,975,965 
-------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
  Impairment of                                                                                                      - 
  financial 
  asset 
  Restructuring                                                                                                      - 
  expenses 
-------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
  EBITDA                                                                                                     4,975,965 
-------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
  Amortisation of 
   intangible 
   assets                                                                                                  (3,064,299) 
  Depreciation of 
   property, 
   plant and 
   equipment                                                                                                 (216,834) 
  Impairment of 
   goodwill                                                                                                   (73,677) 
  Finance expense                                                                                            (689,935) 
  Finance income                                                                                                26,496 
-------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
  Profit before tax                                                                                            957,716 
-------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ----------------------- 
 
 
                                                               Social 
                                   Licensing               publishing              Head Office                   Total 
 2020                                    GBP                      GBP                      GBP                     GBP 
--------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
  Revenue                          7,515,114                3,885,971                    2,401              11,403,486 
  Marketing expense                 (18,528)                (242,667)                 (94,199)               (355,394) 
  Operating expense              (1,070,766)              (1,161,266)                        -             (2,232,032) 
  Administrative 
   expense                       (2,610,275)              (1,090,014)              (1,803,905)             (5,504,194) 
  Share option and 
   related 
   charges                          (70,764)                  (6,906)                (294,674)               (372,344) 
--------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
  Adjusted EBITDA                  3,744,781                1,385,118              (2,190,377)               2,939,522 
--------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
  Impairment of 
   financial 
   asset                                                                                                     (449,422) 
  Restructuring 
   expenses                                                                                                  (467,776) 
--------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
  EBITDA                                                                                                     2,022,324 
--------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
  Amortisation of 
   intangible 
   assets                                                                                                  (2,817,043) 
  Depreciation of 
   property, 
   plant and 
   equipment                                                                                                 (216,323) 
  Impairment of 
   property, 
   plant and 
   equipment                                                                                                  (22,876) 
  Finance expense                                                                                            (882,032) 
  Finance income                                                                                               333,664 
--------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
  Loss before tax                                                                                          (1,582,286) 
--------------------  ----------------------  -----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------- 
 
   4.   finance income and expense 
 
                                                                  2021                           2020 
                                                                   GBP                            GBP 
----------------------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
  Finance income 
  Interest received                                                145                             47 
  Fair value gain on other investments                               -                        111,780 
  Interest income on unwind of deferred 
   income                                                       19,087                              - 
  Interest income on unwind of finance 
   lease asset                                                   7,264                         20,500 
  Interest income on unwind of deferred 
   consideration receivable                                          -                        201,337 
----------------------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
  Total finance income                                          26,496                        333,664 
----------------------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
 
  Finance expense 
  Bank interest paid                                            20,238                         18,663 
  Fair value loss on other investments                          38,855                              - 
  Fair value movement on derivative 
   liability                                                   117,000                        355,000 
  Effective interest on other creditor                         468,339                        437,050 
  Interest expense on lease liability                           45,503                         71,319 
----------------------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
  Total finance expense                                        689,935                        882,032 
----------------------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
 
   5.   tax credit 
 
                                                    2021       2020 
                                                     GBP        GBP 
  Current tax 
  Current tax credit / (charge)                   38,310   (93,997) 
  Adjustment for current tax of prior periods      4,952   (34,232) 
  R&D tax credit for the year                    130,878     46,127 
  Total current tax                              174,140   (82,102) 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
  Deferred tax 
  Unwind of deferred tax                         122,296    130,331 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
  Total deferred tax credit                      122,296    130,331 
 Total tax credit                                296,436     48,229 
----------------------------------------------  --------  --------- 
 

The reasons for the difference between the actual tax credit for the period and the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK applied to profits for the year are as follows:

 
                                                        2021          2020 
                                                         GBP           GBP 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
  Profit / (loss) before tax for the year            957,716   (1,582,286) 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
  Expected tax at effective rate of corporation 
   tax in the UK of 19.0% (2020: 19.0%)              181,966     (300,634) 
  Expenses not deductible for tax purposes           274,425         3,369 
  Effects of overseas taxation                      (38,310)        93,997 
  Adjustment for tax in respect of prior 
   periods                                           (4,952)        34,233 
  Research and development tax credit              (130,878)      (46,127) 
  Timing difference                                (136,257)        12,745 
  Relief for losses brought forward                (781,569)             - 
  Tax losses for which no deferred tax assets 
   have been recognised                              461,435       284,519 
  Unwind of deferred taxes recognised on 
   business acquisitions                           (122,296)     (130,331) 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                   (296,436)      (48,229) 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  ------------ 
 
   6.   EARNINGS / (LOSS) per share 

Basic earnings / (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the result attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. The calculation of diluted EPS is based on the result attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding after adjusting for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Group's potentially dilutive securities consist of share options and a convertible loan. The convertible loan is anti-dilutive and so is ignored in calculating diluted EPS.

 
                                                   2021          2020 
                                                    GBP           GBP 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
  Profit / (loss) after tax attributable 
   to the owners of the parent Company        1,257,698   (1,527,964) 
 
                                                 Number        Number 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Denominator - basic 
  Weighted average number of ordinary 
   shares                                   288,496,688   285,165,652 
 
  Denominator - diluted 
  Weighted average number of ordinary 
   shares                                   288,496,688   285,165,652 
  Weighted average number of option          13,140,665             - 
   shares 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Weighted average number of shares         301,637,353   285,165,652 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
                                                  Pence         Pence 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
  Basic earnings / (loss) per share                0.44        (0.54) 
  Diluted earnings / (loss) per share              0.42        (0.54) 
-----------------------------------------  ------------  ------------ 
 
   7.   Intangible assets 
 
                                Customer                Development                Domain    Intellectual 
                   Goodwill     database    Software          costs    Licenses     names        Property        Total 
                        GBP          GBP         GBP            GBP         GBP       GBP             GBP          GBP 
                 ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
  Cost 
  At 1 January 
   2020           6,849,048    1,520,509   1,420,374     11,798,373           -     9,053       5,962,772   27,560,129 
  Additions               -            -           -      2,440,559           -         -               -    2,440,559 
  Disposals               -            -           -              -           -         -               -            - 
  Exchange 
   differences    (151,829)     (44,859)    (36,151)        (6,040)           -     (268)       (176,593)    (415,740) 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
  At 31 
   December 
   2020           6,697,219    1,475,650   1,384,223     14,232,892           -     8,785       5,786,179   29,584,948 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
  Additions               -            -      76,286      3,435,308     247,322         -               -    3,758,916 
  Disposals        (73,677)            -   (212,215)      (198,043)           -         -               -    (483,935) 
  Exchange 
   differences       50,382       14,886      14,122              -           -        89          58,568      138,047 
  At 31 
   December 
   2021           6,673,924    1,490,536   1,262,416     17,470,157     247,322     8,874       5,844,747   32,997,976 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
 
  Accumulated amortisation 
   and impairment 
  At 1 January 
   2020           1,650,000    1,520,509   1,420,374      7,986,035           -     9,053       3,271,605   15,857,576 
  Amortisation 
   charge                 -            -           -      2,050,390           -         -         766,653    2,817,043 
  Disposals               -            -           -              -           -         -               -            - 
  Exchange 
   differences            -     (44,859)    (36,151)        (5,680)           -     (268)       (139,836)    (226,794) 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
  At 31 
   December 
   2020           1,650,000    1,475,650   1,384,223     10,030,745           -     8,785       3,898,422   18,447,825 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
  Amortisation 
   charge                 -            -      31,978      2,269,464      43,469         -         719,388    3,064,299 
  Impairment         73,677            -           -              -           -         -               -       73,677 
  Disposals        (73,677)            -   (212,215)      (200,047)           -         -               -    (485,939) 
  Exchange 
   differences            -       14,886      14,122          2,227           -        89          51,192       82,516 
  At 31 
   December 
   2021           1,650,000    1,490,536   1,218,108     12,102,389      43,469     8,874       4,669,002   21,182,378 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
 
  Net book 
  value 
  At 31 
   December 
   2020           5,047,219            -           -      4,202,147           -         -       1,887,757   11,137,123 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
  At 31 
   December 
   2021           5,023,924            -      44,308      5,367,768     203,853         -       1,175,745   11,815,598 
---------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  -------------  ----------  --------  --------------  ----------- 
 
   8.   Deferred consideration 
 
                                            GBP 
----------------------------------   ---------- 
  At 1 January 2020                   1,298,663 
  Interest recognised as finance 
   income on 2019 disposal              201,337 
  Impairment recognised               (527,446) 
-----------------------------------  ---------- 
  At 31 December 2020                   972,554 
-----------------------------------  ---------- 
  Deferred consideration received 
   in the year                        (972,554) 
-----------------------------------  ---------- 
  At 31 December 2021                         - 
-----------------------------------  ---------- 
 

During 2019, the Group disposed of its B2C real money gaming CGU. As part of this transaction the Group was due GBP1.5m deferred consideration on 31 December 2020, which was discounted at inception. During 2020, interest income of GBP201,337 was recognised within finance income on the unwind of the balance, while an impairment provision of GBP527,446 was recorded in the income statement following managements impairment assessment.

During the current year, on 1 April 2021 the Group received GBP1.0m from River for full and final settlement of the deferred consideration receivable, certain other receivable balances, and various legal proceedings and other out of court disputes between the parties.

   9.   Arrangement with GAMESYS GROUP PLC 

In December 2017 the Group entered into a complex transaction with Gamesys Group plc and group companies (together "Gamesys Group"). The transaction includes a GBP3.5m secured convertible loan agreement alongside a 10-year framework services agreement for the supply of various real money services. Under the framework services agreement the first GBP3.5m of services are provided free-of-charge within the first 5 years.

The convertible loan has a duration of 5 years and carries interest at 3-month LIBOR plus 5.5%, which has been updated to a fixed 5.75% following the cessation of LIBOR on 31 December 2021. It is secured over the Group's Slingo assets and business. At any time after the first year, Gamesys Group plc may elect to convert all or part of the principal amount into ordinary shares of Gaming Realms plc at a discount of 20% to the share price prevailing at the time of conversion. To the extent that the price per share at conversion is lower than 10p (nominal value), then the shares can be converted at nominal value with a cash payment equal to the aggregate value of the convertible loan outstanding multiplied by the shortfall on nominal value payable to Gamesys Group plc. Under this arrangement, the maximum dilution to Gaming Realms shareholders will be approximately 11%, assuming the convertible loan is converted in full.

The option violates the fixed-for-fixed criteria for equity classification as the number of shares is variable and as a result is classified as a liability.

The fair value of the conversion feature is determined at each reporting date with changes recognised in profit or loss. The initial fair value was GBP0.6m based on a probability assessment of conversion and future share price. This is a level 3 valuation as defined by IFRS 13. The fair value as at 31 December 2021 was GBP0.7m (2020: GBP0.6m) based on revised probabilities of when and if the option will be exercised. The key inputs into the valuation model included timing of exercise by the counterparty (based on a probability assessment) and the share price.

The initial fair value of the host debt was calculated as GBP2.7m, being the present value of expected future cash outflows. The initial rate used to discount future cashflows was 14.1%, being the Group's incremental borrowing rate. This rate was calculated by reference to the Group's cost of equity in the absence of reliable alternative evidence of the Group's cost of borrowing given it is predominantly equity funded. Expected cashflows are based on directors' judgement that a change in control event would not occur. Subsequently the loan is carried at amortised cost. The residual GBP0.2m of proceeds were allocated to the obligation to provide free services.

 
                                       Fair                                Fair 
                                      value        Obligation             value 
                                    of debt        to provide     of derivative 
                                       host     free services         Liability       Total 
                                        GBP               GBP               GBP         GBP 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------- 
  At 1 January 2020               2,925,673           201,000           272,000   3,398,673 
  Utilisation of free services            -          (52,000)                 -    (52,000) 
  Effective interest                437,050                 -                 -     437,050 
  Interest paid                   (206,853)                 -                 -   (206,853) 
  Change in fair value                    -                 -           355,000     355,000 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------- 
  At 31 December 2020             3,155,870           149,000           627,000   3,931,870 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 
  At 1 January 2021               3,155,870           149,000           627,000   3,931,870 
  Utilisation of free services            -          (89,000)                 -    (89,000) 
  Effective interest                468,339                 -                 -     468,339 
  Interest paid                   (194,931)                 -                 -   (194,931) 
  Change in fair value                    -                 -           117,000     117,000 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------- 
  At 31 December 2021             3,429,278            60,000           744,000   4,233,278 
-------------------------------  ----------  ----------------  ----------------  ---------- 
 

10. Share capital

Ordinary shares

 
                            2021         2021          2020         2020 
                          Number          GBP        Number          GBP 
  Ordinary shares 
   of                289,702,626   28,970,262   286,647,315   28,664,731 
                    ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------- 
  10 pence each 
------------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ----------- 
 

The increase of 3,055,311 ordinary shares relates to the exercise of share options during the year. The total amount received by the Company for the exercise price settlement was GBP418,221, which has been recorded as an increase in share capital and share premium as follows:

 
                       GBP 
----------------  -------- 
  Share capital    305,531 
  Share premium    112,690 
----------------  -------- 
                   418,221 
----------------  -------- 
 

11. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

On 6 January 2022, 3,900,000 share options were granted to certain Directors and employees of the Group. The options vest in tranches on 15 October 2022, 2023 and 2024. All options have an exercise price of 32.5 pence per share.

On 23 February 2022, Bally's Corporation (owner of Gamesys Group) exercised their option to convert GBP500,000 of the GBP3,500,000 convertible loan into Gaming Realms plc ordinary shares. This resulted in the issue of 2,170,817 new ordinary shares.

On 4 March 2022, the Group was awarded a full iGaming supplier license by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to allow the Group to provide its Slingo Original's game content to Ontario's licensed online casino operators. Following this, the Group launched its content on 4 April 2022, the first day the newly regulated market opened.

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