Empire Global posts a good first quarter

Empire Global Corp., a provider of regulated online and offline gambling through its wholly owned ADM-licensed subsidiary Multigioco Srl, posted its Q1-2016 results Thursday highlighting:

* Land-based wagering turnover up 131.9 percent at $1,472,198 (from $634,810 in Q1-2015).

* Online wagering turnover up 57.9 percent to $26,463,158 (from $16,754,954 in Q1-2015).

* Aggregate Net Gaming Revenues up 42.3 percent to $1,747,186 (from $1,227,131 in Q1-2015).

However, the group recorded a consolidated net loss of $482,839 as a result of tax, operational and administration expenses that included allowances for bad debt as well as front-loaded non-recurring expenses incurred on investment in new locations, payment of loans, interest, commissions and professional fees, which managements expects will have a significantly lower impact through the rest of the year.

“We are now operating gaming functions on a stable and profitable run rate and are projecting 2016 revenues to exceed $6 million based on these positive trends,” Management reported.

“Significantly, our land-based division performed 26.7 percent better than expected. With administration and operational infrastructure now stabilized, our priorities now focus on scaling up the high margin land-based division to over 100 locations with the imminent Italian gaming licence renewal in June 2016.”

Michele Ciavarella, chairman and CEO, said: “Multigioco is now set up for bolt-on additions with plans to acquire at least 100 Land-based Rights at the government auction while our online division will continue to capitalize on the forced consolidation of unauthorized dotcom operators in Italy under our unique 2021 Online license.”

Empire Global Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Multigioco Srl and Rifa Srl, conducts Italian business primarily through the group’s internet-based gambling and sports betting platform under the registered brand Newgioco, along with growing operations in the licensed Italian betting shop sector.

Online activity includes operations in sports betting, online casino, poker, and bingo and interactive games.