RNS Number:7153B
Betcorp Limited
20 April 2006





BETCORP LIMITED


AIM / ASX / Media Announcement





                BETCORP ANNOUNCES DOUBLING OF PROFIT FOR Q1 2006

Betcorp Limited (LSE/ASX: BCL) is pleased to announce unaudited results for the
three months ended 2 April 2006.



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS



*         Total betting turnover up 58% to US$287m (Q1 2005: US$181m)

*         Gross revenue from players up 113% to US$14.9m (Q1 2005: US$7m)

*         Profit after tax up 140% to US$3.6m (Q1 2005: US$1.5m)

*         Basic earnings per share up 87% to 18.2 US$ cents (Q1 2005:  9.7 US$
          cents)

*         Net current assets of US$10.4m (Q1 2005: US$1.4m)



BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS



*         Sports betting margin of 8.33% (Q1 2005: 4.41%)

*         Sports betting revenues up 76% to US$9.7m (Q1 2005: US$5.5m)

*         Casino revenues up 138% to US$3.1m (Q1 2005: US$1.3m)

*         Poker rake up US$1.9m to US$2.1m (Q1 2005: US$0.2m)

*         Operating expenses down to 33% of net revenue from players (Q1 2005:
          50%)

*         Purchase of sports book source code completed April 2006



Betcorp has achieved a record quarterly profit of US$3.6m (Q1 2005: US$1.5m) as
the trading momentum established in the second half of 2005 has been maintained
through the first quarter of 2006. Excellent results were achieved in all
business areas including an outstanding performance in sports betting, where a
series of favourable results in all major sports contributed to a gross margin
rate for the quarter of 8.33%. This is significantly above long-term levels
although improved trading margins were expected from the move towards a broader
recreational client base.





A summary of the Group's quarterly trading performance is presented below.


                                                       2005                                     2006
                                       Q1              Q2              Q3              Q4               Q1
                                   US$000          US$000          US$000          US$000           US$000
Turnover
Sports betting                    123,884         104,347          97,803         151,183          116,286
Casino                             57,071          57,192          76,687         153,251          168,510
Poker                                 244             403           1,107           1,862            2,058
Total turnover                    181,199         161,942         175,597         306,296          286,854

Gross revenue
Sports betting                      5,460           3,966           4,971           4,448            9,691
Casino                              1,256           1,239           1,502           2,903            3,108
Poker                                 244             403           1,107           1,862            2,058
Total gross revenue                 6,960           5,608           7,580           9,213           14,857

Gross margin rate
Sports betting                      4.41%           3.80%           5.08%           2.94%            8.33%
Casino                              2.20%           2.17%           1.96%           1.89%            1.84%



The casino business continued to grow with turnover of US$168m, up 194% from
US$57.1m in Q1 2005, and gross margin of US$3.1m (Q1 2005: US$1.3m). Growth was
assisted by the launch of a third casino in February and the addition of casino
games into the poker room on 9 March 2006.



Gross poker rake was US$2.1m (excluding poker room casino income) against
US$244,000 in Q1 2005 and US$1.9m in Q4 2005. While the recruitment of full rake
paying clients continued, the Betholdem brand came under pressure from other
sites offering rake back payments to existing clients. The Company anticipated
this development and is responding accordingly.



OUTLOOK



In March, the Company's shares were admitted to trading on the AIM market of the
London Stock Exchange and shortly afterwards, a share placing to introduce
several blue chip UK institutional investors to the Company's share register
raised US$5.6m after expenses. The introduction and placing have increased
investor awareness of Betcorp in UK capital markets and will provide the Group
with access to the capital required to fund its future acquisition strategy.



The Company's policy is to migrate future acquisitions wherever practicable onto
an integrated software platform to maximise economies of scale and minimise
ongoing operating costs. To facilitate this, the Company has completed the
purchase from IQ-Ludorum plc of the source code for its sportsbook platform for
a sum equivalent to three years' annual licence fees. The Group has been using
this software successfully for over five years.



A new European facing website will be launched during April under the Group's
BetBet.com label offering multi-currency payment processing with a greater
emphasis on non-American sports and actively targeting customers from outside of
North America.





Commenting on the results, Colin Walker, Chief Executive Officer said:



"We are delighted to have started 2006 on such a positive note with a record
quarterly result. The Group has moved to a new level of profitability and our
AIM admission has already increased investor awareness of the Group's future
potential."



                                                          Thursday 20 April 2006



For further information please contact:



Betcorp Limited

Colin Walker, Chief Executive Officer             colin@betcorpplc.com
Charles Moore, Chief Financial Officer            charlesm@betcorpplc.com



CPR Communications, Sydney (Investor Relations/Media - Australia)
Martin Cole                                         m.cole@cprcomm.com.au
Tel: +61 2 8213 3082



College Hill Associates, London (Investor Relations/Media - UK)

Tom Baldock                                        tom.baldock@collegehill.com
Tel: + 44 20 7457 2020



About Betcorp



Betcorp is an online gaming group offering customers a comprehensive range of
betting and gaming products. Customers can move seamlessly between Betcorp's
choice of casinos, sports betting and poker room. The Group's trading operation
is headquartered in Antigua, West Indies and its IT and marketing divisions are
based in Toronto, Canada. Betcorp is incorporated in Australia and holds a
gaming licence in Antigua and a bookmaker's permit in the UK. The Company's
shares are listed on both the Australian Stock Exchange and on the AIM market
of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "BCL". Further details can be
found at the Company's website www.betcorp.com.au or www.betcorpplc.com.

.


Betcorp Limited
First Quarter 2006 Unaudited Results Summary
Three Months Ended 2 April 2006
                                                                          91 days       91 days     Movement
                                                                       2 Apr 2006    3 Apr 2005            %
                                                             A$'000        20,096         8,949         125%

Revenue from ordinary activities                            US$'000        14,857         6,960         113%

Profit / (loss) from ordinary activities after tax           A$'000         4,864         1,914         154%
attributable to members                                     US$'000         3,596         1,489         142%

Basic earnings per share                                   A$ cents          24.6          12.5          97%
                                                          US$ cents          18.2           9.7          87%

Diluted earnings per share                                 A$ cents          22.3          11.4          96%
                                                          US$ cents          16.5           8.9          86%

                                                                            As at         As at     Movement
                                                                       2 Apr 2006    3 Apr 2005            %
                                                       

Net tangible assets per share                              A$ cents          77.3           9.5         714%
                                                          US$ cents          55.4           7.3         659%



The first quarter results have been prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and in US dollars, the reporting currency
of the Group.  The results shown in the above table have been translated into
Australian dollars for illustrative purposes only. Revenues, profits and losses
have been translated using the average exchange rates prevailing during each
reporting period. Net tangible assets per share have been translated using the
exchange rate prevailing at each balance sheet date.





Cash Flow Summary
                                                                                      CONSOLIDATED
                                                                            First Quarter ended 2 April 2006
                                                                                     US$'000          US$'000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                        8,693
Proceeds from issue of shares                                                          6,240
Cost of shares issued                                                                  (650)
Net proceeds of capital raising                                                                         5,590
Purchase of property plant and equipment                                                                 (99)
Profit after tax                                                                       3,596
Add non-cash charges                                                                     195
                                                                                       3,791
(Increase) / Decrease in receivables                                                     705
(Increase) / Decrease in other assets                                                  (458)
Increase / (Decrease) in trade and other payables                                    (2,670)
Net cash flows from operating activities                                                                1,368
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                             15,552


Betcorp Limited

Condensed Unaudited Income Statement

Three Months Ended 2 April 2006
                                                                          CONSOLIDATED
                                                            91 days      91 days     364 days     368 days
                                                         2 Apr 2006   3 Apr 2005   1 Jan 2006   2 Jan 2005
                                                 Notes      US$'000      US$'000      US$'000      US$'000


Gross revenue from players                           2       14,857        6,960       29,361       20,662

Costs directly associated with gross revenue from
players                                                     (2,581)      (1,409)      (5,682)      (4,063)

Net revenue from players                                     12,276        5,551       23,679       16,599

Other income                                         3           52          197          456          408

Advertising and marketing                                   (4,492)      (1,274)      (8,328)      (7,238)

Operating expenses                                          (4,045)      (2,771)     (10,794)     (17,403)

Share options charge                                           (68)          (4)        (123)         (18)

Profit / (loss) from continuing operations before
depreciation, taxation and finance costs                      3,723        1,699        4,890      (7,652)

Depreciation                                                  (119)        (145)        (521)        (654)

Amortization of intangible                                      (8)          (5)         (29)          -
assets

Profit / (loss) from continuing operations
before taxation and finance costs                             3,596        1,549        4,340      (8,306)

Finance costs                                                     -         (60)         (74)        (167)

Profit / (loss) from continuing operations
before taxation                                               3,596        1,489        4,266      (8,473)

Taxation                                                         -             -          (1)          438

Profit / (loss) from continuing operations after
taxation and attributable to members of the
parent entity                                                 3,596        1,489        4,265      (8,035)

Earnings per share
(US$ cents per share)
Basic                                                4         18.2          9.7         23.4       (54.0)
Diluted                                              4         16.5          8.9         23.4       (54.0)

Betcorp Limited

Condensed Unaudited Balance Sheet

As at 2 April 2006
                                                               CONSOLIDATED
                                                                  As at         As at
                                                             2 Apr 2006    1 Jan 2006
                                                Notes           US$'000       US$'000

ASSETS

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment                                     1,020         1,040
Intangible assets                                                39,240        39,248

Total non-current assets                                         40,260        40,288

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents                                        15,552         8,693
Trade and other receivables                                       5,591         6,296
Other assets                                                        844           386

Total current assets                                             21,987        15,375

TOTAL ASSETS                                                     62,247        55,663

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables                                         11,256        13,926

Total current liabilities                                        11,256        13,926

Net current assets / (liabilities)                               10,731         1,449

TOTAL NET ASSETS                                                 50,991        41,737

EQUITY

Issued capital                                      5            61,089        55,499
Accumulated losses                                             (10,428)      (14,024)
Share options reserve                                               330           262

TOTAL EQUITY                                                     50,991        41,737




Betcorp Limited

Condensed Unaudited Cash Flow Statement

Three Months Ended 2 April 2006


                                                                                 CONSOLIDATED
                                                                      91 days   91 days  364 days  368 days
                                                                        2 Apr     3 Apr     1 Jan     2 Jan
                                                                         2006      2005      2006      2005
                                                                      US$'000   US$'000   US$'000   US$'000


Cash flows from operating activities

Gross win from players                                                 14,857     6,960    29,361    20,662
Interest income received                                                   65        30       102       177
Payments to suppliers and employees                                  (13,554)   (8,845)  (27,841)  (25,477)
Borrowing costs                                                            -       (60)      (74)     (167)
                                                                    

Net cash flows from operating activities                                1,368   (1,915)     1,548   (4,805)

Cash flows from investing activities

Disposal of Sportsbet Pty Ltd                                               -        -         -       (810)
                                                                    
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                (99)      (21)     (570)     (658)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash
acquired                                                                    -     1,439   (2,692)        -
                                                                                           

Net cash flows used in investing activities                              (99)     1,418   (3,262)   (1,468)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares                                           6,240         -      3,664       423
                                                                               
Cost of shares issued                                                   (650)         -      (224)       (3)
                                                                               
Repayment of convertible debt                                              -          -         -     (679)
                                                                             
Equity dividends paid                                                      -          -         -   (1,706)
                                                                     

Net cash flows from financing activities                                5,590         -     3,440   (1,965)
                                                                               

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                    6,859     (497)     1,726   (8,238)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                        8,693     6,967     6,967    15,205

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                             15,552     6,470     8,693     6,967






Betcorp Limited

Notes to the Unaudited First Quarter 2006 Results

Three Months Ended 2 April 2006



1)     BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE UNAUDITED FIRST QUARTER RESULTS



The unaudited first quarter results have been prepared in accordance with the
accounting policies set out in the Consolidated Financial Report and Appendix 4E
for the Year Ended 1 January 2006 and in compliance with International Financial
Reporting Standards ("IFRS").



The unaudited first quarter results as presented herein do not include all notes
of the type normally included within the annual financial report and therefore
cannot be expected to provide as full an understanding of the financial
performance, financial position and financing and investing activities of the
consolidated entity as the annual financial report.



The unaudited first quarter results should be read in conjunction with the
annual financial report of Betcorp Limited for the year ended 1 January 2006.



It is also recommended that the unaudited first quarter results be considered
together with any public announcements made by Betcorp Limited and its
controlled entities during the three months ended 2 April 2006 in accordance
with the continuous disclosure obligations arising under the Corporations Act
2001.



2)     GROSS REVENUE FROM PLAYERS




                                                                           CONSOLIDATED
                                                       91 days          91 days         364 days         368 days
                                                    2 Apr 2006       3 Apr 2005       1 Jan 2006       2 Jan 2005
                                                       US$'000          US$'000          US$'000          US$'000
     Turnover
     Sportsbook                                       116,286           123,884          477,217         586,569
     Casino                                           168,495            57,071          344,201         206,691
     Betting turnover                                 284,781           180,955          821,418         793,260
     Poker                                              2,058               244            3,605             215
     Skill games                                           15                -               11               -
     Total turnover                                   286,854           181,199          825,034         793,475

     Gross revenue from players
     Sports betting                                     9,691             5,460           18,845          16,753
     Casino                                             3,093             1,256            6,900           3,694
     Betting gross revenue                             12,784             6,716           25,745          20,447
     Poker                                              2,058               244            3,605             215
     Skill games                                           15         -               11       -
     Total gross revenue from players                  14,857             6,960           29,361          20,662

3)     OTHER INCOME
Interest received                                            65                30             102             177
Foreign exchange (loss) / gain                             (13)               167             354             231
Total revenues from non-operating                            52               197             456             408
activities



Betcorp Limited

Notes to the Unaudited First Quarter 2006 Results

Three Months Ended 2 April 2006



4) EARNINGS PER SHARE





The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the profit / (loss) from
continuing operations after taxation and attributable to the members of the
parent entity, and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the
period.



The calculation of diluted earnings per share is based on the profit / (loss)
from continuing operations after taxation and attributable to the members of the
parent entity, and the weighted average number of shares in issue during the
period, adjusted to assume the full issue of share options in issue, to the
extent that they are dilutive.




                                                               91 days        91 days      364 days        368 days
                                                            2 Apr 2006     3 Apr 2005    1 Jan 2006      2 Jan 2005
                                                                Number         Number        Number          Number
     Basic earnings per share
     Weighted average number of shares in issue             19,792,081       15,317,398  18,206,635       15,216,011
     during the period

     Diluted earnings per share
     Weighted average number of shares in issue            21,769,690       16,770,057  18,206,635       15,216,011
     during the period adjusted as above

5) ISSUED CAPITAL
                                                                                             Number        US$'000

  Ordinary shares

  2 January 2005              Opening balance                                             153,173,979         49,397
  22 April 2005               Issued by private placing                                    22,500,000          3,494
                              Less costs of issue                                                               (224)
  22 April 2005               Issued  in exchange for issued share capital of Sinsational
                              Intertainment Inc                                            18,360,000          2,495
  4 August 2005               Issued pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into in
                              December 2002                                                   897,959            170
  30 December 2005            Issued in full and final settlement for issued share capital
                              Sinsational Intertainment Inc                                 1,230,175            167
  1 January 2006              Issued and fully paid                                        196,162,113         55,499
  16 February 2006            1 for 10 share consolidation                                  19,616,257         55,499
  24 March 2006               Issued by private placing                                      1,600,000          6,240
                              Less costs of issue                                                               (650)
  2 April 2006                Issued and fully paid                                        21,216,257         61,089




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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