DGAP-News

ZEAL to pay total dividends of EUR 2.80 per share in 2015

DGAP-News: ZEAL Network SE / Key word(s): Final Results
ZEAL to pay total dividends of EUR 2.80 per share in 2015

26.03.2015 / 07:22

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- Revenue in 2014 up 8.3 percent to EUR 140.7 million

- EBIT of EUR 19.2 million in line with revised forecast

- EBIT between EUR 35 million and EUR 45 million targeted in 2015

- Revised dividend policy: Annual dividend payments expected to amount to
at least EUR 2.80 per share from 2015 onwards and to be paid in
quarterly instalments

(London, 26 March 2015) In fiscal year 2014 ZEAL Network SE prepared for
its further international expansion in accordance with its growth strategy.
Following the relocation to London, the centre of the European online
gaming industry, ZEAL made progress in developing activities in its three
areas of business: consumer facing secondary lotteries, B2B services for
licensed lottery operators and the operation of own lottery games.

Dr Hans Cornehl, Chief Executive Officer of ZEAL: "In 2014 we laid the
foundation for further growth. We sharpened our strategy, we implemented
the necessary organisational and structural changes, we relocated and
renamed our company, and we started numerous business initiatives to
execute our strategy. We are confident that we have created excellent
prerequisites for future sustainable growth, fully supporting our vision to
create a better world of lottery."

Consolidated revenue in 2014 was up 8.3 percent to EUR 140.7 million (prior
year: EUR 129.9 million). This was in line with the revenue target of EUR
135 to EUR 145 million.

ZEAL generated an EBIT of EUR 19.2 million (prior year: EUR 19.5 million)
which was in line with the adjusted EBIT forecast of EUR 15 to EUR 25
million announced in August 2014. The company incurred additional costs for
the development of new business activities, higher marketing expenses for
the acquisition of new customers, and costs for the renewal of hedging
structures in the secondary lottery business.

ZEAL generated a consolidated net profit of EUR 4.2 million (prior year:
EUR 10.2 million) on the back of a lower financial result and a higher
consolidated tax rate in 2014. The financial result was mainly impacted by
start-up costs at associated and joint venture companies. Earnings per
share amounted to EUR 0.50 compared to EUR 1.23 in the previous year.