The 2020 technology organization consolidation plan is an initiative that realigns and consolidates operations, reduces costs, and improves operational efficiencies within our Technology group. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we incurred nominal expenses under the plan. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 we incurred $20 million of severance and related employee costs. Since the plan’s inception, we incurred severance and related employee costs of $17 million which is net of our revised cost estimates that resulted in a $3 million reduction of expense during the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily within our Global Gaming segment. We expect to incur approximately $18 million of total costs once this plan is substantially completed in the fourth quarter of 2021.
13. Income Taxes
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
|
|
For the six months ended (1) June 30,
|
($ in millions, except percentages)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
32
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
181
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
(7)
|
|
|
(271)
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
(519)
|
|
Effective income tax rate
|
|
(492.1)
|
%
|
|
1.2
|
%
|
|
64.4
|
%
|
|
0.8
|
%
|
(1) Determined using an estimated annual effective income tax rate
The change in the effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020 is primarily related to the following: (i) the three months ended June 30, 2021 had higher pre-tax earnings as compared to the same three month period in 2020; (ii) the three months ended June 30, 2021 had a higher valuation allowance related to the U.K. and other foreign jurisdictions as compared to the same three month period in 2020; and (iii) the three months ended June 30, 2021 had a $20 million favorable tax benefit related to the Italian patent box law, whereas there was no benefit in the same three month period in 2020.
The change in the effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020 is primarily related to the following: (i) the six months ended June 30, 2021 had higher foreign exchange gains (subject to a low income tax rate) as compared to the same six month period in 2020; (ii) the six months ended June 30, 2021 had no goodwill impairment whereas the Company had a $296 million goodwill impairment with no associated tax benefit in the same six month period in 2020; (iii) the six months ended June 30, 2021 had an $87.2 million valuation allowance on its business interest expense limitation carryforward, whereas, the Company only had a $14.9 million valuation allowance in the same six month period in 2020; and (iv) the six months ended June 30, 2021 had a $20 million favorable tax benefit related to the Italian patent box law, whereas there was no benefit in the same six month period in 2020.
The effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 of (492.1)% and 64.4%, respectively, differed from the expected U.K. statutory rate of 19.0% primarily due to foreign rate differential, valuation allowance related to our business interest expense limitation carryforward, losses with no tax benefit, and the impact of the international provisions of the Tax Act ( BEAT and GILTI).
The effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 of 1.2% and 0.8% differed from the expected U.K. statutory rate of 17.5% primarily due to a goodwill impairment with no associated tax benefit, losses with no tax benefit, foreign rate differential, valuation allowance related to our business interest limitation carryforward, and the impact of the international provisions of the Tax Act ( BEAT and GILTI).
On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the realizability of deferred income tax assets by jurisdiction and assess the need for a valuation allowance. We considered both positive and negative evidence for each jurisdiction including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income, and the feasibility of tax planning strategies. At June 30, 2021, we believe that it is more-likely-than-not that a portion of the deferred income tax asset related to section 163(j) disallowed interest will not be realized. As a result, during the six months ended June 30, 2021, we have recorded an additional valuation allowance of $87 million on this deferred tax asset ($58 million valuation allowance was recorded in Q4 2020).
At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had $27 million of reserves for uncertain tax positions.
We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $21 million and $21 million, respectively, of interest and penalties were accrued for uncertain tax positions.
The Company’s Italian corporate income tax returns for the calendar years ended December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2019 are under examination. On October 19, 2020, the Italian tax authorities issued a final audit report for calendar year 2015 questioning the process the Company undertook to establish the interest rate on an intercompany debt agreement between IGT Lottery S.p.A. (formerly Lottomatica Holding S.r.l) and IGT PLC. On March 30, 2021, the Italian tax authorities issued a final audit report for calendar year 2016 thru 2019 addressing: (i) the process IGT Lottery S.p.A. undertook to establish interest rates on three intercompany debt agreements; (ii) the application of the withholding tax exemption regime on the intercompany interest payments exceeding the alleged arm’s length amounts based on EU Directive no. 2003/49/EC claiming the 26% domestic withholding tax; (iii) the beneficial ownership of IGT PLC in connection with the interest payments on the intercompany loans were part of the external debt security arrangements, thus disregarding the application of the exemption regime provided for by EU Directive no. 2003/49/CE and claiming the 26% domestic withholding tax; and (iv) late tax certificates obtained by IGT Lottery S.p.A. to claim exemption from domestic withholding tax applicable to the interest and dividends paid by IGT Lottery S.p.A. to IGT PLC. The Company filed a defense memorandum with the Italian Tax Authorities on May 29, 2021 rejecting all findings.
14. Earnings Per Share
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted income per share of common stock:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
|
|
For the six months ended June 30,
|
($ in millions and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to IGT PLC
|
|
(98)
|
|
|
(268)
|
|
|
(19)
|
|
|
(530)
|
|
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to IGT PLC
|
|
404
|
|
|
(12)
|
|
|
417
|
|
|
2
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to IGT PLC
|
|
306
|
|
|
(280)
|
|
|
397
|
|
|
(528)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares - basic
|
|
205,096
|
|
|
204,748
|
|
|
204,977
|
|
|
204,591
|
|
Incremental shares under stock-based compensation plans
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Weighted-average shares - diluted
|
|
205,096
|
|
|
204,748
|
|
|
204,977
|
|
|
204,591
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share from continuing operations attributable to IGT PLC - basic and diluted
|
|
(0.48)
|
|
|
(1.31)
|
|
|
(0.09)
|
|
|
(2.59)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to IGT PLC - basic and diluted
|
|
1.97
|
|
|
(0.06)
|
|
|
2.03
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to IGT PLC per common share - basic and diluted
|
|
1.49
|
|
|
(1.37)
|
|
|
1.94
|
|
|
(2.58)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options and unvested restricted stock awards totaling 2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because including them would have had an antidilutive effect.
15. Leases
We have various arrangements for lottery and commercial gaming equipment under which we are the lessor. These leases generally meet the criteria for operating lease classification. Lease income for operating leases is included within service revenue, while lease income for sales type leases is included predominately within product sales, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Total lease income was approximately 6% and 3% of total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total lease income was approximately 6% and 7% of total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, included in this report, as well as “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 18. Financial Statements” in the Company's 2020 Form 20-F.
The following discussion includes information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. Amounts reported in millions within this Item 2 are computed based on the amounts in thousands. As a result, the sum of the components may not equal the total amount reported in millions due to rounding. Certain columns and rows within tables may not add due to the use of rounded numbers. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying unrounded amounts.
The following discussion includes certain forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this report and in “Item 3.D. Risk Factors” and “Item 5.F. Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” included in the Company's 2020 Form 20-F. As used in this Item 2, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” refer to International Game Technology PLC together with its consolidated subsidiaries.
Business Overview
The Company is a global leader in gaming that delivers entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated segments, from gaming machines and lotteries to sports betting and digital. Leveraging compelling content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, the Company’s solutions deliver gaming experiences that engage players and drive growth. The Company has a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and creates value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility.
Discontinued Operations
On May 10, 2021, the Company completed the sale of its Italian B2C gaming machine, sports betting, and digital gaming businesses, to Gamenet Group S.p.A. for a cash purchase price of €950 million. The sale met the criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation and, as a result, the historical financial results of operations and related cash flows are reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements as a discontinued operation as discussed in detail in “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale”, included herein.
Key Factors Affecting Operations and Financial Condition
The Company’s worldwide operations can be affected by industrial, economic, and political factors on both a regional and global level. The following are the principal factors which have affected the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and/or which may affect results of operations and financial condition for future periods.
COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic ("COVID-19") has disrupted our business. We began experiencing a significant decline in our operations due to COVID-19 towards the end of our first quarter of fiscal 2020 and continuing throughout the 2020 fiscal year. The pandemic and its consequences, including lockdowns and the closure of almost all casinos and gaming halls globally in the first half of 2020, dramatically reduced demand for gaming products and services, which has had a negative impact on all aspects of the Company’s business. While many casinos and gaming halls have since reopened, some capacity restrictions still remain in place and some remain closed. The Company continues to take all prudent measures to protect the health and safety of our employees, such as practicing social distancing, performing deep cleaning in our facilities, and enabling our employees to work from home where possible.
The ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our longer-term operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the continued widespread distribution of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Many of these future developments are outside of our control.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP which require the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and the amounts of income and expenses recognized. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on information available at the date that the financial statements are prepared, on historical experience, judgments, and assumptions considered to be reasonable and realistic. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting estimates previously disclosed in the Company’s 2020 Form 20-F.
The areas that require greater subjectivity of management in making estimates and judgments and where a change in such underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements are fully described in “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included herein.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2021
|
|
June 30, 2020
|
|
Change
|
($ millions)
|
|
$
|
|
% of
Revenue
|
|
$
|
|
% of
Revenue
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Service revenue by segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
|
|
702
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
438
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
60
|
|
Global Gaming
|
|
199
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
136
|
|
Total service revenue
|
|
901
|
|
|
87
|
|
|
522
|
|
|
87
|
|
|
379
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product sales by segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
|
|
23
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
6
|
|
Global Gaming
|
|
117
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
110
|
|
Total product sales
|
|
140
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
1,041
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
441
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services
|
|
438
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
361
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
21
|
|
Cost of product sales
|
|
88
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
30
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
207
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
168
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
23
|
|
Research and development
|
|
61
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
(43)
|
|
|
(99)
|
|
Other operating expense
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
796
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
672
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
124
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
244
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
(72)
|
|
|
(12)
|
|
|
317
|
|
|
> 200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
91
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Foreign exchange loss, net
|
|
90
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
21
|
|
Other expense, net
|
|
70
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
146
|
|
Total non-operating expenses
|
|
251
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
(7)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
(271)
|
|
|
(46)
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
98
|
|
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
32
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
> 200
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations
|
|
(39)
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
(268)
|
|
|
(46)
|
|
|
229
|
|
|
86
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
13
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(15)
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
191
|
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
391
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
365
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
(282)
|
|
|
(47)
|
|
|
647
|
|
|
> 200
|
Revenue
Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $441 million, or 74%, to $1,041 million from $600 million for the prior corresponding period. Total service revenue increased primarily due to our Global Lottery segment experiencing increased same store sales for instant and draw-based and multi-jurisdiction jackpot ticket sales by 35% in the aggregate, principally in Italy and North America. Global Gaming service revenue increased primarily due to an increase in total yields from total installed base units principally as a result of increased player demand and more active units becoming available to players as social distancing restrictions are lifted. These restrictions included casino and gaming hall capacity restrictions and closures within the prior corresponding period, in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Total product sales increases were primarily attributable to our Global Gaming segment and are principally due to the lifting of many social distancing restrictions and casino operators returning to more moderate levels of investments resulting in a higher number of units shipped. See “Segment Revenues and Key Performance Indicators” section below for further discussion related to the principal drivers of these changes.
Operating expenses
Cost of services
Cost of services for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $78 million, or 21%, to $438 million from $361 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily attributable to a $63 million increase within our Global Lottery segment, principally the result of the increase in revenues, and includes increases of $19 million in point of sale (“POS”) consumables and fees, $9 million in postage and freight, $8 million in marketing, and a $7 million increase in employee salaries and benefits. Cost of services in our Global Gaming segment increased by $16 million and includes an increase of $9 million in licensing and royalty related fees and an $8 million increase in employee salaries and benefits.
Cost of product sales
Cost of product sales for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $20 million, or 30%, to $88 million from $67 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily attributable to an $18 million increase within our Global Gaming segment, principally resulting from the $61 million increase in product sales. In the prior corresponding period, cost of product sales as a percentage of revenue was 8% primarily as a result of higher inventory reserves coupled with lower volumes. Cost of product sales for our Global Lottery segment remained relatively consistent with the prior corresponding period, in line with product revenues for the segment.
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $39 million, or 23%, to $207 million from $168 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily attributable to a $19 million increase related to the reinstatement of incentive compensation plans that were cancelled in 2020 in Corporate and Other, Global Gaming, and Global Lottery of $7 million, $6 million, and $6 million, respectively. The lower incentive plan expenses experienced in the prior year were related to management’s decision to suspend the plans due to uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. On a consolidated basis, employee payroll and benefits increased $17 million, of which, $10 million was associated with Corporate and Other, when compared to the prior corresponding period in which costs were significantly lower due to temporary salary reductions and employee furloughs associated with the pandemic. Additionally, there was a $7 million increase in expected credit losses on long-term customer financing receivables within our Global Gaming segment, resulting principally from the impact of COVID-19 closures within the Latin America and the Caribbean (“LAC”) region. As pandemic related lockdowns and restrictions have been lifted, management has been renegotiating the financing terms with LAC customers and has included the estimated effects of these expected future refinancings in our expected credit losses.
Research and development
Research and development for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $30 million, or 96%, to $61 million from $31 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily attributable to a $25 million increase in our Global Gaming segment, principally as a result of a $20 million increase in salaries, benefits, and other personnel related costs as the segment continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19 from the prior corresponding period in which costs were significantly lower due to temporary salary reductions and employee furloughs associated with the pandemic. In addition, there was a company-wide increase of $7 million related to the reinstatement of incentive compensation plans that were cancelled in 2020.
Restructuring
Restructuring for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was nominal compared to $43 million for the prior corresponding period. Management initiated restructuring plans in 2020 to achieve long-term structural cost savings by simplifying our organizational structure, optimizing our global supply chain, and consolidating our global technology organization. The restructuring plans associated with simplifying our organizational structure and optimizing our global supply chain were substantially complete as of March 31, 2021. Our restructuring plan related to consolidating our global technology organization is expected to be substantially complete by the fourth quarter of 2021.
Non-operating expenses
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net for the three months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $4 million, or 5%, to $91 million from $96 million for the prior corresponding period. This decrease was primarily due the Company maintaining a lower average balance in our Senior Secured Notes compared to the prior corresponding period, as well as lower interest rates on refinanced Notes.
Foreign exchange loss (gain), net
Foreign exchange loss, net for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $90 million, compared to $74 million for the prior corresponding period. Foreign exchange loss, net is principally related to fluctuations in the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate on euro-denominated debt.
Other expense, net
Other expense, net for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $41 million, to $70 million from $28 million in the prior corresponding period. The increase was primarily related to the premium paid on the full redemption of the 4.750% Senior Secured Euro Notes due February 2023 through the exercise of the make-whole call option.
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
Provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $32 million, compared to a benefit from income taxes of $3 million for the prior corresponding period. The increase is primarily due to the higher level of pre-tax earnings and increases in our valuation allowances in the UK and other foreign jurisdictions.
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
Income (loss) from discontinued operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $28 million from the prior corresponding period. Discontinued operations reflect the operating activities of our Italian B2C gaming machine, sports betting, and digital gaming businesses. Refer to “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” included herein for further information.
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
During the second quarter the Company recorded a $391 million gain upon the completion of the sale of its Italian B2C gaming machine, sports betting, and digital gaming businesses. Refer to “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” included herein for further information.
Segment Revenues and Key Performance Indicators
Global Lottery
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
|
|
Change
|
($ millions)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Service revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and facilities management contracts
|
|
623
|
|
|
367
|
|
|
255
|
|
|
70
|
|
Systems, software, and other
|
|
79
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
702
|
|
|
438
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
60
|
|
Product sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lottery products
|
|
23
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
6
|
|
Global Lottery segment revenue
|
|
725
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
|
|
|
(% on a constant-currency basis)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
Global same-store sales growth (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant ticket & draw games
|
|
34.9
|
%
|
|
(7.1)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-jurisdiction jackpots
|
|
28.8
|
%
|
|
(24.2)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
34.5
|
%
|
|
(8.5)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America & Rest of world same-store sales growth (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant ticket & draw games
|
|
20.5
|
%
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-jurisdiction jackpots
|
|
28.8
|
%
|
|
(24.2)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
21.1
|
%
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Italy same-store sales growth (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant ticket & draw games
|
|
115.2
|
%
|
|
(40.5)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and facilities management contracts
Service revenue from Operating and facilities management contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $255 million, or 70%, to $623 million from $367 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily the result of a $230 million increase in instant, draw-based, and multi-jurisdiction jackpot ticket sales that experienced a 34.5% increase in global same-store sales in the aggregate. Italy same-store sales grew 115.2%, primarily as a result of revenues in the prior corresponding period being lower due to the temporary COVID-19 induced suspension of retail lottery sales and certain lottery games being temporarily shut down. In addition, same-store sales increased as a result of a shift in consumer discretionary income spending to lottery in lieu of other forms of entertainment due to social distancing restrictions imposed causing a reduction of entertainment options available to consumers, including the closure of gaming halls. North America and Rest of world experienced a 21.1% increase in same-store sales, primarily as a result of increased instant and draw-based growth related to a shift in consumer discretionary income spending to lottery. Same-store sales also experienced increases from the prior corresponding period due to the timing of the COVID-19 outbreak in the middle of March 2020. Additionally, there was a $17 million increase in lottery management agreement revenues, primarily attributable to expected incentives from increased sales in the current year compared to an expected net penalty position in the prior corresponding period.
Systems, software, and other
Service revenue from Systems, software, and other for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $9 million, or 12%, to $79 million from $70 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily the result of a $8 million increase from our Italian commercial service offerings due to increased volumes.
Lottery products
Lottery products revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 remained consistent when compared to the prior corresponding period.
Global Gaming
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
|
|
Change
|
($ millions, except yields)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Service revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gaming terminal services
|
|
108
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
> 200
|
Systems, software, and other
|
|
91
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
199
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
136
|
|
Product sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gaming terminals
|
|
86
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
97
|
|
Gaming other
|
|
31
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
110
|
|
Global Gaming segment revenue
|
|
316
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
Units / $
|
|
%
|
Installed base units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total installed base units
|
|
49,100
|
|
|
49,634
|
|
|
(534)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total yields(1)
|
|
$27.49
|
|
$6.21
|
|
$21.28
|
|
> 200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global machine units sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total machine units sold
|
|
6,335
|
|
|
2,981
|
|
|
3,354
|
|
|
113
|
|
(1) Total yields represent revenue per day for the average installed base units. Install base units included active and inactive units deployed to a customer location
Gaming terminal services
Service revenue from Gaming terminal services for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $83 million, to $108 million from $25 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in yields principally as a result of increased demand and more active units becoming available to players as social distancing restrictions were lifted. These restrictions included the shutdown of most casinos and gaming halls beginning in the first quarter of 2020, and upon re-opening, the removal or powering down of a portion of gaming machines from casino floors to maintain social distancing.
Systems, software, and other
Service revenue from Systems, software, and other for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $32 million, or 54%, to $91 million from $59 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily due to an $18 million increase in system and software revenue, principally related to the increase in active poker machines that were previously inactive in the prior corresponding period resulting from COVID-19 social distancing requirements. Additionally, there was a $13 million increase in digital gaming and sports betting revenue resulting from an expanded player base.
Gaming terminals
Product sales from Gaming terminals for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $42 million, or 97%, to $86 million from $44 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily associated with an increase of 3,354 in machine units sold, primarily driven by replacement units sold in the United States and Canada. The increase in these units was principally due to casino operators returning to more moderate levels of investments and demand for new product offerings.
Gaming other
Product sales from Gaming other for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased $19 million, or 160%, to $31 million from $12 million for the prior corresponding period, driven by increased software and systems sales resulting from casino operators returning to more moderate levels of investments.
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
|
|
Change
|
($ millions)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
|
|
300
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
180
|
Global Gaming
|
|
10
|
|
|
(111)
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
109
|
Corporate and Other
|
|
(66)
|
|
|
(69)
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
244
|
|
|
(72)
|
|
|
317
|
|
|
> 200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin - Global Lottery
|
|
41.4
|
%
|
|
23.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin - Global Gaming
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
(79.0)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
Segment operating margin for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased to 41.4% from 23.3% for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily the result of the 58% increase in the segment’s revenues. As the Global Lottery segment has a high percentage of fixed-costs, operating leverage increases as sales increase.
Global Gaming
Segment operating margin for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased to 3.3% from (79.0)% for the prior corresponding period primarily due to an increase in revenues of $176 million resulting from the segment’s continuing recovery from the effects of COVID-19, disciplined cost management and benefits from costs saving initiatives, and increased operating leverage as the business continues to return to pre-pandemic scale.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2021
|
|
June 30, 2020
|
|
Change
|
($ millions)
|
|
$
|
|
% of
Revenue
|
|
$
|
|
% of
Revenue
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Service revenue by segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
|
|
1,427
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
910
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
517
|
|
|
57
|
|
Global Gaming
|
|
374
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
268
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
106
|
|
|
40
|
|
Total service revenue
|
|
1,802
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
1,178
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product sales by segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
|
|
46
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
|
(15)
|
|
Global Gaming
|
|
208
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
182
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
14
|
|
Total product sales
|
|
254
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
236
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue
|
|
2,055
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
641
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services
|
|
880
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
776
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
13
|
|
Cost of product sales
|
|
160
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
393
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
332
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
18
|
|
Research and development
|
|
116
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
92
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
26
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
296
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
(296)
|
|
|
(100)
|
|
Restructuring
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
(47)
|
|
|
(100)
|
|
Other operating expense
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
1,551
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
1,704
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
(153)
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
504
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
(290)
|
|
|
(21)
|
|
|
795
|
|
|
> 200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
185
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
196
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
(11)
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net
|
|
(55)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(59)
|
|
|
> 200
|
Other expense, net
|
|
94
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
> 200
|
Total non-operating expenses
|
|
224
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
229
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
280
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
(519)
|
|
|
(38)
|
|
|
799
|
|
|
154
|
|
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
|
|
181
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
> 200
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations
|
|
100
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
(515)
|
|
|
(37)
|
|
|
614
|
|
|
119
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
24
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
> 200
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
391
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
514
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
(516)
|
|
|
(37)
|
|
|
1,030
|
|
|
200
|
|
Revenue
Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $641 million, or 45%, to $2,055 million from $1,414 million for the prior corresponding period. Total service revenue increased primarily due to our Global Lottery segment experiencing increased same store sales for instant and draw-based and multi-jurisdiction jackpot ticket sales by 34% in the aggregate, principally in Italy and North America. Global Gaming service revenue increased primarily due to an increase in total yields from total installed base units principally as a result of increased player demand and more active units becoming available to players as social distancing restrictions are lifted. These restrictions included casino and gaming hall capacity restrictions and closures within the prior corresponding period, in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Total product sales increases were primarily attributable to our Global Gaming segment, principally due to the lifting of many social distancing restrictions and casino operators returning to more moderate levels of investments resulting in a higher number of units shipped. See “Segment Revenues and Key Performance Indicators” section below for further discussion related to the principal drivers of these changes.
Operating expenses
Cost of services
Cost of services for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $104 million, or 13%, to $880 million from $776 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily attributable to a $106 million increase within our Global Lottery segment, principally the result of the increase in revenues, and includes increases of $27 million and $18 million in point of sale (“POS”) consumables and fees, respectively, $15 million in freight, $9 million in salaries and benefits, and $9 million related to the reinstatement of the Company’s incentive compensation plans that were cancelled in fiscal 2020. Cost of services in our Global Gaming segment remained relatively consistent when compared to the prior corresponding period due to continued disciplined cost management.
Cost of product sales
Cost of product sales for the six months ended June 30, 2021 remained relatively consistent when compared to the prior corresponding period in both our Global Gaming and Global Lottery segments.
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $61 million, or 18%, to $393 million from $332 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily attributable to a $45 million increase related to the reinstatement of incentive compensation plans that were cancelled in 2020 in Corporate and Other, Global Gaming, and Global Lottery of $22 million, $13 million, and $11 million, respectively. The lower incentive plan expenses experienced in the prior year were related to management’s decision to suspend the plans due to uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there was a $21 million increase in expected credit losses on long-term customer financing receivables within our Global Gaming segment, resulting principally from the impact of COVID-19 closures within the Latin America and the Caribbean (“LAC”) region. As pandemic related lockdowns and restrictions have been lifted, management has been renegotiating the financing terms with LAC customers and has included the estimated effects of these expected future refinancings in our expected credit losses.
Research and development
Research and development for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $24 million, or 26%, to $116 million from $92 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily attributable to a $14 million increase related to the reinstatement of incentive compensation plans that were cancelled in 2020 in Global Gaming and Global Lottery of $9 million, and $5 million, respectively. Additionally, there was an $8 million increase in salaries and benefits in Global Gaming primarily attributable to the segment’s continuing recovery from the effects of COVID 19 in the prior corresponding period in which costs were significantly lower due to temporary salary reductions and employee furloughs associated with the pandemic.
Goodwill impairment
There was no goodwill impairment for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Goodwill impairment for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $296 million. During the first quarter of 2020, we determined there was an interim goodwill triggering event caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based principally on management’s financial projections, which included the estimated impact of COVID-19, we recorded $193 million and $103 million of non-cash impairment losses within the former
International and North America Gaming and Interactive reporting units, respectively, to reduce the carrying amount of these reporting units to fair value.
Restructuring
Restructuring for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was nominal compared to $47 million for the prior corresponding period. Management initiated restructuring plans in 2020 to achieve long-term structural cost savings by simplifying our organizational structure, optimizing our global supply chain, and consolidating our global technology organization. The restructuring plans associated with simplifying our organizational structure and optimizing our global supply chain were substantially complete as of March 31, 2021. Our restructuring plan related to consolidating our global technology organization is expected to be substantially completed by the fourth quarter of 2021.
Non-operating expenses
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $11 million, or 6%, to $185 million from $196 million for the prior corresponding period. This decrease was primarily due the Company maintaining a lower average balance in our Senior Secured notes compared to the prior corresponding period, as well as reductions in interest rates.
Foreign exchange (gain) loss, net
Foreign exchange gain, net for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $55 million, compared to foreign exchange loss, net of $4 million for the prior corresponding period. Foreign exchange gain, net is principally related to fluctuations in the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate on euro-denominated debt.
Other expense, net
Other expense, net for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $66 million from $29 million in the prior corresponding period. The increase was primarily related to the premium paid on the full redemption of the 4.750% Senior Secured Euro Notes due February 2023 through the exercise of the make-whole call option.
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
Provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $181 million, compared to a benefit from income taxes of $4 million for the prior corresponding period. The increase is primarily due to the level of pre-tax income and increases in our valuation allowances related to our business interest expense limitation carryforward.
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $26 million from to the prior corresponding period. Discontinued operations reflect the operating activities of our Italian B2C gaming machine, sports betting, and digital gaming businesses. Refer to “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” included herein for further information.
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
During the second quarter the Company recorded a $391 million gain upon the completion of the sale of its Italian B2C gaming machine, sports betting, and digital gaming businesses. Refer to “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” included herein for further information.
Segment Revenues and Key Performance Indicators
Global Lottery
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended
June 30,
|
|
Change
|
($ millions)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Service revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and facilities management contracts
|
|
1,266
|
|
|
773
|
|
|
492
|
|
|
64
|
|
Systems, software, and other
|
|
162
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
|
910
|
|
|
517
|
|
|
57
|
|
Product sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lottery products
|
|
46
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
|
(15)
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
|
(15)
|
|
Global Lottery segment revenue
|
|
1,473
|
|
|
964
|
|
|
509
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended
June 30,
|
|
|
(% on a constant-currency basis)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
Global same-store sales growth (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant ticket & draw games
|
|
31.1
|
%
|
|
(5.9)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-jurisdiction jackpots
|
|
64.2
|
%
|
|
(27.4)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
33.5
|
%
|
|
(7.8)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America & Rest of world same-store sales growth (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant ticket & draw games
|
|
20.7
|
%
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Multi-jurisdiction jackpots
|
|
64.2
|
%
|
|
(27.4)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
24.4
|
%
|
|
(1.5)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Italy same-store sales growth (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instant ticket & draw games
|
|
78.5
|
%
|
|
(29.9)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and facilities management contracts
Service revenue from Operating and facilities management contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $492 million, or 64%, to $1,266 million from $773 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily the result of a $406 million increase in instant, draw-based, and multi-jurisdiction jackpot ticket sales that experienced a 33.5% increase in global same-store sales in the aggregate. Italy same-store sales grew 78.5%, primarily as a result of a shift in consumer discretionary income spending to lottery in lieu of other forms of entertainment due to social distancing restrictions imposed causing a reduction of entertainment options available to consumers, including the closure of gaming halls. Additionally, revenues in the prior corresponding period were lower due to the temporary COVID-19 induced suspension of retail lottery sales. North America and Rest of world experienced a 24.4% increase in same-store sales, primarily as a result of increased instant and draw-based growth and higher jackpots from multi-state lotteries in North America as well as a shift in consumer discretionary income spending to lottery. Same-store sales also experienced increases from the prior corresponding period due to the timing of the COVID-19 outbreak in the middle of March 2020. Additionally, there was a $74 million increase in lottery management agreement revenues, primarily attributable to expected incentives from increased sales in the current year compared to an expected net penalty position in the prior corresponding period.
Systems, software, and other
Service revenue from Systems, software, and other for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $25 million, or 18%, to $162 million from $137 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily the result of a $25 million increase from our Italian commercial service offerings due to increased volumes.
Lottery products
Lottery products revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $8 million, or 15%, to $46 million from $54 million for the prior corresponding period. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in lottery software sales, principally due to a $15 million software license to a customer in Europe in the prior corresponding period. This decrease was partially offset by higher demand for instant ticket products.
Global Gaming
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended
June 30,
|
|
Change
|
($ millions, except yields)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Service revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gaming terminal services
|
|
198
|
|
|
132
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
50
|
|
Systems, software, and other
|
|
176
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
374
|
|
|
268
|
|
|
106
|
|
|
40
|
|
Product sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gaming terminals
|
|
148
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
53
|
|
Gaming other
|
|
60
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
(26)
|
|
|
(30)
|
|
|
|
208
|
|
|
182
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
14
|
|
Global Gaming segment revenue
|
|
582
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
132
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended
June 30,
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
Units / $
|
|
%
|
Installed base units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total installed base units
|
|
49,100
|
|
|
49,634
|
|
|
(534)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total yields(1)
|
|
$25.34
|
|
$16.42
|
|
$8.92
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global machine units sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total machine units sold
|
|
10,740
|
|
|
6,663
|
|
|
4,077
|
|
|
61
|
|
(1) Total yields represent revenue per day for the average installed base units. Install base units included active and inactive units deployed to a customer location
Gaming terminal services
Service revenue from Gaming terminal services for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $66 million, or 50%, to $198 million from $132 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily driven by a 54% increase in yields principally as a result of increased demand and more active units becoming available to players as social distancing restrictions were lifted. These restrictions included the shutdown of most casinos and gaming halls beginning in the first quarter of 2020, and upon re-opening, the removal or powering down of a portion of gaming machines from casino floors to maintain social distancing.
Systems, software, and other
Service revenue from Systems, software, and other for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $40 million or 29%, to $176 million from $136 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily due to a $31 million increase in digital gaming and sports betting revenue resulting from an expanded player base. Additionally, there was a $9 million increase in system and software revenue, principally related to the increase in active poker machines that were previously inactive in the prior corresponding period resulting from COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
Gaming terminals
Product sales from Gaming terminals for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased $52 million, or 53%, to $148 million from $97 million for the prior corresponding period. This increase was primarily associated with an increase of 4,077 in machine units sold, primarily driven by new and expansion machine units in the United States and Canada. The increase in these units was primarily the result of the segment’s recovery and casino operators returning to more moderate levels of investments.
Gaming other
Product sales from Gaming other for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $26 million, or 30.0%, to $60 million from $85 million for the prior corresponding period, driven by increased software and systems sales resulting from casino operators returning to more moderate levels of investments.
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended
June 30,
|
|
Change
|
($ millions)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
|
|
637
|
|
|
251
|
|
|
386
|
|
|
153
|
Global Gaming
|
|
(9)
|
|
|
(117)
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
92
|
Corporate and Other
|
|
(124)
|
|
|
(425)
|
|
|
301
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
504
|
|
|
(290)
|
|
|
795
|
|
|
> 200
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin - Global Lottery
|
|
43.2
|
%
|
|
26.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin - Global Gaming
|
|
(1.5)
|
%
|
|
(26.0)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Global Lottery
Segment operating margin for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased to 43.2% from 26.1% for the prior corresponding period. This increase is primarily the result of the 53% increase in the segment’s revenues. As the Global Lottery segment has a high percentage of fixed-costs, operating leverage increases as sales increase.
Global Gaming
Segment operating margin for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased to (1.5)% from (26.0)% for the prior corresponding period primarily due to an increase in revenues of $132 million resulting from the segment’s continuing recovery from the effects of COVID-19, disciplined cost management and benefits from costs saving initiatives, and increased operating leverage as the business continues to return to pre-pandemic scale.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The Company’s business is capital intensive and requires liquidity to meet its obligations and fund growth. Historically, the Company’s primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operations and, to a lesser extent, cash proceeds from financing activities, including amounts available under the Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2024. In addition to general working capital and operational needs, the Company’s liquidity requirements arise primarily from its need to meet debt service requirements and to fund capital expenditures and upfront license fee payments. The Company also requires liquidity to fund any acquisitions and associated costs. The Company’s cash flows generated from operating activities together with cash flows generated from financing activities have historically been sufficient to meet the Company's liquidity requirements.
The Company believes its ability to generate cash from operations to reinvest in its business, primarily due to the long-term nature of its contracts, is one of its fundamental financial strengths. Combined with funds currently available and committed borrowing capacity, the Company expects to have sufficient liquidity to meet its financial obligations and working capital requirements in the ordinary course of business for at least the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
The cash management, funding of operations, and investment of excess liquidity are centrally coordinated by a dedicated treasury team with the objective of ensuring effective and efficient management of funds.
At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's total available liquidity was as follows, respectively:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ millions)
|
|
June 30, 2021
|
|
December 31, 2020
|
Revolving Credit Facilities due 2024
|
|
1,289
|
|
|
1,817
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
639
|
|
|
907
|
|
Total Liquidity
|
|
1,928
|
|
|
2,724
|
|
The Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2024 are subject to customary covenants (including maintaining a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net interest costs and a maximum ratio of total net debt to EBITDA) and events of default, none of which are expected to impact the Company’s liquidity or capital resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most casinos and gaming halls throughout the globe closed in the first half of 2020, and some casinos and gaming halls have yet to reopen. The closure of casinos and gaming halls has significantly disrupted the Company’s ability to generate revenues. In order to remain in compliance with the Company’s debt covenants and meet its payment obligations, the Company entered into amendments to the Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2024 (the “Amendments”) to provide temporary relief from its financial covenants. The Amendments, among other things, provide a waiver for the Company’s obligation to maintain a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net interest costs and a maximum ratio of total net debt to EBITDA from the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2020 through the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2021. During the period beginning on the date of the Amendments and ending on August 31, 2021, the Company will be subject to a minimum liquidity covenant that requires the Company to maintain liquidity of at least $500 million.
The Company completed multiple debt transactions in 2021 and 2020. Refer to the “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—7. Debt” included herein for further discussion of these transactions as well as information regarding the Company’s other debt obligations, including the maturity profile of borrowings and committed borrowing facilities, and further details regarding the Amendments.
At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, approximately 22% and 23% of the Company’s net debt portfolio was exposed to interest rate fluctuations, respectively. The Company’s exposure to floating rates of interest primarily relates to the Euro Term Loan Facility due January 2023 and Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2024.
The following table summarizes the Company’s USD equivalent cash balances by currency:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2021
|
|
December 31, 2020
|
($ millions)
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
Euros
|
|
366
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
659
|
|
|
73
|
|
U.S. dollars
|
|
135
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
135
|
|
|
15
|
|
Other currencies
|
|
138
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
12
|
|
Total Cash
|
|
639
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
907
|
|
|
100
|
|
The Company holds insignificant amounts of cash in countries where there may be restrictions on transfer due to regulatory or governmental bodies. Based on the Company's review of such transfer restrictions and the cash balances held in such countries, it does not believe such transfer restrictions have an adverse impact on its ability to meet liquidity requirements at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Cash Flow Summary
The following table summarizes the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. A complete condensed consolidated statement of cash flows is provided in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six months ended June 30,
|
|
|
($ millions)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
$ Change
|
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
|
|
500
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
347
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
|
|
(108)
|
|
|
(124)
|
|
|
16
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
(1,392)
|
|
|
446
|
|
|
(1,838)
|
|
Net cash flows of continuing operations
|
|
(999)
|
|
|
476
|
|
|
(1,475)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
|
|
(31)
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
(203)
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations
|
|
734
|
|
|
(20)
|
|
|
754
|
|
Net cash flows from discontinued operations
|
|
702
|
|
|
152
|
|
|
551
|
|
Analysis of Cash Flows
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities from Continuing Operations
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company generated $500 million of net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, an increase of $347 million compared to the prior corresponding period. The increase was principally attributed to an increase in operating income of $795 million.
Non-cash adjustments to net income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $519 million, compared to $672 million for the prior corresponding period. The principal drivers of the decrease in non-cash adjustments are related to a $296 million goodwill impairment incurred in the prior period, and an increase of foreign exchange gain of $59 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the prior corresponding period which was in a foreign exchange loss position. These decreases were partially offset by a $119 million increase in deferred income taxes, a $63 million increase in loss on the extinguishment of debt, and a $23 million increase in share-based compensation in the current period.
Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in cash outflows of $119 million and $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and represents timing differences on changes in our working capital.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities from Continuing Operations
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company used $108 million of net cash for investing activities, a decrease of $16 million from the prior corresponding period. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities was principally attributed to a reduction of capital expenditures of $19 million, due to the timing of expenditures.
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company used $1.4 billion of net cash for financing activities, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $446 million for the prior corresponding period.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, cash flows used in financing activities primarily included principal payments of long-term debt of $2.4 billion, dividends paid to non-controlling interests of $89 million, $85 million of payments in connection with the early extinguishment of debt, $61 million in return of capital to non-controlling interests, proceeds from long-term debt of $750 million, and net proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2024 of $516 million.
During the six months ended June 30, 2020, cash flows provided by financing activities primarily included proceeds from long-term debt of $750 million, net proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facilities and short-term borrowings of $725 million and $75 million, respectively, net receipts from financial liabilities of $36 million, principal payments on long-term debt of $959 million, dividends paid to non-controlling interests of $91 million, dividends paid to shareholders of $41 million, and payments in connection with the extinguishment of debt of $25 million.
Net cash flows from discontinued operations
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company completed the sale of the Italian B2C gaming businesses. At closing, the Company received net cash proceeds of $748 million and has receivables of €100 million and €125 million due December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Refer to “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale”, included herein for further information.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At June 30, 2021, we did not have any significant changes to off-balance sheet arrangements from those disclosed within our 2020 Form 20-F.
Dividends
No dividends were paid to shareholders during the six months ended June 30, 2021. As part of the amendments to the Senior Facilities Agreement for the Revolving Credit Facilities due July 2024 and the Senior Facility Agreement for the Euro Term Loan Facility due January 2023, the Company agreed to prohibit restricted payments (including dividends and ordinary share repurchases) during the period commencing on April 1, 2020 and expiring on June 30, 2021, and permitting restricted payments during the period commencing on July 1, 2021 and expiring on the maturity date of the respective agreements provided that the ratio of total net debt to EBITDA as adjusted to reflect the restricted payment is less than specified thresholds.
Historical payment of dividends is not an indication that dividends will be paid on any future date after June 30, 2021. The Company has not implemented a formal policy on dividend distributions, and any future dividend payment is subject to Board approval.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations disclosed under “Item 5.C. Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our 2020 Form 20-F, except as disclosed in the “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—7. Debt” included herein.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes to the disclosure under “Part I, Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” included in our 2020 Form 20-F.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the six months ended June 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Please see “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)— Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies” included herein.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following risks should be considered in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, the consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other risks described in the Safe Harbor Statement set forth in Item 5.F of the Company’s 2020 Form 20-F. These risks may affect the Company's operating results and, individually or in the aggregate, could cause its actual results to differ materially from past and anticipated future results. The following discussion of risks may contain forward-looking statements which are intended to be covered by the Safe Harbor Statement. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The Company invites you to consult any further related disclosures made by the Parent from time to time in materials filed with or furnished to the SEC.
Risks related to the Company's Business and Industry
The Company has a concentrated customer base in certain business segments, and the loss of any of its larger customers (or lower sales from any of these customers) could lead to significantly lower revenue
A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues is derived from exclusive licenses awarded to the Company by Agenzia delle Dogane e Dei Monopoli ("ADM"), the governmental authority responsible for regulating and supervising gaming in Italy. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, approximately 13% of the Company’s total consolidated revenues was earned for service provided for the operation of the Italian Gioco del Lotto game and approximately 12% was earned for service provided for the operation of the Italian Scratch & Win instant ticket game.
The Company expects that a significant portion of its revenues and profits will continue to depend upon the licenses awarded to the Company by ADM. Licenses may be terminated prior to their expiration dates upon the occurrence of certain events of default affecting the Company, or if such licenses are deemed to be against the public interest, or terminated or annulled if successfully challenged by competitors. The law providing the extension of the license for instant tickets in Italy has been challenged from two operators (Sisal and Stanleybet) and the European Court of Justice ("ECJ") has been asked to express an opinion on the compatibility of that law within the E.U. law principles. In addition, the conditions for any new license will be established by law and included in the rules of the new license. Any material reduction in the Company’s revenues from these licenses, including as a result of an annulment, early termination, or non-renewal of these licenses following their expiration, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
In addition, recurring revenues from the Company’s top 10 customers outside of Italy accounted for approximately 25% of its total consolidated revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021. If the Company were to lose any of these larger customers, or if these larger customers experience lower sales and consequently reduced revenues, which are primarily service revenues, there could be a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
The Company’s operations are dependent upon its continued ability to retain and extend its existing contracts and win new contracts
The Company derives a substantial portion of its revenues from its portfolio of long-term contracts in the Global Lottery segment (equal to approximately 61.6% of its total consolidated revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021), awarded through competitive procurement processes. In addition, the Company’s U.S. lottery contracts typically permit a lottery authority to terminate the contract at any time for material, uncured breaches and for other specified reasons out of the Company's control, such as the failure by a state legislature to approve the required budget appropriations, and many of these contracts in the U.S. permit the lottery authority to terminate the contract at will with limited notice and do not specify the compensation to which the Company would be entitled were such termination to occur.
In the event that the Company is unable or unwilling to perform certain lottery contracts, such contracts permit the lottery authority a right to use the Company's system-related equipment and software necessary for the performance of the contract until the expiration or earlier termination of the contract.
The termination of or failure to renew or extend one or more of the Company’s lottery contracts, or the renewal or extension of one or more of the Company’s lottery contracts on materially altered terms, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 (“COVID-19”) has had and will likely continue to have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations, financial condition and operating results
In January 2020, an outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was identified. COVID-19 has since spread around the world, including in the Company’s core markets of the United States and Italy. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The global spread of COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, complex and rapidly evolving, with governments, public institutions and other organizations imposing or recommending, and businesses and individuals implementing, restrictions on various activities or other actions to combat its spread, such as restrictions and bans on travel or transportation, stay-at-home directives, limitations on the size of gatherings, closures of work facilities, schools, public buildings and businesses, cancellation of events, including sporting events, concerts, conferences and meetings, and quarantines and lock-downs. The pandemic and its consequences, including the closure of almost all casinos and gaming halls globally in the first half of 2020, dramatically reduced demand for gaming products and services, which had a negative impact on all aspects of the Company’s business. While many casinos and gaming halls have since reopened, some remain closed, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not be further affected by future shutdowns. The extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Company’s future financial and operational performance remains uncertain, and will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread, and any recurrence of the pandemic (including new variants
of the coronavirus), and related actions taken by U.S. and international governments, state and local officials to prevent and contain disease spread, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. Furthermore, some of the Company’s suppliers have experienced, and may continue to experience, adverse effects of the pandemic, including but not limited to constraints on ability to meet the Company’s supply requirements, bankruptcy or insolvency, any of which could impact the Company’s supply chain and its ability to meet demand for its products.
The current, and uncertain future, impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is expected to continue to impact the Company’s results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, growth, reputation, cash flows, and liquidity.
Adverse changes in discretionary consumer spending and behavior, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other similar health epidemics, may adversely affect the Company's business
Socio-political and economic factors that impact consumer confidence may result in decreased discretionary spending by consumers and have a negative effect on the Company's business. Unfavorable changes in social, political and economic conditions and economic uncertainties, as well as decreased discretionary spending by consumers, may adversely impact customers, suppliers and business partners in a variety of ways.
The revenue generated by the Company's business depends on consumers’ discretionary income and their level of gaming activity. Economic factors resulting in a reduction of such discretionary income could result in fewer lottery ticket sales and fewer patrons visiting casinos or engaging in online or digital gaming. A decline in discretionary income over an extended period could cause some of the Company’s customers to close casinos or other gaming operations, which would adversely affect the Company's business. A decline in casino visits may also have an adverse impact on the businesses of casino customers and their ability to purchase or lease products and services from the Company.
The COVID-19 pandemic, and the public perception thereof, has contributed to consumer unease and decreased discretionary spending and consumer travel, which have had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on the Company. Other future health epidemics or contagious disease outbreaks could do the same. The Company cannot predict the effects that the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, and any resulting unfavorable social, political, and economic conditions and decrease in discretionary spending or travel may have on the Company, as they would be expected to impact the Company’s customers, suppliers, and business partners in different ways. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the perception of risk of infection may affect consumer behavior as people may feel uncomfortable traveling or being in crowded environments such as casinos and gaming halls while the virus remains a threat. This may result in fewer patrons visiting casinos and gaming halls and fewer players purchasing lottery and sports betting products, and lower amounts spent per casino visit or lottery purchase, or reduced spend on sports betting and other online gambling activities. Any of these factors may negatively impact the results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition of the Company’s casino customers, their ability to purchase or lease the Company’s products and services and therefore the Company’s machine gaming business revenue, revenues to lotteries and, therefore, the Company’s lottery business revenue, and revenues to the Company’s online casino and sports book partners and, therefore, the Company’s sports betting and digital business revenue.
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the resulting unfavorable economic conditions have also impacted and could continue to impact, the ability of the Company’s customers to make timely payments. These unfavorable conditions have caused, and could in the future cause, some of the Company’s customers to close casinos and gaming halls, decrease spending on marketing of or purchases of products or declare bankruptcy, which would adversely affect the Company’s business. The COVID-19 pandemic has also resulted in significant volatility in both the credit and equity markets, negatively impacting general economic conditions. The difficulty or inability of the Company’s customers to generate or obtain adequate levels of capital to finance their ongoing operations may reduce their ability to purchase the Company’s products and services. In the Company’s lottery business, difficult economic conditions may contribute to reductions in spending on marketing by customers and, in certain instances, less favorable terms under contracts, as many of the Company’s customers face budget shortfalls and seek to cut costs.
Slow growth or declines in the replacement of gaming machines, slow growth of new gaming jurisdictions or slow addition of casinos and gaming halls in existing jurisdictions may have an adverse impact on the Company
Demand for the Company’s machine gaming products and services is driven by the replacement of existing gaming machines in casinos and gaming halls, the establishment of new jurisdictions, the opening of additional casinos and gaming halls in existing jurisdictions, and the expansion of existing casinos and gaming halls. Slow growth or declines in the replacement cycle of gaming machines resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced and may continue to reduce the demand for the Company’s products and negatively impact the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
The opening of new casinos and gaming halls, expansion of existing casinos and gaming halls, and replacement of existing gaming machines in existing casinos and gaming halls fluctuate with demand, economic conditions, regulatory approvals, and
the availability of financing, and have been, and could continue to be, adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the expansion of gaming into new jurisdictions can be a protracted process. Any of these factors could delay, restrict, or prohibit the expansion of the Company’s business and negatively impact the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
The Company is subject to substantial penalties for failure to perform
The Company’s Italian licenses, lottery contracts in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions, and other service contracts often require performance bonds or letters of credit to secure its performance under such contracts and require the Company to pay substantial monetary liquidated damages in the event of non-performance by the Company.
At June 30, 2021, the Company had outstanding performance bonds and letters of credit in an aggregate amount of approximately $1.1 billion. These instruments present a potential for expense for the Company and divert financial resources from other uses. Claims on performance bonds, drawings on letters of credit, and payment of liquidated damages could individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
Slow growth or declines in the lottery and gaming markets could lead to lower revenues for the Company
The Company’s future success will depend, in part, on the success of the lottery industry and the gaming industry in attracting and retaining new players in the face of increased competition in the entertainment and gaming markets, as well as the Company's own success in developing innovative services, products and distribution methods/systems to achieve this goal. In addition, there is a risk that new products and services may replace existing products and services and the Company's customers might acquire or develop competencies that reduce their dependencies on the Company's product and services. The replacement of old products and services with new products and services may offset the overall growth of sales of the Company. A failure by the Company to achieve these goals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
Brexit has created uncertainty that could impact the Company's operations, business, financial condition, or prospects
The U.K. exited the E.U. on January 31, 2020, which commenced a transition period through December 31, 2020, during which the U.K. continued to apply E.U. laws and regulations and the trading relationship between the U.K. and the E.U. remained the same. In December 2020, the U.K. and E.U. announced they had entered into a post-Brexit deal (the “Post-Brexit Trade Agreement”) on certain aspects of trade and other strategic and political issues and on January 1, 2021, the U.K. left the European Union Single Market and Customs Union. The Post-Brexit Trade Agreement offers U.K. and E.U. companies preferential access to each other’s markets, ensuring imported goods will be free of tariffs and quotas; however, economic relations between the U.K. and the E.U. will now be on more restricted terms than existed previously. While the Post-Brexit Trade Agreement provides some clarity regarding future relationship between the U.K. and the E.U., uncertainties remain and further negotiations are expected. The continued uncertainty following the U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U. could adversely affect business activity, restrict the movement of capital and the mobility of personnel and otherwise impair political stability and economic conditions in the U.K., the EU and elsewhere. Because the Company maintains significant operations in the E.U., any of these developments could have a material adverse effect on its business, future operations, operating results and cash flows.
The Company’s success depends in large part on its ability to develop and manage frequent introductions of innovative products and the ability to respond to technological changes
The Company must continually introduce and successfully market new games and technologies to remain competitive and effectively stimulate customer demand. The process of developing new products is inherently complex and uncertain. It requires accurate anticipation of changing customer needs and end-user preferences as well as emerging technological trends. If the Company's competitors develop new game content and technologically innovative products and the Company fails to keep pace, its business could be adversely affected. In addition, if the Company fails to accurately anticipate customer needs and end-user preferences through the development of new products and technologies, the Company could lose business to its competitors, which would adversely affect its results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects. The Company intends to continue investing resources in research and development. There is no assurance that its investments in research and development will guarantee successful products. The Company invests heavily in product development in various disciplines: platform hardware, platform software, digital services, content (game) design and casino software systems. Because the Company’s newer products are generally more technologically sophisticated than those it has produced in the past, the Company must continually refine its design, development, and delivery capabilities across all channels to ensure product innovation. If the Company cannot efficiently adapt its processes and infrastructure to meet the needs of its product innovations, its results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects could be negatively impacted.
If the Company is unable to protect its intellectual property or prevent its unauthorized use by third parties, its ability to compete in the market may be harmed
The Company protects its intellectual property to ensure that its competitors do not use such intellectual property. However, intellectual property laws in the U.S., Italy, and in other jurisdictions may afford differing and limited protection, may not permit the Company to gain or maintain a competitive advantage, and may not prevent its competitors from duplicating its products, designing around its patented products, or gaining access to its proprietary information and technology.
The Company may not be able to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of its technical knowledge or trade secrets. For example, there can be no assurance that consultants, vendors, partners, former employees, or current employees will not breach their obligations regarding non-disclosure and restrictions on use. In addition, anyone could seek to challenge, invalidate, circumvent, or render unenforceable any of the Company's patents. The Company cannot provide assurance that any pending or future patent applications it holds will result in an issued patent, or that, if patents are issued, they would necessarily provide meaningful protection against competitors and competitive technologies or adequately protect the Company’s then-current technologies. The Company may not be able to detect the unauthorized use of its intellectual property, prevent breaches of its cybersecurity efforts, or take appropriate steps to enforce its intellectual property rights effectively. In addition, certain contractual provisions, including restrictions on use, copying, transfer, and disclosure of software, may be unenforceable under the laws of certain jurisdictions.
The Company’s success may depend in part on its ability to obtain trademark protection for the names or symbols under which it markets its products and to obtain copyright protection and patent protection of its technologies and game innovations. The Company may not be able to build and maintain goodwill in its trademarks or obtain trademark or patent protection, and there can be no assurance that any trademark, copyright, or issued patent will provide competitive advantages for the Company or that the Company’s intellectual property will not be successfully challenged or circumvented by competitors.
The Company intends to enforce its intellectual property rights, and from time to time may initiate claims against third parties that it believes are infringing its intellectual property rights. Litigation brought to protect and enforce the Company’s intellectual property rights could be costly, time-consuming, and distracting to management, could fail to obtain the results sought, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
If the Company is unable to license intellectual property from third parties, its ability to compete in the market may be harmed
The Company licenses intellectual property rights from third parties. If such third parties do not properly maintain or enforce the intellectual property rights underlying such licenses, or if such licenses are terminated or expire without being renewed, the Company could lose the right to use the licensed intellectual property, which could adversely affect its competitive position or its ability to commercialize certain of its technologies, products, or services.
In addition, some of the Company’s most popular games and features are based on trademarks, patents and other intellectual property licensed from third parties. The Company’s future success may depend upon its ability to obtain, retain and/or expand licenses for popular intellectual property rights with reasonable terms in a competitive market. If the Company cannot renew and/or expand existing licenses, it may be required to discontinue or limit its use of the games or gaming machines that use the licensed technology or bear the licensed marks, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
Third party intellectual property infringement claims against the Company could limit its ability to compete effectively
The Company cannot provide assurance that its products do not infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. Infringement and other intellectual property claims and proceedings brought against the Company, whether successful or not, are costly, time-consuming and distracting to management, and could harm the Company's reputation. In addition, intellectual property claims and proceedings could require the Company to do one or more of the following: (1) cease selling or using any of its products that allegedly incorporate the infringed intellectual property, (2) pay substantial damages, (3) obtain a license from the third-party owner, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all, (4) rebrand or rename its products, and (5) redesign its products to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties, which may not be possible and, if possible, could be costly, time-consuming, or result in a less effective product. A successful claim against the Company could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
The Company’s business may be adversely affected by lower cost of entry into the gaming industry
As a result of developments in digital and internet gaming, the cost of entry to the gaming market has decreased significantly. This has resulted in a highly competitive environment. Digital and internet gaming have emerged as substantial methods of competition from existing competitors and, increasingly, new competitors as a result of the lower cost of entry. The increased competition may result in increased pricing pressures on a number of the Company’s products and services, and may impact the Company’s results and financial position.
Divestitures may materially adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
From time to time, the Company may pursue divestitures in support of its strategic goals. For example, on May 10, 2021, the Parent’s wholly-owned subsidiary, IGT Lottery S.p.A. (formerly Lottomatica Holding S.r.l), completed the sale of its Italian B2C gaming machine, sports betting, and digital gaming businesses to Gamenet Group S.p.A. Divestitures involve risks, including difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products and personnel, the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns, the disruption of business, the potential loss of key employees and the retention of uncertain contingent liabilities related to the divested business. The Company may not be successful in managing these or any other significant risks that it encounters in any divestiture the Company may undertake, and any such divestiture could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and may also result in a diversion of management attention, operational difficulties and losses. Further, there can be no assurance whether the strategic benefits and expected financial impact of any divestiture will be achieved.
The Company’s inability to successfully complete and integrate future acquisitions could limit its future growth or otherwise be disruptive to its ongoing business
From time to time, the Company expects it will pursue acquisitions in support of its strategic goals. There can be no assurance that acquisition opportunities will be available on acceptable terms or at all or that the Company will be able to obtain necessary financing or regulatory approvals to complete potential acquisitions. The Company’s ability to succeed in implementing its strategy will depend to some degree upon the ability of its management to identify, complete and successfully integrate commercially viable acquisitions. Acquisition transactions may disrupt the Company’s ongoing business and distract management from other responsibilities. Further, the Company may incur unexpected costs, or fail to realize expected benefits from such acquisitions. In connection with any such acquisitions, the Company could face significant challenges in managing and integrating its expanded or combined operations, including acquired assets, operations, and personnel.
The Company faces reputational risks related to the use of social media
The Company frequently uses social media platforms as marketing tools. These platforms provide the Company, as well as individuals, with access to a broad audience of consumers and other interested persons. Negative commentary regarding the Company or the products it sells may be posted on social media platforms and similar devices at any time and may be adverse to the Company’s reputation or business. Further, as laws and regulations rapidly evolve to govern the use of social media, the failure by the Company, its employees or third parties acting at the Company's direction to abide by applicable laws and regulations in the use of these platforms and devices could adversely impact the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations or subject it to fines or other penalties.
Legal and Compliance Risks
Changing enforcement of the Wire Act may negatively impact the Company's operations, business, financial condition, or prospects
On January 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) published an opinion (the "2019 Opinion") reversing its previously-issued opinion (the "2011 Opinion") that the Wire Act, which prohibits several types of wager-related communications over a “wire communications facility,” was applicable only to sports betting. The 2019 Opinion interprets the Wire Act as applying to other forms of gambling that cross state lines, though the precise scope of the 2019 Opinion is unclear, and the DOJ has not yet addressed how it plans to enforce the Wire Act in light of the 2019 Opinion. Further, the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and certain private parties commenced litigation in federal district court in New Hampshire challenging the 2019 Opinion. In response to this and other lawsuits, the DOJ issued a memorandum in April 2019 acknowledging that the 2019 Opinion did not consider whether the Wire Act applies to State lotteries and their vendors, and the DOJ is now considering this issue. In connection with such acknowledgment, the DOJ also extended the non-prosecution period for State lotteries and their vendors indefinitely while they consider the question. If the DOJ concludes that the Wire Act does apply to State lotteries and/or their vendors, they would extend the non-prosecution period for an additional period of 90 days after the DOJ publicly announces such position.
On June 3, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and opined that the Wire Act applies only to sports betting and related activities (the “NH Decision”). The NH Decision also set aside the 2019 Opinion leaving the 2011 Opinion as the DOJ's only stated opinion on the subject. On August 16, 2019, the DOJ filed a Notice of Appeal with respect to the NH Decision. On January 20, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed in part the NH Decision (the “First Circuit Decision”). The First Circuit Decision also vacated the portion of the NH Decision that set aside the 2019 Opinion. The DOJ had until June 21, 2021 to file a petition for writ of certiorari seeking review by the U.S. Supreme Court. However, the DOJ let that deadline pass without filing a writ or seeking an extension. Accordingly, the First Circuit Decision is final and unappealable. It is unclear when the DOJ will conclude its consideration of whether the Wire Act applies to State lotteries and their vendors, or whether other courts would come to the same conclusions set forth in the NH Decision and the First Circuit Decision. The Company’s management is evaluating the First Circuit Decision, the 2019 Opinion, and their implications to the Company, its customers, and the industries in which the Company operates. If the Wire Act is broadly interpreted and enforced to prohibit activities in which the Company and its customers are engaged, the Company could be subject to investigations, criminal and civil penalties, sanctions and/or other remedial measures and/or the Company may be required to substantially change the way it conducts its business, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
The Company faces risks related to the extensive and complex governmental regulation applicable to its operations
The Company’s activities are subject to extensive and complex governmental regulation, including restrictions on advertising, increases in or differing interpretations by authorities on taxation, limitations on the use of cash, and anti-money laundering compliance procedures. These regulatory requirements are constantly evolving and may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In particular, the Italian government has recently banned gaming advertising and significantly raised gaming taxes. Any changes in the legal or regulatory framework or other changes, such as increases in the taxation of sports betting or gaming, changes in the compensation paid to licensees, or increases in the number of licenses, authorizations, or licenses awarded to the Company's competitors, could materially affect its profitability.
In addition, in the U.S. and in many international jurisdictions where the Company currently operates or seeks to do business, lotteries, sports betting, and gaming are not permitted unless expressly authorized by law. The successful implementation of the Company’s growth strategy and its business could be materially adversely affected if jurisdictions that do not currently authorize lotteries, sports betting, or gaming do not approve such activities or if those jurisdictions that currently authorize lotteries, sports betting, or gaming do not continue to permit such activities.
Investigations by governmental and licensing entities can result in adverse findings or negative publicity
From time to time, the Company is subject to extensive background investigations, and other investigations of various types are conducted by governmental and licensing authorities with respect to applicable gaming regulations. These regulations and investigations vary from time to time and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction where the Company operates. Because the Company’s reputation for integrity is an important factor in its business dealings with lottery and other governmental agencies, a governmental allegation or a finding of improper conduct by or attributable to the Company in any manner, the prolonged investigation of these matters by governmental or regulatory authorities, and/or the adverse publicity resulting therefrom could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects, including its ability to retain existing contracts or to obtain new or renewed contracts, both in the subject jurisdiction and elsewhere.
Failure to comply with data privacy laws, including the GDPR could result in significant penalties
The GDPR came into effect on May 25, 2018, expanding the rules on using personal data and increasing the risks of processing personal data compared to prior legislation and introducing new obligations on data controllers and rights for data subjects, including, among others:
•accountability and transparency requirements, which will require data controllers to demonstrate and record compliance with the GDPR and to provide more detailed information to data subjects regarding processing;
•enhanced data consent requirements, which includes "explicit" consent in relation to the processing of sensitive data;
•obligations to consider data privacy as any new products or services are developed and limit the amount of information collected, processed, and stored as well as its accessibility;
•constraints on using data to profile data subjects;
•providing data subjects with personal data in a usable format on request and erasing personal data in certain circumstances; and
•reporting of breaches without undue delay (72 hours where feasible).
Other jurisdictions in which the Company operates have implemented, or are considering implementing, data privacy laws similar to the GDPR. Several of the Parent’s subsidiaries, particularly those in Italy, deal with a significant amount of employee and customer personal data. There is a risk that the Company's policies and procedures for compliance with data privacy laws, including the GDPR will not be implemented correctly or that individuals within the Company will not be fully compliant with the new procedures. Failure to comply with data privacy laws may have serious financial consequences to the Company. For example, failure to comply with the GDPR may lead to fines for data breaches of up to the maximum of either €20 million or 4% of worldwide annual revenue, and the Company could face significant administrative sanctions and reputational damage that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
The Company is exposed to significant risks in relation to compliance with anti-corruption laws and regulations and economic sanction programs
Doing business on a worldwide basis requires the Company to comply with the laws and regulations of various jurisdictions. In particular, the Company's operations are subject to anti-corruption laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and other anti-corruption laws that apply in countries where the Company operates. Other laws and regulations applicable to the Company control trade by imposing economic sanctions on countries and persons and creating customs requirements and currency exchange regulations. The Company's continued global expansion, including in countries which lack a developed legal system or have high levels of corruption, increases the risk of actual or alleged violations of such laws.
The Company cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which its operations might be subject or the manner in which such laws might be administered or interpreted.
There can be no assurance that the policies and procedures the Company has implemented have been or will be followed at all times or will effectively detect and prevent violations of these laws by one or more of the Company's directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents, joint-venture partners or other third-party partners. As a result, the Company could be subject to investigations, criminal and civil penalties, sanctions and/or other remedial measures that in turn could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition.
Negative perceptions and publicity surrounding the gaming industry could lead to increased gaming regulation
The popularity and acceptance of gaming is influenced by prevailing social attitudes toward gaming, and changes in social attitudes toward gaming could result in reduced acceptance of gaming as a leisure activity. Further, from time to time, the gaming industry is exposed to negative publicity related to gaming behavior, gaming by minors, the presence of gaming machines in too many locations, risks related to digital gaming and alleged association with money laundering. Publicity regarding problem gaming and other concerns with the gaming industry, even if not directly connected to the Company, could adversely impact its business, results of operations, and financial condition. For example, if the perception develops that the gaming industry is failing to address such concerns adequately, the resulting political pressure may result in the industry becoming subject to increased regulation and restrictions on operations. Such an increase in regulation could adversely impact the Company's results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
Changes to U.S. and foreign tax laws could adversely affect the Company
The Company is subject to tax laws in the U.S. and several foreign tax jurisdictions and judgment is required in determining the Company’s global provision for income taxes. While the Company believes its tax positions are consistent with the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it conducts business, it is possible that these positions may be overturned by tax authorities, which may have a significant impact on the Company’s global provision for income taxes.
Furthermore, changes in tax laws or regulations may be proposed or enacted that could significantly affect the Company’s overall tax expense. For example, on December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation through the Tax Act, which significantly changed the U.S. corporate income tax system and has had a meaningful impact on the Company’s provision for income taxes. The Tax Act made broad changes to the U.S. federal income tax code, including reducing the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, imposing limitations on the Company’s ability to deduct interest expense for tax purposes, creating a new minimum tax on GILTI, and creating BEAT, among many other complex provisions.
In addition, tax authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the tax positions of companies. Many countries in the E.U., as well as a number of other countries and organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, are actively considering changes to existing tax laws that, if enacted, could increase the Company’s tax obligations in countries where it does business. If U.S. or other foreign tax authorities change applicable tax laws, the Company’s overall taxes could increase, and its results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects may be adversely affected.
The Company may be subject to an unfavorable outcome with respect to pending regulatory, tax, or other legal proceedings, which could result in substantial monetary damages or other harm to the Company
The Company is involved in a number of legal, regulatory, tax, and arbitration proceedings including claims by and against it as well as injunctions by third parties arising out of the ordinary course of its business and is subject to investigations and compliance inquiries related to its ongoing operations. It is difficult to estimate accurately the outcome of any proceeding. As such, the amounts of the Company’s provision for litigation risks could vary significantly from the amounts the Company may be asked to pay or ultimately pay in any such proceeding. In addition, unfavorable resolution of or significant delay in adjudicating such proceedings could require the Company to pay substantial monetary damages or penalties and/or incur costs that may exceed any provision for litigation risks or, under certain circumstances, cause the termination or revocation of the relevant license or authorization and thereby have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
Operational Risks
The Company faces supply chain risks that could adversely affect its financial results
The Company purchases most of the parts, components, and subassemblies necessary for its lottery terminals and electronic gaming machines from outside sources. The Company outsources all the manufacturing and assembly of certain lottery terminals and portions of other products to third-party vendors. The Company’s operating results could be adversely affected if one or more of its manufacturing and assembly outsourcing vendors fails to meet production schedules. Disruptions and delays could adversely affect our suppliers’ ability to meet production schedules.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, disruptions throughout its supply chain. In particular, the Company has been adversely impacted by a shortage in the supply of electronic components necessary for the manufacture of gaming machines. These shortages have required the Company to adjust some of its delivery schedules, and could cause the Company to be unable to meet demand for its products, leading to a reduction in potential sales. The Company cannot provide assurance as to how long it will be impacted by the shortage in electronic components, or whether it will in the future face shortages of other parts, components or subassemblies necessary for the manufacture of any of its finished products. Furthermore, supply chain constraints have also generally led to an increase in the cost of supplies. The Company may not be able to pass these increased costs on to customers, which may lead to decreased profit margins. As a result, the Company's results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects could be adversely affected by these supply chain disruptions, or any future supply chain disruptions.
The Company’s management believes that if a supply contract with one of its vendors were to be terminated or breached, it may take time to replace such vendor under some circumstances and any replacement parts, components, or subassemblies may be more expensive, which could reduce the Company’s margins. Depending on a number of factors, including the Company’s available inventory of replacement parts, components or subassemblies, the time it takes to replace a vendor may result in a delay for a customer. Further, supply chain constraints and shortages could cause the Company’s existing vendors to be unable to meet supply commitments, which may cause delays in the Company’s ability to meet its delivery schedules. Generally, if the Company fails to meet its delivery schedules under its contracts, it may be subject to substantial penalties or liquidated damages, or contract termination, which in turn could adversely affect the Company's results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
Failure to attract, retain and motivate personnel may adversely affect the Company's ability to compete
The Company's ability to attract and retain key management, product development, finance, marketing, and research and development personnel, and its ability to attract and maintain a diverse workforce, is directly linked to the Company's continued success. Particularly in the lottery and gaming industries, the market for qualified executives and highly-skilled technical workers is intensely competitive, and the loss of key employees or an inability to hire a sufficient number of technical staff could limit the Company's ability to develop successful products and could cause delays in getting new products to market.
The Company’s business prospects and future success rely heavily upon the integrity of its employees, directors and agents
The Company strives to set exacting standards of personal integrity for its employees and directors and its reputation in this regard is an important factor in its business dealings with lottery, gaming, and other governmental agencies. For this reason, an allegation or a finding of improper conduct on the Company’s part, or on the part of one or more of its current or former employees, directors or agents, or the failure to detect fraudulent activity by employees in a timely manner, could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects, including its ability to retain or renew existing contracts or obtain new contracts.
For example, in October 2020, the Italian Tax Police announced that it is investigating alleged misconduct by a small number of the Company’s former employees. The alleged misconduct involved unauthorized access to the Company’s lottery system in Italy in order to identify and redeem winning scratch-off lottery tickets. The investigation has since progressed with the Italian prosecutor serving notice of pending indictments on several individuals connected to this matter including the Company’s former employees. The investigation also has led to the initiation of other governmental reviews and inspections, including by the Italian lottery regulator. The Company is fully cooperating with the Italian Tax Police and other regulators in order to facilitate their reviews and has taken proactive steps to ensure the integrity of the Company’s games and to protect the interests of the Company’s customers. The Company has also taken measures to review its operational systems and processes designed to prevent fraudulent activities and remains focused on ensuring its business is conducted at the highest levels of integrity. Nevertheless, the investigation (including any adverse impact on the perceived integrity and security of the Company’s products and systems) could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects, including its ability to retain or renew existing contracts or obtain new contracts.
The success of the Company’s business is dependent on customers’ confidence in the integrity of the Company’s products and systems
The real and perceived integrity and security of the Company’s products and systems are critical to its ability to attract customers and players. In the event of an actual or alleged defect in a Company product or unauthorized access of a Company system, the Company’s existing and prospective customers may lose confidence in the integrity and security of the Company’s products and systems. Such a failure could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition or prospects, including its ability to attract new customers and retain its existing customers.
The Company and its operations are subject to cyber-attacks and cyber-security risks which may have an adverse effect on its business and results of operations and result in increasing costs to minimize these risks
The Company's business involves the storage and transmission of confidential business and personal information, and theft and security breaches may expose the Company to a risk of loss of, or improper use and disclosure of, such information, which may result in significant litigation expenses and liability exposure. Cyber-attacks on businesses are becoming more frequent, and increasingly more difficult to anticipate and prevent due to their rapidly evolving nature. The Company continues to experience cyber-attacks of varying degrees and phishing attacks on a regular basis. To date, the Company has not suffered any material losses as a result of such attacks. The Company's internal policies and procedures may not be able to prevent or detect every cyber-attack or reduce all negative effects they may cause. In addition, the Company's insurance policies may not be sufficient to mitigate all potential negative effects of a cyber-attack.
Any systems failure or compromise of the Company's security that results in the release of confidential business or personal information could seriously harm the Company's reputation and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
The Company's security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance, system errors or vulnerabilities, including vulnerabilities of the Company's subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, or otherwise. Such breach could result in significant reputational, legal, and financial liability, and may potentially have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently, become more sophisticated, and often are not recognized until launched against a target, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Additionally, cyber-attacks could also compromise trade secrets and other sensitive information and result in such information being disclosed to others and becoming less valuable, which could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
The Company may face decreased operational efficiency and productivity due to measures taken to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The outbreak of COVID-19 caused the Company and certain of its suppliers, to implement temporary measures to ensure continued operations. At the onset of the pandemic, the Company took measures to monitor and reduce the impact of the outbreak on its operations, including establishing a cross-functional global crisis management team, protocols for responding when employees are infected, and enhanced cleaning procedures at all sites requiring employees to be present. Most employees were required to work remotely. As the pandemic evolves, the Company is now focusing on continuous global pandemic monitoring and vaccination strategies in countries in which it does business, as well as employee wellness and future of work strategies for “return to work”. The Company also took measures to reduce operating costs and ensure liquidity given the uncertain impact of COVID-19 on revenue, deferred non-critical capital expenditures, implemented a number of employee-related actions, and may in the future implement further actions. However, longer term impacts of the pandemic on the Company’s operations, customers, and employees will likely continue to affect the Company. The Company may still
experience lower work efficiency and productivity among teams which traditionally require high levels of collaboration and interaction, which may adversely affect its service responsiveness and may interfere with the Company’s growth strategies. Further, its business operations could be disrupted at any time if any of the Company’s employees are suspected of infection, since this may cause its employees to be quarantined and/or its offices to be temporarily shut down. The Company will continue to incur costs for its operations, and its revenues during this period are difficult to predict. As a result of the above developments, the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the Company connects with customers, as many in-person trade shows and conferences have been canceled, requiring sales teams and executives to meet with customers virtually. If the Company is unable to effectively adapt to these new methods of connecting with customers, or if these new methods prove to be less effective than the Company’s traditional methods of operation, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Failures in technology may disrupt the Company’s business and have an adverse effect on its results of operations
The Company’s success depends on its ability to avoid, detect, replicate, and correct software and hardware defects and fraudulent manipulation of its products. The Company incorporates security features into the design of its products which are designed to prevent its customers and players from being defrauded. The Company also monitors its software and hardware in an effort to avoid, detect and correct any technical errors. However, there can be no guarantee that the Company’s security features or technical efforts will continue to be effective in the future.
In addition, any disruption in the Company’s network or telecommunications services, or those of third parties that the Company uses in its operations, could affect the Company’s ability to operate its systems, which could result in reduced revenues and customer downtime. The Company’s network and databases of business and customer information, including intellectual property and other proprietary business information and those of third parties the Company uses, are susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, break-ins, cyber-attacks, network penetration, data privacy or security breaches, denial of service attacks, and similar events, including inadvertent dissemination of information due to increased use of social media. Disruptions with such systems could result in a wide range of negative outcomes, including devaluation of the Company’s intellectual property, increased expenditures on data security, and costly litigation and potential payment of liquidated damages, each of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
Financial Risks
Covenants in the Company’s debt agreements may limit its ability to pay dividends, repurchase shares and operate its business, and the Company’s breach of such covenants could materially and adversely affect its results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects
Certain of the Company’s debt agreements require it to comply with covenants that may limit the Company’s ability to:
•pay dividends and repurchase shares;
•acquire assets of other companies or acquire, merge or consolidate with other companies;
•dispose of assets;
•incur indebtedness; and
•grant security interests in its assets.
The Company’s ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond its control, such as prevailing economic, financial, regulatory and industry conditions. These covenants may limit its ability to react to market conditions or take advantage of potential business opportunities. Further, a breach of such covenants could, if not cured or waived, result in acceleration of its indebtedness, result in the enforcement of security interests or force the Company into bankruptcy or liquidation. Such a breach or any failure to otherwise timely repay outstanding indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects.
On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to amend its Senior Revolving Credit Facilities Agreement (the “RCF Amendment”) and on May 8, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to amend its Senior Term Loan Facility Agreement (the TLF Amendment, and together with the RCF Amendment, the “Amendments”) to provide temporary relief from its financial covenants. The Amendments modified the RCF Agreement and the TLF Agreement by, among other things:
•Providing a waiver of the covenants requiring the Company to maintain a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net interest costs and a maximum ratio of total net debt to EBITDA from the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2020 through the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2021 and establishing new thresholds for these financial covenants starting with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2021 as described in the Amendments;
•Providing that for the period commencing on January 30, 2020 and expiring on August 31, 2021 (the “Relief Period Expiration Date”), a material adverse effect arising from the COVID-19 pandemic shall not constitute a material adverse effect under the agreements and any cessation or suspension of business arising from the COVID-19 pandemic shall not constitute an event of default under the agreements;
•Providing that the obligation to grant security over additional collateral be waived provided that the public debt ratings of the Company are not less than BB- or Ba3;
•Obligating the Company to maintain “Liquidity” (as defined in the amendments) of at least $500 million for the period commencing on the date of the amendments and expiring on the Relief Period Expiration Date (the “Relief Period”), with such financial covenant being tested quarterly or, if any monthly trading update or quarterly compliance certificate evidences that Liquidity is less than $750 million, monthly;
•Increasing the margin from 2.75% to 3.25% if the public debt ratings of the Company are B+ or B1 (or lower);
•Prohibiting restricted payments (including dividends and ordinary share repurchases) during the period commencing on April 1, 2020 and expiring on June 30, 2021, and permitting restricted payments during the period commencing on July 1, 2021 and expiring on the maturity date of the respective agreements provided that the ratio of total net debt to EBITDA as adjusted to reflect the restricted payment is less than specified thresholds; and
•Decreasing the maximum annual amount that the Company can spend on acquisitions during the Relief Period to $100 million.
In addition, the amendment to the RCF Agreement provided that the margin applicable to all loans under the RCF Agreement outstanding as of April 11, 2020 was increased to 2.475%, and the amendment to the TLF Agreement provided that the margin applicable to all loans under the TLF Agreement outstanding as of April 11, 2020 was increased to 2.50%.
The Company may incur additional impairment charges
The Company reviews its amortizable intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. Factors that may indicate a change in circumstances, such that the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill, amortizable intangible assets, or other non-amortizing assets may not be recoverable, include a decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization, reduced future cash flow estimates, and slower growth rates in industry segments in which the Company participates. The Company may be required to record a significant charge in its consolidated financial statements during the period in which any impairment of goodwill or intangible assets is determined, which would negatively affect the Company’s results of operations. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting unfavorable social, political, economic, and financial conditions, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment assessment in the three months ended March 31, 2020, which resulted in a $296 million goodwill impairment charge reducing the value of its former International and North America Gaming and Interactive segments. While during the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company did not identify the occurrence of any triggering events that would indicate that the fair value of any reporting units may be below its carrying amount, the Company cannot provide assurance that future changes will not require additional material impairment charges in any of its business segments in the future. For more information on the assessment and the goodwill impairment charge, see “Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 1. Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)—Note 11. Goodwill” included herein.
Unfavorable economic and business conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact the Company’s ability to remain in compliance with its financial covenants
In order to remain in compliance with the Company’s debt covenants and meet its payment obligations, the Company entered into the Amendments to provide temporary relief from its financial covenants. Please refer to “Covenants in the Company’s debt agreements may limit its ability to pay dividends, repurchase shares and operate its business, and the Company’s breach of such covenants could materially and adversely affect its results of operations, business, financial condition, or prospects” above for more information regarding the details of the Amendments.
Unfavorable economic and business conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted, and could continue to impact the Company’s business. For example, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most casinos and gaming halls throughout the globe closed in the first half of 2020, and some casinos and gaming halls remain closed. The closure and restriction on operations of casinos and gaming halls significantly disrupted the Company’s ability to generate revenues. If the Company is unable to generate machine gaming and other revenue due to closures of casinos and gaming halls, this would negatively impact its ability to remain in compliance with its financial covenants and meet its payment obligations even after the Amendments.
If the Company is unable to meet its financial covenants or in the event some other event of default arises, the Company’s lenders could exercise certain remedies, including declaring the principal of and accrued interest on all outstanding indebtedness due and payable and terminating all remaining commitments and obligations. Although the lenders under the Company’s Senior Revolving Credit Facilities Agreement and Senior Term Loan Facility Agreement could waive the defaults or forebear the exercise of remedies, they would not be obligated to do so. Such default may also result in the acceleration of any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. Failure to obtain such a waiver in the future would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks related to the Loyalty Voting Structure
The Parent's controlling shareholder and loyalty voting structure may limit other shareholders' ability to influence corporate decisions
At June 30, 2021, De Agostini had an economic interest of approximately 50.40% and, due to its election to exercise the special voting shares associated with its ordinary shares pursuant to the loyalty plan, a voting interest in the Parent of approximately 64.98% of the total voting rights. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” in the Company’s 2020 Form 20-F for additional information. This shareholder may make decisions with which other shareholders may disagree, including, among other things, delaying, discouraging, or preventing a change of control of the Company or a potential merger, consolidation, tender offer, takeover, or other business combination and may also prevent or discourage shareholders’ initiatives aimed at changes in the Parent’s management.
The tax consequences of the loyalty voting structure are uncertain
No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority has provided public guidance in respect of the special voting shares of the Parent and as a result, the tax consequences of owning such shares are uncertain. The fair market value of the Parent's special voting shares, which may be relevant to the tax consequences of owning, acquiring, or disposing of such shares, is a factual determination and is not governed by any guidance that directly addresses such a situation. Because, among other things, (i) the special voting shares are not transferable (other than in very limited circumstances as provided for in the loyalty voting structure), (ii) on a winding up or otherwise, the holders of the special voting shares will only be entitled to receive out of the Parent's assets available for distribution to its shareholders, in aggregate, $1, and (iii) loss of the entitlement to instruct the nominee on how to vote in respect of special voting shares will occur without consideration, the Parent believes and intends to take the position that the value of each special voting share is minimal. However, the relevant tax authorities could assert that the value of the special voting shares as determined by the Parent is incorrect. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to treatment of special voting shares. See “Item 10.E Taxation” in the Company’s 2020 Form 20-F for additional information.
The loyalty voting structure may affect the liquidity of the Parent's ordinary shares and reduce their ordinary share price
The loyalty voting structure may limit the liquidity and adversely affect the trading prices of the Parent's ordinary shares. The loyalty voting structure is intended to reward shareholders for maintaining long-term share ownership by granting persons holding ordinary shares continuously for at least three years the option to elect to receive special voting shares. The special voting shares cannot be traded and, immediately prior to the deregistration of ordinary shares from the register of loyalty shares, any corresponding special voting shares shall cease to confer any voting rights in connection with such special voting shares. This loyalty voting structure is designed to encourage a stable shareholder base, but it may deter trading by those shareholders who are interested in gaining or retaining the special voting shares. Therefore, the loyalty voting structure may reduce liquidity in the Parent's ordinary shares and adversely affect their trading price.