RNS Number:8116W
Leisure & Gaming plc
12 January 2006

Thursday 12th January 2006



                              Leisure & Gaming plc
                              Pre-Close Statement

Leisure & Gaming plc, (L&G) the online sports betting and casino group, today
issues a Pre-Close Statement before entering a close period for the financial
period ending 31 December 2005.

Following the acquisition of the VIP business in June 2005, L&G has successfully
acquired and commenced the integration of three further e-gaming businesses in
the year to 31 December 2005, including those of Nine.com and English Harbour
which were completed on 6 December 2005. Early stages of the integration of
these businesses are proceeding according to plan and the company will provide
more details of the integration process and expected synergies at the
preliminary results.

Sports margins improved on last year and, although they were adversely affected
by a run of favourites winning in the NFL in late November and early December,
they returned to normalised levels as the year end approached. Over the same
period, the casino business saw an increase in activity and revenues. New
customer sign-ups have been strong across the group with customer acquisition
costs and retention in line with management expectations.  Overall, the Board of
L&G expect adjusted profit before tax to be US$7.1 million on a pro forma full
year basis (including a contribution from Nine.com and English Harbour since
their acquisition on 6 December 2005).

The Group expects to announce its preliminary results for the period ended 31
December 2005 in the last two weeks of March.

Alistair Assheton, Chief Executive of Leisure & Gaming said:

"We are delighted with the development of the group over the last six months
with four acquisitions being successfully completed and the integration of these
businesses proceeding according to plan.

"A record numbers of wagers were placed in 2005, new customers signed up reached
a new high and there was more web site activity than ever. I am pleased with the
progress the group is making and am optimistic about the outlook for 2006. All
of L&G's acquisitions are delivering encouraging performances and trading in the
early days of 2006 has been particularly strong."

Ends

For further information:

Alistair Assheton, Chief Executive                Tel: 020 7831 3113 (today)
Leisure & Gaming plc                                   020 7248 6343(thereafter)

Jonathon Brill/Billy Clegg                        Tel: 020 7831 3113
Financial Dynamics




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

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