Playtech: Slower than expected integration of William Hill causes stocks to fall

[UKDafoe]

The problems with Will Hill's new playtech casino and its new former-CPays casinos have been well documented here over the past months. I found it very amusing to read these news briefs today regarding Playtech's 27% decline this week in its share price:

Shares in Playtech Limited have lost more than 23% of their value this morning after the company said it expects full year trading to fall below current market expectations following a slower than anticipated start to the William Hill Online (WHO) business, as well as the impact of the global economic slowdown on several licensees.

LONDON, July 22 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Deutsche Bank downgrade Playtech Ltd (P2L) from "buy" to "hold." The target price has been reduced from 630p to 420p.

In a research note published this morning, the analysts mention that the company has guided to 2Q results short of the estimates. Playtech’s weak performance is attributable to slower-than-expected integration of its William Hill Online joint venture, the analysts add. The company’s core business is also likely to be negatively impacted going forward by the difficult conditions in the poker segment, Deutsche Bank says. The adjusted EPS for F2009 and F2010 have been reduced from €0.49 to €0.38 and from €0.59 to €0.45, respectively.

[Casinomeister]

How does this have anything to do with Cpays?

They aren't mentioned at all. It's like blaming global warming on the drop in value. We know global warming is a problem, but does this affect the value of Playtech stocks?

...Playtech’s weak performance is attributable to slower-than-expected integration of its William Hill Online joint venture, the analysts add. The company’s core business is also likely to be negatively impacted going forward by the difficult conditions in the poker segment...

[UKDafoe]

Well I suppose I'm making a couple assumptions:

Given the extent and nature of the complaints, WH Online Casino has thus far been just like any of the old CPays casinos it purchased. So I am assuming that WH is letting the old CPays operations manage its new Playtech casino.

Second, that "slower-than-expected integration" really means that far fewer people are playing at the new casino than they expected. If this is the case, I think its a fair assumption that their horrid customer service (a hold over from the CPays Playtechs they bought) has something to do with this.

[Casinomeister]

Is it fair to make assumptions and state in the thread title that this "rogue alliance" is causing their stock value to fall?

Sorry, it's misleading in my opinion and it should be retitled to something more realistic. That's what I'm getting at.

[vinylweatherman]

It might be partly true. By not achieving a rapid integration, they are exposing players to "more of the same", rather than change for the better. New player registrations will decline because some at least will be seeing the talk of the constant problems with the casinos, and avoiding them. Existing players, those who have not experienced significant CS problems, are likely to be depositing less because of the economic downturn.

The City do not much care HOW the money is made, they are interested in actual performance measured against previously set targets. With online gaming, it is probably the economic downturn that is the biggest worry, as even companies who did everything "right" are likely to fail to reach targets.

Sometimes, these sharp falls are due to large investors getting out after the release of news (or after hearing bad news is likely). The shares could regain some (or even all) of these losses as new investors feel they now have the chance to get in at a lower price. Anyone who thinks Will Hill are going to make a roaring success of this alliance when the integration is complete, and the economy recovers, will be buying the shares during these dips in the price.
It is often the case that shares will fall after GOOD news, due to investors taking profits.

If the US decides to regulate, and repeals the UIGEA, there could be significant gains in all publicly traded online gambling stock based on future potential for a return to the "good times".

[Paul@JetCasino]

I'd say that now would be about the time to buy into Playtech if you were ever considering it. 888 shares dropped 30% too after they announced the loss of their Cashcade license, although they're claiming that they have a 3 year deal, meaning Party won't be able to change the products over to their platforms for a good 2 years. Lots of movement in the world of gaming!

[UKDafoe]

Is it fair to make assumptions and state in the thread title that this "rogue alliance" is causing their stock value to fall?

Sorry, it's misleading in my opinion and it should be retitled to something more realistic. That's what I'm getting at.

You're right. My title was a bit sensationalist. No option to edit it now.

[Casinomeister]

Thanks! Changed.