Australian slot machine giant Aristocrat Leisure Limited saw its profit soar by 81% year-on-year to AU$864.7 million (US$628 million) in FY21, driven by strong growth in its Americas, ANZ and digital segments on the way out of COVID-19.
According to financial information published to the ASX early Thursday morning, group revenue grew 14.4% year-on-year to AU$4.74 billion (US$3.44 billion), with the Americas delivering an AU$416 million (US$302 million) increase in profit, ANZ an AU$70 million (US$51 million) improvement and digital an AU$120 million (US$87 million) increase on the back of social casino operations.
Operating cash flow increased 30.4% to AU$1.33 billion (US$966 million) while Adjusted EBITDA of AU$1.54 billion (US$1.11 billion) was 43% higher year-on-year.
Aristocrat has declared a dividend for the 12 months ended 30 September 2021 of AU$0.26 per share, worth AU$174 million (US$126 million).
“The results and momentum we’ve delivered this year demonstrates the successful execution of our growth strategy,” said Aristocrat CEO and Managing Director, Trevor Croker.
“We continued to take share and deliver above-category organic growth over the year through sustained investment in outstanding product, people and capability, and further strengthening our business fundamentals.
“Our progress is reflected in the share growth and margin expansion achieved across key segments during the year, with industry-leading games and products and further diversification across our Aristocrat Gaming and Pixel United portfolios.
“Aristocrat’s recommended offer to acquire Playtech plc, announced after period end, is another demonstration of our appetite to accelerate the implementation of our strategy through accretive M&A, in particular where it can deliver new capabilities and access to significant growth opportunities. We are focused on achieving necessary approvals, and continue to expect the acquisition to complete in the second quarter of calendar year 2022.
“Aristocrat enters fiscal 2022 with excellent operational momentum, business resilience, and an appetite to continue to invest organically and through M&A to accelerate our growth strategy,”
