The Weather Lottery Losses Mount

Tuesday December 6,2011 : T.W.L. LOSSES MOUNT
 
Online gambling company anticipates pre-tax losses of GBP 740,000 for the year to the end of July.
 
The troubled The Weather Lottery online gambling company's losses just keep mounting, with the latest numbers anticipating pre-tax losses of GBP 740,000 for the year to the end of July following a first half loss of GBP 321,000 and full year losses of GBP 77,000 last time.
 
The company's difficulties have resulted in it postponing the upgrade to its five-a-side facility at the Harvey Hadden Sports Complex in Nottingham.
 
Management reports that losses at FC Betz.com amounting to GBP 267,000 in the first half year, including expensed sponsorship costs of GBP 177,000 and operating losses of GBP 90,000, were reduced in the second half and are now expected to amount to approximately GBP 400,000 for the full year, with club sponsorship expenses now eliminated and consultancy costs significantly reduced.
 
The company has continued to operate the site but at a much reduced level at a break-even or small loss level month on month. After all the enthusiasm over FC Betz, the board does not now consider it to be part of the future of the business and is seeking ways to dispose of it and its assets and database as soon as possible.
 
The core lottery business is expected to report a small profit for the year, despite expenses relating to the fraud committed by former director Keith Millhench  exceeding GBP 100,000 for the year.
 
The company's Devilfish Poker online poker subsidiary recorded losses for the period from December 2010 to the end of July, expected to be in the region of GBP 150,000.