Tabcorp to Write Down its Wagering and Media Business by €605M

Tabcorp Holdings is going to write down its wagering and media business by at least AUD 1 billion (€605m) as a result of COVID-19 shutdowns and “the possible acceleration of retail contraction.”

The business made its announcement in a filing to the ASX Exchange, announcing that it has conducted a “review of assets” under which it plans to incur a write-down of $1 billion to $1.1 billion under its financial results for the year ending 30 June 2020.

The expected write-down is based on “potential decline in consumer confidence and increased economic uncertainty” in the wake of the pandemic and “potential acceleration of retail contraction and uncertainty regarding longer-term impacts as an indirect result of the pandemic.”

The operator expects EBITDA to be in the range of $990 million to $1 billion – down from $1.12 billion in 2019, issuing its preliminary unaudited results for the year ended 30 June 2020.

Net income is estimated to range between $267 million and $273 million for the year, excluding the non-cash goodwill impairment charges. This will be a fall of at least 31% from last year’s $396 million net income.

“COVID-19 has materially impacted our Wagering & Media and Gaming Services businesses. We are facing into a challenging and uncertain environment, and the current operating conditions and those expected into the future are relevant factors in assessing the value of the goodwill in those businesses at this time,” David Attenborough, Managing Director and CEO of Tabcorp, said.

“We remain confident in the strength and resilience of Tabcorp’s diversified portfolio of assets and are pleased that integration is now substantially complete. We are focused on supporting our people and partners during these challenging times while ensuring that Tabcorp emerges strongly post COVID-19,” Attenborough added.

Last week, Attenborough stepped down from his role as chief executive after coming under growing pressure from investors over the performance of the company.