By Mike Cherney


SYDNEY--Australia-based gaming company Aristocrat Leisure said net profit rose in the fiscal first half, driven by record performance in its slot-machine business.

The company also flagged a strategic review of its casual and mid-core digital gaming assets, including Big Fish Games--excluding social casino assets--and Plarium Global.

In the six months through March, Aristocrat said one measure of normalized net profit, or NPATA, rose by 16% to 764 million Australian dollars (US$511 million). On a statutory basis, net profit was A$711 million, a rise of nearly 9%. Revenue rose about 6% to nearly A$3.3 billion.

The company announced an interim dividend of 36 Australian cents per share, compared to 30 cents in the prior year.

Aristocrat also said it would increase its on-market share buyback program by A$350 million.

Aristocrat said the strong performance in its slots business was led by an exceptional result in North America gaming operations, which involves the operation and maintenance of leased gaming machines in casinos. It also said there was strong growth in Aristocrat Interactive, its online real-money gaming business.

Aristocrat's free-to-play digital games unit Pixel United achieved improved profitability despite mixed market conditions, the company said.

Looking ahead, Aristocrat said it expects to deliver full-year NPATA growth. It added that no decisions have been made regarding its strategic review.

"Aristocrat will assess all options to maximize shareholder value and ensure the ongoing success of these businesses going forward," the company said of the review.


Write to Mike Cherney at mike.cherney@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-15-24 1920ET