EBITDA<\/strong> was AU$217.4m (US$142.4m), an increase of 14.3 per cent due to improved operational efficiency and cost management. Net profit after tax <\/strong>before significant items reached AU$35.7m (US$23.4m), a 61.5 per cent increase compared to the prior-year period. Statutory net profit after tax stood at AU$21.7m (US$14.2m), down 14.2 per cent year-on-year due to significant items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company\u2019s core Wagering and Media division<\/strong> generated revenue of AU$1.25bn (US$820m), up 0.8 per cent, while EBITDA rose 15.8 per cent to AU$181.4m (US$118.9m). Domestic wagering turnover increased 0.3 per cent, with sports betting turnover rising 6.9 per cent and digital in-venue turnover climbing 12.3 per cent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Integrity Services <\/strong>also contributed positively, with revenue growing 4.1 per cent to AU$91.7m (US$60.1m) and EBITDA increasing 7.5 per cent to AU$36m (US$23.6m), driven by higher project activity and inflation-linked fee adjustments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Group operating expenses<\/strong> declined 1.1 per cent to AU$350.2m (US$229.4m), or 3.7 per cent on an underlying basis, helping expand the EBITDA margin by 190 basis points to 16.2 per cent. The company reduced net debt to AU$631.2m (US$413.7m) and lowered leverage to 1.5x, below its target ceiling of 2.5x. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tabcorp has declared an interim dividend of 1.5 cents per share, up 50 per cent year-on-year, payable on March 24, 2026. Looking ahead, the company expects turnover in the second half to remain broadly consistent with the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Managing Director and CEO Gillon McLachlan <\/strong>said: \u201cOur 1H26 results highlight that we are a more consistent company, with greater capability. We\u2019re executing on our game plan while delivering ongoing cost and capital discipline.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s greater depth in our business. I\u2019m proud we\u2019ve delivered double-digit earnings growth in a half where wagering operators were impacted by a run of low yields during the Footy Finals and Spring Racing Carnival.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added: \u201cWe have been able to absorb this through strong execution by the team, particularly on the cost side, and through the diversity in our business. Through TAB and SKY, our digital, retail and media assets are more closely connected, creating a genuine omnichannel experience for our customers and I expect that to evolve further in the second half of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTAB Takeover, TAB Time, Mega Pot and Miss By One products are examples of the differentiation we are creating. There\u2019s more to do and we\u2019re not where we want to be yet, but we have made significant progress in the first half, and we will remain relentless in executing on our strategy in the second half and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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