Latest news with #STMLottery
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sports Toto failed to prove Perlis gaming ban decision, says court
The High Court in Kangar refused STM Lottery Sdn Bhd and four others leave to bring judicial proceedings against the Perlis state government, saying the application was 'frivolous'. PETALING JAYA : The Kangar High Court dismissed a bid by Sports Toto Malaysia and four others to revive their gaming business in Perlis, saying the application failed to identify any 'official decision' that could be made subject to judicial review. Justice Arik Sanusi Yeop Johari said the applicants had not identified any decision by the Perikatan Nasional-led state government that had impacted their livelihood. Instead, they relied on printed and online news reports about the state's purported refusal to issue lottery operators licences for business premises, the judge said. 'The applicants only cited printed and online news reports (about the purported decision). 'These news reports cannot be considered an 'official decision' made by the state government, and thus the application is frivolous,' Arik said in a judgment issued last week. The judgment set out the grounds for a decision he had handed down last year. The applicants – STM Lottery Sdn Bhd, Leong Jenn Kiang, Chin Soo Shian, C Santha and Yip Kok Chyun – are appealing the decision to the Court of Appeal. They are seeking to quash the Kangar municipal council's decision not to renew the licences for their business premises, thereby preventing them from operating their lottery business. They contend that matters relating to the issuance of gaming licences are within the purview of federal law. For that reason, they said the state authorities' decision was irrational, ultra vires the powers vested in the municipal council and the state government, and contravened the Federal Constitution. However, Arik said the application for leave to bring judicial review proceedings was bound to fail for lack of a formal decision. The judge added that even if such a decision had been made, the matter was one of policy. 'The court does inquire into policy making decisions,' he said. The applicants' appeal will come up for case management in the Court of Appeal on June 16. Parallel case in Kedah Meanwhile, a High Court in Alor Setar last year quashed the Kedah government's refusal to renew the licences of several pool betting agents, their companies and officers. The court held that the state government had overstepped its powers under the Federal Constitution in doing so. It said pool betting and lotteries were matters within the federal government's purview, and that the state government had no power to ban them. The state government's appeal from that decision was heard by the Court of Appeal on May 26, which has reserved its judgment. The appeal has been fixed for case management on June 24.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Berjaya Corp registers revenue of RM2.54 billion for third quarter of FY25
PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Corporation Bhd (BCorp) recorded revenue of RM2.54 billion and a pre-tax loss of RM8.88 million for the third quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Q3'25) compared to revenue of RM2.78 billion and a pre-tax profit of RM773.66 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. In Q3'25, the retail (non-food) business reported higher revenue, mainly driven by the strong performance of HR. Owen Plc. The increase was attributed to the higher sales volume in both the new and used car sectors. Sales from the new marque, Lotus, which is now represented by HR Owen, contributed to the revenue growth, and the launches of certain new models further supported the improved performance in the quarter. However, when translated into ringgit, the group's reporting currency, revenue growth was dampened by the unfavourable impact of foreign exchange effect. The non-food retail business segment reported a higher pre-tax profit, primarily attributable to HR Owen's improved performance, in line with the increased revenue achieved in the quarter under review. HR Owen's positive performance offset lower results from Cosway's operations, which were impacted by the closure of non-performing stores in certain countries. The retail (food) business reported lower revenue in Q3'25 due to a reduced number of Starbucks cafes in operation compared to the previous year's corresponding quarter, as well as the cessation of Papa John's Pizza operations in the Philippines. A higher pre-tax loss was reported by this business segment in the third quarter of FY25, due to the weaker performance of Kenny Rogers Roasters operations and additional preoperating costs incurred for the group's new overseas operations. The property segment reported a decline in revenue for Q3'25, due to the completion of The Tropika, Bukit Jalil project in the final quarter of the previous financial year. However, this decline was mitigated by higher sales of residential units from a local project. Additionally, the corresponding quarter of the previous year included sales from an overseas residential project. The hospitality segment reported higher revenue in the third quarter of the current financial year mainly due to an increase in overall average occupancy rate, but a higher pre-tax loss, from higher operating expenses. The services segment reported higher revenue in Q3'25, primarily driven by the gaming business operated by STM Lottery Sdn Bhd. STM Lottery recorded stronger revenue growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year, given that the number of draws remained the same in both quarters. The improvement in sales was mainly attributed to an exceptional surge in the accumulated jackpot from the Supreme Toto 6/58 game. The higher revenue from STM Lottery offset lower revenue recorded by the managed telecommunications network services (MTNS) business, as well as the deconsolidation of Naza Enviro Holdings Sdn Bhd and Singapore Institute of Advanced Medicine Holdings Ltd (SIAMH). The higher pre-tax profit in the gaming business operated by STM Lottery was primarily driven by a combination of higher sales and lower prize payouts in the quarter under review. For the nine-month period ended March 31, 2025 (9M25), the group registered revenue of RM6.97 billion and a pre-tax loss of RM149.47 million compared to revenue of RM7.58 billion and pre-tax profit of RM751.65 million in the previous year's corresponding period. For the nine-month period of FY25, the retail segment's food retail business reported lower revenue and a pre-tax loss due to the prolonged impact of ongoing sentiment related to the Middle East conflict, which affected the market dynamics and influenced consumer spending patterns. However, higher revenue was reported by the non-food retail business, mainly due to higher revenue contributions from HR Owen, supported by optimistic demand from the used car sector, as well as contributions from the new marque, Lotus, which is now represented by HR Owen during the financial period. However, the unfavourable foreign exchange effect resulted in a more modest increase in revenue when translated into ringgit. The higher revenue from non-food retail business offset the lower revenue from Cosway's operations. The non-food retail business reported a pre-tax profit contributed by Cosway operations due to the closure of non-performing stores in certain countries and reduced operating costs. The improvement was further supported by a higher gross profit margin, driven by a more favourable product mix. The property segment reported lower revenue and a pre-tax loss in the nine-month period, primarily due to the completion of The Tropika, Bukit Jalil project. The decline was mitigated by the higher sales of residence units from a local project in the current period under review. Additionally, the corresponding period in the previous year had included sales of residential units from an overseas project. Meanwhile, the hospitality segment reported higher revenue and a higher pre-tax profit, mainly attributed to the higher overall occupancy rate. The service segment posted higher revenue contribution, primarily from STM Lottery despite fewer draws conducted in the nine-month period (123 draws versus 126 draws in the previous year's corresponding period). The growth was primarily driven by a surge in tickets sales of the Supreme Toto 6/58 game, following an exceptional increase in its accumulated jackpot. The higher revenue from STM Lottery offset the deconsolidation effects of NEH and SIAMH. The segment reported a higher pre-tax profit mainly due to higher revenue achieved coupled with a lower prize payout by STM Lottery. On future prospects, BCorp said Malaysia's economic growth is expected to be driven by strong domestic demand and the moderation of average inflation rate despite the uncertainties arising from geopolitical tensions and the inflationary tariffs being imposed by the US government. The group will monitor the prevailing global and local political development in the countries where the group has business operations. The performance of the domestic business segments of the group is expected to improve on the back of strong consumer spending and improvement in tourism-related activities. As for the gaming business, it is expected to continue its growth trajectory, in line with the ongoing popularity of its lotto and digit games to achieve commendable results. Taking account of the above and barring any unforeseen circumstances, BCorp directors are cautiously optimistic that the group's business operations will deliver a satisfactory performance for the remaining quarter of the financial year ending June 30 2025.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Sports Toto posts higher Q3, nine-month revenue and pre-tax profit, declares 2 sen interim dividend
PETALING JAYA: Sports Toto Bhd (SPToto) reported revenue of RM1.91 billion for the third quarter ended March 31, 2025, a climb of 12.5% over revenue of RM1.69 billion in the previous year's corresponding quarter. The group registered RM147.5 million pre-tax profit, a commendable improvement of 45.7% from the pre-tax profit of RM101.2 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The improved results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was mainly due to the strong performance of STM Lottery Sdn Bhd and improved performance of HR Owen Plc. STM Lottery's current quarter revenue was higher by 20.8% despite the number of draws that remained the same as in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (42 draws). This was primarily driven by an exceptional surge in the accumulated jackpot from the Supreme Toto 6/58 game. Aligned with the higher revenue achieved and further supported by a lower prize payout, its pre-tax profit rose by 45.8% in the current quarter, as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year. HR Owen's current quarter revenue raised by 14% when compared to the previous year's corresponding quarter mainly attributed to higher sales volumes in both new and used car sectors. Sales from the new marque, Lotus, which is now represented by the company contributed to the revenue increase, while the launches of certain new models also supported the improved performance in this quarter. When converted into ringgit, the revenue growth was only 6.9% due to the unfavourable foreign exchange effect. HR Owen's pre-tax profit increased to RM17.9 million from RM11.3 million in the last year same quarter which aligned with the improved revenue attained. For the nine-month period ended March 31, 2025, SPToto reported revenue of RM4.83 billion, an increase of 3.7% over the revenue of RM4.66 billion reported in the previous year's corresponding period, mainly driven by the both STM Lottery and HR Owen. Pre-tax profit saw an increase of 24.8% to RM298.5 million from RM239.1 million in the corresponding nine-month period of the previous year. STM Lottery reported revenue growth of 6%, despite fewer number of draws conducted in the current period under review (123 draws versus 126 draws in the previous year corresponding period). The growth was primarily driven by a sudden surge in ticket sales from the Supreme Toto 6/58 game when its accumulated jackpot grew exceptionally in the period. In tandem with the revenue growth coupled with lower prize payout, its pre-tax profit increased by 23.6% in the period under review. HR Owen reported an increase in revenue of 6.8% compared to the previous year's corresponding period, supported by optimistic demand from the used car sector as well as contribution from the new marque, Lotus, which is now represented by the company. However, the unfavourable foreign exchange effect resulted in a more modest revenue increase of 2.3% when converted into ringgit. It reported a lower pre-tax loss of RM1.4 million compared to a pre-tax loss of RM4.1 million in the previous year's corresponding period, mainly attributed to the revenue growth as well as lower finance cost incurred following the interest rate reduction in the UK. The board has declared a third interim dividend of 2 sen per share, amounting to about RM26.7 million for the financial year ending June 30 2025. The dividend is payable on July 18 and the entitlement date is fixed on June 30. With this, the total dividend distribution for the financial period ended March 31, 2025 is about RM80.3 million. The directors remain cautiously optimistic that the group's business will remain stable and resilient. The number forecast operation (NFO) business is expected to continue its upward trajectory of per draw sales growth driven by favourable consumer spending and continued consumer interest in the jackpot games. Further with regard to the closure of legal NFO outlets in the two northern states (Kedah and Perlis), the directors are concerned with the continued encroachment of illegal operators in these underserved areas. Despite the prevailing uncertainties and global economy headwinds including trade protectionism and the inflationary tariff impact, the directors are confident that the group will continue its lead in terms of the market share in NFO market and the group's businesses are expected to be encouraging and maintain a positive outlook for the remaining quarter of financial year ending June 30, 2025.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
1,500 runners expected at FT cross country run
KUALA LUMPUR : The Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletic Association Cross Country 2025 is set to be held on July 6 at Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur, with about 1,500 participants expected for its 38th edition. Association president Datuk Seri Dr V. Pulainthiran said the annual race would feature 11 categories, including two road race divisions open to both men and women. Pulainthiran said the event has seen increasing participation each year. 'The entries for school categories increased to 539 participants last year compared with 2023. We also had 81 foreign participants. So, we are hopeful that this year's numbers will grow.' He was speaking at the official launch of the run at Hotel Olympic yesterday. 'We will also continue to host the 15km road race under categories J and K for those who do not wish to participate in the cross-country run.' Pulainthiran expressed gratitude to STM Lottery for its ongoing support of the event. 'I must state that without your strong commitment, hosting such a large-scale event would not be possible. STM Lottery not only sponsors the annual cross-country run but also provides various prizes for many other events organised by the association.' Present at the launch was STM Lottery Sdn Bhd Community and Sustainability general manager Giam Say Khoon. This marks the eighth consecutive year that STM Lottery Sdn Bhd has acted as the event's title sponsor. 'STM Lottery is honoured to once again serve as the title sponsor of this event alongside our trusted partner, the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletic Association. 'Our support for this event goes beyond sponsorship. It reflects our deep commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, nurturing young talent and fostering community spirit through the love of running.' Giam also expressed hope for increased participation this year. 'This year's cross-country promises to be inclusive and exciting, featuring 11 running categories designed for all ages and fitness levels, including the popular 5km Fun Run. More than just a race, this event brings people together, encouraging perseverance, health and unity.' He said more exciting prizes would be up for grabs in this year's lucky draw. Those interested in registering or learning more about the event can visit RaceXAsia at or CheckpointSpot at Early bird registration is open until May 14, with standard rates ranging from RM30 to RM60 per participant.
