Poker machine supplier Aristocrat Leisure sayis it expects continued growth after lifting annual profit by 88 per cent and significantly boosting its final dividend.
Aristocrat's net profit for the 12 months to September 30 was $350.5 million, up from $186.4 million a year earlier, helped by higher prices and fees for its machines, new games and cabinet designs and an increase in market share.
The Australian-listed company reported strong growth in the key market of the Americas and strong earnings growth in its digital social gaming business.
Aristocrat said it had gained market share despite competitive and generally flat markets and expects continued growth in fiscal 2017.
"We continue to see strong momentum," chief executive Jamie Odell said, announcing the results on Wednesday.
"We've got a great product pipeline, and nothing causes me any concern about momentum going into the new year."
Aristocrat said that growth in the Americas market in 2015/16 was driven by a mix of proprietary and licensed games, while takeup of new cabinet designs also supported growth.
Digital revenues increased by 82 per cent to $269 million in constant currency terms, driven by the ongoing success of the company's Heart of Vegas games.
The number of daily average users grew by 16 per cent to about 1.27 million, driven by the launch of the Heart of Vegas app on the Android platform in August 2015.
Digital customers continued to shift to mobile devices during 2015/16, with the percentage of users on mobile channels lifting from 36 per cent in 2015 to 68 per cent.
Average net revenue per user grew to 42 US cents, from 38 US cents.
"Our digital business continues to scale and mature," Mr Odell said.
"By period end, Aristocrat's digital social business was the industry's fifth largest by gross revenues, up from tenth just two years ago."
Aristocrat intends to continue to grow its digital social gaming business with a new app in 2017.
Aristocrat shares were 14 cents higher at $14.99 at 1513 AEDT.
ARISTOCRAT PRODUCES STRONG ANNUAL RESULT
* Annual profit up 88pct to $350.5m
* Revenue up 34.5pct to $2.13bn
* Final dividend up six cents to 15 cents per share, unfranked
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