Pollard Banknote has released its financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2018, reporting record annual revenue and announcing a 33% increase in dividend rate.

“Notwithstanding a temporary slowdown in instant ticket orders and deliveries, and foreign exchange headwinds in the fourth quarter, 2018 overall was a very good year on a number of fronts,” stated John Pollard, Co-Chief Executive Officer. “We are very pleased with the foundation we are building to be the partner of choice within the lottery and charitable gaming industries.  Our 2018 record annual revenue exceeded $330 million and income from operations was close to $30 million, the highest level in our over one-hundred year history.  Our cash generation remained strong with almost $40 million in cash generated from operating activities.”

“2018 witnessed a number of significant achievements for our organization. We acquired International Gamco, Inc. in February of 2018 and we are happy to report that the producer of charitable gaming products and Oasis branded eGaming machines has integrated very successfully with our existing operations including both American Games and Diamond Game.”

“On October 31 we acquired the operating business of Schafer Systems, the leader in retail point of sale ticket distribution in the lottery market.  The leading-edge products produced by this 30 year old operation, combined with their deep knowledge of how to increase instant ticket sales at retail, provide a tremendous fit for our strategic vision to be the partner of choice to help lotteries increase their sales.  While still early, we are very pleased with the Schafer results and the collaboration already under way within Pollard.”

“Our first full year of owning Diamond Game continues to yield very positive results, highlighted in 2018 with the entrance and development of a new jurisdiction for eGaming machines, North Dakota.  The roll out was very successful and with 250 machines currently deployed and more projected as the market develops, we remain confident the Diamond Game and Oasis eGaming machines are an important product alternative for lotteries and the charitable gaming market.”

“We were also successful earlier in the year in a common share equity issue, which raised approximately $38 million, before expenses.  We are very appreciative of the support shown by our shareholders both at the time of the issue and throughout the year.”