SPORTS Toto Bhd (Sports Toto) recorded a 55% year-on-year (YoY) increase in net profit to RM62.5 mil for the fourth quarter of financial year 2026 (4QFY26), supported largely by contributions from IT-related projects in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Public Investment Bank (PIB) said that excluding these projects, Sports Toto’s financial year 2026 (FY2026) performance would have been broadly in line with both its estimates and market consensus.
Group revenue for the year, however, declined 6.8% YoY, dragged by weaker contributions from its gaming and motor dealership businesses.
With both core businesses continuing to operate in a challenging environment, PIB lowered its 2027 and 2028 earnings forecasts for Sports Toto by an average of 11%.
The investment bank expects vehicle sales in the UK to come under pressure as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weigh on consumer spending.
At the same time, Sports Toto’s number forecasting business is expected to remain challenged by competition from illegal online betting platforms.
For 4QFY26, the group’s stronger bottom line was primarily driven by the Others segment. Gaming operations posted an 8.1% increase in profit, benefiting from lower operating expenses.
In contrast, the motor dealership business saw its profit plunge 75.4%, reflecting weaker vehicle sales and narrower margins.
The Others segment swung into the black, generating RM29 mil in operating profit compared with an operating loss of RM9.1 million a year earlier.
The turnaround was attributed to the rollout of lottery systems in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Separately, Malaysia’s highest court rejected the Kedah government’s attempt to reinstate its ban on lottery operations in the state.
The ruling followed the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold a High Court judgment that had overturned the state government’s move to prohibit lottery outlets across Kedah in 2024.
The development is viewed as positive for Sports Toto, although its direct earnings impact is expected to be limited. Kedah accounted for only around 3% of the group’s total number forecasting sales.
In Perlis, lottery operations remain suspended. However, PIB believes the state government’s decision not to renew licences could eventually be reconsidered, particularly following the outcome of the Kedah case.
Combined, Kedah and Perlis contribute less than 4% of Sports Toto’s Malaysian gaming operations, limiting the potential impact on the group’s overall earnings.—Aug 18, 2026
Main image: The Star
