Earnings per share are likely to be between 915 to 971 cents per share, which is 65% to 75% higher than the 555 cents of last year.

Headline earnings per share are likely to be 596 to 653 cents per share, which is 5% to 15% higher than the 568 cents of last year.

The difference between earnings per share and headline earnings per share is largely attributable to the profit realised from the sale of a significant portion of the group’s shareholdings in its operations located in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Zambia.

Diluted adjusted headline earnings per share, which the Company considers the most meaningful measure of performance, are likely to be between 688 and 753 cents per share, which is 5% to 15% higher than the 655 cents reported last year.

The improved performance is predominantly due to restructuring initiatives across the group, in particular South Africa, and an improvement in Monticello casino revenue which was up 10% (14% in local currency) as the property recovers to the levels of revenue achieved pre the smoking ban implemented in March 2013.

Profitability was negatively impacted by the results of Ocean Sun Casino in Panama which is in its startup phase and an unrealised forex loss of R89 million (R44 million attributable to the Company) on US dollar denominated minority shareholder loans owed by the Federal Palace property in Nigeria.