Ann: 2022 AGM - CEO's address, including trading outlook, page-5

I'm wondering what is going to happen with all the money raised for the purpose of buying Playtech. I was surprised to see that the CEO didn't mention Playtech at all in his address and the Chairman only briefly mentioned the takeover in the context of how disappointing the outcome was. OK, this was the AGM and covered only the year to September 2021, but I think such a big thing deserved more attention.

I like the sentiment behind the Chairman's comment about shareholders' interests being paramount, and that they wouldn't be sacrificed just to do a deal, even after the huge amount of time ALL spent on it. I also like ALL's methodical "buy and build" approach to RMG and everything else. It's a good, proven strategy, and continuing with it is fine with me. But I was hoping for more detail and less motherhood statement.

I hope that ALL had been working on a Plan B at the same time as the takeover bid, and didn't overlook the need for one in case Playtech fell over, so they could hit the ground running if it came to that. You might think that's a given for a company of ALL's size and ability. But it could be that they thought Playtech was so "in the bag" that an alternative wasn't necessary. Who can blame them after a year of work on the deal? However, if there is a Plan B, I hope they will announce it very soon. They have a big war chest and need to use it. Not just to arrest the share price slide, but to show investors that RMG is still front and centre, as it needs to be.