By David Winning


SYDNEY--Slot machine maker Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. said its net profit rose 48% in its fiscal first half, despite the war in Ukraine disrupting operations.

Aristocrat reported a statutory net profit of 513.0 million Australian dollars (US$357 million) in the six months through March, also up 37% of the corresponding period of fiscal 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This was achieved despite mixed operating conditions and challenges including the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine in February 2022, an industry-wide moderation in overall mobile game demand post the lifting of Covid-19 mandates and ongoing global supply chain disruptions," Aristocrat said in a regulatory filing.

Directors of the company declared an interim dividend of 26 Australian cents a share, compared to a payout of 15 cents a year earlier.

Aristocrat responded to the war in Ukraine by suspending operations in Russia during March. On Thursday, it said management is working quickly to determine the right approach for the Russia-based studio of its Plarium unit.

It also said that action taken by its Pixel United division following Russia's invasion of Ukraine had ensured "minimal impacts on content development and Live Ops in the half."


Write to David Winning at david.winning@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-18-22 1900ET