William Hill, Britain’s biggest bookmaker, has reported a 16% leap in netrevenue as more punters put bets online, however profits have been hit by the new tax on gaming machines.
Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the bookie highlighted its transformation over the last 5 years from a mainly UK-focused business, still reliant on income from its high street betting shops into a company that now creates almost half of its operating profit from its online and Australian divisions.
even though its had a fall in pre-tax profit, William Hill’s full-year results compare well with that of its nearest competitor, Ladbrokes, which earlier this week reported a 66pc profit slump down to £67.6m.
Ladbrokes has been struggling to turn around its under performing digital business.
Leadin on from its swoop on Sportingbet’s Australian business, Hills added to its presence in Austrailia by buying the Tom Waterhouse online betting business.
