THE boom in mobile phone betting helped bookmaker William Hill post a 13% rise in profits after an “outstanding” performance from its online arm.
Favourable results at key events such as the Grand National and the Cheltenham Festival also helped revenues climb by 11% to £627.8m and pre-tax profits reach £143.3m in the six months to June 30.
Bets during Euro 2012 were up by 61% compared with four years earlier, but results on the pitch did not favour the bookie until the semi-final stage.
William Hill’s retail estate, which comprises about 2,370 shops and accounts for about a quarter of the market, saw a 1% rise in amounts wagered, despite 9% fewer horse racing fixtures due to cancellations caused by the weather.
