The UK betting company William Hill has posted a profit after tax of £117.9m for the first half of 2012, an increase of 15 per cent compared to £102.7m for the same period last year.
Net revenue increased by 11 per cent to £627.8m (2011: £567.8m), while operating profit grew by 14 per cent to £167.8m (2011: £147.7m).
The company’s board approved an interim dividend of 3.4p per share (2011: 2.9p per share).
Net revenue of William Hill Online, a 71/29 joint venture between William Hill PLC and Playtech Limited, increased by 30 per cent to £198.4m (2011: £152.7m), while operating profit was up 23 per cent to £68.9m (2011: £55.9m). During the period, betting on mobile devices increased to 22 per cent of sports betting stakes and 11 per cent of gaming net revenue.
Ralph Topping, chief executive of William Hill, said:
We have seen a strong performance in our multi-channel UK business in the first half, with a good performance from both OTC and machines in retail, and with our focus on innovation and investment continuing to deliver outstanding growth at William Hill Online. Mobile remains a top priority and continues to outperform our expectations.
The William Hill Sportsbook app, which has been top-ranked since its launch in the Apple App Store in mid-February, has delivered more than 40,000 new customers. Our rapidly growing mobile business increased to 22 per cent of our online sports betting turnover and 11 per cent of gaming net revenue in the first half.
We have made good progress in the period on our strategy in expanding internationally, including being awarded an online licence in Spain. It was also very pleasing to be awarded the Nevada licences in June and to complete the acquisition of the three land-based sports betting businesses. Though their contribution to the group today is small, they represent an important strategic step for William Hill as we look to build our international business.