02/05/2011, Online casino

The leading UK bookmaker, William Hill has released a remarkable Interim Management Statement for 2011's first quarter.

The company saw impressive results in all sectors, with group net revenue growth up by 11%, retail net revenue up to 8% and online net revenue increasing by 26%, compared with the same quarter last year. William Hill's Group Operating Profit has increased by 21% as well.

“We have seen excellent growth across our business in the first quarter, enabling us to remain confident in our expectations for the full year. It is particularly pleasing that, alongside a continuing strong performance from William Hill Online, we have seen growth in both net revenue and Operating profit in Retail. We have much to look forward to in the existing business and are also excited by the land-based opportunity in the US, where we recently made our first significant investment,” said Ralph Topping, Chief Executive Officer for William Hill.

Also, the company reported online sports-book operations generating net revenues up by 54% that was driven by a 62% increase in the amounts wagered by customers. The amounts wagered saw a fantastic 138% growth in in-play and, whilst the mobile betting registered a growth of 786% in amounts wagered.

Online gaming net revenue grew by 15%, bingo by 30%, followed by poker, which was up to 16% and casino – up by 13%. Overall, the online business registered an operating profit of £29.8 million, up by 28% compared with the previous year.