BOOKMAKER William Hill yesterday said a revenues boost from gaming machines and the internet helped it overcome a tough start to the year in horse racing, despite its success in the Grand National.
The amount left by losing punters in its traditional overthe- counter operation slid five per cent after bad weather caused race cancellations and bookies suffered a bad time at the Cheltenham festival in March.
The deterioration in the 17 weeks to April 28 came despite a successful Grand National for William Hill, when 100-1 outsider Mon Mome romped home at Aintree.
While revenues from horse racing were under pressure, William Hill said the period saw continued strong performance in football betting and gaming machines. As a result, the company’s gross win from retail operations increased two per cent.
Including Hill’s expanded online business, revenues for the group increased 6.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year,
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