Bookmaker William Hill has reported generally strong growth for Q1 2014, dented only by two substantial loss-making weeks driven by football results.
Turnover for the company’s online sportsbook was up 39 per cent with mobile revenues jumping by 78 per cent.
Online gaming net revenue grew by 16 per cent, boosted by a 142 per cent growth in mobile.
The period also saw mobile sportsbook and casino launched in Italy and steady improvement in both Australian and US markets. Wagering in the US rose by 23 per cent while operating profit was up by 188 per cent.
In a statement, chief executive Ralph Topping said: "While the outstanding gross win margin in Q1 2013 sets a very high bar, meaning we are facing tough comparative figures, two substantial loss-making weeks in this quarter (weeks two and 12) - with major wins for the football punters - impacted profit progression despite good growth in wagering in both online and retail and significantly improved gaming performance in both channels.
“As ever, it is important to look through short-term sporting results to the underlying strength of the business. Mobile, for instance, continues to go from strength to strength, increasing to 45 per cent of online sportsbook amounts wagered and 27 per cent of online gaming net revenue in the period.”
"Looking ahead to the rest of 2014, it is positive to note online had recouped much of its shortfall against internal expectations following week two before we were hit again in week 12.
“While there is no guarantee we can make up the difference,” continued Topping, “we continue to believe the increased customer confidence from such wins should be good for business, especially in this World Cup year."
