Bookies’ World Cup win

BooKMAKERS enjoyed a boost from the World Cup as punters splashed out during England’s most successful campaign since 1990.

The tournament helped UK sales recover from the impact of bad weather.

half-year revenue for GVC, which recently bought Ladbrokes Coral for £4bn, nearly tripled to £1.1bn. The firm swung from a £6.4m loss to £113.8m profit, and said it has found an extra £30m in savings from the Ladbrokes deal, in addition to £130m already identified.

GVC’s chief executive Kenny Alexander commented: ‘The performance in the first half has been extremely pleasing.’

GVC is among firms pushing into the US after sports betting was legalised there.