Bookmaker-friendly results boost figures at William Hill
AN “UNPRECEDENTED” run of bookie-friendly results boosted William Hill in the first quarter, as the firm also ditched its underperforming Australian business.
The group’s net revenue grew 3 per cent, boosted by a 12 per cent rise in its online sales. Sportsbook and gaming revenues were up by 17 per cent and 8 per cent respectively in this part of the business.
However, retail sales dropped as weakness on the UK high street continued to drag on the business. Retail sales fell 4 per cent in the quarter, with sportsbook revenue down by 9 per cent and gaming sales flat.
Philip Bowcock, William Hill’s chief executive, said: “Continued momentum in online and strong growth in US have driven a good performance during the period.
“In the UK, an unprecedented run of bookmaker-friendly sporting results led to unusual wagering and gaming trends, which we expect to normalise over time.”
William Hill’s performance in the US was particularly strong, with net revenues soaring 45 per cent.
William Hill’s business remains relatively small across the pond because the US has tough regulation on sports betting. It is only legal in a handful of states.
However, the Supreme Court is currently reviewing the gambling legislation, and bookies are hopeful of a breakthrough. “We are continuing to invest ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision to prepare for potential early regulation by certain states,” said Mr Bowcock.
William Hill’s success abroad has been mixed, however. On Tuesday, the firm said it had completed the sale of its Australian business on April 23.
CrownBet, a gaming giant in Australia, picked up the unit from William Hill for just over £170m after profits came under pressure following a ban on offering credit to customers. Mr Bowcock said the sale had strengthened William Hill’s balance sheet.
Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “The house always wins, but sometimes it wins bigger than others. The first quarter has delivered William Hill with an ‘unprecedented run’ of bookmakerfriendly results, which combined with strength online, has helped to more than offset ongoing weakness on the UK high street.
“However, the really big numbers in the results are reserved for the relatively small US business.”
William Hill employs around 1,300 people in Leeds.
The house always wins, but sometimes it wins bigger than others. Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown