Figures from bookmaker Ladbrokes have shown that its Irish betting shops are continuing to feel the effects of the recession.
Ladbrokes has more than 200 shops in the Republic of Ireland and about 80 shops in Northern Ireland.
It said the amount staked on bets in Ireland in the first half of this year was down almost 10% from a year earlier. Gross win - the amount taken in bets minus the amount paid back in winnings - also fell by almost 10%.
In response to the tough economic conditions, Ladbrokes said it cut costs in its Irish business by 6.8%.
Meanwhile, the group's CEO Richard Glynn has stamped his mark on the bookmaker with the announcement of a management shake-up, the restoration of its dividend and a deal to buy gambling machines for its outlets.
Richard Glynn, who joined the company from Sporting Index in April, has undertaken an operational review as he looks to close the gap on rival William Hill, which has outperformed Ladbrokes in recent times, particularly in online gambling.
The review has identified a number of areas in which Ladbrokes can improve its performance. 'These include a focus on the customer, improving the 'e' performance, the brand effectiveness and enhancing the technology background of the group,' Glynn said.
'I expect these priorities, supported by targeted investment, will deliver customer satisfaction, revenue growth, margin improvement and operational efficiencies over the medium term,' he added.
Ladbrokes has also struck a four-year deal for Global Draw to supply 95% of its shops with gambling machines, with the rollout starting early next year.
Ladbrokes, which owns over 2,700 betting shops, also said today that it made an underlying operating profit of £103.6m in the half-year to June 30, up 5% on a year earlier and ahead of the consensus forecast of £99m, according to figures provided by the company.
Trading was boosted by the soccer World Cup, though revenue was dented by unfavourable horse-racing results, especially at June's Royal Ascot meeting. Ladbrokes said it would pay an interim dividend of 3.85 pence per share.
It stopped paying dividends at the interim stage last year on the back of tough trading conditions and ahead of an equity fund-raising.
