Bookmaker William Hill says it expects to report a trading profit of £275m for 2010, up just over 6% on 2009, helped by strong growth in its online betting arm.
In a trading update, William Hill said that turnover at its betting shops rose by around 4% in the final quarter of the year compared with a year earlier, despite the impact of bad weather of football and racing.
Revenue at William Hill Online grew by 24% in 2010 compared with 2009, while profits rose by 22%. Online sports betting turnover jumped by 57%.
But profits at betting shops was flat in 2010, despite 3% growth in turnover. The performance in its shops was boosted by strong growth in gaming machines.
The company has been closing some of its Irish betting shops in recent months.
