UK bookmaker William Hill said today its adjusted operating profit for 2017 would rise 11% year-on-year.
This is ahead of analysts' expectations and the improved outlook was boosted by an improving online business and favourable sporting results.
The company said it expected full-year adjusted operating profit for the 52 weeks to December 26 to be £290m.
It added its retail and online gross margins were "significantly ahead" in the 9 weeks from November 20, thanks to favourable soccer and horse-racing results.
According to Thomson Reuters, analysts were on average expecting a 2017 operating profit of £271.9m.
The company said trading momentum was strong in both its British and US markets, although gaming growth had slowed at its retail operations.
"We have delivered a strong result in 2017, reflecting our focus on rejuvenating online, growing the U.S. and building an attractive omni-channel proposition", chief executive Philip Bowcock said.
The higher-than-expected profit marks a clear recovery from 2016, when the company fired its previous chief executive.
