William Hill Backs Winner as Poker Gamble Pays Off

LONDON, UK -- As reported by the (Cheshire) Daily Post: "Bookmaker William Hill said yesterday that sporting results had turned in its favour after weaker returns earlier this year caused profits to fall 6%.

"The group, which is neck-and-neck with Ladbrokes as the UK's biggest bookie, said profits before exceptional items fell to £123.9m in the six months to June 28, from £132.5m last time.

"That was after a string of results went in favour of gamblers and the company faced strong comparatives from the Euro 2004 football championships.

"But William Hill, which recently expanded its estate with the acquisition of sites from Liverpool-based rival Stanley Leisure, said there were signs of improvement in recent weeks, with gross win - the amount left behind by unsuccessful punters - up 5.5% in the nine weeks to August 30, compared with a 0.3% rise in the first half.

"It also said the public's appetite for poker had boosted business at its online arm - leading to a 151%% increase in income from poker during the first half of its financial year..."