Bookmaker William Hill's pre-tax profits rose by 30 per cent during 2006, the company revealed today.
The increase, to £313.9 million, was partly driven by football fans betting during last summer's World Cup.
Its 2005 acquisition of 624 betting offices from Stanley leisure also benefited the company, chairman Charles Scott said.
"The group has seen strong profit growth in the period, with the group realising the full-year benefits of the Stanley retail acquisition and benefiting from good organic growth throughout the rest of the business," he commented.
Odds for the chain's success in 2007 look positive with a boost in the amount of money left by the chain's punters increasing by 11 per cent in the nine weeks up to February 27th.
"We remain confident of the group’s future prospects and are committed to delivering value to shareholders," Mr Scott added, before revealing that the William Hill board had increased its final dividend by 19 per cent to 14.5 pence per share.
Shares in William Hill fell by 2.6 per cent on early morning trading.
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