Punters put a dent into Ladbrokes

PAYOUTS to punters on events such as Royal Ascot and the early stages of the European football championships led to a £28 million (€35.5m) drop in first-half profits at British betting retailer Ladbrokes but profits at its Irish operations saw a 24% year-on-year rise.

Overall group pre-tax profit for the first six months of the year amounted to £126.7m, down from £154.4m for the same stage last year.

Operating profit — including a £40m contribution from “high roller” punters — amounted to £170m, down from £192.7m in the first half of 2007.