Online bets boost William Hill profits

Bookmaker William Hill today said half-year profits leapt by a quarter as online punters piled into pre-match and in-play offers.

Pre-tax profits were up by 23% to £126.9m in the six months to June 28, with the online division’s contribution up by a quarter to £55.9m amid bets as diverse as points at Wimbledon and the next basket in basketball games.