British bookmaker Ladbrokes has reported a 1% increase in net gaming revenue at its Irish operations for the first half of the year.

British bookmaker Ladbrokes has seen a tough start to the year across its Irish operations, with horse racing results - particularly at last month's Cheltenham festival - going against it.

Competition in the Australian online betting services market, currently led by Paddy Power-Betfair, has intensified further with Ladbrokes-Coral owner GVC Holdings acquiring local player Neds International for a maximum A$95m (€60m).

The Irish division of UK betting services group Ladbrokes-Coral grew net revenue by 4% - to £19.8m (€21.5m) – in the first half of this year.

The Irish operations of British betting services group Ladbrokes managed to grow revenues by 3% last year, on a reported basis, despite seeing the amount of money spent in its outlets fall as the size of its retail estate declined.