Paddy Power, Ireland’s largest bookmaker, said that online revenue so far this year was very strong and profit modestly ahead of expectations, as sports results went its way and punters spent more.
The company said yesterday the amount staked by online customers, excluding those in its recently acquired Australian business, grew by 19 percent and its total gross wins were up 32 percent in contrast to the run of adverse sports results the company faced last year.
Paddy Power’s fast-growing online division accounted for two-thirds of its operating profit last year.
The company, which plans to enter the French market after its move into Australia last year, said it was confident for the year ahead, particularly with the soccer World Cup beginning next month.
Shares in the company were up 1.9 percent at 26.5 euros by 7:55am GMT.
“This morning’s statement demonstrates Paddy Power’s ability to continually deliver and it remains one of the few online gaming operators to boast upgrades year to date,” Goodbody Stockbrokers analyst Killian Murphy wrote in a note.
Paddy Power was scheduled to hold a shareholders meeting late yesterday.
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