22-02-2007 Ladbrokes eGaming performed strongly in 2006

The UK betting firm said eGaming achieved a 17% growth in gross win to £144.4m, with double digit percentage growth in Sportsbook, Casino and Games, while Poker gross win declined by 2.7% impacted by increased competition. eGaming net revenue, after fair value adjustments for free bets, promotions and bonuses, increased by 15% to £134.1m; operating profit rose by 13.5% to £47.0m

Sportsbook (including Ladbrokes Financials) gross win showed positive growth of 41% to £46.4m, including £4.6m from the World Cup. For the full year 2006, average monthly active player days grew by 35% to 610,000 and yield per unique active player grew 7.5% to £114.

Overall, the Ladbrokes group, which also includes betting shop estates in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, a telephone betting operation, pool operator Vernons and the Ladbrokes Casino at London's Paddington Hilton, reported an operating profit from continuing operations of £268.1m, up 7.7%, on a total gross win of £1,008.9m, up 9.9%.

Chief Executive Christopher Bell confirmed that Ladbrokes was still in discussion with 888 despite concerns over the possibility of US litigation. The company said it was interested in running Britain's first Last Vegas-style supercasino in Manchester and several of the other 16 new UK casinos. Ladbrokes also outlined its plans to expand in international markets including Italy, Spain, Vietnam and China.