Punters having a flutter in the casino and the Euro 2016 football have driven up first-half profits and revenue at gaming group 888 Holdings (LON:888).
The company, which has just dropped a takeover bid with Rank Group PLC (LON:RNK) for rival William Hill PLC (LON:WMH), said casino revenue rose 31% to US$137.4mln in the six months to the end of June.
Revenue from sport betting increased 63% to US$25mln against the same period a year ago, boosted by the football tournament in France in June.
Overall revenue rose 19% to a record US$262mln.
Adjusted pre-tax earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation lifted 8% to US$44.1mln and pre-tax profit was 39% up at US$27.8mln.
Chief executive Itai Frieberger said third quarter trading had begun well with average daily revenue until August 27 15% above the same period a year ago and 22% higher on a like for like basis.
"We have made further excellent progress developing 888 in regulated markets and have increased regulated revenue 29% against the prior year, reflecting strong performances in the UK, Spain and Italy as well as 888's recent successful launch in Denmark," he said.
The company boosted its interim dividend to 3.8 cents per share from 3.5 cents per share a year ago.
Meanwhile, Ladbrokes PLC (LON:LAD) said Coral, which it is buying, had boosted net revenue by 10% to £264mln in the 12 weeks to July 2 while group underlying earnings increased 13% to £57.7mln.
It said earnings were ahead in all divisions apart from Coral Retail, where business took a hit from regulatory requirements implemented in the second quarter, including teething problems around the introduction of new player protection measures which it said were now fully resolved.