The Irish-based bookmaker reported record profits, turnover and earnings for the year ended 31 December 2004, despite a disappointing fourth quarter.
Turnover rose by 27.5 per cent to €1.16bn and pre-tax profit increased by more than 57 per cent to €32.1 million, while the dividend was upped by 45 per cent.
This is the 16th consecutive year that Ireland’s biggest off-course bookmaker has shown an increase in turnover, while profits increased in every year except the one when the start-up costs of the internet betting operation ate into margins.
The online division is now the fastest growing part of the business.
Chairman Fintan Drury said that the development of the online division has moved the company from being a bookmaking business to being a “leisure betting and gaming business.”
Calculators
