Britain's second-biggest bookmaker, Ladbrokes, said operating profit would take a hit in the first half of 2014 due to upgrades to its online service, as it ended another troubled year with a sharp fall in annual profit.
The company has struggled to keep pace with larger rival William Hill and establish itself in a growing online market, prompting a series of profit downgrades that have piled pressure on chief executive Richard Glynn.
Ladbrokes formed an alliance with software developer Playtech last year to gain ground in serving the growing number of gamblers who bet on sports events through their computer, tablet or smartphone.
But switching its gaming products to a new system has taken longer than expected.
Mr Glynn said the group was now on track to deliver the upgrade - which will allow its customers to have a single view of all their upgraded online products in one "wallet" - in time for June's soccer World Cup in Brazil.
Benefits of the digital changes, as well as from a rollout of new betting machines in its revamped shops, would not be felt until the second half of the year and beyond, the firm said.
First-half 2014 group operating profit would be down on the £85.7 million posted a year before but ahead of £52.6 millionposted for the second half of 2013.
Shares in the firm fell as much as 2 per cent on the news, made worse by a tough start to 2014 in which revenue from January to February 18 fell £11 million on a year ago after sporting results had so far favoured customers.
“What we need to look at from the business is sequential improvement, we had our nadir in 2013 and I think sequentially we are improving from then on,” Mr Glynn said.
“We enter 2014 confident in our ability to deliver the final changes needed to establish a far more competitive offer.”
Ladbrokes said annual operating profit for 2013 fell 33 per cent to £138.3 million, slightly below market forecasts for 142 million. Profits from its UK retail business, its largest division, fell 26 per cent, hurt by a hot summer which hit footfall, and were down 74 per cent at its digital division.
The firm also said it would close 40 to 50 shops in 2014.
Reuters
