William Hill have released their interim results which showed a 3% increase in net revenue for the first half of 2010, boosted by its “best ever” World Cup and a strong performance in its online division.

Net revenues in the first 6 months rose from £515.5m in 2009 to £529.9m in 2010, with the company seeing a 24% increase in online products to £124.2m

CEO of William Hill Online, Henry Birch said that company had seen a £5m loss after having to withdraw from the French market after a change in regulations. This was counterbalanced by a very good World Cup at the start of the summer. He added that William Hill were “in the process” of applying for the new license required to operate within the French markets. “The climate there makes it very difficult to make a profit. We’re also looking at all other regulated markets including Denmark and Italy, and awaiting cash poker and casino betting to go online in the first quarter of next year in Italy.”

The CEO added that he had just got back from the US and that if the markets over there were to be regulated then those “people with existing licences” would be consider first. Companies in Europe that wanted to be involved in the US market, would “need to do so in partnership with a local operator.”

Birch added that the business was “outstripping” other competitors in the industry. “Compared to our competitors we’ve had very strong growth online, particularly in our sportsbook. We’ve had very strong topline growth in revenues and benefited from taking the business offshore. In the first half of last year we were still paying tax in the UK, now we’ve moved offshore we’ve saved around £10m in annual savings,” he added.

Bingo, which was up 52% to £10m and casino up by 8% to £65.9m (up 52% to £10m) and casino revenues had done well during the period, while Poker was down 5% to £10.6m and had seen a “seasonal decline”. Improvements in bingo were a result of a “great team, more focused marketing and getting the product right”.

In addition “outstanding football World Cup” results were “offset by poor horseracing results”

Chief Executive, Ralph Topping added: “This is a positive first half performance, driven by William Hill Online and, in particular, a very strong sportsbook. We had our best ever World Cup, far exceeding expectations.

“Despite turnover decline in OTC, overall Retail turnover and gross win were up, driven by an exceptionally good performance from machines. We have also completed the restructuring of the balance sheet, continued to invest to great effect in our people and have increased our focus on marketing and advertising.”