Skybet Revenues Up 9 Percent

Interactive television gambling eases, but rise in online bets compensates BSkyB online and interactive television gambling subsidiary Skybet has posted a full year rise in revenues of 9 percent to GBP 48 million, noting that an easing of the interactive television income stream was compensated by an increase in online bets. Main contributors to the positive full year were online sportsbetting and casino income streams, with pre-tax profits approximately doubling on 2008's figures to reach GBP 11 million. CEO Richard Flint attributed a successful year to a strong brand, improvements in customer service, continued online marketing, good products and community features. “We have also been better at leveraging the Sky brand with good click through rates from Sky Sports and Sky channels,” he said.