Bookmaker Betfair's Sales Up 30% Through End Of July Thanks To World Cup Boom

A "busy World Cup in Brazil" helped London-based bookmaker Betfair report "record quarterly revenues and a big rise in new customers ahead of what is expected to be an uncomfortable annual meeting on Thursday," according to Andy Sharman of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Betfair said that sales had risen 30% in the three months to the end of July, to £117M ($191M), with World Cup revenues of £16M ($26M) "roughly double those generated at Euro 2012," the previous major int'l football tournament. Excluding the "month-long jamboree in Brazil," sales were up 12%. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization rose almost 40% year-on-year to £34.5M ($56M) in Betfair's first quarter. The World Cup "also drew in new punters, with the number of active customers" up 48% compared with the same period a year ago (FT, 9/4).