(Reuters) - British bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral Group said on Tuesday 2016 operating profit rose 22 percent despite paying out heavily on a number of gambler-friendly sports results towards the end of the year.
The company, created when Ladbrokes joined forces with Coral in a $3.4 billion merger last year, said operating profit rose to 264.3 million pounds ($331.5 million), helped by growth in its digital and European retail businesses.
