William Hill ditches £26m web upgrade

Bookmaker William Hill has scrapped a £26m in-house software project to upgrade its online betting services.

An independent review of NextGen software platform in November highlighted some serious issues that led the company to terminate the development programme.

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In a trading statement, the bookmaker said "ongoing technology issues impacting the internet sportsbook" were the main reason for the move.

In NextGen's place, the bookmaker will implement a technology developed by a third-party company, yet to be confirmed.

Chairman Charles Scott said yesterday that going to an outside provider would be more flexible and less costly than continuing with the project in-house.

The new software is expected to be in place by the end of 2008, more than a year after it was originally planned to go live.

The move will see the bookmaker write off £22m as part of the 2007 results and a further £4m in restructuring costs during 2008.