Bookmaker William Hill saw profits slide 30% in the first half of 2015 thanks to the “disruption” caused by the UK’s new gambling taxes.

Hills’ revenue was flat at £808m in the 28 weeks ending June 30, but earnings were down 12% and profit tumbled from £98.6m to £69.5m. The company blamed most of the downturn on £44m in additional taxes in the UK, namely, the new 15% online point-of-consumption tax (POCT) and the increased Machine Games Duty (MGD) in its retail shops.

Total online revenue rose 7% to £280m, representing 35% of group revenue, but the cost of sales – including £35m in POCT – rose 154%, resulting in a 20% decline in online profits.

Online sportsbook revenue improved by 11% to £134.3m despite comparison with H1 2014, which got a boost from the FIFA World Cup. Mobile wagering accounted for 54% of sports betting stakes and in-play betting improved four points to 46% of stakes.