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Thursday 16 November, 2006

Ladbrokes PLC

Trading Update

Ladbrokes PLC
16 November 2006

16 November 2006





                     TRADING UPDATE FOR THE 10 MONTHS ENDED
                                31 OCTOBER 2006



The Board remains optimistic about Ladbrokes' prospects and continues to advance
its strategy for growth in eGaming and expansion into new markets.



Total gross win for the 10 months to 31 October increased by 8%, with profit*
increasing by 5%.



European Retail gross win increased by 5%, with an increase in operating costs**
of 10%. Like for like costs*** rose by 4%.



In eGaming, gross win increased by 17%, with a 10% rise in operating costs** in
the four months since 30 June, compared to 27% in the first six months. The
first half cost increase reflected the investment in customer recruitment
campaigns around the World Cup and other sporting events earlier in the year.



Total gross win in Telephone Betting rose by 47%, with growth of 10% excluding
high rollers and an increase in total operating costs** of 8%.



During October, Ladbrokes submitted its tender to operate betting centres and
kiosks in Italy and will continue to monitor the developing environments in Asia
and Europe, where developments in Spain are of particular interest. Since the
half year, Ladbrokes has added 14 shops in Eire and 16 shops in Northern
Ireland.

Outlook



Christopher Bell, Chief Executive, said, 'While a number of football and racing
results went against us in October, early trading in November has been in line
with expectations. Ladbrokes continues to focus upon International expansion and
growing its eGaming business, while continuing to prepare itself for future
opportunities in UK and Irish shop estates.'



*   Profit from continuing operations, before interest and tax

**  Operating costs excluding Gross Profits Tax, VAT, free bets, promotions and
bonuses

*** Like for like UK Retail costs excluding new licences, acquisitions and
Amusement Machine Licence Duty



Enquiries

Julian Arlett                   Ciaran O'Brien              Ladbrokes plc
Head of Investor Relations      Head of Public Relations    IR and PR enquiries
+44 (0) 7976 348 913            +44 (0) 7976 180 173        +44 (0) 20 7355 0340






A LIVE CONFERENCE CALL FOR ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS WILL BE HELD AT 9AM (UK) THIS
MORNING. TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CALL DIAL +44 (0) 20 7162 0025 AND ASK FOR '
LADBROKES PLC TRADING UPDATE'. A RECORDING OF THE CALL WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR 7
DAYS ON +44 (0) 20 7031 4064 (ACCESS CODE 727315).



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON LADBROKES PLC, PLEASE VISIT OUR CORPORATE WEBSITE AT
WWW.LADBROKESPLC.COM. HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM THE
MEDIA CENTRE SECTION UNDER THE HEADING 'IMAGE LIBRARY'.


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            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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