SOURCE: Reuters

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No CEO Yet

The bookmaker said its search for a new chief executive was progressing and it would update the market when appropriate.

In September, Chief Executive David Harding left, bringing forward his exit from the end of 2007, with the role filled by Chairman Charles Scott on an interim basis.

Landsbanki analysts said that there appeared to be have been little progress on finding a new CEO. "This is fast becoming an embarrassing issue for the group," they said in a note.

William Hill said its Internet business had continued to be disappointing owing to technology issues and a tough market, and it had decided to end its existing technology programme and seek an external third-party solution.

This would result in an exceptional non-cash impairment charge of about 22 million pounds in 2007 and a restructuring charge of around 4 million in 2008.

The company said it was confident about the outlook for its retail business -- which accounts for around 82 percent of total gross win -- but its Internet business would remain challenged until the new technology was implemented.

William Hill also said that it was in discussions with Turf TV -- the television horse racing venture between Alphameric Plc (ALQQ.L: Quote, Profile, Research) and 30 of Britain's racecourses.

Rivals Ladbrokes (LAD.L: Quote, Profile, Research) and Coral have already signed contracts with the venture, known as Amalgamated Racing, to receive television coverage of horse racing, and William Hill had been expected to be close to signing an agreement.

William said in August that its gross win had climbed by 4.2 percent to 498.2 million pounds in the six months to June 26.

(Editing by Quentin Bryar and David Cowell)

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