DONALD Trump's shock election victory and unfavourable sporting results dented takings at bookmaker Paddy Power Betfair to the tune of £40 million in the fourth quarter.
The company, born out of a merger between Paddy Power and Betfair, said the controversial businessman's successful US presidential bid in November cost it £5 million alone.
Like other bookmakers it also flagged a dire December when European football results, such as Chelsea's string of victories - only ended by a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in January - saw punters cash in on bookmakers' woes.
The group said in a trading update: "We estimate that the impact on group revenue from the customer-friendly results, before any benefit from the recycling of winnings, was approximately £40 million in the quarter.
"The impact on profitability of these results was partially offset by lower than expected marketing and staff costs."
Nevertheless, group revenues in 2016 were up 18 per cent to £1.5 billion, or 11 per cent on a constant currency basis, and the group said that underlying earnings are expected to come in at the "mid-point" of the £390 million to £405 million range of expectations.
Revenue rose 10 per cent to £388 million in the last three months of the year, but was flat on a constant currency basis.
The adverse sporting results saw revenue down 3 per cent at Paddy Power Betfair's online division in the fourth quarter, despite a 15 per cent rise in sporting stakes.
