Pre-tax profits in the period were £6.1 million compared with £4.7 million in 2002.

It also forecasts further growth from interactive television at its traditional Littlewoods pools business.

The betting group added that the pools business is settled around 10% during the period, boosted by its acquisition of operator Zetters.

In its betting operations, Sportech had operating losses of £1.8 million for the division, while its Internet revenues were up by 26 percent.

The Glasgow-based company said total group sales rose by 10 percent to £106.3 million, aided by strong growth in betting revenues which increased by 34 percent.

Interactive gaming is set to provide a further boost in the second half with the launch of the ITVi brand on ITV which will offer viewers gaming and betting products. Sportstech is currently working with ITV to develop interactive betting content.

A few weeks ago, Sportech migrated operations of its online casino, Littlewoodscasino.com, from the Isle of Man to the Netherlands Antilles. The move will help the online casino to boost over 70 of its online betting products and services.