Vote of confidence for Hills chairman with 'exceptional track record'

William Hill have dismissed a newspaper report that suggested chairman Gareth Davis is set to be replaced next year.

The Sunday Times claimed that Davis, who has been chairman since 2010, had come in for criticism from some big shareholders in the wake of the company's failed merger with Amaya, the Canadian owner of the PokerStars brand, which collapsed last week.

That was the latest episode in a troubled year for Hills, following the departure of chief executive James Henderson, a profit warning and a rejected takeover bid from Rank group and 888 Holdings.