Feb 8 (Reuters) - Australian diversified gambling operator Tabcorp Holdings Ltd TAH.AX said on Thursday that half-yearly profit fell more than 20 percent, hurt by a spike in operating expenses for the period.
Underlying net profit came in at A$82 million ($64.1 million) for the six months ended Dec. 31, compared to A$102.7 million a year ago, the horse-race betting company said on Thursday. Analysts forecast an underlying interim net profit of A$89 million.
The company declared an interim dividend of 11 cents per share, compared to 12.5 cents from a year ago. ($1 = 1.2788 Australian dollars)