Lottomatica 2007 net profit surges on GTech buy

MILAN, March 6 (Reuters) - Lottomatica (LTO.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) reported a 2007 net profit of 106 million euros ($162.4 million) in 2007, up from 0.8 million euros the previous year, thanks to contributions from U.S. unit GTech, which it acquired last year.

Revenue rose 77 percent to 1.66 billion euros, the world's largest lottery operator said in a statement on Thursday. The board proposed to pay out a dividend of 0.825 euros a share.

Last year Lottomatica took over GTech in a $4.7 billion deal that created the world's biggest lottery group with operations in 50 countries. (Reporting by Mathias Wildt)