Ladbrokes owner eyes Euro 2020 profit boost after football betting surge

The company said the tournament was its biggest ever sports betting event, saying it took more bets than it did for the World Cup in 2018

After a year marred by cancelled sporting events and closed retail betting shops, an increase in online gambling during the pandemic-induced lockdowns has helped bookmakers. File picture

Ladbrokes owner Entain has boosted its 2021 profit view and reported a jump in first-half net gaming revenue, with record bets placed on Euro 2020 following the resumption of sporting events.

Entain expects core earnings of £850m-£900m (€993m-€1.05bn) ahead of current market consensus, and better than the £843.1m reported in 2020 and £761.4m in 2019.