There are aspects of the sport sphere that continued to be impacted by Covid-19 and pandemic restrictions, but online bookmakers like bet365 Sports are hoping this week signals the start of an upward trend.
Most brick-and-mortar sites in the United Kingdom and United States were forced to either shut down or reduce business for much of 2020 and 2021 due to the spread of the virus. However, the return of customers to land-based locations in the second half of last year is cause for optimism as the major betting companies prepare to release their interim accounts in the coming days.
“Beneficial, operating margins have typically been lower in stores than online, and upcoming results will show what impact this has had,” said Matt Britzman, Equity Analyst at financial service company Hargreaves Lansdown.
There are reports that have suggested footfall at in-person betting shops is reverting back to the numbers we were accustomed to seeing prior to the pandemic.
There were concerns the rise of online betting could mean land sites never recover those customers who convert to the digital medium, but this week’s financial reports will portray a clearer picture.
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