Ladbrokes and Coral owner sees surge in profits as restrictions ease

Ladbrokes and Coral owner sees surge in profits as lockdown restrictions ease and more sporting fixtures return – despite 46% revenue plunge on the high street

  • In the UK, Entain’s online business grew 31% during the first six months of 2021
  • UK sports brands were particularly strong, with net gaming revenues up 40% 
  • Globally, pre-tax profits soared 190% from £45.1 million to £130.6 million 

Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain has seen profits surge as lockdown restrictions eased and a full sporting calendar returns.

Much of the growth came through online gambling, with high street bookies remaining closed due to Covid restrictions, the company said.

Online net gaming revenue was up 28%, while revenues from high streets was down 46% in the first six months of the year.

Globally, pre-tax profits soared 190% from £45.1 million to £130.6 million in the first six months of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.

Revenues were up 11% to £1.77 billion.

Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain has seen profits surge with the easing of lockdown restrictions

Much of the firm’s growth came through online gambling, the company revealed today

In the US, Entain’s partnership with MGM Resorts is now the second-largest operator in the country, with 22% of the market, bosses said.

US regulators have been easing restrictions in the country in recent years, with each state able to decide whether to allow more gambling.

Entain’s BetMGM is now in 13 states, compared with three at the beginning of 2020, and expects to be in a total of 20 within the next 12 months.

As a result, net gaming revenues in the country hit 357 million dollars (£257 million).

In the UK, Entain’s online business grew 31% during the first six months of the year.

UK sports brands were particularly strong, with net gaming revenues up 40% compared with the first six months of 2020.

Online gaming revenues grew 14% during the period.

But the company struggled in Germany, following changes to tax rules on gambling and changes to tackle addictions in the industry.

Entain said it has been acting in compliance with the new ‘Tolerance Policy’ but accused rivals of not being compliant and creating an uneven market.

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