Hundreds of Ladbrokes and Coral betting shops could be closed this year after a boom in online gambling during the pandemic.
Bookies have been classed as “non-essential” retailers during the coronavirus outbreak so have been closed during national lockdowns but customers could still have a flutter online.
Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain said in its annual results this week that online earnings from customers betting through its smartphone apps and websites were up 50% as users shifted online during the pandemic.
Rob Wood, chief financial officer of Entain, said he expected most customers would return to stores once lockdown restrictions but said there will be some closures.
