Mixed signals about impact of World Cup from first trading updates of the year

The Qatar World Cup threw up plenty of twists and turns on the pitch as Argentina prevailed

Operators were unsure about how a first winter World Cup would affect businessCredit: Richard Sellers

Bookmakers were not sure how a first winter World Cup might affect business and the indications from two trading updates which came out last Friday provided some mixed signals.

The Premier League had to halt proceedings to accommodate the competition and operators did not expect the World Cup in Qatar to provide the same boost to business as it would in a normal summer slot.

Nevertheless, last year Kindred Group chief executive Henrik Tjarnstrom said he expected performance to be "good overall" and that there would be "record-breaking turnover for both sportsbook and casino in December".

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Bill BarberIndustry editor

Published on 16 January 2023inBetting World

Last updated 15:11, 16 January 2023

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