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Can EURO 2020 Spark a Betting Boom for Britain’s Bookies?

Published

4 years ago

May 24, 2021

Can EURO 2020 Spark a Betting Boom for Britain’s Bookies?

With UEFA and football fans breathing a sigh of relief that EURO 2020 is finally to be held this summer, will UK bookmakers be celebrating too come July?

Clawing Back the Lost Pounds

The coronavirus pandemic has proved a disruption to every walk of life in the UK. Successive lockdowns, closed schools, homeworking, and furlough schemes have changed the entire country over the past 12 months.

And for sports fans and online bookmakers, the past year has been equally disruptive. 2020 should have been a bumper year for Britain’s bookies. Instead, many of the bookmakers’ most active markets were either curtailed or wiped completely from the calendar.

The English Premier League was suspended – although it eventually came to a spluttering end just before the summer – while Wimbledon was cancelled and the Grand National went virtual. By the time of the first national lockdown, gamblers were resorting to betting on the only football around – Asian Handicaps featuring actual Asian teams, and the far reaches of the Belarus Premier League.

In fact, total tax receipts for the period April 2020 to March 2021 came to “just” £2.83bn. That marked a staggering drop of £182m – or 6% – compared to the previous year.

But it was the cancellation of EURO 2020 that really hit bookies hard. Major football events are normally huge cash cows for online bookmakers. And 2020 was due to be an even bigger betting bonanza for the betting sites: Scotland had qualified for their first major tournament in over 20 years, while for England EURO 2020 would have been as close to a home tournament as they had seen since EURO 1996.

Betting Bonanza Expected This Summer

Betting companies recovered as 2020 came to a close. Most players migrated online as the continuing closure of retail betting shops and casinos continued. Indeed, poker activity and online casino gameplay helped to soften the blow.

But nothing compares to a major football tournament to turn around betting sites’ fortunes. At the last big footballing festival – the 2018 World Cup – over €136bn in bets were taken by the bookies.

And with EURO 2020 being held across multiple countries, including England, UK bookies will be looking forward to a release of cash from gamblers itching to put their bankrolls and footie knowledge to good use.

England will play all of their group games at Wembley, as well as a potential semi-final and final – if they make it that far. The better Gareth Southgate’s team does, the more money will be flowing through the UK bookies’ coffers. Simply put, England have a very real chance of winning their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. And that could translate into a big payday for the bookmakers.

Bonuses & Promotions for EURO 2020

To take advantage of an expected bumper EURO 2020, major brands will have exclusive offers and promos for the event. The tournament starts on June 11 but we already know the 24 teams taking part. And if the 2018 World Cup is anything to go by, bookies will be going all out with a raft of special deals.

England specials will almost certainly be on the table. Money back on losing England bets may be offered, as well as enhanced odds on the team’s home games. New players will also be able to claim free bets when they open their accounts.

Moving Forward: What’s in Store for UK Gamblers?

Despite a year of betting shop closures and delayed or cancelled sporting events, the UK sports betting industry rode the storm well. Revenues at the big betting companies like William Hill and Sky held firm.

In the case of the Sky Betting and Gaming Group (SBG), online sports betting revenue actually increased by 26%. New player acquisitions and more customers betting online seems to have helped companies weather the COVID-19 storm.

But assuming a good EURO 2020, what lies in store for the UK bookmakers? There is a review of the 2005 Gambling Act which may see some of the bookies’ powers scaled back.

Affordability checks are a definite possibility, and an ombudsman may come in to force betting forms to reduce stakes where needed. In addition, visible gambling advertising on football shirts may become a thing of the past. Indeed, more and more football clubs are terminating deals with shirt sponsors from the gambling industry.

For now, the betting companies will be concerned with the success of EURO 2020. And with football punters promised a first bonanza of football since the 2018 World Cup, expect a similar bonanza on the bookmakers’ sites.

Related Topics:Britain’s Bookies EURO 2020 Grand National

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Affiliate Announcements

ReferOn Expands Offering with New Support Packages, “ReferOn Assist”

Published

4 days ago

May 27, 2025

George Miller

ReferOn Expands Offering with New Support Packages, “ReferOn Assist”

ReferOn, an innovative affiliate management system, has experienced significant growth in 2024, with multiple technical and quality-of-life improvements to the platform. As a result of an influx of new operators and affiliates, ReferOn has introduced ReferOn Assist.

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The last tier, ReferOn Assist Premium, provides operators and affiliates with the most comprehensive dedicated support package. Subscribers receive the highest response time and a large bundle of inclusive support hours at reduced rates. Premium users have access to a dedicated support manager for tailored assistance and the most cost-effective prices for after-hours support.

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Awards

Casino Guru shortlisted for AffPapa iGaming Awards due on May 28

Published

5 days ago

May 26, 2025

George Miller

Casino Guru shortlisted for AffPapa iGaming Awards due on May 28

Casino Guru is part of the upcoming AffPapa iGaming Awards due to take place in Malaga, Malta on May 28, with the company shortlisted in both the “Branding of the Year” and “Casino Affiliate of the Year” categories.

This marks another major milestone for Casino Guru this year, as the company has been shortlisted for both the iGB Affiliate Awards and the SBC Awards Europe.

These achievements have clearly demonstrated Casino Guru’s lasting influence in the iGaming industry and the prominent status it holds thanks to its ongoing efforts to make the sector more transparent, responsible, and safer for players.

Daniela Silva, Public Relations and Creative Projects Director, said: “The nomination for the ‘Branding of the Year’ category is an exceptional achievement for Casino Guru. The company has worked tirelessly to establish itself as a brand synonymous with player trust and recognition, and I am confident this nomination exemplifies exactly that. Our creative projects extend beyond Casino Guru alone, as the brand continues to expand and promote best practices in iGaming that help players stay safe, informed, and responsible.”

Casino Guru’s nominations for the AffPapa iGaming Awards reflect the painstaking work the company has put into ensuring that it builds a brand that is synonymous with player trust and confidence.

Through the Complaint Resolution Center and Safety Index, Casino Guru has consolidated its presence in the industry as the foremost authority on guiding players to the best casinos.

Casino Guru uses the world’s most advanced evaluation process and regularly reviews entries into the database to ensure impartiality and objectivity in offering players the opportunity to choose from a list of established and carefully-assessed brands.

Awards

Industry praised as finalists announced for July’s iGB Affiliate Awards

Published

1 week ago

May 22, 2025

George Miller

Industry praised as finalists announced for July’s iGB Affiliate Awards

Stephen Carter, Clarion Gaming’s Head of Affiliate Content and internal judging lead for the IGB Affiliate Awards has praised both the number of submissions received and their overall quality.

Speaking as organisers published the list of finalists across the 20-strong categories, he confirmed: “Our external industry judges who are selected for their expertise and their depth of knowledge of the iGaming affiliate sector have been hugely impressed by the overall quality of the individual submissions and the number of companies that have chosen to participate in the 2025 edition of the Awards.

“Both metrics are indicative of how seriously the Awards are taken and how they are widely recognised for being the most prestigious and transparent merit-based awards in iGaming.

“It’s also significant that 40% of the submissions which have progressed to the finals are from businesses not previously shortlisted. This level of engagement demonstrates the relevance and reputation enjoyed by the iGB Affiliate Awards across the iGaming ecosystem.”

Madrid headquartered Betandeal has achieved the most shortlisted entries, making the cut in five categories. The affiliate agency is closely followed by Gambling.com Group, which has put itself in the running across four categories, for best affiliate in casino, sports and bingo (via its WhichBingo brand) as well as Affiliate Employer of the Year.

Newcomer WagerWire has also been shortlisted in four categories across sports, Safer Gambling Initiative of the Year, Employer of the Year and Best Affiliate Campaign.

Interest is mounting in the showpiece black-tie event, with the industry celebration being presented by broadcaster and musician Myleene Klass MBE.

The critically acclaimed television personality, part of the original Britpop era, will host the Cool Britannia-themed event being held 3 July at the Troxy, the stunning Art Deco masterpiece situated in the heart of East London.

The Troxy has an 80-year musical heritage and has featured performances by Liam Gallagher, Jarvis Cocker, Garbage and the Cure.

Members of the iGaming affiliate community can still participate in the public vote for Game of the Year by following the link found at https://www.igblive.com/igb-affiliate-awards-2025. Votes must be cast before 3 June.

The iGB Affiliate Awards shortlist can be viewed at: https://www.igbaffiliate.com/en/articles/121752/igb-affiliate-awards-2025-shortlist-revealed/