UK World Cup gross win could reach £100m, says report
Study conducted by Sporting Index and Regulus Insights estimate UK stakes could reach around £800m
UK-facing operators could be set for a £100m World Cup windfall with mobile and in-play set to help increase betting volumes by around 50% compared to the last tournament, according to a recent study.
The World Cup Betting Report, compiled by Regulus Insights in conjunction with spread betting operator Sporting Index, predicts online stakes will reach between £500m and £600m, which equates to a growth rate of 40%-60% when compared to the 2010 World Cup.
And Regulus estimates this turnover will translate into gross win revenues of between £45m-£100m for the UK-facing industry, with the potential for volumes to be be further buoyed if England progress into the latter stages of the Brazil-staged tournament.
“Should England progress further than is predicted by the current odds, this could push staking volumes north of the £800m mark as increased public enthusiasm would translate into further betting volume,” the report stated.
Mobile is expected to be the main driver revenues with the report deeming the late kick-off times to be mobile and tablet friendly and noting it was “inarguable that this will be a second-screen World Cup”.
The report also suggested short-term profit will play second fiddle to player acquisition with the main goal to keep new recruits active into the new football season, particularly with the introduction a 15% UK Point of Consumption tax in December.
“The real test of a successful summer will of course come with the following football season and whether the bookmakers manage to maintain their player activity levels,” the report read.
“Every player account added and existing player encouraged to refund their account and continue betting into the new football season will count when it comes to facing an extra 15% tax on UK customers from December onwards,” it added.
Operators have been busy fine tuning their World Cup plans in the run-up to the big kick-off on Thursday 12 June and in this week’s poll we are asking which of the big four operators is best placed to take advantage.