Newgioco fully reopens Italian retail betting network

Sports betting and interactive gaming company Newgioco Group has reopened all of its retail betting venues across Italy after the country’s government eased further restrictions related to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Newgioco’s land-based betting shops, including locations such as bars and coffee shops, are now open again to customers, and will operate in line with strict measures set out by the Italian government.

These include ensuring that both staff and customers maintain social distancing and that hand sanitisation are in place within each of its properties.

Newgioco’s retail locations were forced to close on 9 March after Italy entered into a state of lockdown, in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19.

However, the improving situation in the country meant that the government was able to ease certain restrictions, including permitting land-based betting shops to reopen.

The mass reopening comes after Newgioco earlier this month revealed that the return of some major sporting events contributed to a “robust” rise in revenue for May.

The group’s sport betting handle in May amounted to $1.3m (£1.0m/€1.3m), a 116.7% improvement from $600,000 in April.