Industry reaction: Sports betting markets dwindle as competitions cancelled
Premier League and English Football League suspended until 4 April after stars test positive for Covid-19
Betting firms are trying to minimise the damage caused by the global coronavirus outbreak as major sporting events across the world are cancelled.
The Premier League this morning confirmed fixtures would be postponed until 4 April after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for Covid-19.
Thank you for all your good wishes, as I said in the video I’m feeling good and hope to see you all soon!!
pic.twitter.com/hn5d0ikm60
— Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) March 13, 2020
UEFA has also suspended the Champions League and Europa League for the foreseeable future as football follows other sports including F1, cricket and golf in cancelling key fixtures.
The Cheltenham Festival – one of the biggest horseracing events in the bookmaking calendar – concludes today after four days of action seemingly uninterrupted by the global pandemic.
Uk's answer to Italy's lockdown #COVID2019uk pic.twitter.com/0lkDsCovA8
— Janis Ward#FBPE
(@laurenleygold) March 10, 2020
Betgenius moves to reassure clients after Premier League suspension
Betgenius is the official data supplier of the now-suspended Premier League and English Football League (EFL).
“The sports and sports betting industries are facing unprecedented challenges as measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 are ramped up. It has become crystal clear that we must collectively adapt day-to-day and prepare for all scenarios,” said Genius Sports CCO Jack Davison.
“Our number one priority throughout this period is of course to ensure the welfare of our employees, our thousands of match statisticians around the world, and our sporting partners.
“But it’s also clear that customer demand for live betting remains high at this time and we, along with the leagues and sportsbook operators we work with, will attempt to satisfy that demand by maintaining a strong level of coverage – in a safe and sensible way.
“In the first instance, the increasing number of games being played behind closed doors should not directly impact our service. Unlike most other data and trading suppliers, our data capture technology is integral into how sports around the world run their events, keep fans up to date, and inform their coaches and officials.
“We are also working hard to maintain coverage levels by offering sportsbooks alternative content to replace those that have been cancelled.
“The situation is moving incredibly fast but we are on top of all aspects of our business, and the supply of sportsbook content to operators, that we can control,” he added.
US shutdown
America’s nascent sports betting market is also feeling the bite of coronavirus after the NBA, MLB, MLS and NHL all suspended action until further notice.
The PGA Tour had pledged to plough on with golf as scheduled, albeit without spectators, but now looks likely to suspend its calendar after the US Players Championship was cancelled.
WE ARE ALL GOLF BETTORS NOW https://t.co/nzVGmOASmM
— Brad Allen (@BradAllenNFL) March 12, 2020
US sports betting giant DraftKings issued a coronavirus update to its user base on Friday, acknowledging the impacted schedules of sports leagues worldwide.
“In the coming weeks, we will continue to offer all of our products in all cases where sports are happening,” DraftKings said in an email.
“DFS, as well as sportsbook, will continue to be live, as will our casino games. We will strive to be a source of entertainment and joy for you during these unprecedented times.
“There will not be any change to our commitment to deliver you the best experience possible throughout this period.”