Gross gaming revenue (GGR) between January and June increased by 8% from 2019, up to £484.8m ($617.6m).

Underlying EBITDA rose significantly by 52% to £94.2m for the period, which Kindred attributed to the decisive action taken to mitigate the COVID-19 impact.

Profit after tax improved slightly from 2019, up 1% to £27.6m, while underlying profit increased by 80% to £68.4m.

For Q2, GGR increased by 4% from 2019, coming in at £235.1m, with underlying EBITDA up 67% to £51.7m. Profit after tax elevated by 114% for the quarter, up to £26.8m, boosted by the return of live sport in mid-May.

The return has seen sportsbook margins up 20% higher than average in the period to 19 July, with GGR 40% higher than in the same period last year.

But live sport being suspended in March because of the pandemic meant GGR from sports betting plummeted 45% quarter-on-quarter, down to £67.5m, also 38% lower than Q2 2019.

As a result, GGR for casino and games rose by 42% to £150.4m for the quarter, with Kindred highlighting the increased interest in casino games during Q2.

Kindred Group CEO Henrik Tjärnström, said: “Our teams around the world have worked incredibly well in the new environment, both in dealing with the challenges from the pandemic and in driving efficiency as our cost reduction programme continues.”