Playtech closes Snaitech betting shops in Italy amid Covid-19 spread

Playtech has closed all of its Snaitech retail shops in Italy as the government looks to contain the coronavirus spread.

The Italian government issued a decree on Sunday that all betting shops, arcades and bingo halls across the country should close until 3 April. Playtech said its online activity will continue, however, "and may prove to mitigate some of the impact".

The FTSE 250 gambling software maker had said in its final results at the end of February that Snaitech experienced a strong start to 2020 but had been hit more recently by Covid-19.

It said on Monday that an increase in market volatility had led to a "very strong" performance within TradeTech year-to-date.

"Playtech continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as appropriate."

The coronavirus death toll in Italy has risen to 463, while confirmed cases stand at 9,172, making it the worst-hit country in Europe.