UK-listed online gambling operator 888 Holdings expects its 2020 financial performance to be better than originally anticipated, while announcing its imminent entry into three additional US sports betting states.

On Wednesday, 888 issued a brief update on its “strong” operational performance in the second half of 2020 to date. The company now expects its FY20 revenue to be 45% ahead of 2019’s total, during which revenue hit US$560.3m. The company’s FY earnings margin is expected to be unchanged from the first half of the year at around 18.5%.

Expectations for 888’s performance in 2021 remain unchanged, given Germany’s transition to a severely restricted online gambling market and expectations that 888’s rapidly expanding US operations will continue to require significant investment outlay. Regardless, investors liked what they heard, as the stock is currently up over 4% from Tuesday.

Speaking of the US, 888 also announced that it had secured ‘multi-year’ market access deals with three additional US states – Colorado, Indiana and Iowa – with sports betting launches expected in each state next year. None of these states have yet authorized online casino play, so the launches will be done via the 888Sport brand.