Online gambling operator The Stars Group (TSG) says it’s heading for a record first quarter of 2020 thanks to strong showings in its UK and Australian operations.

In a trading update released Friday, the Toronto-based TSG said it expects its Q1 revenue to come in around US$735m, a 27% rise over Q1 2019’s tally, while operating income will more than double to between $140m-$149m and adjusted earnings will rise by half to $185m.

That said, the company says it expects to book a net loss of between $69m-$79m for the quarter versus a $28m profit one year ago, in part due to costs associated with its ongoing merger with/absorption by UK-listed gambling giant Flutter Entertainment.

Q1’s revenue boost was credited to (a) betting margins doubling to 12%, and (b) increased customer activity in its online poker and casino verticals, which coincided with the mass suspension of live sports events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.