The chief executive of Ladbrokes-owner Entain has said she is considering returning £102m of furlough money to taxpayers, amid sustained regulatory pressure on the gambling industry.

In her first profile interview since taking over at the helm last year and becoming one of only eight female FTSE 100 bosses, Jette Nygaard-Andersen defended retaining the money.

She said: “The virus is still here. And as it is, although improving, it’s still far from certain how this will play out.”

The cash had allowed the bookmaker to keep its 14,000 staff on full pay, Ms Nygaard-Andersen said. However, she added: “The board is keeping, and will continue to keep, the situation under review, but it’s just too early.”