Entain Confirms 500 Job Cuts as UK Tax Hikes Bite

Entain has confirmed it will cut approximately 500 roles globally, representing about 2% of its total workforce, as the operator moves to reduce costs and offset the financial impact of rising online gambling taxes in the UK.

The cuts are spread across product, technology and corporate functions, but are not tied to any single market or regulatory change, nor are they linked to the company's planned exit from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Tax Pressure and Cost Response

The job reductions come as Entain braces for UK tax increases that will add roughly £200 million ($269.50 million) to its annual costs. The Remote Gaming Duty rose from 21% to 40% in April 2025, and a new 25% Remote Betting Duty is scheduled for April 2027. In March, Entain said group-wide cost-cutting measures would offset more than half of the additional tax burden.

"As part of our ongoing focus on enhancing Entain’s operational efficiency and agility, we have begun implementing organisational changes which will regrettably impact a number of roles across the Group over the months ahead," said an Entain spokesperson. The company stated the changes will help make Entain a stronger business, while it consults with all affected employees.

CEE Exit and Financial Moves

The staff reductions do not affect Entain's plans to bid for three of up to 15 licenses in New Zealand's online casino market, where the expression-of-interest phase opens on 17 July 2025.

In late June, Entain agreed to sell a 20% stake in its CEE operations to joint venture partner EMMA Capital for roughly €425 million, as the first step in a phased exit aimed at reducing debt. The deal implies an enterprise value of €2.1 billion for the CEE business. Upon completion, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals, Entain's shareholding in the unit will fall from 67.5% to 47.5%, and the business will no longer be fully consolidated into group financials.

Following the CEE divestment, Entain updated its FY26 guidance: online NGR growth of 5%-7% in constant currency was reiterated, but the online EBITDA margin forecast was trimmed from 23%-24% to 21%-22%. The company remains comfortable with market expectations for FY26 group underlying EBITDA and is on track to generate approximately £500 million of annual adjusted cashflow by 2028. Further details will be provided in its interim results on 13 August 2025.