Entain the global sports betting and gaming group, notes the UK Government’s Budget statement and the decision to further increase UK gambling taxes.

Entain strongly believes that well-balanced regulatory frameworks including proportionate tax regimes are critical to protecting customers, whilst also making valuable contributions to employment, local communities and tax revenues.

Entain is disappointed by the UK Government’s decision to increase the tax burden on an already highly taxed industry. This latest rise in gambling tax will have a detrimental impact on the wider industry, UK high streets, jobs and livelihoods, compounding the pressures the sector is already facing since the disproportionate tax increases that were announced in November 2025.

As a result of today’s changes to UK Machine Gaming Duty¹, Entain estimates an annualised additional cost to our UK&I Retail business of approximately £25m², before any mitigating measures.

Entain operates the strongest offering on the UK High Street and therefore anticipates an opportunity for customer recapture as peers re-evaluate their UK market presence.

Through a combination of estate rationalisation, Group-wide optimisation initiatives and potential market share gains, Entain expects to be able to fully mitigate the impact of this latest tax increase by the end of 2028.

Entain’s FY26 guidance and expectation of generating £500m annual adjusted cashflow in 2028, both remain unchanged.

Entain will continue to take decisive actions to navigate and mitigate the impact of these additional taxes. The Group’s strong fundamentals, disciplined focus on growth and optimisation support its confidence in delivering strong future cash-generation. Entain’s diverse and globally scaled portfolio sees the Group well positioned to be a long-term industry winner.

Stella David, CEO of Entain, commented: “This is another disappointing decision by the Government. The previous gambling tax increases announced in November last year have already had detrimental consequences across the industry, with the effects being felt by employees, communities as well as customers. These additional tax changes will further compound that damage and push more people into the growing illegal market.

We will continue to work hard to limit the impact of these changes on our business, our people, and the communities in which we operate. Our priority is to protect jobs wherever possible whilst supporting a sustainable retail presence on UK high streets.”