Ladbrokes owner Entain says gambling tax hikes will shrink regulated market
Entain warns that increased gambling taxes in the UK will harm the industry and potentially boost the black market.Summary
Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, has criticized upcoming gambling tax increases announced in the autumn budget, stating they will negatively impact the industry and potentially drive customers to unregulated black market operators. The company reported a £680.5 million loss after tax for 2025, largely due to a £488 million impairment charge related to the tax hikes, which will raise remote online gaming duty from 21% to 40% and online sports betting duty (excluding horse racing) from 15% to 25%. Entain’s CEO, Stella David, believes the changes will generate lower tax revenues overall and stifle growth, while smaller competitors may struggle to absorb the increased costs. However, Entain anticipates being able to mitigate some of the impact and potentially gain market share as a result. The company is also focused on upgrading its retail estate and preparing for increased betting activity during the FIFA World Cup.
(Source：Evening Standard)