bet365 to Cut 340 Roles Amid Higher UK Costs
United Kingdom.- 10 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com bet365 has announced a restructuring of its European operations that will result in approximately 340 job losses, equivalent to around 3% of its workforce.
The company cited an increasingly competitive trading environment together with rising regulatory and tax-related costs facing Britain’s gambling sector.
Around 300 Roles in Stoke-on-Trent
Most of the affected positions are based in Stoke-on-Trent, bet365’s main operational centre and a city where it is one of the largest private-sector employers.
Approximately 300 roles from an estimated 5,500 employees in Stoke-on-Trent are expected to be affected.
A further 40 positions are located across its Gibraltar and Malta offices.
3% of Workforce
Overall, the planned reduction represents approximately 3% of bet365’s workforce.
The company said it is exploring options designed to limit the number of compulsory redundancies.
Its first step will be to introduce a voluntary redundancy programme.
Statements
A bet365 spokesperson said the international group continuously reviews its operations to safeguard the long-term future of the business.
The company said it is currently facing a highly competitive trading environment as well as increased regulatory and tax-related costs.
As a result, bet365 is restructuring some of its European locations during 2026.
The operator also said it intends to minimise the impact on employees and confirmed that affected staff have been informed and are receiving support throughout the process.
UK Tax Pressure
The announcement follows substantial increases in taxation affecting Britain’s betting and gaming market.
Key changes include:
- A 19 percentage-point increase in Remote Gaming Duty.
- A pending 10 percentage-point rise in General Betting Duty.
Major operators have repeatedly warned that these changes materially increase the cost of operating in the UK.
Five Largest Operators Have Announced Cuts
bet365 is the last of Britain’s five largest gambling groups to announce workforce reductions since the tax changes.
Other companies making adjustments include:
- evoke.
- Entain.
- Betfred.
- Flutter Entertainment.
Each has linked its decisions at least partly to the new fiscal environment.
evoke and William Hill
In March, evoke announced plans to close as many as 200 William Hill shops.
The move could reportedly affect up to approximately 1,500 employees.
The company has been reviewing its retail footprint amid higher costs and changing market conditions.
Entain
In July, Entain reversed an earlier position and confirmed that parts of its workforce would be affected by restructuring.
Reports suggested that as many as 500 jobs could be cut.
Corporate functions as well as product and technology teams are among the areas affected.
Betfred
Later in July, Betfred confirmed plans to close 132 shops.
More than 600 employees are expected to be affected.
The operator also linked the decision to the financial impact of Britain’s new tax environment.
Flutter and Paddy Power
At the beginning of September, Flutter Entertainment confirmed that up to 100 Paddy Power shops were under review.
The company said approximately 400 roles could potentially be at risk.
The review was also associated with higher taxation and wider economic uncertainty.
bet365’s Different Position
Unlike William Hill, Betfred and Paddy Power, bet365 operates exclusively online.
Its restructuring is therefore not focused on a retail shop estate.
Instead, reductions will be spread across European hubs, with Stoke-on-Trent accounting for the majority of affected positions.
Employment Impact Debate
The announcement has also revived debate around forecasts made before the tax reforms.
The Institute for Public Policy Research previously argued that employment effects from the increases should be limited.
It also challenged a Betting and Gaming Council estimate suggesting that as many as 40,000 jobs could ultimately be lost.
The latest announcements from major operators have brought those competing projections back into focus.
Betting and Gaming Council Position
The Betting and Gaming Council said bet365’s announcement provides further evidence of the real-world consequences of higher gambling taxation.
The trade body said it had warned that tax increases could result in:
- Job losses.
- Reduced investment.
- Damage to successful British businesses.
- Greater competitive advantage for the illegal market.
It also called on the Government to rule out further tax rises affecting the sector.
Impact on Stoke-on-Trent
The restructuring will be particularly significant for Stoke-on-Trent.
bet365 is one of the city’s largest private employers and maintains a substantial proportion of its operations there.
The loss of approximately 300 positions could therefore affect both individual employees and the wider local economy.
Industry Context
Britain’s gambling industry is operating under increasing pressure from higher taxation, tighter regulation and stronger competition.
Major operators are reviewing staffing, retail estates, investment and operational structures in response.
The recent series of announcements shows that the adjustment is now affecting both retail-focused businesses and digital-only operators.
Next Steps or Impact
bet365 will initially offer a voluntary redundancy programme in an effort to reduce compulsory job losses.
The restructuring will affect approximately 340 positions across its European hubs, with Stoke-on-Trent bearing most of the impact.
The decision increases pressure on the UK Government over the economic consequences of recent tax reforms and strengthens debate around how further increases could affect employment, investment and competitiveness in the regulated market.
Editó: @fonta
