Entain Cuts 400 Roles and Warns of Further Tax Risks
United Kingdom.- 17 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Entain has announced a further restructuring of its UK operations that could affect approximately 400 customer-care roles, as the group seeks to absorb higher gambling taxes and prepares for the possibility of additional fiscal changes.
The proposed reductions represent around 20% of the approximately 2,000 people employed across its customer-care operations.
Further Workforce Reduction
Entain said the restructuring forms part of measures designed to maintain competitiveness and financial resilience.
The latest action is focused on customer care and follows other cost-reduction programmes implemented during 2026.
Second Major Cut This Year
In July, Entain confirmed that approximately 500 roles would be removed across the group.
That restructuring was also linked to cost control and the impact of higher UK gambling taxation, alongside a changing competitive environment.
Higher Gambling Taxes
The UK gambling sector has already absorbed substantial increases in taxation.
Changes introduced previously increased the fiscal burden on online gaming and remote sports betting.
Entain has incorporated these costs into its efficiency programmes and financial planning.
Online Business Impact
In its interim results, Entain said it expected to mitigate approximately a quarter of the impact from increased UK online gambling taxes during 2026.
The company continues to forecast an Online Underlying EBITDA margin of 21% to 22% for the year.
Further Machine Games Duty Risk
The group is also monitoring the possibility of another increase in Machine Games Duty, MGD.
Entain has argued that a further rise would add costs to labour-intensive land-based businesses, particularly betting shops.
Stella David Writes to Prime Minister
Chief Executive Stella David raised these concerns in a letter to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
She asked the Government to consider the potential consequences of any substantial further increase in MGD for betting-shop employees and land-based businesses.
Betting Shops Under Pressure
Traditional betting shops are particularly exposed to changes in machine taxation.
Operators already face substantial costs associated with:
- Staffing.
- Property.
- Technology.
- Security.
- Compliance.
- Gambling-specific taxation.
Changes to MGD can therefore materially alter individual shop economics.
Employment Warning
Entain and wider industry representatives have argued that additional tax increases could result in further employment reductions and shop closures.
Industry modelling has suggested scenarios in which as many as 15,900 jobs could be affected by certain additional tax proposals.
These figures are industry estimates rather than confirmed future redundancies.
Financial Guidance Maintained
Despite the cost pressures, Entain continues to maintain its 2026 financial outlook.
The company expects 5% to 7% Online NGR growth on a constant-currency basis.
Group Underlying EBITDA guidance remains between £910 million and £960 million.
First-Half Performance
Entain previously reported better-than-expected underlying operating performance for the first half of 2026.
Trading benefited from volume growth, customer activity around the FIFA World Cup and internal efficiency measures.
The group also continues to target approximately £500 million in annual adjusted cash flow by 2028.
Interim Dividend
The Board declared an interim dividend of 10.3p per share, around 5% higher year-on-year.
The payment reflects Entain’s continued progressive dividend policy despite the restructuring programme.
Entain CEE Exit
The company is also progressing its phased exit from Entain CEE.
An initial disposal of a 20% stake is expected to complete in early Q4 2026.
The move forms part of Entain’s strategy to simplify its portfolio and allocate capital more selectively.
Major Brands
Entain remains the owner of major UK gambling brands including:
- Ladbrokes.
- Coral.
It also holds a 50% interest in BetMGM, its US joint venture with MGM Resorts International.
BetMGM Remains Strategically Important
BetMGM continues to represent an important part of Entain’s wider financial exposure.
The US business operates sports betting and iGaming across multiple regulated states and provides the group with significant exposure outside its home market.
Cost Efficiency Becomes a Priority
The latest workforce action demonstrates the increasing importance of operating efficiency.
Entain will need to reduce expenditure while maintaining critical functions in customer service, responsible gambling and regulatory compliance.
Those areas remain particularly important in the UK market.
Industry Context
UK gambling operators are facing a combination of higher taxation, tightening regulation and changing competitive conditions.
That environment is encouraging operators to reassess staffing, retail networks, technology costs and portfolio structures.
Entain is responding through workforce reductions, cost controls and asset simplification.
Next Steps and Impact
Entain will now progress its customer-care restructuring and determine the final impact on the approximately 400 roles identified.
At the same time, the company will continue monitoring UK fiscal policy and assessing its implications for both retail and online operations.
With around 500 roles already identified for removal earlier in the year and a further 400 now potentially affected, 2026 has become a significant restructuring year for the group.
Entain is maintaining its current financial guidance, but additional taxation could require further measures to protect margins and cash generation.
Editó: @fonta
