Betfred will disable its online sportsbook in Pennsylvania on 31 July, ending its online sports betting operations in the United States, according to the report. Existing wagers settling by that date will be handled as usual; later-settling winning wagers will be paid by cheque. Wind Creek’s Pennsylvania retail sportsbook will remain open for the time being.
The day’s most important stories, free. One email a day.
Betfred has attributed its decision to close 132 retail betting shops partly to higher gambling taxes. HM Treasury said gambling duty rates for high street shops have not changed, disputing the tax argument. The Betting and Gaming Council said the closures showed its warnings about tax increases were materialising.
HM Treasury has rejected blame after Betfred announced the closure of over 130 shops. The dispute follows industry claims that tax rises are responsible for the closures. Betfred operates more than 1,200 betting shops across the UK.
It was reported that Betfred plans to eliminate 600 jobs and close 132 UK shops. The operator attributed the reductions to higher gambling taxes and other cost increases.
bet365 added Michigan in April, bringing its US presence to 17 states, and has operated in the country since 2019. In an interview, marketing director Stephanie De Flora said the company adapts its marketing and product to different state regulations, competition and customer behaviour rather than copying its UK model.
Betfred co-founder and chairman Fred Done said the company could close all 1,287 of its UK shops if gambling taxes rise. Done said a tax rate of 35% or 40% would leave the business unprofitable and put about 7,500 jobs at risk; he also said 300 shops currently lose money and a 5% tax increase would raise that figure to 430.