Entain chief executive Stella David told analysts she expects Brazil’s betting market to reopen in some form and said Entain would return. Her remarks were presented as her best guess.
Entain’s stated expectation signals possible renewed interest in Brazil if the market reopens.
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Entain maintained its full-year 2026 guidance after reporting a 2% rise in third-quarter group net gaming revenue, the company said. Online NGR increased 3% year on year in the three months to 30 September, while the company forecast full-year online growth of 4% to 6% on a constant-currency basis. It kept underlying EBITDA guidance, excluding parent fees, at £910m to £960m, with results expected at the lower end.
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs said 11 companies advanced through an auction for online casino licensing rights ahead of a planned 2027 market launch. The 32 bidders completed 10 rounds, with successful applicants collectively bidding NZ$15 million for 15 rights; each covers one brand for three years, with a possible five-year renewal. Successful bidders must still complete applications and due diligence, while operators that did not qualify must cease operations by 1 December 2026.
Entain has introduced BlackRush Casino for New Zealand’s planned online casino market, reportedly ahead of the market’s expected May launch. The launch follows the country’s 29 September licence auction, but winning an auction place only gives operators the right to apply for a licence, the Department of Internal Affairs explained. Each brand needs separate approval.
The Betting and Gaming Council launched a campaign on 28 September opposing further betting shop tax rises in Britain. The BGC attributed to EY modelling an estimate that raising Machine Games Duty to 40% could jeopardise up to 16,000 jobs and leave the Treasury approximately £124m worse off.
A campaign called "Back Our Betting Shops" was started by the Betting and Gaming Council on Monday. It sets out to show how employees, communities and high streets across Britain could be affected by additional tax rises and shop closures. According to the BGC, the initiative features workers from several parts of the industry, among them apprentices, managers, customers, long-serving staff and community collaborators.
Entain said it has begun consulting on changes to its customer care operation that could remove up to 400 roles across multiple locations. The company said the roles represent part of its approximately 2,000-person customer care workforce and linked the changes to efforts to address higher UK gambling taxes.