Entain reported a 3% year-on-year rise in net gaming revenue for the three months to 31 March 2026, with online revenue up 5% and retail revenue down 3%. The company said it sees scope to gain further UK market share and plans to maintain investment despite higher gambling duties.
Entain plans to pursue UK market share while maintaining investment despite higher gambling duties.
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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.
Betfred founder Fred Done said a proposed increase in UK Machine Gaming Duty from 20% to 40% could force the company to close 495 shops within a year. He said this could put 2,575 jobs at risk and cost the Exchequer about £67 million in tax revenue; the proposal was reportedly under consideration ahead of the Autumn Budget.
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.
Entain and Evoke reported lower profits amid the UK increase in Remote Gaming Duty, according to the companies’ statements cited in the report. Entain’s underlying profit fell 2% to £479m, while Evoke’s adjusted profit declined 10% to £150.2m and it reported £46m in additional gaming taxes during the period. The tax rate rose from 21% to 40% in April.