Flutter UKI chief executive Kevin Harrington said the government’s tax increases had gone too far. He warned that the policy could create an opening for black-market operators, while saying Flutter expected its brands to gain market share.
The tax changes could affect competition between licensed operators and black-market gambling businesses.
Quarter ended 30 September 2026
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iGamingFuture reported that H2 Gambling Capital analysis suggested UK gambling tax increases could accelerate illegal market growth. The assessment covered both recent and planned increases.
The UK government confirmed support for higher taxes on online gambling, following the Autumn Budget, in a statement issued on 22 January 2026. Remote gaming duty will rise from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026, and remote sports betting duty from 15% to 25% on 1 April 2027; horse racing and in-person gambling rates will stay unchanged, while bingo duty will end in April 2026. The government expects the changes to raise more than £1bn in additional tax revenue.
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said UK gambling tax increases could have a knock-on effect on horseracing. He welcomed a carve-out for sport but said it would require a collaborative approach with operators as remote gaming duty rises.
FDJ United reported first-half revenue of almost €1.8 billion, down 4.5% year on year, and attributed the decline partly to higher gaming taxes in some markets. The company said UK and Netherlands headwinds weighed on results; excluding those markets, gross gaming revenue would have risen 6.6% and revenue 0.6%. FDJ United also said it would review its online betting and gaming market portfolio and non-core payment and services assets.
Gambling.com Group chief operating officer Kevin McCrystle expects a strong UK market despite higher duties. He said operator departures would still leave a large pool of challenger brands to target.