Bet365 is preparing to cut around 340 jobs across its international operations as rising tax and regulatory costs add pressure to the UK gambling sector.
The planned redundancies represent roughly 3% of Bet365’s workforce and will affect employees in Stoke-on-Trent, Malta and Gibraltar.
The operator said the decision reflects a combination of a highly competitive trading environment and higher regulatory and tax-related costs.
Voluntary redundancies planned first
Bet365 said it is looking at ways to reduce the number of compulsory job losses and will initially launch a programme of voluntary redundancies.
The company has also said it will support employees affected by the changes throughout the process.
The cuts come as operators face a substantially higher tax burden in the UK, particularly on online casino activity.
Remote Gaming Duty nearly doubles
One of the biggest changes has been the increase in the UK’s Remote Gaming Duty, which rose from 21% to 40% on April 1, 2026.
The tax increase has already triggered cost-cutting measures across the sector, with operators looking for ways to protect margins in an increasingly expensive market.
The pressure is set to continue next year. From April 2027, a new remote betting duty will increase the effective tax rate on most sports betting products from 15% to 25%, with horse racing excluded from the change.
For major operators with significant UK exposure, the combination of higher gaming and betting taxes is expected to have a growing impact on profitability and investment decisions.
Bet365 joins wider industry cost cuts
Bet365’s planned workforce reduction follows similar moves elsewhere in the UK gambling industry.
William Hill announced plans earlier this year to close around 200 betting shops, representing approximately 15% of its retail estate.
Last month, Betfred also confirmed plans to close 132 UK betting shops, with more than 600 employees affected.
The companies have pointed to a combination of higher gambling taxes, rising employment costs, wage inflation and wider economic uncertainty.
Tax pressure reaches the workforce
Bet365’s decision highlights how the UK’s latest tax increases are beginning to affect not only operator pricing and investment, but also employment.
The company has not indicated that its wider international strategy is changing, but the planned cuts underline the difficult environment facing gambling businesses operating in Britain.
With another betting tax increase scheduled for 2027, the sector could face further pressure to reduce costs as operators adjust to a permanently higher tax burden.