Entain warns higher UK gambling taxes risk boosting illegal betting market amid £681M Q4 loss

Ladbrokes’ parent company, Entain, says a sharp rise in UK gambling taxes has already taken a heavy financial toll and could ultimately strengthen unregulated betting markets.

The FTSE-100 gambling group reported a £681 million ($907 million) statutory loss after tax for 2025, driven in large part by a £488 million ($650 million) impairment tied to higher UK gambling taxes announced in November 2025.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a steep rise in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% from April 2026...