bet365 is preparing to eliminate around 340 jobs across its European operations as the gambling group responds to higher taxation, regulatory costs and an increasingly competitive operating environment.
Approximately 300 of the affected positions are expected to be based in Stoke-on-Trent, where bet365 is one of the city’s largest private-sector employers and has an estimated workforce of about 5,500 people. A further 40 roles will be removed across the company’s Malta and Gibraltar operations. Overall, the reductions represent roughly 3% of bet365’s workforce.
The company said it regularly reviews its international operations to protect the long-term sustainability of the business and has decided to restructure parts of its European organisation during 2026. bet365 intends to begin with a voluntary redundancy programme as it attempts to reduce the number of compulsory job losses.
Affected employees have already been informed and are receiving support during the process.
Higher UK gambling taxes add to cost pressures
The restructuring comes months after a major increase in the tax burden facing online gambling companies operating in Britain.
From 1 April 2026, the UK government increased Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40%. A separate 25% rate for remote betting under General Betting Duty is scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2027, replacing the existing 15% rate for most remote bets. Remote bets on UK horse racing will remain taxed at 15%.
Government documents estimate that the gambling tax package will raise an additional £1.32bn during the 2026-27 financial year, rising to around £1.64bn in 2027-28. The changes were designed primarily around remote gambling, which the government argued had expanded significantly while land-based gambling had gradually declined.
bet365 has identified increased tax and regulatory expenses alongside competitive trading conditions as factors behind its restructuring.
The cuts are particularly notable because bet365 operates primarily online. Other major bookmakers responding to the same financial pressures have so far concentrated heavily on reducing their physical retail estates.
Job reductions spread across major UK operators
bet365 now joins several of Britain’s largest gambling groups in announcing workforce reductions or potential closures during 2026.
William Hill owner evoke previously outlined plans that could result in the closure of as many as 200 betting shops, potentially affecting around 1,500 employees. Entain has also moved to reduce its workforce, with reports indicating that up to 500 positions could be affected across corporate, product and technology functions.
Betfred subsequently confirmed plans to close 132 shops, putting more than 600 jobs at risk, while Flutter Entertainment has placed as many as 100 Paddy Power stores under review. Flutter said around 400 positions could potentially be affected if those locations close.
The latest developments have revived disagreement over how severely the government’s gambling tax reforms will affect employment.
The Betting and Gaming Council previously warned that higher taxes could result in significant job losses, reduced investment and greater competitive pressure on licensed operators. The Institute for Public Policy Research challenged those projections, arguing that estimates suggesting as many as 40,000 jobs could disappear were overstated and that the overall effect on employment was likely to be more limited.
With bet365 now joining its largest UK rivals in reducing employment, the debate is likely to intensify as operators continue adjusting to the new tax regime.
For Stoke-on-Trent, the impact will be particularly visible. bet365 has developed into one of the city’s most important employers, meaning the planned loss of around 300 local positions will extend the effects of the gambling industry’s restructuring beyond company balance sheets and into the wider regional economy.