Bet365 has confirmed the termination of 340 jobs across Stoke-on-Trent in the UK, Malta and Gibraltar. The reduction represents 3% of the gambling giant’s global workforce, which hinted that the layoffs were motivated by recent tax increases in the UK.
Bet365 operates exclusively through digital channels, a structure that leaves it directly exposed to consecutive increases in UK online gambling taxation. The remote gaming duty rose from 21% to 40% in April, a change that applied to iGaming activity.
A separate levy, the remote betting duty, is scheduled to climb from 15% to 25% in April 2027, with bets on UK horse racing excluded from the increase. Together, the two measures account for a substantial share of the added cost pressure cited by the company.
“As an international business, we continually review and assess our operations to ensure the business’ long-term future. We are currently facing a highly competitive trading environment, plus increased regulatory and tax-related costs,” according to a Bet365 spokesperson.
Other operators facing similar issues
The April increase to the remote gaming duty has already prompted restructuring at other UK operators. Betfred and William Hill carried out their own workforce reductions in recent months, with both companies citing the tax change when announcing their plans.
evoke closed 200 shops in May, resulting in an unconfirmed but substantial number of job losses. Last week, Paddy Power said up to 100 betting shops could close, putting 400 jobs at risk.
Operators with combined online and retail operations have largely absorbed the tax increase by reducing their land-based presence. Bet365’s lack of a retail estate means the operator does not have that option, leaving workforce reductions as its primary lever for managing the added cost.
Cuts concentrated at Stoke-on-Trent headquarters
Of the 340 positions eliminated, 300 are based at Bet365’s headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, which employs approximately 5,500 people. The remaining 40 roles are split between the company’s hubs in Malta and Gibraltar.
“We are committed to minimising the impact on our people and are exploring all avenues to reduce the number of redundancies,” the spokesperson said.
A program of voluntary redundancies will be the first step in the process. “Our colleagues are our priority. We understand the concerns many will have. Impacted staff have been informed and are being fully supported throughout this process,” the spokesperson added.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/09/09/126303-bet365-trims-workforce-by-3-amid-uk-tax-duty-increases
