Date: March 7, 2026
Category: Finance & Regulation
Summary:
Ladbrokes’ parent company, Entain, has reported a staggering £681 million statutory loss after tax for 2025, attributing a significant portion of the financial hit to the UK government’s decision to sharply increase gambling taxes. The FTSE-100 group cited a £488 million impairment charge linked to the tax changes announced in November 2025, which will see the Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) jump from 21% to 40% starting April 2026. CEO Stella David criticized the policy shift, warning that the heavy tax burden could inadvertently strengthen the unregulated betting market by pushing customers toward unlicensed operators. Despite the loss, the company noted strong underlying performance, with group revenue rising 8% year-on-year to £6.4 billion, driven by growth in its US brand BetMGM and its UK & Ireland operations .
Key Insight:
- Market Impact: The UK’s tax increase is seen as a double-edged sword, potentially harming regulated operators’ profitability while failing to address the root causes of problem gambling, which may migrate to offshore sites.
