Bet365 Cuts 340 Jobs as UK Remote Gaming Duty Rises from 21% to 40%
TL;DR — Bet365 has eliminated 340 jobs, or 3% of its global workforce, citing UK tax hikes that raised remote gaming duty from 21% to 40%. Its digital-only model lacks retail levers used by peers such as Betfred and Paddy Power. The cuts center on its 5,500-person Stoke-on-Trent headquarters.
SCCG Take — Pure-play operators absorb tax rises through headcount reductions where hybrid peers close shops. The 2027 betting duty increase will clarify if this pattern widens across digital licensees.
Bet365 has terminated 340 jobs across Stoke-on-Trent, Malta and Gibraltar. The reduction equals 3% of the operator’s global workforce and follows consecutive increases in UK remote gambling taxation.
Cost Pressures from Rising Remote Duties
The remote gaming duty rose from 21% to 40% in April for iGaming activity. 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.
Bet365 operates exclusively through digital channels. This structure leaves the company fully exposed to the added costs without the retail closures available to hybrid peers. “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.
Betfred and William Hill carried out workforce reductions after the April gaming duty change. evoke closed 200 shops in May. Paddy Power indicated up to 100 betting shops could close, putting 400 jobs at risk.
The Pure-Play Exposure
Of the 340 positions eliminated, 300 are at the Stoke-on-Trent headquarters, which employs approximately 5,500 people. The remaining 40 roles are split between Malta and Gibraltar.
The company begins with voluntary redundancies. The spokesperson added: “We are committed to minimising the impact on our people and are exploring all avenues to reduce the number of redundancies.” Impacted staff have been informed and are being fully supported.
The episode shows how tax changes concentrate cost pressure on digital-only licensees. Hybrid operators offset duties through shop closures; pure-play groups adjust headcount instead. The April 2027 betting duty rise will test whether further measures follow.
Reporting: Yogonet International
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Pure-play operators absorb tax hikes through headcount, not shop closures—watch for more cuts before the 2027 betting duty rise.
We track regulatory cost across every market we operate in. When a tax regime doubles overnight and eliminates the retail safety valve, digital-only operators have one lever left: people. This is the canary for pure-play licensees facing duty creep anywhere, and the 2027 betting increase will force another round.
- 340 roles cut—3% of global workforce—300 at Stoke HQ alone
- UK remote gaming duty jumped 21% to 40%; betting duty hits 25% in 2027
- Hybrid rivals close shops; digital-only Bet365 has no retail cushion
SCCG angle: We help pure-play and hybrid operators stress-test cost structures against coming duty increases in the UK and parallel regimes. Our network includes tax advisors, lobbying specialists, and M&A partners who can model retail divestitures or market exits before the next round of cuts becomes mandatory.
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