UK Operators Brace for Remote Gaming Duty Hike

Key Takeaways:

• UK remote gambling duty set to rise significantly from April 2026, prompting strategic shifts among major operators.
• Bet365 reports robust revenue growth amid regulated market focus, despite profit impacts from restructuring.
• Australian wagering faces regulatory uncertainty following high-profile compliance ruling on Sportsbet.

UK Remote Gambling Duty Reforms Confirmed

The UK government has finalized reforms to gambling duties, introducing a unified Remote Betting and Gaming Duty structure. Remote gaming duty will increase substantially to align with broader tax modernization, while remote betting faces a new 25% rate on profits from April 2027, excluding UK horseracing games to maintain levy contributions.

This shift simplifies compliance but elevates fiscal burdens in Europe's mature €50 billion market, where football betting drives 60% of GGR. UK sports betting platforms anticipate margin pressures amid 8% projected growth, accelerating offshore considerations or efficiency drives seen in Flutter's Malta relocations. It reinforces statutory levies for integrity, aligning with IBIA data-sharing against manipulation risks.

Source: GOV.UK

Bet365 Posts £4bn Revenue in Regulated Push

Bet365 achieved £4.036 billion in sports and gaming revenue for the year to March 2025, up 9% year-on-year, propelled by licensed expansions in Europe and beyond. Sports betting growth underpinned performance, offset by reorganization costs yielding a £43 million group loss.

Denise Coates emphasized commitment to regulated jurisdictions, holding licenses across Europe including Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, plus Australia. In a sector eyeing €100 billion global forecasts by 2030, this pivot counters unregulated flows while navigating affordability checks and youth safeguards, sustaining digital dominance in football-heavy markets.

Source: iGaming Business

Australian Betting Regulation Under Spotlight

A compliance ruling against Flutter's Sportsbet has highlighted Australia's fragmented wagering framework as 2026 approaches. Industry observers note potential for harmonized national reforms amid provincial variances and enforcement actions.

With mobile penetration fuelling Asia-Pacific's 11.5% CAGR to $60 billion, clarity on advertising, bonuses, and integrity monitoring remains critical. This echoes European models like Denmark's sports betting ad restrictions, balancing growth against 18% global alert rises while supporting localized events and data integrity partnerships.

Source: SBC News

Flutter Relocates Key Executives Amid Tax Pressures

Flutter Entertainment relocated senior Sky Bet personnel to Malta, anticipating UK tax elevations impacting European operations. This mirrors broader adaptations in a market projecting sustained football-led expansion.

It underscores operational agility in high-compliance zones, influencing retention strategies across Europe and Asia-Pacific amid evolving levies and AI-driven personalization trends.

Source: SBC News