On September 16, Entain revealed plans to reduce its global customer care workforce by 20%, which translates to over 400 positions. This announcement follows a recent report indicating stronger-than-expected profits for the company in the first half of the year, but it comes amid increasing gambling taxes in the UK.
CEO Stella David explained the rationale behind the cutbacks, stating, "The proposed changes ensure the business remains competitive, financially resilient, and well positioned for the future as our sector faces an increasingly challenging operating environment. This decision has not been made lightly, and our immediate priority is to support those of our colleagues who may be impacted through this transition."
Entain has expressed concerns regarding changes to the UK's Machine Games Duty (MGD) tax, relevant to gaming machines in betting shops and other venues. Reports indicate that the company sent a letter to the Prime Minister's office, arguing that these adjustments could escalate annual operating expenses for its UK retail operations by approximately £100 million.
The issue surrounding the MGD is specific to retail gaming machines and is separate from the current proposal to cut customer care jobs.
Earlier this year, Entain announced plans to eliminate over 500 jobs in July, and with this proposal, the total job reductions for 2026 may reach around 900 positions. However, the 400 job cuts in customer services are still under consideration, and the final decision on how many positions will be affected will only be confirmed after the consultation process. This decision impacts employees globally, meaning those outside the UK will be subject to the labor laws of their respective countries.
The company assures that it will provide adequate support to those affected during the consultation period.
