Flutter Warns UK Gambling Tax Hike Will Boost Illegal Operators

Flutter Entertainment plc has responded to the UK Government’s recently announced increases in online gaming taxation, calling the changes a “very disappointing outcome” for the industry. Effective April 2026, the tax on iGaming will rise by 19 percentage points to 40 percent, with sports betting (excluding horseracing) increasing by 10 percentage points to 25 percent from April 2027. Flutter estimates the adjusted EBITDA impact of these changes, before mitigation, will be approximately $320 million in fiscal 2026 and $540 million in fiscal 2027. Kevin Harrington, CEO of Flutter’s UK and Ireland division, warned that the higher taxes will make illegal, unlicensed gambling operators more competitive, as they do not pay tax or invest in safer gambling initiatives. Despite the expected negative impact, Flutter expressed confidence in its ability to navigate the changes through its scale, leading market position, and proactive cost initiatives, identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies and potential market share gains to help offset the increased tax burden. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Flutter Entertainment plc published the original content used to generate this news brief via GlobeNewswire (Ref. ID: GNW9593040-en) on November 26, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. © Copyright 2025 - Public Technologies (PUBT)