Entain to cut 500 jobs as regulatory costs reshape wagering business

Ladbrokes and Neds owner expands cost-cutting programme to improve efficiency amid rising compliance and tax pressures

Entain, the global gambling group behind Australian wagering brands Ladbrokes and Neds, will cut 500 jobs across its international business as it steps up efforts to reduce costs and streamline operations in response to mounting regulatory and taxation pressures.

According to The Straight, the job cuts represent around 2% of Entain's global workforce and will span product, technology and corporate functions across multiple jurisdictions rather than being concentrated in the UK. 

The restructuring forms part of the company's wider strategy to improve operational efficiency and strengthen shareholder returns.

The move comes as Entain faces an estimated £200 million increase in annual costs following Britain's higher online gambling taxes. 

The company has already implemented earlier efficiency measures that absorbed more than half of the expected financial impact but is now pursuing additional savings as regulatory costs continue to rise, as per multiple media reports.

Global restructuring gathers pace

Entain said the latest organisational changes are intended to create a more agile business while strengthening its long-term financial position. 

The announcement follows the company's agreement to sell a 20% stake in its Central and Eastern European operations to EMMA Capital for approximately €425 million as part of efforts to reduce debt and reinforce its balance sheet.

The announcement marks a shift from comments made by chief executive Stella David earlier this year, when she indicated that no workforce reductions were planned for 2026.

"As part of our ongoing focus on enhancing Entain’s operational efficiency and agility, we have begun implementing organisational changes which will regrettably impact a number of roles across the group over the months ahead,” Stella noted. 

“These changes will help make Entain a stronger, better business and are a further demonstration of our strategic focus on maximising shareholder value. We are consulting with all those affected to support them during this process,” she also said.

Australia awaits clarity

According to The Straight, Entain has not disclosed which countries will be most affected, leaving uncertainty over whether Australia will face another round of redundancies.

The latest restructuring comes less than a year after Entain eliminated 120 roles across its Australian and New Zealand operations under chief executive Andrew Vouris as part of a plan to remove A$60 million in annual operating costs. Those cuts affected around 10 per cent of the Australasian workforce, although compliance, anti-money laundering and safer gambling functions were largely protected.

Wagering sector faces mounting pressure

Entain's latest cost-cutting measures reflect broader challenges confronting wagering operators as compliance obligations, taxation and technology investment continue to increase across highly regulated markets.

Australia's betting industry has also undergone significant workforce reductions over the past 18 months. 

Sportsbet announced 50 redundancies earlier this year while leaving another 40 roles vacant amid tougher trading conditions. 

Tabcorp also reduced its workforce by up to 200 positions during 2024 as part of a wider organisational transformation.

Despite the latest restructuring, Entain's Australian operations have shown signs of recovery in 2026, reporting a 12 per cent increase in first-quarter net gaming revenue after a challenging performance in 2025.