Severe blow at bet365: 340 jobs eliminated across three countries 

Bet365 is set to cut 340 jobs across the United Kingdom, Malta, and Gibraltar.  

By far the largest blow falls on its headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, where approximately 300 positions are disappearing. The remaining roughly 40 jobs will be cut across the gambling operator’s European offices in Malta and Gibraltar. According to bet365, the restructuring represents about 3 percent of its total workforce. 

The measure comes during a period when British gambling companies are facing significantly higher taxes, stricter regulations, and rising operational costs. Bet365 itself points to a highly competitive market and escalating expenses driven by taxation and compliance. The company intends to rely primarily on voluntary redundancy schemes, aiming to minimize forced redundancies as much as possible. 

Although bet365 is predominantly an online operator without a large network of physical betting shops, the news remains highly relevant to the land-based sector. In the United Kingdom, jobs are not only under pressure at corporate headquarters; other major gambling operators are simultaneously closing hundreds of high-street betting shops. The workforce reduction at bet365 is thus part of a broader restructuring across the British gambling market. 

Largest impact felt in Stoke-on-Trent 

Bet365 shares a deep history with Stoke-on-Trent. Founded in the English city, it expanded locally to become one of the world’s largest online gambling enterprises. An estimated 5,500 people work at its headquarters, making the elimination of around 300 positions a significant event not only for bet365, but also for the local economy. 

According to initial reports, the affected roles are spread across various departments. Bet365 has not yet published a complete list of all disappearing positions, though it is clear the company is first offering staff the option to depart voluntarily. Only after that phase concludes will it become clear whether additional measures are necessary. 

Speaking to the Racing Post, a spokesperson emphasized that employees must remain the central priority throughout the process. Bet365 expressed its desire to mitigate the impact on workers as much as possible by offering tailored support. Nevertheless, the restructuring remains sensitive news in the company’s hometown. 

Higher taxes on online casino games 

The UK government has sharply increased the tax burden on online gambling. Effective April 1, 2026, the Remote Gaming Duty was raised to 40 percent—a rate that previously stood at 21 percent of gross gaming revenue. Furthermore, duty on online sports betting is set to rise from 15 to 25 percent starting April 1, 2027. These exemptions and implementation dates are set out in the official UK gambling duties update. 

The tax hike from 21 to 40 percent is particularly impactful for businesses generating substantial revenue from online casino games. While a higher tax rate does not automatically plunge a company into unprofitability, it severely constrains budgets for staffing, marketing, technology, and promotional bonuses. Gambling Club previously reported on the looming UK gambling tax increases and warnings that employment and investment could come under strain. 

The ramifications of a 40 percent UK casino tax rate were also highlighted in earlier coverage. The newly announced job cuts at bet365 demonstrate that this discussion is no longer restricted to projections and financial modeling—major operators are actively adjusting their organizational structures to accommodate the new cost reality. 

The UK government defends these higher rates by pointing to the rapid growth and high margins characteristic of online gaming products. Ministers also cited the heightened risks associated with specific online casino offerings. At the same time, duty on land-based bingo remains unincreased, and distinct tax rates continue to apply to certain forms of sports betting. Through this approach, the government aims to differentiate between online products and retail activities that support local employment. 

Bet365 prioritizes voluntary redundancy 

Opting for a voluntary redundancy scheme grants employees some agency during the restructuring process. Staff members who were already contemplating a career move may opt to apply for a severance package, providing bet365 an avenue to limit involuntary dismissals. 

Uncertainties remain, however. It is not yet clear how many employees will choose to leave voluntarily, which departments will bear the heaviest cuts, or how workloads will be redistributed. A reduction of 340 roles could also heighten pressure on remaining staff. 

Bet365 employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide and remains a massive employer within the global gambling industry. The restructuring does not signal an exit from the UK, Malta, or Gibraltar, but it underscores that even a market leader will re-evaluate its cost structure when taxation and regulatory expenses climb steeply. 

A notable moment for the gambling giant 

The workforce reduction occurs against a backdrop of ongoing speculation regarding bet365’s future. Reports emerged in 2025 concerning a potential sale or public listing of bet365, with valuation estimates reaching several billion pounds. A leaner operational structure can appeal to prospective investors, though bet365 has drawn no connection between the current redundancies and a potential sale. 

In recent years, the company has also refined its international expansion strategy. Bet365 withdrew from several gray markets to focus more aggressively on jurisdictions where online gambling is fully regulated. Gambling Club previously detailed bet365’s strategic focus on regulated markets. While this approach offers greater legal certainty, it carries higher tax obligations, licensing fees, and compliance overheads. 

Consequently, the restructuring cannot be attributed to a single factor alone. The UK tax increase plays a primary role, but international competition, technological investments, and tighter regulatory oversight are equally influential. Online operators must continuously invest in safer payment methods, anti-money laundering controls, player protection frameworks, and automated systems designed to detect risky gambling behaviors. 

High-street betting shops disappearing as well 

The workforce cuts at bet365 do not occur in isolation. Other UK gambling firms have unveiled plans to shutter retail betting locations. Industry figures cited by the Racing Post point to closures at major chains including William Hill, Betfred, and Paddy Power, putting thousands of retail jobs on British high streets under pressure. 

Because these figures stem in part from industry sources, they should be read in context; operators and trade associations frequently leverage projected closures in their lobbying efforts against tax increases. Nevertheless, the announced restructurings are concrete enough to reveal a clear pattern: both digital corporate hubs and land-based retail networks are downsizing. 

The situation is especially challenging for physical betting shops. Beyond gambling duties, operators must cover rent, utilities, security, and retail staffing costs. Furthermore, consumer behavior continues to shift toward mobile betting applications. As profitability declines, low-footfall retail branches are often the first targeted for closure. 

Debate over legal vs. illegal market share 

The gambling industry frequently warns that excessively high tax rates risk driving consumers toward black-market operators. Licensed companies must pay taxes, perform age verification checks, and enforce responsible gambling protections. Illegal websites operate without those cost burdens, enabling them to offer higher promotional bonuses or more attractive odds. 

While this argument warrants consideration, it does not imply that every tax hike automatically triggers an influx of illegal gambling. The ultimate outcome depends on law enforcement, payment blocking mechanisms, advertising restrictions, and the overall competitiveness of the licensed market. Governments must strike a delicate balance between tax revenue generation, consumer safety, and maintaining a competitive legal ecosystem. 

For bet365, maintaining that equilibrium is critical. The company deliberately pursued a stronger footprint in regulated markets. If operating costs in those jurisdictions escalate faster than top-line revenues, management will scrutinize staffing, capital investments, and expansion initiatives—with the announced job cuts standing as a direct consequence. 

Coming months will bring clarity 

Bet365 must now work alongside its workforce to execute the voluntary redundancy process. Only afterward will it become evident whether the target of 340 eliminated roles can be achieved without widespread compulsory redundancies. The process will be watched with particular concern in Stoke-on-Trent, where the company remains a major and symbolic employer. 

The restructuring serves as a broader warning across the industry. The new UK tax rates are altering more than just profit projections for online casinos and bookmakers; they are directly influencing employment, corporate investment, and the viability of high-street retail betting. Bet365 remains a financially robust global entity, but even an industry leader cannot absorb a near-doubling of online casino taxes without recalibrating its operational model.