Flutter Plans Up to 1,400 Job Cuts After UK Gambling Tax Hike

The Paddy Power owner says Britain's higher online duties forced the cuts, which reach Leeds, Dublin, Porto and Cluj-Napoca and would remove about one in six UK and Ireland roles.

Francis Gable

20/10/26 · 2 minOctober 20, 2026 · 2 min read

Paddy Power owner Flutter Entertainment said on Oct. 20 it plans to cut up to 1,400 jobs in its UK and Ireland business, blaming Britain's sharp rise in online gambling taxes.

The cuts would remove nearly 16% of the 9,000 people in that division. Flutter expects the new UK taxes to take $540 million off its 2027 core profit, and it aims to win back $201 million of that through savings like these job cuts.

Flutter Blames the Tax Rise

Staff in Leeds and Dublin are affected, along with UK and Ireland teams at Flutter hubs in Porto, Portugal, and Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Flutter, whose only stock listing is now in New York, disclosed the plan in a filing with U.S. regulators.

The tax on online casino games and slots rose from 21% to 40% in April 2026, according to the UK government's response to its consultation. Online sports bets go from 15% to 25% in April 2027, while bets on UK horse racing stay at 15%.

"We cannot fully absorb a rise of this magnitude without reducing our fixed cost base and therefore must restructure our business."

Kevin Harrington, who runs Flutter's UK and Ireland business, said the higher duties are "helping to fuel the unlicensed, unregulated market." He added that Flutter, as the largest UK operator, expects to gain market share.

The restructuring will cost $80 million to $90 million, mostly in severance pay. Flutter began telling staff on Oct. 20, and the plans still go through consultation with employees.

Machine Tax Is Next on the Table

More cuts may follow across the industry. Ninety Labour MPs have asked Chancellor John Healey to double the tax on high-stakes betting-shop machines to 40%.

The Betting and Gaming Council, the industry's trade group, opposes the idea. Its chief executive, Grainne Hurst, cited EY modeling that a 40% rate could cost up to 16,000 jobs and close nearly 1,500 betting shops and 34 casinos.

Healey delivers his Budget on Oct. 28. Flutter expects to finish most of its restructuring by the end of 2026.

Treat gambling as entertainment you pay for. 18+, and if it stops feeling like entertainment, help exists at BeGambleAware and GamCare.