22 October 2026 | iGaming Industry News |
Flutter Entertainment continues to be a major force within the UK gambling industry and remains focused on maintaining its market position despite the significant tax increases facing the sector.
However, while the company believes it is well placed to navigate the changing regulatory environment, it has also warned about the potential growth of the unlicensed gambling market and the risks this poses to legitimate operators.
The Remote Gaming Duty is set to increase from 21% to 40%, placing additional financial pressure on gambling businesses operating within the regulated UK market.
The proposed changes have raised concerns across the industry, with operators warning that higher taxation could lead to job losses, reduced investment and businesses reconsidering their presence in the UK.
There are also concerns that the increased financial burden on licensed operators could create opportunities for unregulated offshore gambling websites to attract more UK customers.
For major operators such as Flutter Entertainment, the additional tax burden is expected to be substantial, highlighting the financial challenges facing even the industry’s largest businesses.
Smaller gambling operators could face even greater difficulties, particularly those with tighter operating margins and fewer resources to absorb the additional costs.
Industry representatives have warned that the changes could restrict future growth, reduce employment opportunities and make it increasingly difficult for smaller businesses to compete within the regulated market.
Flutter has repeatedly highlighted the potential risks associated with the growth of the UK’s unlicensed gambling sector, arguing that higher taxes on regulated operators could encourage more consumers to seek alternatives outside the protections provided by the UK Gambling Commission.
The company has also called for stronger action against illegal gambling operators and the businesses that enable them to provide services to UK customers.
Flutter’s leadership has urged the UK Gambling Commission to strengthen its efforts to tackle the black market, while also calling for greater scrutiny of payment providers that facilitate transactions involving unlicensed gambling websites.
Such measures could become increasingly important as the Government and regulators attempt to balance higher tax revenues with the need to maintain a competitive and well-regulated gambling industry.
The coming years could prove particularly challenging for the UK gambling sector, with operators facing increased taxation, rising operating costs and continued competition from unlicensed websites.
At CasinosLike.org, we believe tackling the black market will remain one of the industry’s biggest challenges, particularly if higher taxation makes it more difficult for licensed operators to compete.
With further regulatory scrutiny expected, the effectiveness of enforcement measures against illegal gambling businesses could play an important role in shaping the future of the UK’s regulated gambling market.
