Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain (ENT.L) has reported stronger-than-expected sales and earnings for the six months ending June 30, 2026.
Net gaming revenues climbed 5% year-on-year for the period, beating analyst expectations and signalling solid momentum across the group’s global operations.
Online revenue growth of 7% was a key driver, with particularly strong performances recorded in the UK and Australia during the half-year period.
UK and Ireland revenues rose by 8% overall, with 13% online growth helping to offset the financial drag from high street shop closures across the region.
Entain shut 45 stores across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland earlier in 2026, a restructuring move that weighed on its retail presence.
Despite those closures, the company said its UK performance showed “impressive” momentum even while “digesting the recently increased UK remote gambling taxes.”
The rate of remote gaming duty rose sharply from 21% to 40% from the start of April, with a new general betting duty rate also set to be introduced next year.
UK gaming revenues increased by 13% for the half-year, while the sports betting arm recorded an 11% uplift over the same period.
The expanded FIFA World Cup, which kicked off in June, proved a significant catalyst, driving a jump in first-time customers and stronger usage of Entain’s BetBuilder accumulator product.
Entain reported underlying earnings of £479 million for the six-month period, a figure that was down 2% year-on-year but still came in ahead of market expectations.
Chief executive Stella David struck a confident tone, stating: “I am pleased with Entain’s start to 2026 with strong momentum and volume growth continuing as well as strong player engagement across the group throughout the World Cup tournament.”
David added: “This performance reflects our strengthening operations and focused execution which reinforces the resilience of our globally scaled business and its ability to consistently deliver high-quality growth.”
She also said: “I am confident our disciplined focus on growth and optimisation will deliver strong future cash-generation, and that Entain remains well positioned to be a long-term industry winner.”
Entain, which also owns the Foxy Bingo brand, continues to operate one of the largest multi-channel gambling businesses globally, spanning both retail and digital markets.
The results offer reassurance to investors that Entain’s business model remains robust even as regulatory pressures and tax headwinds increase across its core UK market.
