Entain is now dealing with increased costs in its domestic market. The UK will increase Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40% from 1 April 2026. A new 25% remote betting rate within General Betting Duty will apply from 1 April 2027.
As a result, major operators are reassessing how they fund investment, growth, and debt reduction. In the case of Entain, that review appears to include assets outside the UK.
Tax Changes Push Asset Strategy Into Focus
According to Reuters, the company is currently looking into potential options relating to Entain CEE, which might include a possible sale. However, the negotiations are currently at a very preliminary stage, and there is no guarantee of any deal being made.
One option is a sale to EMMA Capital, the Czech investment firm that already partners with Entain in the venture.
CEE Unit Has Become a Valuable Asset
Entain CEE was formed in 2022 following the acquisition of SuperSport, a sports betting firm operating in Croatia, by Entain and EMMA Capital. The setup enabled Entain to have control of the joint venture, with EMMA participating as the minority partner.
Entain CEE grew once more in 2023 through its purchase of STS, a Polish betting firm, worth around £750 million. The deal gave the venture a broader position in regulated Central and Eastern European markets.
The unit has become one of Entain’s stronger regional assets. For example, in 2025, Entain CEE posted £183.7 million in EBITDA compared to £170 million posted the previous year. The CEE region also recorded growth in net gaming revenues in 2025.
That makes the review sensitive. Selling a profitable regional business could strengthen Entain’s balance sheet. On the other hand, Entain would lose exposure in markets that it has developed outside the UK.
Debt and Impairment Add to Pressure
Entain had a net debt position of £3.64 billion at the end of 2025. The group also recorded a £488 million non-cash impairment charge associated with the UK gambling tax hikes. This led to a statutory loss after tax of £680.5 million in 2025.
On an operational basis, the firm made profits. The underlying EBITDA of the group was £1.16 billion in 2025, which is above expectations. Entain has projected that the UK tax changes will cost the firm around £200 million a year.
Management plans to offset about 25% of the impact in 2026 and more than 50% from 2027. The potential review of CEE suggests that cost reduction may not be the only way.
Market Readout
The review does not mean Entain is leaving CEE. It shows that the company is reassessing where capital is most useful after the UK tax reset.
For operators with debt and strong regional assets, the next stage may be less about expansion and more about balance-sheet discipline. Entain’s CEE venture is attractive because it performs well. That is also why any sale would come with a trade-off.
