U.K. online gambling sees slower growth in Q2 with Entain leading gains: MS

Published 15/08/2025, 14:00
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- U.K. online gambling growth slowed to 2% year over year in the second quarter, according to U.K. Gambling Commission data covering operators with a combined about 70% market share. 

The rate marked a deceleration from gains of 12%, 11%, 21% and 7% in the past four quarters. Growth was driven by slots, which rose 14% from a year earlier on an 8% increase in spins, 16% more sessions and flat active players. 

Casino revenue fell 20%, while sports betting dropped 9% amid tough comparisons with last year’s Euro 2024 tournament, with bets down 7% and average monthly active accounts down 16%.

Entain led operator performance in the quarter, with sports wagers rising 9% and gaming revenue up 23%. 

The company’s gains contrasted with Flutter Entertainment, which reported sports down 17% at constant currency and gaming up 10%, still 19% above the second quarter of 2023 but affected by platform changes. 

888’s U.K. and Ireland online operations were flat overall, with a 9% decline in sports offset by a 5% increase in gaming.

Active customer numbers across the U.K. market fell 10% in the quarter, with flat participation in slots and declines of 9% in casino and sports betting. 

June activity remained above pre-pandemic levels for slots and other gaming, but sports betting was 21% higher than the pre-COVID baseline. 

Average gross gambling yield per player remained 28% below pre-pandemic levels for slots and 50% lower for other gaming, with average session lengths and the number of long sessions continuing to trend lower, a pattern that has stabilized over the past year.

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