Key Report Provides Interesting UK Gambling Market Forecast for 2028

The UK online betting landscape could look fundamentally different in 2028. Those are the findings uncovered by boutique research firm Eilers & Krejcik. In their report, they noted that over 10% of operators could head for the exit door and leave the UK in two years’ time.

It was also suggested in the same study that roughly two-thirds of the UK’s online gambling market will be presided over by the market’s biggest players, including Flutter, Entain, and Evoke. Meanwhile, 20% of the industry would be controlled by second-tier UK operators such as Super Group, LeoVegas, and BetVictor.

Who are Eilers & Krejcik?

Eilers & Krejcik, who commissioned the report, describes itself as a top-tier research and consulting firm, focused on the interactive gaming and sports betting sectors. Their products revolve around market and company research, which can inform insights for land-based and UK online casino operators and gaming regulators.

Based in Newport Beach, California, Eilers & Krejcik have published hundreds of reports on the iGaming industry. These have largely revolved around the US gambling industry, breaking down market share as well as assessing nationwide performance month on month.

A free-for-all

As it stands, the UK gambling industry finds itself at a bit of a crossroads. Reports have emerged suggesting B2C companies of varying sizes are looking to capitalise on businesses considering leaving the market by purchasing assets, such as databases, brands, or even entire entities.

The feeding frenzy that could envelop may be a perfect chance for opportunistic businesses to seize the moment. Well, certainly the ones who are looking to snap up operators for a bargain.

Recently, it emerged that Evoke, the William Hill owners, were hiring bank giants Morgan Stanley and Rothschild to consult them and carry out a strategic review of their business. While no firm decision has been made, UK operators are considering how to cushion themselves against the impact of the budget.

Budget fallout rumbles on

The budget, which was revealed last month by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has been met with disapproval by large sectors of the gambling community. A significant uptick in online casino taxes from 21% to 40% is poised to be enforced in April 2026, and a rise in the general duty paid on digital sports betting from 15% to 25% as of April 2027, has incurred the wrath of operators.

Many UK betting businesses are now weighing up or taking decisive action. LiveScoreBet, for example, should serve as a warning, as it confirmed it was pulling out of Bulgaria due to the impact felt by the budget.

Black market fears remain prevalent

Taking the likes of LiveScore and William Hill out of the equation for a moment, the notion of an increase in black market activity remains prevalent. This was underlined by Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) CEO Grainne Hurst, who responded when the budget was announced.

She said:

“While we welcome the decision not to raise land-based duties and to scrap bingo duty - these excessive online tax increases will undermine jobs, investment, and growth across the UK.

“The Government’s Budget is a massive win for the incredibly harmful, unsafe, unregulated gambling black market, which pays no tax and offers none of the protections that exist in the regulated sector.

“These decisions are bad for jobs, bad for customers, bad for sports - and bad for safer gambling.”