International betting group shaping the sports-gambling landscape
AI-driven prediction markets have surged during the 2026 World Cup, outpacing traditional sportsbooks. Kalshi leads, with record trading during the tournament, while fans wager through novel formats. The event follows a dramatic semi-final and a controversial banner incident.
The London market sees notable shifts as easyJet joins the FTSE 100 after a private equity bid boosts valuations, while easyJet's removal from the index could signal broader capital outflows. Bodycote is taken private by Veritas, and Gamma Communications along with Capricorn face delisting, reflecting a wave of deals that remove firms from London’s public markets.
Entain has launched a consultation affecting up to a fifth of its 2,000 customer-care roles across 11 countries, citing higher UK taxes and cost pressures. CEO Stella David says the changes aim to keep the business competitive and financially resilient as the sector faces an challenging operating environment. Several reports warn that a doubling of machine gaming duty could add hundreds of millions in costs and trigger shop closures and job losses.