iGaming Week in Quotes: Tax Pain, a CEO Exit, and Wynn’s 2027 UAE Opening

The last seven days in iGaming were marked by tax-driven retail cuts, a C-suite shake-up at a major operator, and fresh regulatory calls across two continents. Here are the voices that set the tone.

Betfred’s retail pullback

The UK’s remote gaming duty increase to 40% is now hitting the high street. Betfred announced it will close 132 betting shops across the country, placing more than 600 jobs at risk as it adjusts to the heavier tax burden. Founder Fred Done did not hide the emotional weight of the decision, saying "This is people’s lives, and we’ve got a heart." He added that the news left him deeply sorry and upset, and apologized for the announcement. The full financial impact of the tax rise on operators should become clearer when second-quarter earnings are published later this month, though private companies like Betfred may not reveal the damage until much later.

South Africa’s prediction market warning

The South African Bookmakers Association (SABA) is the latest gambling body to push back against prediction markets. Chief executive Sean Coleman called for legislative reform and a cautious approach that would treat unregulated prediction markets as part of the illegal offshore gambling market until a proper framework is developed. With more countries weighing whether prediction markets count as gambling, the debate is clearly spreading beyond the United States.

Hasselhoff and a reporter’s confession

CoinGeek reporter Becky Liggero told iGaming Expert that her most eccentric interview came at G2E in the early 2010s, when she spent 30 minutes with David Hasselhoff. She admitted she was very green and nervous, and said, "I would kill to have another 30 minutes with him now." Liggero also reflected on how iGaming events have evolved, named Richard Branson as a dream interviewee, and discussed web3, crypto payments, and influencer marketing.

Flutter’s leadership shift

Flutter Entertainment’s share price slid after its Q2 report, and the announcement of a CEO change likely added to the pressure. Peter Jackson will step down at the end of September, saying, "I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved over nearly nine years." He will be replaced by Dan Taylor, currently head of Flutter International. Taylor inherits a set of challenges that include competing with prediction markets in the US and rising tax costs in the UK.

Romania’s regulator under pressure

Dan Ghita, chair of Rombet, is calling on Romania’s gambling regulator ONJN to prioritize complete transparency and deep institutional reform. His comments come before he appears on a gambling regulation panel at the SBC Summit in Lisbon. The call follows the late-July arrest of the ONJN’s deputy general director on bribery allegations, as well as auditing problems reported last year. The fallout could shape the industry’s direction in Romania.

Wynn’s 2027 UAE target

Wynn Resorts has confirmed it is aiming to open its Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah in September 2027. The timeline holds despite regional conflict that has pushed project costs up by around $600m. CEO Craig Billings said construction is proceeding as planned and the company is looking forward to opening the doors, while acknowledging that a prolonged conflict would create larger problems.