Entain Australia is set to cut around 10% of its workforce in Australia and New Zealand, as part of a major restructuring initiative aimed at delivering A$60m in annualised cost savings.
The Australian Financial Review first reported the move, which also includes a return-to-office mandate for staff, and an end to the nine-day fortnight arrangement that allowed Australian employees every second Monday off.
An Entain spokesperson confirmed to NEXT.io that 60 staff have already departed, with consultations ongoing for another 60 roles.
“Entain Australia and New Zealand is making changes to strengthen its business for the long term – getting back to the basics of selling bets and implementing a ‘Win, But not at all costs’ culture,” the spokesperson said.
“These changes will deliver over A$60m of annualised savings and ensure we remain competitive, innovative, and compliance-led. Every person affected is being treated with care, respect, and support.”
Half of the positions are in Australia and half in New Zealand, with one-third based in the Brisbane head office. AML and Safer Gambling staff are not impacted, the company said.
The restructure also involves divesting non-core businesses, including Entain Venues, which operates themed lounges and app promotions in pubs, and Racing Club Australia and New Zealand, the company’s experience-based venture.
Entain said it is also improving operational efficiency through renegotiated supplier agreements and leveraging the wider group’s purchasing power.
First initiative under new CEO
It is the first major initiative under Andrew Vouris, Entain’s CEO for Australia and New Zealand, who was appointed in June.
In Q3 2025, Entain reported a 6% year-on-year decline in Australian revenue.
Several senior executives, including former CEO Dean Shannon, Lachlan Fitt and Cameron Rodger, have left the company in recent months.
From 1 January 2026, Australian staff will be required to spend at least two days per week in the office, while also ending the nine-day fortnight arrangement, which did not apply to New Zealand staff or certain roles, such as call centre employees and bookmakers.
Meanwhile, Entain has been facing scrutiny from the Australian anti-money laundering regulator AUSTRAC, which alleges the operator allowed 17 high-risk customers to wager more than A$152m without proper checks, including a case involving an internationally wanted criminal.
The allegations relate to activities between December 2018 and August 2024.
Entain filed its defence in October, acknowledging deficiencies in its previous AML/CTF programme but disputing several allegations.
Vouris said: “We sincerely regret that our old programme didn’t meet expectations. We followed expert advice at the time but, looking back, we recognise the old programme missed the mark.”
Entain has since overhauled its compliance programme, increasing staffing tenfold, investing tens of millions of dollars in new systems, and closing all 17 high-risk customer accounts at the centre of the case.
The company has fully cooperated with AUSTRAC and set aside A$100m to cover potential penalties.
More to come?
NEXT.io understands that the cost-cutting programme currently only affects Australia and New Zealand.
However, just last month, Entain’s global CEO Stella David warned that potential higher gambling taxes in the UK could force the company to close betting shops and shift investment away from the market.
With around 2,300 high street outlets, Entain currently employs over 14,000 staff in the UK.
David told The Times: “Every point of [tax] increase would actually have an impact that certain shops would become unviable … there is no level that does not have some consequence.”
