Sky Bet Moves Its Headquarters to Malta Amid Expected Tax Hikes in the UK

^{Pictured: Sky Bet — principal sponsor of the English Football League}

Sky Bet, one of the UK’s largest online bookmakers and part of Flutter Entertainment, has relocated its main headquarters to Malta.

According to ITV News, the move is widely viewed within the industry as a response to the UK’s upcoming tax reform. The government is expected to increase the tax burden on betting companies, with the new measures likely to be confirmed in the upcoming autumn budget.

Among the proposals under discussion are raising the tax rate on gaming machines from 20% to 50% and increasing the online gambling duty from 21% to 40%. At the same time, the horse-racing betting sector is expected to be exempt from the tax hike following pressure from the industry. Against this backdrop, shifting operations to Malta is seen as a way for Sky Bet to mitigate risk and secure more stable operating conditions.

Analysts estimate that the relocation will reduce Sky Bet’s annual tax payments in the UK by £55 million (over $72 million). Flutter does not dispute these estimates and acknowledges that the move has “tax implications,” though it officially describes the decision as strategic.

Despite relocating its headquarters, Sky Bet emphasized that it will continue operating in the UK, where it remains a major employer.

The anticipated tax increases are also causing concern in Gibraltar — one of the key international hubs for operators serving the UK market. Andrew Lyman, head of the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, warned that higher taxes in the UK will directly impact companies providing services to British customers from the territory.