UK gambling heavy-hitter Entain has reported a three percent increase in group Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) for the first quarter of 2026, supported by continued iGaming volume growth, with the operator reiterating its full-year guidance.
Although sports revenue for the FTSE100 company, owner of Ladbrokes Coral, declined by one percent, online volume increased by 10 per cent, year-on-year, in Q1; with online NGR growing by five percent.
Performance
Entain reported strong performance in the UK and Ireland, where NGR increased by six percent, including a 13 percent growth in iGaming.
Australia–despite Entain vertical Ladbrokes Australia still trailing legal issues over compliance failures–also exceeded expectations with NGR growth of 12 per cent, while international markets overall recorded a marginal one percent increase.
Entain’s Central and Eastern Europe operations, expanded under the leadership of former CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen, saw a decline of six percent during the quartile — with the company citing customer-friendly sports results and “market-specific factors” as performance impactors.
Outlook Confirmed
BetMGM, Entain’s U.S. iGaming joint venture with MGM Resorts International, reported Net Revenue of US$696 million (£514.1m) for the quarter, ending March 31, a growth of six percent, y-o-y. Adjusted EBITDA for the Las Vegas-based vertical was reported at US$25 million (£18.46m).
Entain confirmed its FY26 Outlook, maintaining expectations of between five-to-seven percent iGaming NGR growth, on a constant currency basis and indicating that it remains aligned with market expectations for group EBITDA.
The company also reiterated its longer-term objective of generating at least £500 million (US$677.24m) in Annual Adjusted Cashflow by 2028.
Winner
Affirmed Entain CEO Stella David: “We entered 2026 with strong momentum, which continued [through] Q1, with strong volume growth across our diversified portfolio.
“This further demonstrates our ongoing strategic execution and strengthening operations. And also highlights the growth embedded in our globally-scaled business.
“We continue to build on this momentum.
“Entain remains well-positioned to be a long-term industry winner, seizing the many opportunities ahead, and I am confident in our future.”
