The Ladbrokes owner says a proposed doubling of machine-games duty would add £100 million a year to its UK retail costs.
The company says the venues serve very different purposes as ministers move to loosen councils’ powers and require planning permission for AGCs.
First-half revenue rose 5%, helped by online growth and World Cup betting, while EBITDA edged down 2%
The gambling group says the redundancies will hit central functions and are part of a broader efficiency drive, not a direct response to UK tax rises.
Ministers are moving after delays, pressure from industry and Everton’s Stake deal.