Sky Bet Shifts Headquarters to Malta, Slashing UK Tax Exposure by Estimated £55m

Sky Bet, a major force in the UK gambling market, has officially moved its main headquarters to Malta, a decision that took effect this month and is expected to substantially reduce its UK tax burden—by as much as £55m per year—due to Malta’s significantly more favourable tax framework.

The operator has been steadily expanding its presence on the island, having begun active recruitment there in the summer of 2025.

The relocation entails the transition of core teams and senior personnel from Sky Bet’s long-standing base in Leeds, forming part of a broader restructuring effort intended to streamline operations and refine the company’s tax planning. Earlier in the year, Sky Bet had already shifted major operational segments to both Gibraltar and Malta. Although the Leeds office continues to function, it no longer serves as the company’s primary headquarters.

This strategic reorganisation is occurring alongside anticipated changes in leadership, including adjustments to Director-level and executive roles. No formal statements have yet been released regarding these internal leadership shifts.

Sky Bet’s owner, Flutter Entertainment, has acknowledged the substantial tax considerations linked to the move but stresses that the company must maintain operational agility “within a competitive and evolving regulatory environment.” Under current UK rules, gambling operators face a 25% Corporation Tax rate for higher-profit businesses, paired with a 21% Remote Gaming Duty applied to remote gaming income from UK customers. UK-based companies may also be subject to Gaming Duty on gross profits—reaching as high as 50% for top-tier profit brackets—as well as Machine Games Duty for certain betting hardware.

Malta, by comparison, has become a hub for global iGaming firms due to its far more appealing tax structure. While its Corporate Income Tax rate is nominally set at 35%, the jurisdiction offers a 6/7 tax refund mechanism on distributed profits, resulting in an effective tax rate near 5% for many operators. Malta also applies a 5% gaming tax, but only to gross gaming revenue generated from players located within Malta, a major draw for companies conducting business predominantly outside the country.

Sky Bet’s relocation positions the company to benefit from these fiscal advantages as it continues restructuring and expansion across key European gaming jurisdictions.

By fLEXI tEAM