Boyle Sports is committed to the UK gambling market and is prepared for tax rises, says company CEO Vlad Kaltenieks. 

The Irish bookmaker announced a rebrand, new UK expansion and a partnership with Premier League football club West Ham United in one fell swoop in July and it has committed to the next few years. 

That is despite the growing pressure for the Labour government to raise gambling taxes, which Kaltenieks said is something the company is prepared for. 

Speaking on the latest episode of the iGaming Daily podcast, he said: “A tax raise is something that we planned for and we’re continuing with our plans in terms of the investment over the next three plus years and we’re remaining committed to the UK.”

Despite being prepared for a potential rise in taxes, he did ponder what effects a government decision could have on the industry and how it could affect future growth in the market.

“The big question for me is going wider – whether that’s actually going to help and ensure long-term and sustainable development of the market, of the industry, of the economy. 

“Is it going to maintain the conditions needed for businesses like ours and everyone else to be able to operate in a responsible manner to continue to invest in innovation?”

The threat of the black market 

Such tax pressures could push and risk of over-regulation could undermine the UK’s appeal, driving players offshore and damaging the long-term health of the market.

For example, reports in August revealed that the UK’s online gross gambling yield rose 2% annually during the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, which may be seen as an opportunity by the government to tax an industry that is continuing to enjoy steady growth.. 

And while the UK remains a heavily regulated market, Kaltenieks voiced his opinion on how best to manage the threat of the black market. 

Kaltenieks said: “The threat of a black market is very real and there is sufficient evidence to substantiate that, that we need to be taking and working really pragmatically in how to continue to create a sustainable environment where, as I said, the players and the operators can work together.”