Entain Launches Employee Share Ownership Plan

Entain, the leading global sports betting and gaming entertainment group, has launched a share ownership plan for over 22,500 employees. The group-wide plan will allow employees in the UK and abroad to profit from the growth of Entain’s global business.

Around 22,500 employees at all levels of the business can now apply to join Entain’s ShareSave plan. In the UK, where Entain has 2885 Ladbrokes and Coral shops, almost 14,000 retail workers can apply for the plan. By starting monthly contributions at just £5 or more, Entain hopes to put share ownership within reach of everyone, including people across its international operations.

Entain said ShareSave will initially be offered to colleagues working in countries representing around 99% of its workforce, also including the Philippines, India and Bulgaria. The company said it had initially placed a £100 monthly cap on contributions to reflect the truly global nature of its business and currency differences across the workforce, with the aim of maximising the appeal to all colleagues.

“Entain has been one of the highest performing companies in the FTSE-100 over the past year, which is the result of hard work and efforts from teams across our international business. Building a strong customer-centric culture where everyone contributes and shares in our continuing success is really important, so this plan is designed to be attractive and accessible to all,” Jette Nygaard-Andersen, Chief Executive of Entain, said.

Under the terms of the ShareSave plan, colleagues can choose to save a monthly sum from £5 to £100 over three years. At the end of this period, they will have the opportunity to buy shares in Entain for 20% less than their market value at the start of the invitation period, which they can sell for a potential profit. Alternatively, they can retain the stock as shareholders in the company, or simply take their savings back.