Entain has sold to its partner Emma Capital the 20% stake it held in Entain CEE, the joint venture in Central and Eastern Europe.
Under the deal, the company listed on the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE 100 index will receive around €425 million. This figure includes €395 million to be paid at closing and an additional payment to be made in early 2027, based on the business’s financial results for the current year.
The agreement values Entain CEE at around €2.1 billion, which is 10 times the company’s Ebitda.
Following completion of the sale, Entain will reduce its stake in Entain CEE from 67.5% to 42.5%, while Emma will increase its stake from 22.5% to 42.5%. The Juroszek family, for its part, will retain its 10% stake, although it has signed an agreement to transfer the voting rights on the remaining shares to Emma.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the usual regulatory approvals. The decision is part of the Ladbrokes owner’s strategy to gradually exit the business in Central and Eastern Europe.
The company has explained that “all strategic options” are being evaluated to sell the remaining stake. The funds generated by this sale will be used to pay down the group’s debt.
Entain CEE manages the group’s operations in Croatia and Poland, two markets that have grown in importance within the company’s international portfolio.
According to Stella David, Entain’s CEO, the deal represents “a decisive first step” towards the full exit and “reflects our continued focus on maximizing value for shareholders.”