Playtech and Evolution up in July as BetMGM hinders Entain

SBC Stock Ticker: Playtech and Evolution on the up while MGM hinders Entain progress

Published on: August 3, 2026 Last updated: August 3, 2026, 2:59 PM

SBC Stock Ticker Visual, as July sees boosts for Playtech and Evolution

Credit: vectorfusionart / Shutterstock

SBC News takes a look at some of the biggest moves in July for gambling PLCs, as there were notable movements at Playtech, Evolution and Entain among others.

It’s that time of the year again – Q2 and H1 results are flooding in across the gambling industry, as onlookers get their first insights into the impact of the said-to-be record-breaking 2026 World Cup.

From what we’ve seen so far, it hasn’t exactly been groundbreaking for operators – though Spanish giant CIRSA did reveal that sports betting turnover increased by 10.8% year-on-year.

It was actually suppliers that saw major share price boosts in July, as Evolution and Playtech – two businesses currently embroiled in an ongoing dispute – rose by 10.03% and 18.22% respectively.

Playtech trading update gains investor confidence

For Playtech, a big jump came after a H1 trading update announced on 9 July.

The LSE-listed firm reported “continued strength in Mexico and Colombia” and “excellent performance” in the US.

This led to Playtech upping its expected adjusted EBITDA for the year from €205-225m to €270m.

Playtech shares stabilised for the remainder of July, though it closed the month with its share price trading at £3.79 – slightly below its monthly peak of £3.98.

Dart ups Evolution’s average

In Stockholm, Evolution saw its stock rally towards the end of the month off the back of a huge development.

Kenneth Dart, a businessman making waves in the gambling industry at the moment, upped his shareholding in the Sweden-based and -listed business to over 30%.

This has triggered a mandatory takeover offer, with Dart and his investment vehicle, Cayman Islands-headquartered Candle Lake, now having four weeks to either sell off shares to own under 30% of Evolution, or submit an offer for the remainder of the company’s shares.

With a potential takeover offer incoming, Evolution’s stock jumped from SEK 695 to SEK 741 (£57) during trading on 24 July, and ended the month at SEK 739.2.

The business also revealed its H1 results, which essentially confirmed that it would not go through with a long-awaited takeover deal of Galaxy Gaming and revealed it has returned to growth in Europe.

MGM puts pin in Entain’s momentum

It seems that Entain always manages to get a mention in the SBC Stock Ticker.

The Stella David-led, UK-focused operator is now the biggest gambling company on the London Stock Exchange, following Flutter Entertainment’s delisting.

And it may have been a successful month for the FTSE 100 constituent had it not been marred by a lack of progress at its BetMGM joint-venture.

Entain stock started July trading at around £5.52 and ended the month at £5.50 – a slight decrease.

When BetMGM stated that net revenue and adjusted EBITDA is expected to be at the lower end of its respective $2.9-$3.1bn and $300-$350m guidance ranges on 28 July, Entain’s shares dipped.

The operator’s shares had reached a monthly peak of just over £5.74 on that day but dipped by 24p in the following three days, meaning July was another month of decline for Entain.