UK gambling firms gain after smaller-than-feared budget tax increase

** Shares of UK-based betting firms rose after Britain announced a smaller-than-feared tax increase on gambling companies

** British finance minister John Healey says the government would raise Machine Games Duty to 25% from 20%

** Ladbrokes owner Entain ENT.L climbs 7.6% at 487p

** Shares of Evoke EVOK.L up 2.21% at 43.95p and Playtech PTEC.L rise 1.6% at 363.4p

** Rank group RNK.L jumped 8.4% at 85.5p