Machine Game Duty in the UK to Rise to 25%

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that the UK Government's plan to raise machine games duty to 25% could put around 9,000 jobs at risk. According to EY projections commissioned by the industry, around 1,000 betting shops and casinos could close or face a serious risk of closure. The new rate will replace the current 20% rate from 1 April 2027.

According to the Council, more than 600 betting shops have closed or announced they will close since the last budget. Over the same period, more than 11,000 jobs in the online and land-based betting and gaming sector have been lost or have faced the risk of loss. The BGC says casinos may also review their investment plans because of this increase. The organisation says the closures will be felt especially in northern England and Scotland.

More than one in eight jobs in betting shops are located outside London. The Council says losing these jobs will affect young workers, families with children and carers, and that finding alternative work is difficult in these areas. It also notes that remote gaming duty has been 40% since April 2026, and the remote betting rate is planned to be 25% from April 2027.

The BGC argues that as the tax burden increases, players will turn to unlicensed operators. It stresses that these companies do not pay gaming duty in the UK and do not provide the protections offered by licensed firms. The Council also warned that the closure of betting shops could weaken support for sports such as horse racing, football, rugby league, darts and snooker.

The Council's chair strongly criticised the decision, saying the Chancellor of the Exchequer had ignored repeated warnings. In his view, the decision will harm thousands of people working in the licensed sector, as well as businesses and communities. At a 25% rate, the losses projected by EY will affect the incomes and security of real people.