UK Machine Games Duty rise threatens thousands of jobs

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has reacted strongly to the Autumn Budget. Chancellor John Healey's decision to raise Machine Games Duty (MGD) to 25% has been criticised. Based on modelling by EY, the Council said around 9,000 people could lose their jobs and around 1,000 betting shops and casinos could close or face a serious risk of closure.

The sector is still trying to recover from last year's tax changes, which cost it 1.7 billion pounds. Online gaming duty rose to 40% in April 2026. General betting duty is scheduled to rise to 25% in April 2027. According to the Council, more than 600 betting shops have closed or announced they will close since last year's Autumn Budget. More than 11,000 jobs in online and high street retail have been lost or put at risk.

The Council said northern England and Scotland would be hit hardest by this tax. More than eight in ten betting shop jobs are located outside London, and alternative employment in these regions is often limited. The Council also pointed out that the sector contributes around 350 million pounds a year to horse racing, and more than 40 million pounds to the English Football League and Scottish football.

BGC Chair Grainne Hurst described the decision as “seriously damaging”. She said it would hit thousands of workers, businesses and communities across the UK's regulated betting and gaming sector.