Proposed betting tax in the UK could wipe out 3,400 bookies and 25,000 jobs, new analysis warns

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Proposals to significantly increase the tax rate on gaming machines could have dire consequences, threatening the existence of 3,400 betting shops and putting 25,000 jobs at risk, as highlighted by industry research.

According to findings from the Betting and Gaming Council, a recent report submitted to the Treasury by a think tank suggests raising the Machine Games Duty (MGD) from 20% to 50%, which could devastate high streets across Britain. Currently, there are about 5,800 betting shops in the UK, which not only support 42,000 jobs but also contribute £140 million annually to horse racing.

This sector pays approximately £1 billion in direct taxes to the Treasury and another £60 million in business rates to local councils. Under the proposed increase from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), with each bookmaker restricted to four gaming machines, we could see the closure of 3,400 shops. This could lead to the loss of 25,000 jobs and a reduction of £84 million in essential funding for horse racing, further straining already beleaguered high streets.

This warning comes in the context of campaigns from anti-gambling organizations urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to elevate taxes on regulated betting and gaming as a means to help bridge a £30 billion shortfall in public finances.

BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said: “Any increase in betting and gaming taxes on any part of the industry would hammer ordinary punters while threatening British jobs, high streets and the future of horse racing.

“The figures for Machine Games Duty speak for themselves – thousands of shop closures, tens of thousands of job losses, and an £84 million hit to horse racing. This isn’t a small tweak to the tax system – it’s an act of economic vandalism against communities, workers and Britain’s second most popular spectator sport.

“These proposals risk achieving the exact opposite of what the Treasury intends – lower tax receipts, fewer jobs and more punters turning to unsafe, unregulated black market gambling.

“Britain’s betting and gaming sector is one of the most highly regulated in the world, supporting jobs, investment and sport across the UK.

“We urge the Government to resist short-term tax raids that would cause long-term damage – to jobs, to the economy, and to the future of British sport.”

Nearly half of all UK pubs host at least one gaming machine, earning landlords around £9,000 a year on average. Any sharp increase in MGD would add further pressure on those businesses, as well as on bingo halls and casinos that also rely on gaming machines for revenue.

The wider high street would feel the impact too. Research by ESA Retail found that 89% of betting shop customers visit other local businesses during the same trip – underlining the role bookmakers play in supporting footfall and spending.

BGC members currently contribute £6.8 billion to the UK economy, pay £4 billion in taxes, and support more than 109,000 jobs – including thousands in hubs such as Manchester, Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Nottingham.

The IPPR has suggested that increasing gambling taxes could raise up to £3.2 billion a year by hiking MGD and Remote Gambling Duty to 50%, and doubling General Betting Duty to 30%.

However, independent analysis shows such measures would damage the regulated sector, cut jobs and tax income, and drive more consumers towards unregulated operators.

Source: bettingandgamingcouncil.com

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