BGC Pre-Budget Warning: More Than 36,000 UK Betting Shop Jobs at Risk from Further Tax Increases
The BGC warns over 36,000 betting shop jobs, mostly outside London, face risk from further UK tax hikes in the Autumn Budget. Young workers (19%), women, and northern communities are most exposed. Modelling shows a 40% Machine Games Duty could cut 16,000 jobs and cost the Treasury £124 million.
SCCG Take — Healey must balance short-term revenue gains against documented losses in regional jobs and net tax yield. The budget decision will shape high street viability in communities reliant on these roles.
The Betting and Gaming Council has warned that more than 36,000 jobs in Britain’s high street betting shops stand at risk if Chancellor John Healey introduces additional tax rises in the Autumn Budget. The BGC statement highlights how such measures would disproportionately affect young workers, women, and communities outside London’s affluent south-east triangle. More than 80 percent of betting shop jobs are located beyond the capital, supplying employment in market towns, former industrial areas, seaside towns, and the North of England.
Grainne Hurst, BGC Chief Executive, noted: “Britain’s betting shops support more than 36,000 jobs, and more than eight-in-10 of them are outside London.” Hurst added: “The Chancellor should be under no illusion. Another tax rise would put thousands of those livelihoods on the line.”
Demographic Profile of the Betting Shop Workforce
Almost one-in-five betting shop employees (19 percent) are aged under 25, against 11 percent across the wider economy. More than half (51 percent) are under 35, compared with 35 percent nationally. Women comprise half the workforce, with roles that accommodate childcare and caring responsibilities. The BGC describes these as entry-level positions that build skills in customer service and cash handling. Of jobs at risk, 80 percent lie outside London, 27 percent in the North of England, rising to nearly 40 percent including Scotland.
Economic Modelling and Industry Contributions
Independent modelling shows raising Machine Games Duty to 40 percent could cost up to 16,000 jobs, threaten almost 1,500 betting shops and 34 casinos, and leave the Treasury £124 million worse off. This warning follows Remote Gaming Duty that rose to 40 percent on April 1 this year and General Betting Duty scheduled to increase from 15 to 25 percent next April. The regulated betting and iGaming sector supports 109,000 jobs, adds £6.8 billion to the economy, and yields more than £4 billion annually in tax. Betting shops contribute £140 million yearly to horse racing; BGC members add over £40 million to sports including the EFL and rugby league. As reported by iGaming Future, Hurst urged Healey to rule out the Machine Games Duty increase and abandon the General Betting Duty rise.
The scheduled October 28 budget will test whether fiscal policy accounts for these regional employment patterns and the sector’s net contribution to the Treasury. Further tax pressure risks accelerating shop closures already seen in recent months while delivering less revenue than projected.
Reporting: iGaming Future
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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