Betting and Gaming Council Warns Further Machine Games Duty Increase Would Threaten Jobs, High Streets and British Horseracing Funding

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that any further increase in Machine Games Duty (MGD) would place additional pressure on the UK betting and gaming industry, already absorbing multiple tax regime changes.

The trade body highlighted risks to jobs, high streets and funding for British horseracing ahead of the forthcoming Budget. The sector faces a near doubling of Remote Gaming Duty and a forthcoming rise in General Betting Duty, with the BGC arguing that an extra MGD rise would compound the strain on operators reviewing jobs, investment and long-term plans.

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, stated: “Any further tax increase would heap more pressure on an industry already facing substantial tax rises, threatening jobs, high streets and vital funding for British racing.”

Hurst added: “The industry is already grappling with the near doubling of Remote Gaming Duty and preparing for a sharp rise in General Betting Duty. Further tax increases would add to the burden on businesses already making difficult decisions about jobs, investment and their future.”

She pointed to specific recent developments: betting shop closures at Betfred, proposed job cuts at Entain and bet365, and Flutter’s announcement this week that up to 1,400 jobs could be lost. “Across the sector, thousands of jobs have already been lost or put at risk,” Hurst said.

The statement follows the BGC’s earlier pre-Budget warning that more than 36,000 betting shop jobs are at risk.

Cumulative Duty Changes and Land-Based Pressures

MGD applies to revenue from gaming machines in licensed betting shops, a significant factor for land-based operators managing high-street cost pressures. The wider iGaming industry has monitored this sequence of UK duty changes closely for impacts on both online and retail operations, according to iGaming Future.

Treasury Must Weigh Economic Consequences

Hurst concluded: “The Treasury must resist poorly evidenced calls for further increases without considering the wider economic impact. Higher taxes do not automatically mean higher revenues, particularly when they lead to business closures, people losing their jobs and reduced investment. With the Budget still to come, we urge the Chancellor to consider the full economic consequences of any further tax increases and protect the jobs, businesses and British sport that depend on the regulated industry.”

Reporting: iGaming Future

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