The CEO of the UK's main gambling industry lobby group, the Betting and Gaming Council, has warned that “up to 16,000 jobs” could be lost if the government hikes Machine Games Duty to 40%.
Grainne Hurst – citing EY’s Economic modelling of potential MGD increases (September 2026) report – adds that “nearly 1,500 betting shops” and “as many as 34 casinos” could also be at risk, while the Treasury itself could in fact “end up £124m worse off for it”.
Independent think-tank The Social Market Foundation (SMF) recently released a report that suggested that doubling machine games duty from 20% to 40% could increase the tax take from ‘Category B’ £2-a-spin slot machines alone “by between £275m and £458m”, reports the Guardian.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously advocated for a range of reforms and taxes for the gambling industry, while Chancellor John Healey is reportedly considering targeting the industry in the Autumn Budget.
However, Hurst warns that “land-based betting and gaming venues are already facing rising employment costs, higher business rates, soaring energy bills and the impact of successive regulatory changes”, and she is urging ministers to consider “what damage it would do to the businesses, jobs and communities expected to pay it”.
“On the surface, the SMF recommends increasing Machine Games Duty. In reality, it is asking ministers to make a much bigger choice: are they prepared to accept the closure of valued leisure venues across Britain in pursuit of a policy that is unlikely to deliver what it promises?” wrote Hurst for Politics Home.
Hurst adds that over 3,000 betting shops alone have closed since 2019, “costing over 16,000 jobs”, and she adds that “consequences extend far beyond the high street”, pointing to the economic damage done to horse racing and the potential for illegal gambling to increase.
Gambling giant Entain has already announced plans to cut around 400 jobs, while Rank Group has warned that bingo halls and casinos around the country are at risk of closure.
The Autumn Budget is due to be announced on Wednesday, 28 October. The 2025 Budget included a rise in Remote Gaming Duty, which went from 21% to 40% in April, while general betting duty is set to rise in 2027.
