Britain’s betting industry has criticised the increase in machine games duty (MGD) from 20% to 25%, warning of further closures, employment losses and pressure on licensed operators.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Evoke and Entain said the Budget announcement compounds existing costs. Entain estimates an additional £25 million annually for its UK and Ireland retail business before mitigation.
BGC Says Higher Duty Puts Venues And Planned Investment At Risk
Following John Healey’s announcement, the BGC expressed “deep disappointment and concern”, warning that jobs and venues faced “serious risk”.
It said the increase would “undermine planned investment, despite recent government reforms designed to encourage growth”. Closures could affect northern England and Scotland, “with many previously closed venues still standing empty”.
BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst said increasing MGD “is a deeply damaging decision and a blow to the thousands of workers, businesses, and communities who depend on Britain’s regulated betting and gaming industry”.
EY Projections Put Nearly 9,000 Jobs And Almost 1,000 Venues At Risk
Hurst said Healey “has ignored repeated warnings about the consequences,” citing EY projections that nearly 9,000 jobs could be lost and almost 1,000 betting shops and casinos could close at a 25% MGD rate.
“These are real people and families facing the loss of their income and security, in places where alternative work can be hard to find.” She warned that illegal operators benefit, “where operators pay no UK tax, contribute nothing to British sport, and offer none of the safeguards required of licensed businesses”.
Hurst cited £6.8 billion (€8.13 billion) in economic contribution, over £4 billion (€4.78 billion) in tax and 109,000 supported jobs, “yet the government has chosen a course that will destroy jobs, close businesses, and diminish the industry’s contribution to the economy”.
Evoke Points To Existing Cost Pressures And William Hill Closures
Evoke chief executive Per Widerstrom said the increase “comes at a time when the industry is already facing significant cost pressures, and risks further job losses and betting closures on high streets across the country”.
Writing on LinkedIn, he warned of migration to black-market operators, “which do not provide the same safeguards and protections”.
Earlier in 2026, Evoke announced that around 200 William Hill shops faced closure because of UK economic pressures. Before the Budget, it had urged the government to avoid additional gambling taxation.
Meanwhile, Evoke’s previously announced shop reductions show that the latest tax change arrives during existing restructuring, rather than at the beginning of the sector’s financial pressures.
Entain Says Additional Taxes Compound Damage From Previous Increases
Entain chief executive Stella David said: “This is another disappointing decision by the government.”
“The previous gambling tax increases announced in November last year already had detrimental consequences across the industry, with the effects being felt by employees, communities, as well as customers. These additional tax changes will further compound that damage and push more people into the growing illegal market.”
Entain had already announced potential UK layoffs amid economic pressure. David said efforts would continue to limit consequences for employees, business operations and local communities.
“Our priority is to protect jobs wherever possible whilst supporting a sustainable retail presence on UK high streets,” she said.
Operator Expects To Mitigate Additional Retail Costs By The End Of 2028
Entain’s annualised additional cost estimate is around £25 million (€29.9 million), “before any mitigating measures”. However, “through a combination of estate rationalisation, group-wide optimisation initiatives, and potential market share gains,” it expects to “fully mitigate the impact” by the end of 2028.
Industry forecasts identify employment and channelisation risks, but projected closures should be distinguished from confirmed decisions. Entain’s mitigation plan also shows that absorbing a tax increase may involve changes to its estate. The industry will be keen to see how operators’ responses affect customer protection and licensed retail gambling.
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