UK remote gaming duty receipts jumped 108% year-on-year in July, from £283m to nearly £590m, according to provisional HMRC data. The rate doubled from 21% to 40% in April following last autumn's announcement.
Total gambling tax receipts for April–July reached £1.93bn, up 19% or £309m on the prior year. The general betting duty rate will rise from 15% to 25% in 2027; bingo duty has been scrapped.
Before the hike, operators pointed to the Netherlands, where a similar reform cut GGR and delivered just €2m against a forecast €108m in 2025. Critics warned that higher rates push players to unlicensed sites. Paddy Power co-founder Stewart Kenny cited Ireland, where doubling the tax doubled receipts. Derek Webb believes the UK market can handle 60%.
Stephen Hodgson, VP of tax at Midnite, expected the spike: "We anticipated a bump in the first quarter while the market adjusts." He says 12 to 18 months of data are needed for conclusions. Regulus Partners expects operators to hold back on bonuses, hoping rivals move first, but notes that costs will eventually land on players.
The Betting and Gaming Council warns that over 600 betting shops will close by year-end, with more than 10,000 jobs lost. Chancellor John Healy is deciding whether to raise machine gaming duty from 20% to 40%. Regulus forecasts that move would shut another 4,000 shops over three years. The budget is due 28 October.
