The Betting and Gaming Council has warned that raising Machine Games Duty to 40% would put up to 16,000 jobs at risk across Britain's betting and gaming sector. The exposure falls hardest on young workers, women and communities outside London.
More than 80% of betting shop jobs sit outside the capital, in small towns, former industrial centres and coastal communities. One in five employees, 19%, is under 25, against 11% across the wider economy. Some 51% of staff are under 35, where the national figure is 35%. Women hold half the jobs in the sector, often alongside childcare.
What EY models
Independent modelling by EY puts the loss at up to 16,000 jobs, with around 1,500 betting shops and up to 34 casinos closing. Treasury receipts could fall by up to £124 million ($163.88 million). About 80% of the roles at risk are outside London, 27% in the north of England and almost 40% once Scotland is counted.
Grainne Hurst, chief executive of the BGC, said a betting shop is a first job for many young people and a route to a career. She called on the Chancellor not to raise MGD, to assess the damage from taxes already introduced and to stop the planned General Betting Duty increase in April 2027.
Taxes already in place
The sector is already carrying extra tax: Remote Gaming Duty has risen to 40% and General Betting Duty goes up in two years. Regulated betting and gaming supports 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8 billion ($8.99 billion) to the UK economy and generates more than £4 billion ($5.29 billion) in tax revenue a year.
