Increased gambling tax rates blasted as ‘hammer blow’ to UK industry

Summary

Remote gaming duty will rise from 21% to 40% and a new general betting duty on remote betting profit will increase from 15% to 25% (the latter to be introduced in April 2027). The changes were confirmed in the autumn budget and will largely take effect from April 2026. Industry groups and major operators have condemned the increases, warning of reduced investment, job losses, lower profitability, and a growth in black market gambling. Some operators say mitigation measures (cuts to marketing, promotions, closures, cost savings) will soften impacts, but several predict significant EBITDA hits and thousands of redundancies. Analysts note land-based reprieves such as the abolition of bingo duty may offset some harm to venues.

Key Points

Remote gaming duty raised from 21% to 40%.
General betting duty for remote betting profit to rise from 15% to 25% (introduced April 2027); exclusions include self-service betting terminals, spread betting, pool bets and horse racing.
Higher rates largely take effect from April 2026; the general betting duty begins April 2027.
Industry bodies (BGC) and operators (Entain, Evoke, Rank, Flutter, Super Group, Playtech) warn of job cuts, reduced investment and lower profitability.
Operators plan mitigation: cuts to marketing and promotions, supplier savings, store closures, and other efficiency moves; estimated EBITDA impacts vary by company.
Widespread concern that a higher-taxed regulated market will drive customers to the unregulated black market, potentially moving billions in gross gaming revenue offshore.
Some offset: abolition of bingo duty and steady machine gaming duty help land-based operators; geographic diversification will help some groups.

Why should I read this?

Short version: this budget move reshuffles who wins and loses in UK gambling — and it’s messy. If you work in gaming, invest in operators, or care about jobs and player safety, this story tells you the immediate damage, how big firms will try to plug the hole, and why enforcement against offshore operators now matters more than ever.

Source

Source:https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/tax/increased-gambling-tax-blasted/