Betting and Gaming Council launches campaign against proposed UK gaming tax rise
The campaign warns a proposed increase in Machine Games Duty could put thousands of jobs and betting shops at risk.
The Betting and Gaming Council has launched a new campaign to lobby against a proposed rise in Machine Games Duty in the UK's Autumn Budget next month.
The Back Our Betting Shops campaign will focus on "the people, jobs and communities behind Britain’s betting shops", the association said.
"Behind every betting shop is a team of real people earning a living, supporting their families and playing a part in their local community," said BGC CEO Grainne Hurst.
The BGC cited EY modelling that suggests increasing Machine Games Duty to 40 per cent could put up to 16,000 jobs, nearly 1,500 betting shops and as many as 34 casinos at risk, while leaving the Treasury £124m worse off.
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Hurst said further tax increases could mean more people losing their livelihoods, more empty shopfronts and more communities losing businesses they value.
The land-based gambling sector has been in contraction for several years, according to the BGC.
Since 2019, more than 3,000 betting shops have closed, costing over 16,000 jobs. Over the same period, 22 casinos have shut with the loss of more than 3,000 jobs, while 108 bingo clubs have closed, resulting in the loss of more than 2,000 jobs.
Despite these closures, the BGC said betting shops continue to support more than 36,000 jobs across Britain and remain part of local high streets, drawing footfall to neighbouring businesses.
The wider regulated betting and gaming sector supports 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8 billion in gross value added and generates more than £4 billion a year in tax revenue, the trade body said.
The BGC argues that physical venues should face lower taxes because they have a community role as hubs where people work, meet and socialise.
Betting shops also play a major role in supporting British sport, including horseracing through the statutory Horserace Betting Levy, alongside wider sponsorship and investment in professional and grassroots sport.
Focus on Prime Minister's constituency
The BGC has begun the campaign by focusing on Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s own constituency of Makerfield in Greater Manchester.
It says that Opinium polling found 54 per cent of residents believe betting shops contribute to community life. Meanwhile, more than one in four Makerfield adults, 26 per cent, had placed a sports or racing bet in the previous 12 months.
Hurst said the Prime Minister has said policies should face a 'Makerfield test'.
"The Prime Minister only has to look at his own constituency to see why that matters," Hurst said. "People in Makerfield recognise the role betting shops play in community life and they are concerned about the jobs and empty units left behind when local businesses disappear."
The campaign will feature stories from shops across Britain, giving a platform to workers, customers and communities.
The debate over betting and gaming taxation forms part of a broader discussion within the UK industry about the balance between fiscal policy and employment.