The UK Treasury is considering higher gambling duties as the government seeks up to £30 billion in additional revenue, according to media reports. No specific tax change has been confirmed; industry groups have opposed increases, and the Treasury’s consultation on simplifying betting duties began in April.
A potential duty increase could change tax costs for UK betting and gambling operators.
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The Betting and Gaming Council said more than 540 betting shops had closed in Britain since last year’s Budget, with about 4,500 jobs lost. It warned that further tax increases could bring more closures and job losses; the Treasury said gambling duty rates for high-street shops had not changed.
H2 Gambling Capital has linked growth in the offshore online market to a tax increase. The consultancy estimated that onshore operators' market share declined by 5% between 2019 and 2025.
The Betting and Gaming Council warned on 1 April that Britain’s illegal online gambling market could grow as the Remote Gambling Duty rate rises from 21% to 40% of gross gaming revenue. The industry body said the higher tax could weaken licensed operators’ competitiveness and argued that proposed financial risk assessments could also push customers towards unlicensed sites. The BGC cited billions of pounds in stakes on the black market, without giving a specific total.
The Betting and Gaming Council warned the UK government that raising the tax on gaming machines from 20% to 50% could force more than 3,400 betting shops to close, according to its report. The BGC estimated the increase could cost 25,000 jobs and said a separate casino tax rise to 25% could put up to 40 casinos and 3,500 jobs at risk.
Flutter Entertainment announced a restructuring of its UK and Ireland operations that could cut up to 1,400 jobs. The company said the plan responds to higher gambling taxes announced in the UK government's Autumn Budget 2025. Flutter expects implementation costs of $80m-90m in Q4 2026 and a $540m hit to 2027 adjusted EBITDA.