UK Budget must protect 36,000 betting shop jobs
The Betting and Gaming Council has warned that tax increases in the UK Budget could jeopardize betting shop jobs, citing industry data and independent modelling.
The Betting and Gaming Council said Britain's betting shops support more than 36,000 jobs, with over 80% located outside London. It said 19% of employees are under 25 and 51% under 35, compared with 11% and 35% across the wider economy. Women make up half the workforce, the group added.
Ahead of the Budget, the BGC warned that raising Machine Games Duty to 40% could cost up to 16,000 jobs and put almost 1,500 betting shops and as many as 34 casinos at risk. It cited independent EY modelling indicating the Treasury could lose up to £124 million. Of jobs at risk, 80% are outside London and 27% are in northern England, rising to nearly 40% including Scotland.
The BGC also noted the sector supports 109,000 jobs, contributes £6.8 billion to the UK economy and generates more than £4 billion in annual tax. It called on the Chancellor to rule out an MGD increase, assess prior tax damage and halt a planned General Betting Duty rise scheduled for April 2027. The Treasury previously recognized land-based betting's employment benefits, the BGC said.
