Gambling CEOs ask chancellor to rule out tax rises before Budget
Letter to John Healey urges blocking MGD increase and delaying GBD rise
Key Takeaways
- CEOs of Entain, bet365, Bally’s Corporation, Evoke, Betfred and Flutter UK & Ireland asked Chancellor John Healey to rule out tax rises before the 28 October 2026 Budget.
- The Betting and Gaming Council opposes raising the Machine Games Duty from 20% to 40% and requests postponement of the General Betting Duty increase due in April 2027.
- The BGC reports more than 600 shop closures and over 10,250 jobs lost or at risk, citing a 38% fall in retail betting premises in Great Britain per the UK Gambling Commission.
- Regulus Partners estimates UK horse racing could lose £92 million annually if the MGD rises to 40%, while the Treasury could lose up to £124 million in receipts.
CEOs of major UK bookmakers sent a letter to Chancellor John Healey asking him to rule out increases in gambling taxes before the 28 October 2026 Budget. The note, coordinated by the Betting and Gaming Council, opposes raising the Machine Games Duty (MGD) from 20% to 40% and asks that the planned rise in the General Betting Duty (GBD) in April 2027 be postponed.
Signatories and arguments
The letter was signed by executives of Entain, bet365, Bally’s Corporation, Evoke, Betfred and Flutter UK & Ireland. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) warns that higher taxes will accelerate shop closures and job cuts across the country.
The BGC supplies data to support the request:
More than 600 betting shops have closed.
More than 10,250 jobs have been lost or are at risk.
According to figures from the UK Gambling Commission, the number of retail betting premises in Great Britain has fallen by 38%.
Fiscal impact and on horse racing
The sector says the Treasury could lose up to £124 million (€146.8 million) in receipts. UK horse racing could suffer at least £40 million (€47.3 million) from lower levy and media-rights payments.
An independent analysis by Regulus Partners estimates that if the MGD rises to 40%, the horse-racing sector could face annual losses of £92 million (€108.8 million).
Operators await Government decisions in the 28 October Budget; the industry asks that any new tax increase be implemented only after assessing the effect of previous rises. For regulatory and fiscal context consult the [regulation](/regulation) section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sent the letter to Chancellor John Healey and what does it ask?
The letter was sent by CEOs represented through the Betting and Gaming Council and was signed by executives of Entain, bet365, Bally’s Corporation, Evoke, Betfred and Flutter UK & Ireland; it asks the chancellor to rule out raising the Machine Games Duty from 20% to 40% and to postpone the General Betting Duty rise scheduled for April 2027.
What figures does the industry provide on shop closures and jobs?
The Betting and Gaming Council states that more than 600 betting shops have closed and that over 10,250 jobs have been lost or are at risk; it also cites a 38% decline in retail betting premises in Great Britain according to the UK Gambling Commission.
What is the estimated impact on the Treasury and horse racing?
The industry calculates a potential hit to the Treasury of up to £124 million; UK horse racing could lose at least £40 million in levy and rights, and Regulus Partners estimates annual losses of £92 million for the racing sector if MGD rises to 40%.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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