Entain flags £25m-a-year hit from UK gambling tax rise
The BGC, citing EY research, warns almost 1,000 betting shops & casinos could close or face a serious threat of closure.
The hit
Entain says a UK tax hike will cost its Ladbrokes & Coral retail business £25 million a year before mitigation. Chancellor John Healey confirmed in Wednesday’s budget that Machine Games Duty rises from 20% to 25% from April 2027, according to Casino.org.
Why it matters
The duty hits higher-stake machines in betting shops & casinos, not pub machines. Entain expects to offset the cost by the end of 2028 through estate cuts & efficiency measures, & says it could gain customers if rivals retreat. The Betting & Gaming Council warns the wider industry faces closures & job losses.
The record
| Entain’s estimated annual hit | £25m before mitigation (Entain) |
|---|---|
| Jobs at risk | almost 9,000 (EY research, cited by the BGC) |
| Venues at risk of closure | almost 1,000 betting shops & casinos could close or face serious risk (EY research, cited by the BGC) |
| Machine Games Duty rise | 20% to 25% from April 2027 (UK budget) |
| Remote Gaming Duty rise | to 40% from April 2026 (November 2025 budget changes) |
What happens next
Watch for Entain’s retail estate cuts & efficiency plans, & whether rival operators scale back UK shop numbers first.
Sources: Entain Faces £25M Hit From UK Budget Gambling Tax Rise as Industry Warns of Job Losses – Casino.org
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