Labour MPs want higher tax on fruit machines before budget
Rank Group, the operator most exposed to the change, warned a doubled duty would halt investment.
The hit
Labour MPs led by Alex Ballinger have written to chancellor John Healey calling for higher machine games duty on Category B gambling machines, according to iGaming Business. The letter, sent on Friday, lands days before the 28 October Autumn Budget & specifically targets B3 machines in Adult Gaming Centres.
Why it matters
A duty rise would hit land-based casinos & gaming centres hardest, with Rank Group named as most exposed due to its retail footprint. The industry says higher tax risks shop closures & job losses; MPs say the move is targeted & backed by public support. The chancellor’s budget decision will settle which side wins.
The record
| Online gambling tax precedent | Remote gaming duty raised from 21% to 40%, effective 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Public support | 43% of voters back higher slot machine taxes (Social Market Foundation poll) |
| Industry warning | Up to 16,000 jobs at risk, 1,500 betting shops & 34 casinos could close (Betting & Gaming Council) |
| Company performance | Rank Group reported 5% like-for-like NGR growth in Q1 of its 2026/27 financial year |
| Letter sent | Friday, ahead of the 28 October Autumn Budget |
What happens next
Watch the Autumn Budget on 28 October, when chancellor John Healey is expected to announce the tax decision on land-based casinos & gaming machines.
Sources: Labour MPs call for increased tax on Category B machines
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