New Industry Initiative Warns That Potential Tax Increases Could Threaten Thousands of Jobs and Outlets Across Britain
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has officially launched “Back Our Betting Shops,” a nationwide campaign designed to spotlight the workers, local businesses, and communities that rely on Britain’s betting shops. The initiative emphasizes the vital role betting shops play as community hubs on high streets across the country while warning of the severe human and economic consequences that further tax hikes could impose.
The campaign launch follows extensive closures across the sector. Since 2019, more than 3,000 betting shops have closed, resulting in the loss of over 16,000 jobs. Additionally, the sector has seen the closure of 22 casinos (costing over 3,000 jobs) and 108 bingo clubs (costing more than 2,000 jobs). Despite these pressures, betting shops continue to sustain more than 36,000 jobs across Britain and drive essential footfall to neighboring high street businesses.
Economic Impact and Warning Over Proposed Tax Increases
Modeling by EY indicates that raising the Machine Games Duty to 40 per cent could jeopardize nearly 1,500 betting shops, put up to 16,000 jobs and 34 casinos at risk, and leave the Treasury £124 million worse off.
The broader regulated betting and gaming sector remains a major economic contributor, supporting 109,000 jobs, generating £6.8 billion in gross value added, and contributing over £4 billion annually in tax revenue to the Exchequer. Furthermore, betting shops provide vital financial backing for British sports, including horseracing through the statutory Horserace Betting Levy, alongside grassroots sponsorship for rugby league clubs and community competitions.
Leadership Perspective
Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, stated:
“Behind every betting shop is a team of real people earning a living, supporting their families and playing a part in their local community. These shops are not just businesses. For many people they are community hubs, familiar places on the high street where people work, meet and socialise, often with staff who have known their customers for years.”
She added:
“We have already seen thousands of shops close and thousands of jobs disappear. Further tax increases would not just show up on a balance sheet. They could mean more people losing their livelihoods, more empty shopfronts and more communities losing businesses they value.”
