Entain Launches Campaign Against Potential Betting Shop Tax Rise
United Kingdom.- 8 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Entain has launched a new campaign warning about the impact of a potential tax increase on British betting shops ahead of the 28 October Budget.
The initiative, called What’s at Stake, focuses on employment, high-street activity, funding for British racing and government tax receipts.
Potential 40% MGD Rate
The main scenario concerning the industry is a possible doubling of the standard Machine Games Duty rate.
The current standard rate for qualifying machines is 20%, but reports suggest it could be increased to 40%.
No such change has yet been confirmed by the Government.
Current Rates
The existing Machine Games Duty regime contains three bands:
- 5% lower rate.
- 20% standard rate.
- 25% higher rate.
The duty is charged on net takings from qualifying gaming machines.
What the Campaign Seeks to Highlight
What’s at Stake is intended to demonstrate what Entain sees as the wider economic consequences of higher retail betting taxes.
The company argues that the impact would extend beyond operators to employees, local communities and other industries connected with betting shops.
Ladbrokes and Coral
Entain operates extensively in the UK retail betting market through brands including Ladbrokes and Coral.
The group also owns a 50% stake in BetMGM.
Its exposure to the land-based sector means any change to betting shop taxation would be significant for the business.
Jobs and High Streets
The campaign highlights the role of betting shops as local employers and contributors to high-street activity.
Entain warns that additional tax pressure could accelerate shop closures and lead to job losses.
British Racing Funding
Another core argument concerns British racing.
Betting shops form part of the economic ecosystem supporting the racing sector through wagering, media rights, commercial agreements and other revenue channels.
A smaller retail network could therefore affect that relationship.
Risk of Illegal Market Migration
Entain also argues that some customers could migrate towards operators outside the UK regulated market if legal retail supply contracts.
The company presents this as a potential risk for both consumer protection and tax collection.
Letter to the Prime Minister
Entain CEO Stella David has also written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham following recent comments about betting shops occupying high-street retail space.
David urged the Government to consider the broader consequences for jobs, high streets, racing and tax receipts before changing the retail betting tax framework.
Previous Online Tax Changes
The debate follows major changes to online gambling taxation.
Remote Gaming Duty increased from 21% to 40% from April 2026.
A new 25% remote betting rate is also scheduled to take effect from April 2027, compared with the current 15% rate applying to certain betting activity.
Retail Sector Under Pressure
Britain’s betting shop network has been shrinking for several years.
Among recent developments, Betfred announced in July that it would close 132 shops.
The Betting and Gaming Council has also launched its own Back Our Betting Shops campaign in response to pressure on the retail sector.
Statements
Entain argues that shop closures would have consequences extending well beyond the businesses themselves.
The company points to potential effects on local jobs, high-street activity, racing funding and customers’ access to trained staff who can provide safer gambling information.
Next Steps or Impact
The key decision will come with the 28 October Budget.
Until then, a potential increase in Machine Games Duty to 40% remains a policy scenario rather than an approved measure.
Entain will use What’s at Stake to build political and public pressure for what it considers a more balanced and sustainable tax treatment for the retail betting sector.
Editó: @fonta
