BGC Warns Further Tax Rises Threaten Jobs, High Streets And Racing
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has urged the Chancellor not to raise gambling taxes again, following reports that the Treasury is considering lifting Machine Games Duty (MGD) from 20 per cent to 25 per cent.
The trade body published its response in a statement on October 21, 2026, a week before the Budget on October 28.
It warned that further rises would threaten jobs, high streets and funding for British racing.
What The BGC Said
In its statement, BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst said: "Any further tax increase would heap more pressure on an industry already facing substantial tax rises, threatening jobs, high streets and vital funding for British racing."
Hurst said the industry is already dealing with the near doubling of Remote Gaming Duty and preparing for a sharp rise in General Betting Duty.
She said further increases would add to the burden on businesses already making difficult decisions about jobs, investment and their future.
Job Cuts And Closures
Hurst said the warnings are not hypothetical. She cited Betfred's betting shop closures, further job cuts proposed by Entain and bet365, and Flutter's announcement this week that up to 1,400 jobs could be lost.
Flutter confirmed that figure in its own press release on October 20, 2026. It said the restructure of its UK and Ireland business is expected to result in up to 1,400 redundancies, subject to consultation.
Our earlier report on the Flutter job cuts covers the detail.
"Across the sector, thousands of jobs have already been lost or put at risk," Hurst said.
The Case Against Another Rise
Hurst called on the Treasury to resist what she described as poorly evidenced calls for further increases without considering the wider economic impact.
She said: "Higher taxes do not automatically mean higher revenues, particularly when they lead to business closures, people losing their jobs and reduced investment."
The BGC says the sector is already bearing the near-doubling of Remote Gaming Duty and a planned rise in General Betting Duty.
Its statement adds a possible increase in MGD to that list of pressures.
Part Of A Wider Budget Push
The statement follows a letter from six operator chief executives that the BGC published on October 14, 2026.
In it, the bosses asked the Chancellor to rule out further rises and to pause the April 2027 General Betting Duty increase.
That letter said more than 600 betting shops have closed and 10,250 jobs across online and retail operations have been lost or announced for redundancy since the 2025 Budget.
We covered that letter in our report on the BGC call for no further betting tax rises.
Separately, 90 Labour MPs have written to the Chancellor asking for a higher MGD rate for Category B machines.
What To Watch Next
The Treasury has not confirmed any change to MGD.
The Budget on October 28 will show whether the Chancellor acts on the reports or leaves the duty at its current rates.
Follow the latest reaction in our UK gambling news section.
