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The IPPR proposes increasing the tax rate on the 'gross gambling yield' - the money taken by betting companies after winnings are paid out:
• Remote Gambling Duty on online slots, poker and online bingo would rise from 21% to 50%.
• Machine Games Duty on cash-prize slot machines would rise from 20% to 50%.
• General Betting Duty on sports betting, online or in betting shops, excluding horse racing, would rise from 15% to 30%.
The IPPR estimates these measures would together raise an extra £3.2 billion in 2026/27 - enough to remove the cap that only allows families to claim benefits for their first two children, as well as the household benefit cap - both introduced by previous Conservative governments.
Doing so, according to the IPPR, would lift 500,000 children out of poverty.
• Remote Gambling Duty on online slots, poker and online bingo would rise from 21% to 50%.
• Machine Games Duty on cash-prize slot machines would rise from 20% to 50%.
• General Betting Duty on sports betting, online or in betting shops, excluding horse racing, would rise from 15% to 30%.
The IPPR estimates these measures would together raise an extra £3.2 billion in 2026/27 - enough to remove the cap that only allows families to claim benefits for their first two children, as well as the household benefit cap - both introduced by previous Conservative governments.
Doing so, according to the IPPR, would lift 500,000 children out of poverty.
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Not sure how any company could make a profit with 50% tax. So if you are slots player you would go to Black Mkt and for sure we all know the tax take wouldn't go up...
Was it Gary Smith (GMB Leader)? who threw in a line on Laura K's programme just now that his union has been speaking to the Labour Leadership encouraging them to impose this Gambling tax increase to fund investment into "creating jobs 
and wider investment.
It will instead wipe out thousands of jobs, if the scaremongers have called it correctly.
and wider investment.It will instead wipe out thousands of jobs, if the scaremongers have called it correctly.
Unfortunately the unbearable woman will see horse racing gamblers and showground material as one…
So unfortunately it will go ahead and screw it rotten…
So unfortunately it will go ahead and screw it rotten…
those who feel digital ID is coming and will be in control of it may not be in favour of gambling and know they can affect individuals capability to bet now. it isn’t always simply what you see in front of your nose.
racing669925 Sep 25 15:5
Not sure how any company could make a profit with 50% tax. So if you are slots player you would go to Black Mkt and for sure we all know the tax take wouldn't go up...
the most retarded take i've ever read on here.
Not sure how any company could make a profit with 50% tax. So if you are slots player you would go to Black Mkt and for sure we all know the tax take wouldn't go up...
the most retarded take i've ever read on here.
Hopefully when they raise the tax hopefully they might become bookmakers again take a proper bet and the mugs sat playing slots casino n everything else the crackpots play then realise what mugs they really are when the % gets turned down even more we can go back to old school
Remote gambling should be taxed at 50%, at least; horseracing remains at the present level. The former is easy money for every bookie. Hence, the over supply of bookies online and the high streets. Also, the effort the bookies put into obtaining their colossal annual profits is not hard labour or involves massive intelligence or luck; remote gambling to bookies is like a walk-in-the-park for any able body young or old.
But, bookies being bookies they are always bleating, and oblivion and ignorance to recreation punters wanting a bet.
There's an option for the bookies. Pay the tax or get out!!!!!!
But, bookies being bookies they are always bleating, and oblivion and ignorance to recreation punters wanting a bet.
There's an option for the bookies. Pay the tax or get out!!!!!!
agree impossible i cant have a bet only sp and if go near the ssbts switch them off ;-) sorry for taking 9/4 for a greyhound that returns 13/8 but its ok she said can play on the fruit machines as much as i like pmsl
2026 will definitely be my final year following the sport….
1.01 …..
1.01 …..
Same here. 'superboost' is £1 only now.
The bookies should be asked to fund the social, legal and nhs costs because of remote gambling; remote gambling, and fobt on the high streets and mobiles for the under 18 should be exterminated like vermins.
The bookies should be asked to fund the social, legal and nhs costs because of remote gambling; remote gambling, and fobt on the high streets and mobiles for the under 18 should be exterminated like vermins.
Sep 28, 2025 -- 10:13AM, leif wrote:
Was it Gary Smith (GMB Leader)? who threw in a line on Laura K's programme just now that his union has been speaking to the Labour Leadership encouraging them to impose this Gambling tax increase to fund investment into "creating jobs and wider investment.It will instead wipe out thousands of jobs, if the scaremongers have called it correctly.
I agree with DIE LINKE @ 1:22PM
That's an absolute doozy.
I can only imagine that you and DIE LINKE have no idea how gaming duty works or think that gambling businesses have no employees or fixed and variable costs.
The Government and racing will lose significantly more than they gain if they impose these ridiculous taxes on shops and thats before the loss of 1000's of betting shop and racing industry job losses.
Political pressure: More than 100 Labour MPs, led by Beccy Cooper and Alex Ballinger, have urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to adopt reforms backed by former prime minister Gordon Brown that would hit betting shops as well as online operators.
Betting shops at risk: Industry leaders warn the entire UK high street betting estate could collapse if higher taxes are applied. Closures would put tens of thousands of jobs in jeopardy.
Racing’s funding threatened: British horseracing, which currently receives about £100m in media rights and £40m in levy from betting shops, risks losing up to 75 per cent of this income despite assurances of protection if the proposed tax increases are introduced.
Industry viability: Analysts say the proposed tax increases would wipe out 1.3 times the sector’s annual profits, making it impossible for most shops to stay open.
Black market concerns: Bookmakers warn that shop closures would drive punters towards unregulated and unsafe gambling alternatives.
Sector under pressure: Betting shop numbers have already fallen from 9,000 in 2015 to under 6,000 in 2024 and further taxation could accelerate the decline dramatically.
If I were the off-course bookmakers (collective) I would cease trading immediately and let the Government see what the impact/consequences will be on their finances without betting shop tax.
Political pressure: More than 100 Labour MPs, led by Beccy Cooper and Alex Ballinger, have urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to adopt reforms backed by former prime minister Gordon Brown that would hit betting shops as well as online operators.
Betting shops at risk: Industry leaders warn the entire UK high street betting estate could collapse if higher taxes are applied. Closures would put tens of thousands of jobs in jeopardy.
Racing’s funding threatened: British horseracing, which currently receives about £100m in media rights and £40m in levy from betting shops, risks losing up to 75 per cent of this income despite assurances of protection if the proposed tax increases are introduced.
Industry viability: Analysts say the proposed tax increases would wipe out 1.3 times the sector’s annual profits, making it impossible for most shops to stay open.
Black market concerns: Bookmakers warn that shop closures would drive punters towards unregulated and unsafe gambling alternatives.
Sector under pressure: Betting shop numbers have already fallen from 9,000 in 2015 to under 6,000 in 2024 and further taxation could accelerate the decline dramatically.
If I were the off-course bookmakers (collective) I would cease trading immediately and let the Government see what the impact/consequences will be on their finances without betting shop tax.
I trust that the Government will apply these new taxes to the National Lottery, bingo and other lotteries and to the London Stock Exchange, Currency and commodity exchanges. They won't as those are vital to the economy and are seen as quite separate to other forms of gambling.
Industry Viability: Is it a bad thing when bookies presently are mainly opened for fobt? A closure is a positive and beneficial for society and families or relatives of fobt addicts and problem gamblers.
Black Market concerns: This is almost entirely a ruse / an argument deployed by bookies - a convenient excuse not refusing to accept bets from recreational punters. Most of this category punters will stop betting altogether soon. But, the same bookies are too willing with their promotional free "spins" to attract the recreational punters to fobt.
Sector under Pressure: Again another convenient excuse trawled out by bookies. The number of bookies was at an all time high until a few years ago courtesy of Mr Blair for opening up the betting industry eg fobt and remote gambling. This excessive number cannot sustain itself hence the inevitable gradual decline (a case of supply and demand) exacerbated by the proliferation of many new bookies to the market for a slice of the bigger pie eg the annual colossal profits by every bookie from fobt and remote gambling.
The bookies will never debate the above in public eg tv or radio, just using their "sponsored" mouthpieces eg ITV Racing / Racing Post / Racing Channels / etc.
Pathetic really!
Black Market concerns: This is almost entirely a ruse / an argument deployed by bookies - a convenient excuse not refusing to accept bets from recreational punters. Most of this category punters will stop betting altogether soon. But, the same bookies are too willing with their promotional free "spins" to attract the recreational punters to fobt.
Sector under Pressure: Again another convenient excuse trawled out by bookies. The number of bookies was at an all time high until a few years ago courtesy of Mr Blair for opening up the betting industry eg fobt and remote gambling. This excessive number cannot sustain itself hence the inevitable gradual decline (a case of supply and demand) exacerbated by the proliferation of many new bookies to the market for a slice of the bigger pie eg the annual colossal profits by every bookie from fobt and remote gambling.
The bookies will never debate the above in public eg tv or radio, just using their "sponsored" mouthpieces eg ITV Racing / Racing Post / Racing Channels / etc.
Pathetic really!
The issue isn't whether you like slots or not, it is whether it will raise more money. 365 for example has thousands of uk jobs and might decide to relocate abroad to reduce costs along with Denise and her millions of tax.
'dave1357', tough! This is part and parcel of doing business. Has it occurred to you that remote gambling has been taxed at an incredibly low rate? Has it occurred to you the bookies have been coining it in for the last 2 decades on fobt without the slightest interference from government until the sudden departure of the then head honcho at the Gambling Commission? Is any of the products of bookies necessary and compulsory for most individuals?
The above is the main reason recreational punters have been marginalised in horseracing. The bookies do not want horseracing as a product; horseracing is necessary for bookies to access private info of account holders to tempt and exploit new businesses / profit generating avenues.
Anyone batting for the bookies about this low increase in tax is either for self-interest or totally ignorant of the damage remote gambling and fobt are doing to society and the providers of social services eg nhs.
If in doubt ask the bookies which option will they prefer eg no fobt on the high street; fobt operating under a new digital licence similar to the casino, and off the high street; a ban on fobt?
The above is the main reason recreational punters have been marginalised in horseracing. The bookies do not want horseracing as a product; horseracing is necessary for bookies to access private info of account holders to tempt and exploit new businesses / profit generating avenues.
Anyone batting for the bookies about this low increase in tax is either for self-interest or totally ignorant of the damage remote gambling and fobt are doing to society and the providers of social services eg nhs.
If in doubt ask the bookies which option will they prefer eg no fobt on the high street; fobt operating under a new digital licence similar to the casino, and off the high street; a ban on fobt?
Your argument falls over immediately. If fixed odds gaming and online casino et al is inherently damaging, what legislators would/should do is limit that type of gambling, not tax the yield. Taxing the profits more heavily doesn't limit the damage, does it.
The simple solution is to enforce it to be carved out of other types of gambling where there is a theoretical risk to the house.
The simple solution is to enforce it to be carved out of other types of gambling where there is a theoretical risk to the house.
@ impossible, that's just nonsense.
If you want to ban fobts or online slots etc, that's fine. But it is entirely irrelevant to a debate about increasing tax revenue.
If you want to ban fobts or online slots etc, that's fine. But it is entirely irrelevant to a debate about increasing tax revenue.
The horseracing fraternity is rowing in unison with bookies because the Levy revenue will be reduced further. But, we know what the reduction in Levy is majorly due to? Black market as the bookies would like you to believe or the reluctance of bookies accepting bets; restricting bets / closing accounts / promoting fobt?
In fact, there's pretty much no reason not to ban online gaming, or high street fobts. Who is going to argue against that, aside from the operators? So why are the antis calling for higher taxes, and not arguing for the outright cancellation of online fixed odds/fobt licences? Along with bingo, omaze, lottery and all the other crap.
The present taxation level is low. The gambling products do not produce anything tangible or useful. It's merely to satisfy an addiction or a sudden urge for players with a propensity to gamble; the fortunate winners have been curtailed and marginalised already.
I'm all for the hike in taxation. The present one for remote gambling is incredibly low; hike it to 50% and beyond to reduce problem gambling.
I'm all for the hike in taxation. The present one for remote gambling is incredibly low; hike it to 50% and beyond to reduce problem gambling.
Higher taxes don't equal less harm. Thus it's a nonsense argument. And certainly won't result in less children in poverty.
I've won a lot of money gambling, impossible. I wasn't fortunate to do so. Arguably I was fortunate to be able to do so.
Hmmmmm !!! On what sport did you
Win a lot of money ??
Win a lot of money ??
Anyone here been in a Betting shop more than 5 times during the past 12 months.
I haven't attended one at least once, and it's been incrementally getting to that stage over the last 10 years.
No need to go in them.
Wastelands, frequented by ne'erdowells spinning wheels or drop outs drinking free coffee on the back of penny forecast doubles on the dogs looking for a place to hangout during the daylight.
No point asking a question of the dumb blonde painting her nails, given she knows f4ck all about anything sport related and will probably direct you to the thieving betting terminals.
Writing on the wall for the brick and mortar been there for a while.
Government about to announce the death sentence.
I haven't attended one at least once, and it's been incrementally getting to that stage over the last 10 years.
No need to go in them.
Wastelands, frequented by ne'erdowells spinning wheels or drop outs drinking free coffee on the back of penny forecast doubles on the dogs looking for a place to hangout during the daylight.
No point asking a question of the dumb blonde painting her nails, given she knows f4ck all about anything sport related and will probably direct you to the thieving betting terminals.
Writing on the wall for the brick and mortar been there for a while.
Government about to announce the death sentence.
Clueless from Labour. If you want to increasing spending you do it by growing the economy. You don't try (and fail) to do it by increasing taxes on businesses (see last budget and increase in NI, which directly led to a DECREASE in job vacancies) or individuals as they tend to adjust their own spending in response, which NEGATIVELY affects the economy. Increasing taxes might raise more money but it is never as much as you think because of this adjustment and there is always a kicker, in this case it will be less money for horse racing (via the levy).
I went down a yt rabbit hole, and fell on this gem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoIZdEBf9Wk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoIZdEBf9Wk
How is the increase on Employer N.I. contributions going I wonder.
The demographic of people using betting shops is 45+.
Those betting on horses is the same, and is dwindling.
Affordability checks are putting off those left from gambling given they are reluctant to comply
It's only the high rollers who will go black market. The average Joe in his 50's doesn't trust them enough.
Labour just hastening the cull in my opinion.
The demographic of people using betting shops is 45+.
Those betting on horses is the same, and is dwindling.
Affordability checks are putting off those left from gambling given they are reluctant to comply
It's only the high rollers who will go black market. The average Joe in his 50's doesn't trust them enough.
Labour just hastening the cull in my opinion.
leif 29 Sep 25 19:52
Anyone here been in a Betting shop more than 5 times during the past 12 months.
I haven't attended one at least once, and it's been incrementally getting to that stage over the last 10 years.
No need to go in them.
Wastelands, frequented by ne'erdowells spinning wheels or drop outs drinking free coffee on the back of penny forecast doubles on the dogs looking for a place to hangout during the daylight.
No point asking a question of the dumb blonde painting her nails, given she knows f4ck all about anything sport related and will probably direct you to the thieving betting terminals.
Writing on the wall for the brick and mortar been there for a while.
Government about to announce the death sentence.
Lol,never been in a betting shop for two decades tbh…..
Anyone here been in a Betting shop more than 5 times during the past 12 months.
I haven't attended one at least once, and it's been incrementally getting to that stage over the last 10 years.
No need to go in them.
Wastelands, frequented by ne'erdowells spinning wheels or drop outs drinking free coffee on the back of penny forecast doubles on the dogs looking for a place to hangout during the daylight.
No point asking a question of the dumb blonde painting her nails, given she knows f4ck all about anything sport related and will probably direct you to the thieving betting terminals.
Writing on the wall for the brick and mortar been there for a while.
Government about to announce the death sentence.
Lol,never been in a betting shop for two decades tbh…..
No atmosphere there since they wheeled the crack-cocaine machines into the shops, and the scumbags followed them in by the nose.
The only game in town now is encouraging the 18-35 mob to keep revenue turning a cog.
Denise et al advising behind the scenes how the invested parties can scratch each others backs, whilst making it look like 'punters' are being protected.
Some kind of Tote system will be implemented at some point.
The only game in town now is encouraging the 18-35 mob to keep revenue turning a cog.
Denise et al advising behind the scenes how the invested parties can scratch each others backs, whilst making it look like 'punters' are being protected.
Some kind of Tote system will be implemented at some point.
Leif and Acey
I still go in the shop every day, just for placepots and maybe a multiple bet.
I do my more serious betting in running on here
I love the craic in my local shop, as you say, mostly 50 plus males doing the horses, dogs and football in there, but all sorts of ages on the fobts
It's only the fobts making any money the manager tells me, the over the counter bets making only small profits
As has been said before, I thought the shops might have lasted about another 10 years, these taxes will hasten that to 3 or 4 years, imo
I still go in the shop every day, just for placepots and maybe a multiple bet.
I do my more serious betting in running on here
I love the craic in my local shop, as you say, mostly 50 plus males doing the horses, dogs and football in there, but all sorts of ages on the fobts
It's only the fobts making any money the manager tells me, the over the counter bets making only small profits
As has been said before, I thought the shops might have lasted about another 10 years, these taxes will hasten that to 3 or 4 years, imo
The likelihood of the muppets on the machines waitng all day for a Placepot or a yankee to come to fruition, is practically zero Reg.
Crooks pumping cash into the machines in shop, unlikely to be transalated into funds being deposited online.
Crooks pumping cash into the machines in shop, unlikely to be transalated into funds being deposited online.
The machine players will still be able to get their fix in the casino style shops that are on the High Streets of larger towns.. I don't know how these are to be affected by the possible new tax changes
There is still a good atmosphere in my local bookies, with opinions exchanged, mickey taking, hard luck stories etc... For some of the older boys in there, their daily hour or so in the shop is their entertainment for the day... Be sad if or when the shops close
There is still a good atmosphere in my local bookies, with opinions exchanged, mickey taking, hard luck stories etc... For some of the older boys in there, their daily hour or so in the shop is their entertainment for the day... Be sad if or when the shops close
Government,anti gambling lobby’s,mp s.
Customers need protecting from gambling harms,we need to step into this industry.
Solution,
It’s fine,carry on,just give us 50% and we ll leave it .
It’s either bad,if so ban it,
But saying to the bookies,you’re milking it,cut us in for 50% .
Total hiposcracy.
Customers need protecting from gambling harms,we need to step into this industry.
Solution,
It’s fine,carry on,just give us 50% and we ll leave it .
It’s either bad,if so ban it,
But saying to the bookies,you’re milking it,cut us in for 50% .
Total hiposcracy.
Can’t the bookies off shore,like Costa coffee or google.
Why are spins a point of consumption tax yet other companies can get round that.
It’s on profits.
So buy the software company,get them to sell you the spin app for millions,make zero profit,no tax to pay.
Why are spins a point of consumption tax yet other companies can get round that.
It’s on profits.
So buy the software company,get them to sell you the spin app for millions,make zero profit,no tax to pay.
Duty is paid on gross gaming profits, so costs aren't deducted. Offshoring doesn't matter, as duty is paid on profits made from uk customers, no matter where the location of the business.
Sep 29, 2025 -- 1:55PM, impossible123 wrote:
Industry Viability: Is it a bad thing when bookies presently are mainly opened for fobt? A closure is a positive and beneficial for society and families or relatives of fobt addicts and problem gamblers.Black Market concerns: This is almost entirely a ruse / an argument deployed by bookies - a convenient excuse not refusing to accept bets from recreational punters. Most of this category punters will stop betting altogether soon. But, the same bookies are too willing with their promotional free "spins" to attract the recreational punters to fobt.Sector under Pressure: Again another convenient excuse trawled out by bookies. The number of bookies was at an all time high until a few years ago courtesy of Mr Blair for opening up the betting industry eg fobt and remote gambling. This excessive number cannot sustain itself hence the inevitable gradual decline (a case of supply and demand) exacerbated by the proliferation of many new bookies to the market for a slice of the bigger pie eg the annual colossal profits by every bookie from fobt and remote gambling.The bookies will never debate the above in public eg tv or radio, just using their "sponsored" mouthpieces eg ITV Racing / Racing Post / Racing Channels / etc. Pathetic really!
Impossible i am amazed that someone on this forum can be so naive with regards black markets. I can assure you its far from a bookie ruse. I personally know of 9 20-30k daily turnover players that have headed that way. Anyone who wants to punt/trade for a living will soon only have that option for them to make it viable. Have you not seen the recent liquidity on here and other platforms? Do you think those people have just stopped their activity... of course they have not, just taken it elsewhere.
Fodder should strike for a month…..startle a few tbh….
Seems the increase in tax to pay for
ABOLITION OF CHILD BENEFIT CAP
ABOLITION OF CHILD BENEFIT CAP
Not sure how they will gain more tax.
1. Many bookies will have to reduce the odds so punters will lose their bank more quickly so less turnover.
2. Punters who lose will spend less on items that carry VAT so the Government lose revenue there as well. They really don't seem to understand how markets work.
1. Many bookies will have to reduce the odds so punters will lose their bank more quickly so less turnover.
2. Punters who lose will spend less on items that carry VAT so the Government lose revenue there as well. They really don't seem to understand how markets work.
If taxes on horseracing increase then i will stop betting. Margins are already too thin. It would be a waste of time at my time of life.
HOWEVER there are millions of problem gambler slots players out there who will sadly carry on as usual, just running out of funds at 1am each night instead of 2am. So win win 1 more hour of sleep each night!
No in all seriousness any tax increase will cost many jobs. Good old liebour. Arms around the working man to ruin his cherished pastime, not cuddle him with kindness.
HOWEVER there are millions of problem gambler slots players out there who will sadly carry on as usual, just running out of funds at 1am each night instead of 2am. So win win 1 more hour of sleep each night!
No in all seriousness any tax increase will cost many jobs. Good old liebour. Arms around the working man to ruin his cherished pastime, not cuddle him with kindness.
She sees the whole lot as gambling…..she doesn’t care about the industry and will probably shaft it rotten….
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