The Labour government's higher taxing of High Street bookmakers to fund...

Ask bookies to separate the sportsbook from the casino, completely different websites, same for shops. Much lower tax on sports betting, much more on casino games. Would they agree? Would they f*ck. Without the addictive casino games (bookies are also addicted to the easy money) most would have to shut up shop tomorrow.

A bookmaker should be a bookmaker. A slot machine operator should be a slot machine operator. If you want to do both then thats fine, but have two separate companies, two separate shops, two separate websites, two separate tax rules.

The bookies are in the similar position as banks; more customers disappearing / dying or betting online in the comfort of their homes. And, what is happening with the high street banks?

Branches are closing with more to come in the near future. It's inevitable.

Impossible would half a brain cell donated make your half feel less lonely?

Tax rises inbound, can't see the bookies getting away with nothing as it's an easy target

CagliariG 03 Nov 25 18:43 
Impossible would half a brain cell donated make your half feel less lonely

Stop coming across like Albert…..

Don't encourage them! So long as we don't go back to paying tax on every winning bet as we did for half of my adult life. I got round that one by having a telephone account in Gibraltar which was perfectly legal but hardly any of my racing pals thought that it was.

betting tax will be the least of our problems, if they are putting this idiot chancellor in front of us, holding a 'big' presser three weeks ahead of a postponed budget.

'our', as in anyone who has worked in the private sector, and accumulated assets over time through hard work. otherwise now known colloquially as boomers.

They still don't seem to grasp that growth depends on the right sort of jobs being created, incentives to work being increased and incentives to stay at home being reduced. More people in HMRC trying to learn and enforce the myriad new taxes are NOT the right sort of jobs.

They do get it, but ideology trumps reality.

We were doomed, since the fluffy types infiltrated the so called conservative party. So eventually they preferred a Labour government than a 'right' leaning one, and sensible economics lost all credibility with the public.

Anyone would think that an interminable tory disaster would teach people a lesson at just how bad they are at improving the economy, obviously not!

At least you're putting a brave face on it crusty, keep fighting!

And as for the Reformnazi party, just re-branded Tories, Anne Widdicombe and Nadine Dorries FFS

Nebs03 Nov 25 13:15

A bookmaker should be a bookmaker. A slot machine operator should be a slot machine operator. If you want to do both then thats fine, but have two separate companies, two separate shops, two separate websites, two separate tax rules.

Excellent post Nebs, totally agree.

Nail on head Nebs.

A bookmaker should be a bookmaker. A slot machine operator should be a slot machine operator. If you want to do both then thats fine, but have two separate companies, two separate shops, two separate websites, two separate tax rules.  -so simple and so right.

The root of this goes back to before the White-Paper. The "bookmakers" were more than happy for all "gambling" (i.e. gambling & gaming) to be lumped together and treated the same because it suited their agenda at that point in time. Racing of course, did what it has always done - and just went along with the bookmakers.

Chickens probably coming home to roost now for the Racing Industry, due to a complete lack of leadership, with no strategy, no vision, no imagination and a complete lack of foresight. I expect racing will survive but anyone that didn't see this coming, doesn't really deserve to survive it.

I've lost count of how many times I pointed all this out several years ago - but most people on here were also happy to go along with the bookmaker/Racing Post propaganda - i.e. droning on about a Draconian state & civil liberties, etc in a feeble attempt to defend all gambling (including gaming).

So effectively going along with a strategy that put racing at risk by using it as a defensive shield to protect the casinos/slots. As I said, chickens probably coming home to roost now.

think it was the ukrainian guy who constantly said we should defend all slots, wheel of fortune games, etc.

Dunno who that was (the Ukrainian guy?) Die Linke - but iirc it was pretty much everybody on here that went along with it (defending all gambling including gaming).

The root of the problem imo was that most people commenting seemed pretty (or completely) ignorant of the 2005 Gambling Act - so  effectively their argument was saying "I have a God Given right to gamble".

But given that there is and long had been a Gambling Act, that argument was akin to saying I have a God Given Right to drive without a seatbelt or to launder money or to give my 5yo cigarettes - and anyone that tries to stop me is part of a Draconian Nanny State.

Not surprising it didn't pan out too well imo.

I've often argued casino/pure luck based gambling should be treated differently to other forms e.g. sports betting.

What makes you think HR would somehow escape if it was separate from the casino and bingo nonsense?

That's an argument for moderating self inflicted gambling harm for sure, but hiking the tax has nothing to do with that.

The supposed question from the Labour government isn't how can we reduce alleged gambling harm, it's how can we utilise gambling revenue to redistribute wealth.

Bookies with fobt on the high streets could all close for all I care - every one of them. They are the pedallers of the most addictive and destructive form of gambling ever; crack cocaine or opium of gambling.

They are no longer the 5th social service. And, very few will miss them.

I agree, it's akin to mourning Blockbuster video or physical banks. But surely if you're worried about addiction, then the primary concern should be digital, mobile, bingo and lottery. It's like virtue signalling about pubs but doing nothing with off licences, supermarkets, and now the likes of deliveroo and uber.

That ridiculous omaze stuff is hard to escape.

More ridiculous if you enter….

Yep, more joy in burning money.

Well named the old slot machine…..decades back the were called puggy machines and one arm bandits….

Fkn bandits,too right….

If you look at channel 5 tonight, there is 2 hours of 'live' casino, broadcast on national telly. What rational people are playing casino via their telly at 2am. But I missed the campaign to stop that, and the incessant bingo advertising on legacy tv channels.

And in my view, scandalous national lottery, postcode lottery and euromillions advertising.

Casino style fobt are illegal in republic of Ireland.
But they are not in amusement and gaming arcades

Czech billionaire laughing all the way…..

High streets everywhere in the  UK have amusement and gaming arcades

All forms are seen in the Uk as gambling from the horse racing industry to to old roll-a-penny….

Gamblers !

They are all addicted….

Ten year ago a bookies shop in Belfast was extended to 7600 sq feet

A lot think they did that to fit more fobts in.    Think I can remember either 9 or 12 of them

Surrounded with pubs and coffee shops…..weak fodder screwed rotten….

There only door was on a quiet street. The extension put a door on a very busy street and  the original door stayed in place

High streets everywhere in the  UK have amusement and gaming arcades


   ... Correct Freddie ( some open 24 hrs I believe ) so  I cant see what difference closing the Betting shops will do.

Dave head over to Vegas......then head to some states in USA were  all gambling illegal

Yep Glasgow...24hrs.....as soon as u walk through door......they say tea or coffee sir.......biscuits

Sandwiches too

They want the peops leaving pubs and clubs

One I remember being in......was called
Winners

Bayern Munich 2/1.....time to cash out at 1/5

https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/leading-independent-bookmaker-warns-there-will-be-nothing-left-to-tax-if-gambling-duties-are-hiked-in-autumn-budget-aTzKy3w2FvS7/

Pluck said: “If, for example, the duty on machines went up from 15 per cent to 20 per cent, that isn't a five per cent increase we'd be having to deal with, it’s a 33 per cent increase, which is a massive amount for an industry working on slim margins.

Just a thought, IF Theeves raised the remote gaming duty to say 50% on line and 40% in shops and arcades (a move we agree would be welcomed) but reduced the tax on HR and sports betting to 0-5%, would a) bookmakers survive by acting like bookmakers and b) would Theeves get her £3.5bn.

TheGoddess - if you think there is anything (in relation to tax) that can get online "bookmakers" to behave like  "bookmakers" again, you are delusional. That horse has well and truly bolted (pun intended), They're all now 100% focussed on trying to do to the US what they have been doing to the UK for the past 25 years. i.e. profile addicts and rinse them with addictive games of chance.

An additional tax on betting companies may provide a little extra in benefits to single mothers and the like however someone I know works at the local hospital in a senior nursing role.

She did extra hours in order to give her daughter (a single parent )some extra money in order she could stock her kitchen cupboards up for the Christmas period.

With that extra money her daughter has an appointment today to have another tattoo!


It may be seen to be assisting struggling families giving them extra money but a lot of extra money end up more Big Macs happy meals more vapes, more ****, more scratch cards and indeed more tattoos!

Bloke down the pub has some similar stories.

With that extra money her daughter has an appointment today to have another tattoo!


Maybe benefits should be paid in cloths, food and energy vouchers only, NO CASH!

Anything the benefit already pays for, rent and council tax for example, should the resipitant need to pay anything, vouchers should be provided for that too.

Removing cash from these people should prevent them from generally wasting the tax payers money, eg getting tattoos, their nails done, buying drugs, alcohol and cigaretes, playing FOBTS and gambling in shops or bingo halls etc.

Does this fictional nurse wear suspenders under her outfit?

Nov 5, 2025 -- 11:18AM, TheGoddess wrote:

With that extra money her daughter has an appointment today to have another tattoo!Maybe benefits should be paid in cloths, food and energy vouchers only, NO CASH!Anything the benefit already pays for, rent and council tax for example, should the resipitant need to pay anything, vouchers should be provided for that too.Removing cash from these people should prevent them from generally wasting the tax payers money, eg getting tattoos, their nails done, buying drugs, alcohol and cigaretes, playing FOBTS and gambling in shops or bingo halls etc.

‘Gambling in shops’, maybe they should be directed to a Betfair account?

They could play in running to increase liquidity for the good of society

Scrap the mobility vehicles…..

Keep a close eye on the floating sticks used to con the system……

I hope your mobility vehicle comment chokes you on Sunday Quixall, unless you have a solution for all those missing limbs passing the cenotaph?

I am certainly not referring to the military Cag as you well know….

I am referring to the couch potato……

I contribute and wear the poppy with pride…..

The country is breeding pretenders scrounging for every penny…..they jump on the thought of working makes them ill and bawl anxiety….

Will Cagliari be passing the cenotaph with pride on Sunday or playing on an exchange ?

I will be over as usual Quixall and btw never play on the exchange and rarely come on the Forum on a Sunday.hth I will ask the thoughts about your demand to scrap mobility and let you know.

formoftheace, are you behind "The Male Online" from Viz?

I have my own opinion DL……

Haven’t read a newspaper for decades tbh….

Sorry purchased…..

higher Tax ,will be no High Street Shops and no Tax , they havent got a Clue

Amazed most shops I have gone in are still open

More Barbers Vapes and Charity shops

Shawfield was a decent running track Malay  , was deinately a lively atmosphere the night I went ,when spy won the derby .Location wasnt bad could jump a cab for a few quid from Glasgow

Current running track Central park , I hear big things are in the Pipeline , will they bid for the Derby in years to Come  , 6000 Capacity , I didnt know that 

Would be a brilliant track for the Derby if thay can upgrade facilities ,People were Going on about location  , dont think that would be an Issue

Sorry Dog post some how appeared here

High street bookies must stop bleating. A higher tax on fobt - make no mistake high street bookies are custodians of fobt - is long overdue and wholly justified. The introduction and proliferation of fobt are directly reflected in the growth of problem gambling and addiction.

The bookies know this, and are unwilling and unable to defend publicly eg in a debate on terrestrial tv this socially detrimental activity; fobt should be policed and subject to a casino-like licence and governance.

Any higher Taxes there will be no shops  , Ronnie is on the front line he knows how bad things are . There is no one in most of these shops a Few punters and a couple of machine players at most

Handy if out and you need to take a leak ,everyone has a casino and bookmakers in their pockets , Only real punters trying to get on earlies as unable to do so online, or dog Arbers if they are still at it , , no sure thats the main

business the shops want , very few shops will survive another few years

When addicts were betting £100 a spin on the roulette, they only wanted a few punters and a couple of machine players.

The high street bookies are past their use-by-date as bookmakers. They are almost entirely fobt custodians, and most of their profits come from fobt. Their high street shops are just a front, and a cheap and quick access to assured fobt profits. Most will close with a few remaining to maintain exposure.

I think the bookies will try to save on media rights and paraphernalia eg racing papers for horseracing and greyhound, football coupons, etc, by closing most of their high street shops. Then probably reopening a few purely for fobt utilising the same betting / gaming licence.

5 - 10 years they will be a den for undesirables clipping and shaving,probably serving repulsive food the hog wouldn’t eat tbh….

I think any empty shops in a high street could be used by young entrepreneurs to showcase their expertise eg arts and crafts, etc. Some shops could be shared between two or more small traders eg an artisan baker, barista, amateur cook, etc, by offering a low or subsidised rent. It could also provide a training ground for the otherwise unemployed youngsters, and an outlet for pensioners.

The present bookie shops are not conducive for punters or society in general. They are a breeding ground for fobt addicts.

Racheal from accounts is changing rates relief next April
In pratice stables will pay more in BUSINESS RATES

Less hosses in training
More likely

Flutter issue warnings

and then start crowing

Jackson said Flutter had delivered a "solid" third quarter, with "continued momentum" in both the US and the company's international businesses.

He added: "We are the clear number one operator in the US, and we will continue to build on that position to drive future profitability.

"Our strategic investments, including the launch of FanDuel Predicts and recent international acquisitions, position us exceptionally well to capture new opportunities and deliver sustainable, profitable growth.

"Our diversified portfolio and disciplined approach give me great confidence in our ability to lead the industry and increase long-term value for shareholders."


...and they're off..
https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/flutter-chief-warns-significant-tax-increases-will-threaten-jobs-and-drive-customers-to-black-market-as8po4s4AXdL/

licence to print money with access to all those yank mugs.

Phone in now on radio two

Great article in Sunday's Racing Post ! If the government are intent in increasing the Gaming Levy by 5%, I personally believe it will have grave consequences for the funding of horse racing ! Notwithstanding, a significant reduction in all things racing, particuarly stable staff !

The bookies and Horse Racing would be more than happy with a 5% increase but that comment proves you have not a clue about what is being talked about Halcyon!!

Government plans to increase taxes on high street bookmakers are predicted by the industry to lead to widespread shop closures, significant job losses, a boost to the illegal black market, and reduced funding for sports like horse racing.
Repercussions for the Industry and Economy
Shop Closures and Job Losses: Major bookmakers, including Betfred and William Hill's owner Evoke, have warned that a significant tax hike (potentially to 35-40% from the current 15%) would make their high street operations unprofitable, forcing the closure of hundreds, or even thousands, of shops. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) estimates that over 40,000 jobs across the industry could be at risk.
Boost to the Illegal Black Market: Industry stakeholders argue that higher taxes will force operators to offer worse odds and fewer promotions, making the regulated market less attractive to consumers. This could drive bettors towards unregulated, offshore operators who pay no UK tax and offer no safer gambling protections, which industry figures suggest has nearly tripled in size in recent years.
Reduced Government Revenue (Net): While a tax increase aims to boost public finances, analysis by EY for the BGC suggests that when lost corporation tax, National Insurance contributions, and employment are accounted for, the Treasury's net gain might be substantially lower than initial estimates, potentially falling below £500 million.
Impact on High Streets: The closure of betting shops would add to the decline of high streets already struggling with retail vacancies, reducing footfall and impacting other local businesses.
Wider Societal and Sporting Impacts
Harm to Sports Sponsorship and Funding: The bookmaking industry is a major source of funding for British sports, particularly horse racing, through media rights and the statutory levy. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) estimates the sport could lose hundreds of millions of pounds over five years if bookmaker funding is cut, threatening jobs in racing and related industries.
Threat to Safer Gambling Initiatives: Funding for research, prevention, and treatment of gambling disorders comes from the industry via a statutory levy. If operators' profits and customer spending fall, this essential funding for mental health services and harm prevention could also be at risk.
Counterarguments
Some parliamentarians and think tanks, such as the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), are skeptical of the industry's warnings, labelling them as "scaremongering". They argue the industry, particularly the highly profitable online sector, is currently undertaxed and should contribute more to cover the social costs of gambling harm.
How a gambling tax hike could wipe out UK high street ...
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18 Oct 2025 — Betting companies have resisted calls for taxes to rise. Up to 200 William Hill retail outlets could close if the indus...

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0:47
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Racing Post

CagliariG... you are quite correct, selling off some stocks, got my percentage's wrong !

Someone told me that Billy was selling £40 Gift vouchers to use on Vegas wheels?
Get a tenner bonus if you purchase?
Ho Ho Ho

if that's the case, it should be outlawed.

Shut the lot! Only reapply for those interested otherwise stay out for good; their absence will not be missed for sure. Most are a blight on the high street landscape, and society.

Looks like income tax isn't going up although there's talk of lowering the threshold's, looks like the bookies tax will definitely be needed now could be a big increase.

Hopefully the machines will be hit Hard with tax. Finally. But lets see!

I would tax them at 60% myself.

I'd too. I think 60% and above is fair, why? The overheads and software costs are fixed irrespective of the costs of feed, transport, vet, etc, which are relative to the economic climate. Also, fobt produces nothing tangible eg no prizes / no trophies, etc. It's also skill-less, but merely a game of chance. As such, a pure gamble like roulette. Hence, fobt should only be housed in casinos.

VWD Impossible, you get the prize for the most incomprehensible post of the year and given your previous it must have taken extra effort from you.

How many Couples  do you know have More than two Children , How many young couples today would plan to have more than two children ?

extra ''family allowance'' for two plus child families  , Who are all these families  ?

We have 4 million on the Social not required to look for Work  ,I wonder how many of them are in the Plus Size family bracket ?

There are some families who have lotsa children

25,000 Peoples jobs in Jeopardy to Fund  non workers having Children

I dont know too many Busy  , I think a quick at Staistics will show why

If people cannot afford to have children they have no right to expect others to provide funds

I agree nanny and take it a stage further, namely why should I as a tax payer finance child care for parents who both want to and do work.  I don’t care how embedded it is now in our collective thinking I abhor it.  Women should bring up their own bairns or stop whingeing about the costs of nursery/child care.

Me too. I just hope they can cut spending in areas that don't effect me and only impact on other people, especially young people.

Cut spending on nurseries, schools, higher education, further education, maternity wards, paediatrics, premature baby wards, subsidised child-care, etc.

They need to keep all their focus on maintaining the Triple Lock, not taxing my rental income or my investment income. Stop building in case it impacts the value of my house and my rental portfolio. Increase spending on the state pension, adult social care and recruiting more carers, audiologists & opticians, opening more hip-replacement operating theatres and training more geriatricians.

Very drole.  Give yourself a pat on the back.

The man that comes in to pat my back won't be here until 7pm

The service has gone right down hill under Labour - I'm seriously thinking about going private.

I suppose your happy with 25 % of of 16-24 year olds Sitting around doing sweet FA  TM ?

Most of the people reliant on the triple lock will have worked most of their lives , they still receive the lowest  pension in Europe , with the age to Qualify raising

this country has been destroyed  TM

the old nanny ;-)14 Nov 25 18:18Joined: 10 Dec 01 | Topic/replies: 11,966 | Blogger: the old nanny ;-)'s blog
I suppose your happy with 25 % of of 16-24 year olds Sitting around doing sweet FA  TM ?

Are you aware of the % "economically inactive" for 40-65 year olds?

Can't fathom people of my own generation that have lived through times (on the whole) of such immense opportunity (and on the whole) squandered it and messed it up so badly for the future - then suddenly blaming everything that's wrong in the world on "the youth of today". I find it ironic in the extreme.