Comment December 2025


A politically tidy fix, perhaps, but one that leaves the betting industry wondering whether the UK intends to lead in a fast-changing global market or simply tax it until it slows down.


Last week’s Budget delivered a raft of headlines - frozen income-tax


thresholds, a mansion levy, ISA cuts, a rejig of pension tax breaks - but for the UK gambling industry it was a body-blow. Most consequential of all: the decision to almost double the tax on online casinos. Te Remote


Gaming Duty leaps from 21 per cent to 40 per cent from April 2026. Online sports betting isn’t spared either: a new remote-betting duty rate of 25 per cent is set to kick in by April 2027.


At least the government has scrapped duty on bingo - a modest nod to the issues facing the land-based sector. On paper, the changes will raise roughly £1.1bn for the Treasury by 2030. Tat may echo well with policymakers keen to claw back revenue for further welfare handouts -


but for the gaming industry there is no silver lining. It couldn’t have been any worse (Mick McCarthy’s “it can” anyone?)


Te Treasury’s logic isn’t *entirely* without merit. Online gambling


revenues have surged, and the argument that high-growth digital industries should shoulder more of the national burden isn’t unreasonable. But


balance matters. Over-correct, and you don’t just trim excess - you cut into the competitiveness of a sector that has consistently delivered jobs, investment, and global reach.


4


WILLIAM BOLTON Editor


Te Treasury’s logic isn’t *entirely* without merit. Online gambling revenues have surged, and the argument that high-growth digital industries should shoulder more of the national burden isn’t unreasonable. But balance matters. Over-correct, and you don’t just trim excess - you cut into the competitiveness of a sector that has consistently delivered jobs, investment, and global reach.


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