The Hippodrome Casino chief executive Simon Thomas, speaking before the UK’s autumn budget was revealed, said talk of a possible increase in Machine Games Duty is “very deeply alarming”.
The current Machine Games Duty (MGD) in the UK is 20%, but there have been rumors that the next budget could take it to a whopping 50%. In an article written for the Betting & Gaming Council, Simon Thomas said that “any increase from the current 20 per cent rate would reverse the benefits of the Government’s own reforms before they have had a chance to take root.”
This comes after the government rolled out a modernization package this summer, with reforms introduced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This included modify restrictions It applies to some gaming products that gave casinos greater freedoms in what they could offer customers.
“Those reforms have already started to deliver results. Within weeks, operators announced more than £300 million in new investment. Tangible regeneration projects in communities across the UK.” Simon explained about the change.
Since opening in 2012, The Hippodrome is said to have invested £65 million in total, including the most recent investment of £1.5 million for a bookmaker.
UK gaming sector faces unknown as Machine Games Duty rumors emerge
“As I said in our submission to the Treasury: ‘An increase in the MGD would fundamentally undermine the sustainable foundation the new reforms have created. It would reverse progress, lead to closures and put thousands of skilled jobs at risk.'”
The casino executive went on to say that casinos are just beginning to recover from the pandemic “and years of economic pressure.” “Our income is still 22 per cent below pre-Covid levels, equating to a 43 per cent fall in real terms. Rising costs from energy to wages and employer National Insurance contributions continue to squeeze margins. The Government’s reforms gave us a framework to rebuild sustainably. A tax rise now would remove that.”
The fall budget will be announced on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, and then it will become clear if Machine Games Duty is affected.
Featured Image: Via Betting and Gaming Council Article
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