BGC urges rethink over gaming duty bands

In response to the UK chancellor’s autumn statement, The Betting and Gaming Council has urged Jeremy Hunt to rethink what it has called a “stealth tax” on land-based casinos.

The UK Treasury announced gaming duty bands for UK casinos have been frozen. This means they will not rise with inflation and create what the BGC claimed would effectively be a “£5m annual tax increase” across its casino members.

The freeze was first announced in March.

The BGC pointed to UK casinos employing more than 10,000 people, catering to over 16m customer visits annually, and the fact that the industry contributes £300m in annual taxes.

Betting and Gaming Council CEO Michael Dugher, said: “Freezing gaming duty bands is a stealth tax which has the potential to slow recovery and weaken future growth.

“Removing it would have provided a welcome boost for the land-based casino sector at a crucial time.

“Instead, the decision to maintain the status quo represents a missed opportunity for companies ready and able to generate jobs and investment across the country.

“Right now, casinos, which play such a vital role in the tourism and hospitality sector, are waiting for the modest but mission critical policy changes announced in the White Paper.

“It seems short sighted to maintain this stealth tax while failing to make changes that will allow casinos to hire and grow. The BGC urges a rethink so gaming duty bands can be moved with inflation at the next opportunity.”