Two major UK gambling firms have warned the Government that further tax rises could put jobs and venues at risk ahead of the autumn Budget. Ladbrokes owner Entain and Grosvenor casino parent company Rank Group have both called on the Government to reconsider reported plans to increase taxes on the industry.
Entain warns of 'challenging tax environment'
Entain, which also owns Coral, said the UK has become an "increasingly challenging tax environment". Stella David, chief executive of the company, said: "Both online and retail are important parts of our business and valued contributors to tax revenues and local communities."
"We strongly urge the UK Government to carefully consider any further gambling tax increases which would threaten the viability of many shops, jobs and livelihoods."
The Government is reportedly weighing up an increase in the rate of machine games duty — the levy applied to fruit machines, roulette machines and other slot machines — at this month's Budget. This follows the increase in remote gaming duty, the tax on online casino and slots, which rose from 21% to 40% in April this year, after changes were announced at last autumn's Budget.
Rank warns of venue closures and job losses
Rank Group, which operates Grosvenor casinos and Mecca bingo halls, also cautioned that duty rises would result in venue closures. Richard Harris, chief executive of Rank, said: "Speculation regarding the upcoming Budget continues to weigh heavily on investor sentiment, but our message has been clear: any increase to machine games duty will increase costs, reduce venue viability, lead to venue closures and job losses, reduce tax receipts and halt investment."
Harris added: "HM Treasury recognised these economic arguments last year and, with the right conditions, we believe our casinos and bingo clubs can play an important role in the Government's growth agenda."
Quarterly results and closures
On Thursday, Entain disclosed that net gaming revenues grew by 4% across the group in the third quarter of 2026, compared with the same period a year earlier. The figures were bolstered by stronger-than-anticipated trading in the UK and Ireland, despite the "challenging" tax climate. This helped the firm mitigate the effects of plummeting sales in its Brazilian operation, which was hit by a ban on online gambling that took effect late last month.
Meanwhile, Rank revealed that like-for-like net gaming revenues climbed 5% to £216.1 million for the quarter ending 30 September. The increase was attributed to 6% growth from its digital arm, including a surge from its online Mecca bingo operation. It also posted a 6% rise in net gaming revenues from Grosvenor casino sites, with visitor numbers up 1% and spend per visit increasing by 5%.
Nevertheless, the group also closed three of its casinos — in Swansea, Reading Central and Sunderland — during the quarter.
