The UK gambling industry has launched a summer charm offensive to prevent ministers from raising taxes on the sector, the Guardian has learned. Lobbyists from the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) have met with Treasury insiders and hosted a darts evening with Labour special advisers and MPs' staff.
The Treasury is considering simplifying duty rates on gambling products, a move the £11.5bn-a-year sector fears would increase its overall tax bill. The BGC has outlined objections in a Treasury submission based on a report by accounting firm EY, but has also pursued back-channel lobbying.
In June, the BGC and Flutter plc—owner of Paddy Power, Betfair and SkyBet—hosted a darts-themed event promoted by the Labour Staff Network. Over 100 Labour staff and ministerial special advisers heard a speech from BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst, a former Ladbrokes executive, who has opposed tax increases.
BGC chair Michael Dugher, a former Labour MP, met Katie Martin, chief of staff to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and has been in touch with Reeves herself, though a source close to Reeves denied any formal meeting or discussion of tax changes. BGC figures also briefed Labour MPs Jo Platt, Gareth Snell and Adam Jogee on tax.
The BGC also hosted events for Conservatives, sponsoring a drinks reception addressed by shadow culture minister Stuart Andrew and attended by shadow gambling minister Louie French. A BGC spokesperson said such meetings are routine and transparent, adding that the sector employs over 100,000 people.
The lobbying comes as the Treasury considers raising taxes on gambling to help shore up public finances. The industry took £15.6bn from punters last year, with £11.5bn going to operators.
