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By Tatiana Martins, journalist at G&M News.
The UK betting and gaming industry is facing significant regulatory and fiscal changes. What do you consider the most pressing tasks for licensed operators today, and how is BGC working to address them?
The sector is facing a triple whammy of tax increases: Remote Gaming Duty has risen; Machine Games Duty is increasing, and a new rate of General Betting Duty on remote betting is due next April 2027. That comes alongside successive regulatory reforms, with more than 60 measures already implemented since the Gambling White Paper, and a growing illegal gambling market. The consequences are already being felt in jobs and investment. Our focus is on making the case for evidence-led, proportionate policy, and a period of stability that allows the regulated sector to invest, grow, and continue protecting customers.
Taxation has become a central issue in discussions about the competitiveness of the UK betting environment. How could changes in gambling taxes affect operators, investment, and the industry’s long-term sustainability?
The impact of higher taxes is already being felt. Since last year’s Budget, more than 600 betting shops have closed or announced closure and over 11,000 jobs across the online and retail sectors have been lost or put at risk. Higher taxes put pressure on investment, jobs and the competitiveness of the regulated market. Our members want to invest and grow, but businesses need certainty and confidence to do that. Tax policy should be evidence-led and recognise the real-world consequences for businesses, employees, customers, and British sport.
The growth of the illegal betting market remains a concern for regulators and operators. What measures do you believe are necessary to make the regulated market more viable while protecting consumers from unlicensed websites?
A strong regulated sector is one of the best defences against the illegal market. Licensed operators meet high standards, pay taxes, and protect customers. Illegal operators do none of those things. That means maintaining a competitive regulated market through balanced regulation and sustainable taxation, while taking tougher action against illegal operators, including working with payment providers, technology platforms, and regulators to disrupt unlicensed sites.
How can the industry, government and regulators work together to develop a regulatory framework that effectively protects consumers without placing disproportionate burdens on licensed businesses?
We support high standards, strong consumer protections, and evidence-based policymaking, but regulation must also be proportionate, workable, and judged by its real-world impact. Businesses do not experience regulatory changes in isolation. The cumulative impact on customers, investment, operations and competitiveness must be considered. After several years of significant change, there is a strong case for regulatory stability, giving existing reforms time to bed in and be properly evaluated before further intervention is considered.
Which are your main priorities for BGC, and what changes would you like to see in the UK’s betting and gaming landscape over the next few years?
Our priorities are a strong, sustainable regulated market, high standards, and effective consumer protection, and an industry that can invest, innovate, and grow. After several years of extraordinary change, the sector needs stability, confidence to invest and the opportunity to grow. That is how we protect consumers, keep players away from the illegal market, and secure a successful future for Britain’s regulated betting and gaming industry.
