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Betting industry warns against doubling slot machine duty in budget

The Social Market Foundation says the move could raise between £275 million and £460 million a year, on top of roughly £610 million collected last year.

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The gambling industry is urging the UK chancellor not to double slot machine duty as part of the government’s first budget, according to the Guardian Business. The report comes after industry figures warned that higher taxes on high-street slot machines could force closures and job losses.

Calls are being made to increase machine games duty from 20% to 40%. The Social Market Foundation, a thinktank advocating the rise, estimates it could generate between £275 million and £460 million annually, in addition to about £610 million collected last year.

The Guardian Business also notes that the proposal may find political support from Andy Burnham, who has been a critic of slot machines and has pushed to tighten licensing laws to make it harder for gambling firms to open new shops. Industry leaders including Betfred billionaire owner Fred Done have signaled opposition to the potential tax increase.

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