In a statement issued on January 22, 2026, the UK government showed support for Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ proposed gambling tax reforms.The reforms will see remote gaming...
UK eyes gambling tax hike to fill £30B budget gap
The UK Treasury, the country’s economic and finance ministry, which controls public spending, is looking for new ways to raise money, and gambling taxes might be next in line with a £30 billion gap in public finances.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out raising income tax, VAT, or national insurance. The UK government has already started a review to simplify betting taxes, and a rise could follow.
Currently, the UK has a betting tax rate ranging from 15% to 21%. Experts think the government may push for a new, higher rate. This would bring in more money at a time when the country needs it.
This is not the first time this topic has been discussed. Back in 2024, there was talk of raising £3 billion from gambling taxes. Moreover, someone also suggested doubling some rates, like raising betting duty to 30% and remote betting duty to 50%, based on the level of risk involved.
The gambling industry opposes the idea
The gambling industry is not happy with the tax hike. Grainne Hurst, head of the Betting and Gaming Council, called the idea “fantasy economics” and warned it would hurt jobs and horse racing.
The British Horseracing Authority has also expressed its opposition. According to them, higher taxes would damage a sport that depends on betting revenue and has even launched a campaign to stop the changes.
The Treasury hasn’t made any final decisions, but the debate is still going on.
The Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) CEO, Grainne Hurst, has spoken against the UK’s latest gambling tax reforms, stressing that they undermine the competitiveness of the...
