Entain announces the launch of a “What’s at Stake” campaign against a possible increase in the UK’s Machine Games Duty up to 40%. The operator warns once again that the tax hike will harm the betting shop, leading to the shop closures and job cuts.
The campaign comes before the UK government’s Autumn Budget at the end of October. It’s named “What’s at Stake” and the main focus is the potential effects of raising Machine Games Duty.
The UK government recently announced that Machine Games Duty tax can have potential changes with rising from 20% to 40%.
Entain has claimed that betting shop closures can decrease local jobs, activity on high streets, and the amount of money available for the horse racing industry. It believes that the closure of shops will also limit opportunities for consumers to have face-to-face access with trained staff.
Betting shops are closing down throughout the UK, with Betfred announcing in July that it was closing around 132 shops.
The Betting and Gaming Council has launched its own campaign in support of betting shops, called “Back Our Betting Shops”, which is a response to the pressure placed on the retailers in the betting sector.
