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The executive chairman of The Hippodrome Casino, Simon Thomas, has spoken out ahead of the UK’s Autumn Budget being unveiled, as he says talk of a potential rise in Machine Games Duty is “so deeply alarming.”
The current Machine Games Duty (MGD) in the UK is 20%, but there have been rumors that the upcoming budget could take this to a massive 50%. In a piece penned for the Betting & Gaming Council, Simon Thomas said “any increase from the current 20 per cent rate would reverse the benefits of the Government’s own reforms before they’ve even had the chance to take root.”
This comes after the government implemented a modernization package this summer, with reforms introduced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This included amending restrictions applying to some gaming products which saw casinos have greater freedoms in what they could offer to customers.
“Those reforms have already begun to deliver. Within weeks, operators announced over £300 million in new investment. Tangible regeneration projects in communities across the UK,” Simon explained about the change.
Since opening in 2012, The Hippodrome is said to have invested £65 million in total including the most recent investment of £1.5 million for a sportsbook.
UK gambling sector faces unknown as rumors swirl about Machine Games Duty
“As I’ve said in our submission to the Treasury: ‘An increase in MGD would fundamentally undermine the sustainable footing the new reforms have created. It would reverse progress, lead to closures, and put thousands of skilled jobs at risk.’”
The casino executive continued to say casinos are only just beginning to recover from the pandemic ‘and years of economic pressure.’ “Our revenues are still 22 per cent below pre-Covid levels, equivalent to a 43 per cent fall in real terms. Rising costs from energy to wages and employer National Insurance contributions continue to squeeze margins. The Government’s reforms gave us a framework to rebuild sustainably. A tax hike now would tear that away.”
The Autumn budget will be announced on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, and it will be then made clear whether the Machine Games Duty is impacted.
Featured Image: Via Betting & Gaming Council article
