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Rank Group, owner of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, warns that a proposed increase in machine games duty by the UK government could shutter around one-third of its venues and affect about 2,000 workers. Currently taxed at 20%, the think tank Social Market Foundation suggests raising this rate to 40% could generate an additional £450 million in revenue but would endanger smaller operators especially those in northern England. The company already faced challenges from recent tax hikes on remote gaming and national insurance contributions, leading to nine venue closures last year alone.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The UK government is reportedly considering a hike in machine games duty, which is currently set at 20% of profits from fruit machines, roulette machines, and other slot machines. This proposed increase could raise tax revenues by around £450 million, according to the Social Market Foundation think tank. Rank Group, parent company of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, warns that a potential rise in tax rates to 40% would put about one-third of its UK venues at risk, potentially affecting around 2,000 jobs. The company highlights significant impacts on local communities and the social importance of bingo halls, particularly in northern England. This proposal follows an earlier increase in remote gaming duty from 21% to 40% for online gambling platforms in April 2023.
Written for “Gaming Machine Tax Hike Risk” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos parent firm also warned that around 30% of its UK workforce, around 2,000 workers, would be affected.
asserted
% → warn → workforce
The Government is reportedly considering an increase in the rate of machine games duty, which is the tax on fruit machines, roulette machines and other slot machines.
uncertain
which → consider → machines
Currently, operators pay a 20% tax on profits from the machines.
asserted
operators → pay → machines
However, the Social Market Foundation think tank indicated that the Government could increase tax revenues by around £450 million by increasing this to 40%.
uncertain
Government → indicate → %
“We have a healthy business, but if it went to 40% about a third of our estate would have to close,” he said.
asserted
he → have → estate
“Jobs would be at risk and it would have a big impact to local areas by hitting workers, but losing bingo halls would have a social impact, too.
“There are other operators who wouldn’t just be looking at shutting venues but wouldn’t have a future at all.
asserted
who → have → future
He stressed that any increase would put the future of a number of its venues in doubt, highlighting that sites in the North of England would be particularly affected.
asserted
sites → stress → England
It comes after remote gaming duty, the tax on online casino and slots, was increased from 21% to 40% in April this year, following changes announced at last year’s autumn budget.
asserted
duty → come → budget
Read More
It was part of a range of changes which also saw the removal of bingo duty, which had been a levy of 10%.
asserted
which → read → %
Mr Harris said the group has already come under pressure from recent tax changes, including increases to national insurance contributions.
asserted
group → say → contributions
The company has already closed nine bingo hall venues over the past year amid high labour costs and pressure on household budgets.
asserted
company → close → budgets
The warnings come after a raft of closures and job losses across the UK gambling sector over the past year.
asserted
warnings → come → year
Earlier this month, Ladbrokes owner Entain revealed plans to cut around 400 jobs worldwide in the face of higher taxes and warned more could be at risk if the Government was to double machine games duty.
uncertain
Government → reveal → duty
In July, Betfred said it was set to shut 132 shops and cut more than 600 jobs from September, partly in response to an increased impact from taxes.
asserted
it → say → taxes
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