Entain Launches What’s At Stake Campaign Over UK Betting Shop Tax Concerns

Entain has launched its What’s at Stake campaign amid concerns over the potential impact of further gambling tax increases on the UK retail betting sector.

The Ladbrokes and Coral owner is calling for what it describes as a “balanced approach” to retail gambling taxation ahead of the Autumn Budget, following reports that the government could increase the standard rate of Machine Games Duty (MGD) from its current 20%.

The campaign follows a letter from Entain CEO Stella David to Prime Minister Andy Burnham outlining the company’s concerns about the potential consequences of higher taxes for betting shops.

It also comes alongside the Betting and Gaming Council’s Back Our Betting Shops campaign, which similarly focuses on taxation of the retail betting sector.

Entain Raises Betting Shop Tax Concerns

Through the What’s at Stake campaign, Entain argues that betting shops support employment, high streets and British racing, while providing customers with access to trained staff in regulated retail environments.

“Shop closures would affect far more than the businesses themselves,” the company said.

“They would mean fewer local jobs, less activity on the high street, reduced funding for British racing and fewer places where customers can interact face-to-face with trained staff.

“Some customers may choose to bet elsewhere, including with operators outside the UK's regulatory system.”

Entain is calling for future tax and regulatory policy to distinguish between staffed betting shops and other forms of gambling.

The operator has also called for further action against unlicensed gambling operators and continued measures to address gambling-related harm.

Entain said policymakers should consider the potential impact of additional retail tax increases on employment, high streets, British racing and government tax receipts.

UK Gambling Tax Changes

The campaign follows changes to taxation elsewhere in the UK gambling sector.

Remote Gaming Duty increased from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026, while a new 25% General Betting Duty rate for most remote betting is scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2027, up from the current 15%.

Entain’s campaign is focused on the retail sector as the government considers its approach to gambling taxation ahead of the Autumn Budget.