Tax hike affecting betting shops

The UK's largest bookmaker, William Hill, has warned that a planned tax hike on betting shops will have a "significant" impact on their business. The company, which employs around 25,000 people, said it would have to close some of its shops in order to absorb the increased costs.

"We will have to adjust our retail estate to reflect the new tax regime," a spokesperson for William Hill said. "This could involve closing some of our shops, although we will do our best to avoid this where possible."

The tax hike, which was announced in the Chancellor's Budget last year, will increase the tax rate on betting shops from 25% to 30%. The move is expected to raise an additional £330m in revenue for the Treasury.

Other bookmakers, including Ladbrokes and Coral, have also warned that the tax hike will have a negative impact on their business. The industry has argued that the tax hike will lead to a reduction in jobs and investment in local communities.

According to the bookmakers' trade body, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), the tax hike will lead to a reduction in the number of betting shops in the UK. The BGC has warned that this will have a negative impact on local communities, where many betting shops are a major source of employment and revenue.

Responsible gambling

The betting industry has also been under pressure to improve its responsible gambling practices. The industry has faced criticism for its handling of problem gambling, with some critics arguing that it has not done enough to protect vulnerable customers.

However, the industry has argued that it is taking steps to improve its responsible gambling practices. This includes introducing stricter rules on advertising and providing support for customers who may be struggling with problem gambling.

Conclusion

The tax hike on betting shops is set to have a significant impact on the industry, with many bookmakers warning of job losses and shop closures. The industry has argued that the tax hike will lead to a reduction in jobs and investment in local communities, and has called on the government to rethink its plans.

Author's summary: A planned tax hike on betting shops in the UK will have a significant impact on the industry, with many bookmakers warning of job losses and shop closures. The industry has argued that the tax hike will lead to a reduction in jobs and investment in local communities, and has called on the government to rethink its plans.

Racing Post — 2025-11-22