Overview

• Gordon Brown publicly backed doubling remote betting and gaming duties to generate billions for ending the two-child benefit cap.
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the Treasury’s consultation on aligning gambling taxes closed on July 21 and that evidence will inform autumn budget decisions.
• Tax advisers at Blick Rothenberg warned that many online operators are based offshore, creating significant challenges for HMRC enforcement of new levies.
• Industry bodies and racing stakeholders cautioned that higher duties could threaten about 109,000 sector jobs, reduce sports funding and drive punters toward unregulated markets.
• Think tanks IPPR and SMF estimate a levy hike could raise up to £3.2 billion annually, while industry figures note the sector already pays about £4 billion in taxes.