Overview
- Industry-commissioned PwC research reports UK online black‑market share at roughly 6% with channelisation down from 99% in 2020 to 94% in 2024.
- BGC-cited EY analysis says proposed hikes could put over 40,000 jobs at risk, divert £8.4bn in stakes to unlicensed sites and cut £3.1bn from the sector’s economic contribution.
- BGC modelling forecasts that lifting Machine Games Duty to 50% would close about 3,464 betting shops, cut 25,086 jobs and remove £84m from horseracing’s funding.
- Reports indicate the Treasury is considering raising General Betting Duty from 15% to as high as 30% and increasing online gaming duties up to 50%, with horse racing bets reportedly excluded.
- The IPPR urges higher levies to raise roughly £3.2bn for social programmes, while a Treasury Committee report cautions ministers not to accept industry scaremongering on black‑market claims.