Healey's gambling tax rise ‘doesn't go far enough’

CHANCELLOR John Healey announced during his Budget today an increase on gambling taxes to pay for a high street support package, with machine gaming duty climbing to 25 per cent. Gambling aware campaigners had been angling for 40 per cent and, although much lower, many in the industry fear it will have an impact on bookmakers and betting shops. Healey said: “To pay for this support for our high streets, I am raising taxes on gambling — by increasing Machine Games Duty from 20 per cent to 25 per cent for higher stakes machines, while protecting pubs and seaside arcades.” The implications of new measures could inadvertently affect bookmakers’ support for racing across Britain, with the Betting and Gaming Council warning that it could lead to shop closures and mass sackings. However, campaigners say the 5 per cent rise didn’t go far enough, while labelling it “a missed opportunity” to bring about dramatic reforms in order to tackle the growth of high-stakes betting.