The Chancellor’s Budget delivers a blow to the land-based gaming and amusement sector, with sharp increases in both the National Minimum Wage and National Insurance Contributions. While we remain proud to pay fair wages and play our part in funding public services, this dual rise significantly raises the cost of employment in an industry already under considerable fiscal pressure.
Gaming businesses are subject to a uniquely heavy tax burden: Machine Games Duty, gaming license costs, the recently introduced industry levy, irrecoverable VAT, historically high corporation tax levels, employment taxes, and high business rates. Yet we have once again been excluded from the business rates support offered to other hospitality sectors and there has not been a stakes and prize review to mitigate price rises for 13 years. These latest wage-related hikes further compound that imbalance and put future investment at risk.
The direct consequence is that we will be forced to limit additional job creation, reduce capital investment across our estate, and delay innovation within our technology division – all of which will ultimately impact our employees, customers, and the communities we serve. This is not a decision we take lightly, but one made necessary by the increasing cost of doing business.
This approach is at odds with a credible growth agenda. If the government truly wishes to encourage business-led growth, it must stop restricting and over-taxing sectors that are ready to invest, expand and employ. The most immediate way to enable this is through the long-delayed implementation of the Gambling Act review – particularly in the high street and casino sectors – where reform is urgently needed to modernise regulation and unlock sustainable economic potential.
Despite these challenges, our businesses remain defiant.
We will continue to operate responsibly, innovate with new machines and products, support our staff, and deliver a best-in-class customer experience.
Our resilience and long-term approach have enabled the sectors we operate in to thrive. We are profitable, we are growing, and we remain committed to our people.
However, that commitment must be met with fair treatment from policymakers. The contribution we make; through tax, employment, and economic regeneration-deserves recognition, not further burden. Without change, the risk is clear: fewer jobs, fewer venues, further erosion of the UK machine manufacturing base, and diminished high streets.
We urge the government to consider high street businesses and manufacturing companies in future policy making. Sustainable growth and continued employment in our sector depend on a balanced and inclusive fiscal policy, with the growth agenda leading policy, rather than tax rises.
