BGC Urges Chancellor to Back Gambling Firms Amid Rising Business Costs

The UK’s economy grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). While the BGC welcomed this news, its CEO, Grainne Hurst, highlighted concerns about government policies that could impact industries like gambling.

Hurst pointed out that many businesses, especially in areas like retail and hospitality, are struggling with increased costs due to rising employer National Insurance contributions and business rates. These sectors have been hit hard by these changes, particularly the rise in the employer National Insurance rate from 13.8% to 15%. Additionally, the earnings level at which payments start has been lowered from £9,100 to £5,000. These adjustments are making it harder for businesses to manage hiring and workforce costs.

As the UK government works on reforming gambling taxes, Hurst stressed that the gambling industry is already under strain. The government is planning to merge three tax categories: Remote Gaming Duty, General Betting Duty, and Pool Betting Duty, into a single Remote Betting and Gaming Duty (RBGD). This change is expected to raise the tax burden for gambling businesses already facing challenges in today’s economic climate.

The BGC CEO also pointed out that while online gambling is growing, the retail betting sector is still an important part of the UK economy. To support the gambling industry, Hurst invited Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross to visit betting shops in person to see how much the industry has evolved. She noted that betting shops today resemble coffee shops more than the traditional bookies they once were.

Hurst emphasized that for the UK’s economy to continue growing, all sectors, including the gambling industry, need support. “If we want firms to keep investing and employing people here in the UK, we desperately need stability—not more tax rises that could threaten jobs and growth,” she said.

As the gambling sector faces rising costs and changes in tax policy, the BGC is calling on the government to ensure that the industry remains competitive and continues to thrive.