UK Government Proposes Single Remote Gambling Tax in 2025 Consultation

From Three Taxes to One

Under the current structure, remote gambling operators must navigate three different duties: General Betting Duty, Pool Betting Duty, and Remote Gaming Duty. This fragmented (and arguably outdated) approach has become increasingly inefficient, especially as many offshore operators are required to file multiple quarterly returns.

The proposed RBGD would consolidate these taxes into one, simplifying compliance and reducing administrative overhead. While the specific rate for the new duty has yet to be determined, it would continue to operate on a “place of consumption” basis, taxing bets made by UK residents or on UK soil, regardless of where the operator is based.

The remote gambling sector now accounts for 44% of Britain’s total gross gambling yield (GGY), generating £6.9 billion in the year leading up to March 2024. That’s a 200% increase over the past decade, outpacing the declining land-based gambling sector, which has seen a 15% drop in GGY and a 30% decrease in the number of in-person betting venues which used to be so prevalent across UK towns and cities.

Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP, emphasised the importance of keeping taxation systems aligned with modern digital industries and relevant with UKGC regulations.

“Since remote gambling was first developed, it has grown exponentially, the time has come to consider moving to a single tax for UK-facing remote gambling… [it] will provide tax certainty and increase simplification.”

The consultation is open until midnight on 21 July 2025, after which the government will review stakeholder feedback. If it gets through Parliament and dependent on technical readiness, the new RBGD could be implemented in October 2027.