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Betting and Gaming Council Warn Further Tax Increases Will Hit Customers, Prevent Growth, Cost Jobs and Bolster Black Market Gambling

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

STANDARDS body the Betting and Gaming Council have warned further tax rises threaten to bolster the illegal gambling black market while undermining the regulated sector’s significant economic contributions.

Ahead of the Budget, new figures compiled by leading consultants EY confirm BGC members generate £6.8bn for the economy in Gross Value Added, raise a further £4bn in tax to the Treasury, while supporting 109,000 jobs.

The regulated betting and gaming sector supports the UK’s hard-pressed high streets through bookmakers, provides a vital pillar to the leisure and tourism sector through casinos, and a growing number of high value jobs in bases like Stoke, Leeds, Sunderland, Warrington, Nottingham and Newcastle Under Lyme.

They also pour millions into sports including horseracing, rugby league, football, snooker, darts and boxing.

But tax increases, combined with the impacts of last year’s White Paper on gambling reform, and the threat of the growing unsafe, unregulated gambling black market, could undermine that continued investment while threatening growth and jobs.

According to previous Government figures, the White Paper measures, many of which the BGC called for to raise standards, will cost the sector around £1bn.

While comparable markets in Europe which have increased taxes on regulated operators, have seen an immediate rise in black market gambling, which pays zero tax, does not contribute to sport and makes no effort on player protection, leading these markets to also have higher rates of problem gambling.

A recent study commissioned by the BGC found 1.5m Brits are annually staking up to £4.3bn on the illegal, unregulated gambling black market.

Meanwhile, the current economic headwinds – which are set to continue – have also hit customer’s pockets hard, including their financial freedom to spend on hobbies like betting.

BGC CEO Grainne Hurst said: “Our sector is at a crossroads as we seek to implement the measures contained in the White Paper and deliver a new era of stability and growth so we can continue making significant economic contributions to the country.

“After so many years of uncertainty, this sector needs stability to deliver sustainable investment, not further change which threatens to undo that contribution.

“Any new taxes now, at any scale, at this critical juncture risks undermining that good work while giving a leg-up to the lurking menace of the black market, which is ready to hoover up disaffected customers sensitive to any degrading of the offer they get in the regulated sector.

“Customers have been hit hard for years, with extreme pressure on the cash they have left in their pockets, once bills and taxes are paid, to enjoy their hobbies including having a flutter. We don’t want to see the pressure on working people ramped up.

“Regulated betting and gaming remains a hugely popular pastime in this country, enjoyed safely by the overwhelming majority, while our members are a Great British export and genuine global leaders, delivering enormous economic good in city centers, on high streets and in the growing online sector. That investment positively impacts other sectors too, with BGC members pouring millions into Britain’s world leading sports.

“We want to partner with Government to see the right, proportionate regulations, and a stable tax regime, which doesn’t hit customers, doesn’t raise the attraction of illegal operators, won’t risk jobs, but instead delivers on the Government’s new growth agenda.”

The White Paper – billed as a “once in a generation” moment for reform – announced measures including an Ombudsman to improve consumer redress, new online stake limits, modest casino modernisation plans and a new levy to fund Research Prevention and Treatment (RPT) services to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm.

BGC members voluntarily donated over £170m to this work over the last four years – supporting a mature network of independent charity providers – including £50m last year alone.

The new statutory RPT Levy is expected to raise £100m a year when introduced.

BGC members also contribute around £100m a year to the Horserace Betting Levy to improve breeding, advance veterinary science in the sport and contribute to the wider improvement of horseracing.

The new research by EY also tracked trends in the sector, confirming Gross Gambling Yield from online betting and gaming has remained steady, while marking the significant pressures facing land-based bookmakers and casinos.

The number of casinos has fallen in recent years, from 156 in 2019 to 117 now, including the loss of five high-end casinos.

There are also currently 5870 bookmakers in the UK, with 2485 closures since 2019, a 28% reduction, prompted by regulatory changes and the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic.

The BGC has previously called on Government to introduce the modest but mission critical modernisation plans needed for the land-based sector to compete and offer the experience their customers expect.

The post Betting and Gaming Council Warn Further Tax Increases Will Hit Customers, Prevent Growth, Cost Jobs and Bolster Black Market Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

2 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: