Genting Casinos UK Highlights Risks from Proposed Machine Gaming Duty Increase

Paul Willcock, CEO of Genting Casinos UK, issued a direct warning through a CityAM op-ed about the effects of a proposed rise in Machine Gaming Duty, and that increase would move the rate from 20% to 40% on land-based gaming machines. The change would leave 13 of the company's 32 UK casinos unprofitable or unsustainable, according to company calculations, while placing around 850 jobs at risk. Observers note the timing coincides with ongoing speculation ahead of the UK government's Autumn Budget set for October 28, 2026, and the warning follows the earlier adjustment that lifted remote gaming duty to 40% in April 2026.

Details of the Proposed Tax Adjustment

The Machine Gaming Duty applies specifically to gaming machines in physical casino venues, and the suggested doubling would align it with the remote gaming rate already in place. Genting Casinos UK operates across multiple sites, so the financial modeling showed clear thresholds where 13 locations would cross into loss-making territory once the higher rate took effect. Those projections stem from current revenue figures and operating costs, which already incorporate the April 2026 remote duty shift that raised expenses for online platforms.

Employment and Operational Consequences

Around 850 positions would face direct exposure if the duty increase moves forward, and that figure covers roles tied to the 13 affected casinos. Company statements emphasize that several venues would become unsustainable, which could lead to closures or significant reductions in services. Data from the sector indicates land-based operations maintain staffing levels tied closely to machine revenue, so any sustained drop in margins would prompt immediate reviews of payroll and site viability.

Bacta Survey Findings on Industry Impact

All respondents in a Bacta membership survey reported that the tax rise would produce negative effects on their businesses, while 90% described the impact as severe. The survey captured views across the land-based gaming sector and revealed uniform concern over profitability once the duty reaches 40%. Figures from that poll align with Genting's internal assessment, showing how the change would affect multiple operators beyond a single company. Bacta membership survey on proposed Machine Gaming Duty rise (2026) provides the full breakdown of responses collected before the October budget date.

Timeline and Budget Context

Speculation has built throughout September 2026 as industry groups prepare submissions ahead of the Autumn Budget announcement on October 28, 2026. The earlier remote gaming duty increase in April 2026 established the 40% benchmark now under consideration for land-based machines, and operators have tracked revenue shifts since that adjustment. Genting's op-ed arrives during this period of review, when policymakers gather data on both online and physical sectors before final decisions.

Broader Sector Response

Industry associations have compiled responses showing consistent patterns across operators, and the Bacta results highlight how smaller venues would encounter the steepest challenges. Those findings include projections of reduced machine floors, curtailed opening hours, and potential site consolidations. Experts tracking tax policy note that land-based casinos already navigate higher fixed costs compared with remote platforms, which explains why the uniform survey outcomes emerged so quickly after the proposal surfaced.

Conclusion

The warning from Genting Casinos UK outlines specific financial thresholds tied to the Machine Gaming Duty proposal, while the Bacta survey supplies supporting data from across the sector. With the Autumn Budget date of October 28, 2026, approaching, these assessments provide measurable inputs for ongoing discussions on duty rates and their effects on UK casino operations.