UK Betting Shops Face Accelerated Closures Over Rates
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has renewed its criticism of the UK’s business rates system, warning that it is accelerating the disappearance of betting shops from Britain’s high streets. The trade body argues that the current framework no longer matches the economic pressures facing land-based operators and is contributing directly to widespread closures.
The scale of contraction is stark. BGC figures show that the number of licensed betting shops across the UK has fallen from more than 8,300 in 2019 to fewer than 5,900 by March 2025. That decline of roughly one-third has been accompanied by the loss of around 10,000 jobs, underlining how sharply the retail gambling footprint has shrunk in just a few years.
Cost Pressures, Not Customer Demand
According to the BGC, these closures are not primarily driven by falling customer interest but by rising fixed costs, with business rates at the centre of the problem. Rates are based on assessed rental values, meaning similar businesses can face vastly different tax bills depending on location rather than performance. The council says this postcode-based disparity places an unsustainable burden on many betting shops, particularly in traditional town centres.
The issue is not unique to gambling. Pubs and other hospitality businesses have raised similar concerns, warning that rising rates are hollowing out local high streets. Earlier this year, mounting pressure from the hospitality sector prompted government signals that rate increases might be reconsidered. The BGC is now seeking comparable relief for betting shops, positioning them alongside other physical retailers struggling to survive.
Tax Changes Add Further Strain
While business rates affect bricks-and-mortar outlets directly, the wider gambling industry is also preparing for substantial tax increases that could have knock-on effects. Remote Gaming Duty for online operators is set to rise sharply from 21% to 40% in April 2026, followed by an increase in General Betting Duty from 15% to 25% in 2027.
Although these measures target online activity, many major operators run integrated retail and digital businesses. The BGC warns that squeezed online margins could prompt firms such as William Hill, Betfred, Entain and Flutter to further rationalise their retail estates, placing additional betting shops at risk.
Growing Political Resistance at Local Level
At the same time, the sector faces increasing political resistance. Around 40 local councils have called for expanded powers to limit the number of betting shops and adult gaming centres in their areas, arguing that oversupply undermines high-street recovery and community wellbeing.
Several Labour MPs have supported these proposals, with Dawn Butler among those pushing for stronger local controls. This trend complicates the BGC’s lobbying efforts, as it seeks financial relief from central government while elements of the governing party advocate tighter restrictions on gambling premises.
A Wider Debate About the High Street
The BGC’s warning highlights a broader policy dilemma. On one side are concerns about job losses, declining investment and empty shopfronts. On the other are arguments about social impact and local authority control over town-centre composition.
Whether the government opts to reform business rates or maintain the status quo remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the debate has moved beyond tax mechanics. It now touches on the future shape of the British high street itself, with betting shops caught at the intersection of economic survival and political scrutiny.
