British casinos boost town and city centre visitation, new report suggests
The BGC highlights the impact of land-based casinos in boosting neighbouring hospitality businesses.
Key takeaways:
- New Betting and Gaming Council research argues that casinos play an important role in supporting town and city centres, with 41.1 per cent of surveyed customers saying they would have stayed at home if a casino visit had not been available.
- The study found casinos generate wider economic benefits for local businesses, with 55 per cent of visitors saying they would probably or definitely not have visited the area otherwise and 72.1 per cent using at least one other local business during their trip.
- The sector is looking to invest around £200m over the next five years following casino reforms introduced in 2025, but operators warn that possible increases to Machine Games Duty could threaten investment plans and business confidence.
UK.- The Betting and Gaming Council has published research highlighting the role Britain’s casinos play in supporting high streets. The report says that land-based casinos attract visitors into town and city centres and boost neighbouring hospitality businesses, finding that 41.1 per cent of casino customers surveyed said they would have stayed at home if the casino was not available.
Titled Beyond Gaming: The Evolution of Britain’s Land-Based Casinos as Nightlife Destinations, the study was announced at an event hosted by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) at London’s Hippodrome Casino on Wednesday (October 14). More than half (55 per cent) of casino-goers surveyed said they probably or definitely would not otherwise have visited the local area, while 72.1 per cent reported using at least one other local business during their visit.
The study also examines how modern casinos are evolving into broader hospitality, leisure and entertainment destinations, supporting local jobs, businesses and the wider night-time economy. The research is intended to highlight the contribution of Britain’s 108 licensed casinos, which the BGC says support approximately 14,000 direct and indirect jobs and attract nearly 14 million visits annually.
The study also comes as the sector looks to capitalise on the Government’s 2025 casino reforms, which opened new opportunities for investment and modernisation. Casino operators have identified approximately £200m of planned capital investment over the next five years, including improvements to hospitality facilities, entertainment venues and customer experiences.
However, concerns remain that uncertainty over potential changes to Machine Games Duty in the Autumn Budget could undermine business confidence and hold back investment.
Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, said: “Britain’s high streets need businesses that give people a reason to leave home and spend time in our towns and cities. More than four in ten surveyed casino customers would otherwise have stayed at home, and almost three-quarters used another local business. Modern casinos support jobs, hospitality, entertainment and neighbouring businesses. That contribution deserves recognition in the national conversation about high-street regeneration.”
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “These findings show that Britain’s casinos have a vital role to play in supporting our high streets, creating jobs and bringing people into our towns and cities. Casinos are about much more than gaming. They are major employers and entertainment destinations, supporting restaurants, bars, hotels and countless other businesses that depend on a thriving visitor economy.
“The Government’s welcome reforms last year gave casinos new opportunities to modernise, diversify and invest. With around £200 million of investment planned across the sector, there is a real opportunity to deliver even greater benefits for local communities. But that progress cannot be taken for granted. Businesses need certainty and confidence to invest, and further tax pressures risk holding back the very growth and regeneration we all want to see.
“We should be backing well-regulated businesses that support jobs, investment and Britain’s high streets, not putting further obstacles in their way.”
Call for pause on betting tax rise
The BGC is also having another go at calling for the government to hold fire on gambling tax rises. The CEOs of Entain, Flutter UK & Ireland, bet365, Bally’s Corporation, evoke and Betfred have signed a letter addressed to chancellor John Healey, urging him to rule out further increases in gambling duties at the Autumn Budget.
As well as reiterating its call for the government to rule out a rise in Machine Games Duty, they’re calling for the rise in General Betting Duty announced in last year’s budget to be suspended. As announced last November, the tax rate on revenue from online betting is due to rise to 25 per cent from April 2027.
The letter warns that, since the 2025 Budget, more than 600 betting shops have closed and 10,250 jobs across online and retail have been lost or announced for redundancy, including closures at Betfred and William Hill, shops under review at Paddy Power and 300 job cuts at bet365 in Stoke-on-Trent. Gambling Commission data shows betting shop numbers in Great Britain have already fallen by around 38 per cent since 2015.
The CEOs also highlight EY analysis estimating that doubling MGD on Category B machines to 40 per cent could lead to a further 690 to 1,470 betting shop closures, 28 to 34 casino closures and 11,600 to 15,900 job losses, with a net loss to the Exchequer of up to £124 million. Horseracing alone would take a hit of at least £40 million through lost levy and media-rights payments.
Hurst said: “Our members have delivered a stark warning to the Chancellor. Further tax rises will close more businesses, cost thousands more jobs and damage British sport, while potentially leaving the Treasury worse off. Already, more than 600 betting shops have closed and over 10,000 jobs have been lost or announced for redundancy since the last Budget. These are real jobs, real livelihoods and businesses at the heart of communities across Britain. Further tax rises will only accelerate that decline.
“The industry is already grappling with the near doubling of Remote Gaming Duty. The Chancellor must rule out further tax rises at this Budget, including on Machine Games Duty, and pause the planned increase in General Betting Duty. You cannot tax businesses that have closed, and the Government risks destroying jobs and investment without raising a penny more for the Treasury.”
