Public Support Emerges for Tax Increases on Adult Gaming Centres and Casinos

The Social Market Foundation released polling data in late June 2026 that revealed 43% of the public backing a Labour government plan to raise taxes on adult gaming centres and casinos, while the same survey showed limited appetite for similar measures on lower-stake machines found in pubs. This development arrives as the sector posts record revenue figures, prompting fresh calculations about potential fiscal gains from doubling the machine games duty on certain high-street devices.

Details Behind the Polling and Tax Calculations

Figures from the thinktank indicate that lifting machine games duty from its current 20% rate to 40% on Category B £2 slot machines could deliver between £275 million and £458 million in additional annual revenue, building on the £600 million already collected from these terminals. Combined totals might reach around £460 million extra each year under the proposed adjustment, according to the analysis tied directly to recent performance data from the gambling sector.

Adult gaming centres and casinos operate these machines under specific regulatory categories that distinguish them from pub-based equipment, which carries lower maximum stakes and remains outside the scope of the suggested duty increase. The distinction matters because Category B terminals allow higher bets per spin, generating the bulk of the taxable activity under discussion.

Record Sector Performance Sets the Stage

Recent financial results show adult gaming centres and casinos achieving their highest takings on record, a trend that coincides with the timing of the SMF report. Observers tracking the industry note that sustained customer volumes at these venues have pushed duty receipts upward even before any rate changes, creating a backdrop where further revenue projections appear grounded in observed trends rather than speculation.

The polling itself surveyed public attitudes toward targeted tax adjustments, finding majority support concentrated around higher-stake machines in dedicated gambling premises. Lower-stake options in pubs drew noticeably less endorsement for similar treatment, reflecting a pattern where respondents differentiated based on venue type and stake levels.

Political Context Involving Andy Burnham

Discussions around potential policy moves gained attention because of references to Andy Burnham and his possible future role, should he assume the position of prime minister. Reports from the period highlight how gambling-related concerns might feature in any agenda he advances, with the SMF findings providing one data point in broader conversations about fiscal measures in the sector. The focus remains on adult gaming centres and casinos rather than pub venues, preserving the existing duty structure for lower-stake machines.

Data released alongside the polling underscores that current collections from machine games duty already contribute substantially to government receipts, yet the proposed doubling targets only the higher-stake Category B equipment. This selective approach leaves pub-based terminals, which typically cap at lower stakes, unaffected by the suggested changes.

Revenue Projections and Sector Implications

Calculations attached to the SMF release break down the expected uplift: an additional £275 million to £458 million annually from the duty adjustment on Category B machines, layered onto existing £600 million yields. When aggregated, the total extra amount could approach £460 million per year, assuming machine performance holds at recent levels. These estimates derive from actual takings data rather than forward-looking assumptions alone.

Venues affected include high-street adult gaming centres that house multiple Category B terminals alongside other gaming options, as well as full casinos that integrate similar machines into their floors. The unchanged treatment of pub machines maintains a clear line between venue categories, a point emphasised in the coverage surrounding the polling release.

Conclusion

The SMF polling and accompanying revenue analysis, published at the end of June 2026, supply concrete figures on public sentiment and fiscal potential tied to machine games duty adjustments for adult gaming centres and casinos. With record sector takings already in place and references to future political leadership under consideration, the report positions targeted tax changes as a measurable policy option that spares lower-stake pub equipment. Further details appear in contemporaneous reporting on the release.