Machine gaming duty and social harm
30 June 2026, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Location: Westminster
Think tank: Social Market Foundation
This event hosted by UK think tank the Social Market Foundation discusses reforms to Machine Gaming Duty in the context of the rapid expansion of gaming machines on the UK’s high streets.
In the 2025 budget, the Chancellor introduced the principle of differentiating tax on gambling products associated with the highest levels of harm – increasing Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40%, and General Betting Duty on remote betting from 15% to 25%. But thus far, no equivalent increase has been applied to Machine Gaming Duty despite its associated harms.
Building on the impact of our previous research and recommendations, the SMF has carried out new research into the harms caused by addictive, high-risk machines, particularly prevalent within Adult Gaming Centres, and the potential for a reformed Machine Gaming Duty framework with higher taxes to cover associated fiscal costs.
Speakers
Alex Ballinger MP – Member of Parliament for Halesowen
Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones – Clinical Advisor on Gambling Harms
Gideon Salutin – Chief Economist, Social Market Foundation
Theo Bertram – Director, Social Market Foundation (Chair)
