Britain’s largest gambling operators have urged Chancellor John Healey to reject further gambling tax increases in the upcoming Budget, warning that higher duties could trigger additional betting shop closures, casino shutdowns and thousands of job losses across the country. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) coordinated the appeal in a letter signed by senior executives from Entain, Flutter UK & Ireland, bet365, Bally’s Corporation, evoke and Betfred. The companies are calling on the government to rule out an increase in […]

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Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) expects the gambling sector to contribute approximately €1bn towards the government’s 2027–2028 funding plans, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration prepares its next budget. The proposed revenue forms part of a broader fiscal program targeting between €7bn and €8bn from several industries, with the final measures still subject to parliamentary decisions and ongoing discussions over public spending. The government is examining several ways to increase revenue from gambling businesses, including adjustments to online […]

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Peru’s online gambling industry could face a substantial increase in its tax obligations under a legislative proposal that would raise the Selective Consumption Tax (ISC) on remote betting from 1% to 5% of each wager. Filed in Congress on October 6, 2026, the initiative cites public health concerns and the potential for higher government revenue as the main reasons for the proposed change. Legislative Proposal 00519-2026-2031-CD was introduced by Arequipa lawmaker Luis Aurelio Masco Cáceres and other members of the […]

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Bookmaker investment in British horse racing has fallen sharply over the past year, with new analysis highlighting a significant reduction in sponsorship activity following recent gambling tax increases. Data reviewed by the Racing Post shows that bookmaker-backed sponsorship of British races dropped by 17% between January and September 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. The decline comes after the UK government increased Remote Gaming Duty (RGD) from 21% to 40% in April 2026, while a rise in […]

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Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court has ruled that a professional bettor can deduct losing wagers from taxable betting income, ending a dispute that lasted more than five years and establishing a precedent that could influence the country’s gambling market ahead of major regulatory changes in 2027. The case involved Antti Koivula, a professional bettor and Chief Compliance Officer at Hippos ATG, whose 2020 betting activity became the subject of a tax dispute. During that year, Koivula placed 2,145 bets with operators […]

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Malta’s revised gaming tax and VAT frameworks came into force on October 1, 2026, introducing new tax rates by gaming category and updated reporting requirements for licensed operators. The reforms were introduced through Legal Notices 84 and 86 of 2026 and form part of measures announced in Malta’s 2026 Budget. They followed consultation with the gaming industry and were developed to provide clearer treatment of gaming activities. Under the new gaming tax structure, Type 1 services, including casino-style games and […]

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Britain’s betting sector has launched a campaign to highlight the possible impact of further gambling tax increases ahead of the Autumn Budget on October 28. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) introduced Back Our Betting Shops as speculation grows that Chancellor John Healey may raise Machine Games Duty. The campaign will feature employees, customers and community partners, with much of the material running across the BGC’s digital channels. The industry is trying to shift attention toward the people and local […]

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The Bulgarian government has launched a broad reform effort aimed at reshaping the country’s gambling sector, proposing extensive advertising restrictions, higher taxes for online operators, tighter financial oversight, and new measures designed to address gambling-related harm. Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that draft amendments to Bulgaria’s Gambling Act have been submitted for public consultation, outlining what officials describe as a significantly stricter regulatory framework for the industry. The proposals come as lawmakers, regulators, and opposition parties continue to debate the […]

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Betfred has confirmed it will bring its long-running sponsorship of rugby league to a close at the end of the 2026 season, with founder Fred Done linking the decision to rising tax burdens and increasing operating costs that have already led the bookmaker to reduce its retail footprint. The company currently serves as title sponsor of the Super League, the Challenge Cup and England Rugby League. Its involvement with the sport began in 2017 and will conclude after a decade […]

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A German court has upheld Wiesbaden’s decision to increase its slot machine tax, rejecting arguments from gaming hall operators who claimed the measure placed excessive pressure on their businesses. The Hessian Higher Administrative Court in Kassel ruled that the city’s increase in the gaming machine tax from 5% to 7.5%, which took effect on January 1, 2024, remains valid. The decision supports a policy adopted by Wiesbaden’s city council in December 2023 as part of efforts to strengthen municipal finances. […]

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