Genting Casinos UK CEO Outlines Casino Viability Concerns Over Machine Gaming Duty Proposal

In September 2026 attention turns toward the upcoming October Budget where proposals include doubling the Machine Gaming Duty rate from 20% to 40% on land-based gaming machines, and Paul Willcock, CEO of Genting Casinos UK, has detailed how this adjustment would affect the company's 32 UK casinos. Willcock stated in a CityAM op-ed that 13 of those locations would become unprofitable or unsustainable under the higher rate, placing 850 jobs at risk across the portfolio. The measure follows the April 2026 rise in remote gaming duty, and Willcock noted that the combined tax environment would reduce incentives for further investment while also affecting local economies that rely on casino operations for employment and footfall.

Details of the Proposed Duty Change and Company Position

Genting Casinos UK operates 32 venues nationwide, and the company has calculated that the duty increase from 20% to 40% would push 13 sites into negative territory based on current revenue levels and operating costs. Willcock presented these figures directly, explaining that the tax applies specifically to gaming machines in land-based settings and would compound pressures already introduced by the earlier remote duty adjustment. Data from the company's internal modeling shows that higher machine taxes would require either reduced staffing or venue closures to maintain financial balance, with the 850 positions representing a direct employment exposure across the affected sites.

Bacta Survey Findings on Industry-Wide Effects

A Bacta membership survey conducted ahead of the Budget announcement found that every respondent anticipated negative business consequences from the Machine Gaming Duty rise, with 90% describing the expected impact as severe. The survey covered operators across the land-based sector and highlighted uniform concern over cash flow, capital expenditure plans, and long-term venue sustainability. Willcock referenced these results to illustrate that the proposed change would extend beyond a single company, affecting multiple operators who rely on machine revenue to support table games, hospitality, and community contributions.

Investment and Treasury Revenue Implications

Willcock further outlined that the duty increase could discourage capital investment in venue upgrades and new technology, because higher ongoing tax liabilities would extend payback periods for any expenditure. The op-ed also addressed potential Treasury outcomes, stating that reduced machine volumes or venue closures might offset expected revenue gains from the higher rate, resulting in lower overall collections. These points rest on the company's operational data and align with the Bacta survey responses that flagged curtailed expansion plans among members.

Timeline and Policy Context in Late 2026

With the October Budget now weeks away in September 2026, the proposed Machine Gaming Duty adjustment forms part of a broader fiscal package that already incorporated the April 2026 remote gaming duty increase. Genting Casinos UK has positioned its warning as a forward-looking assessment rather than a reaction to past changes, emphasizing that land-based operators face distinct cost structures compared with online platforms. The company continues to monitor parliamentary discussions and industry consultations ahead of final decisions.

Conclusion

The statements from Paul Willcock and the supporting Bacta survey data present a clear picture of projected operational challenges for Genting Casinos UK and the wider land-based sector if the Machine Gaming Duty rate doubles. The figures on unprofitable venues, jobs at risk, and survey consensus remain central to ongoing discussions as the October Budget date approaches, while the interplay with the earlier remote duty adjustment continues to shape operator planning across the UK.