Following the HM Treasury Consultation on the Tax Treatment of Remote Gambling last summer, the UK Government published its conclusion alongside the Budget which confirmed some new tax rates on gambling. WoTA is pleased to see that UK horserace betting taxation will remain on 15% both online and in shops. However the increase of taxation on remote gaming (from 21% to 40% from April 2026) and remote sport betting (from 15% to 25% from April 2027) will potentially have a significant impact on the overall sector and drive customers towards illegal gambling.
The UK government was very clear to differentiate pool betting from other forms of betting, stating: “Following careful consideration of feedback from operators and businesses about the different and less rapid nature of pool betting compared to other forms of betting, the government will not make any changes to the structure or rates of pool betting.”