London, October 15, 2026. Britain's 108 land-based casinos generate £815 million in gross value added (GVA), support 14,000 jobs, and contributed £515 million in taxes during 2025, according to research presented on October 14 by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
The study, titled Beyond Gaming: The Evolution of Britain’s Land-Based Casinos as Nightlife Destinations, was presented at the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, London, and documents approximately 14 million visits annually.
Among the customers surveyed, 72.1% visited other local businesses during their casino outing, generating average additional spending of £86.80 per group. Some 39% visited restaurants or bars, 31% spent money on transportation, and 30% made retail purchases. Furthermore, 41.1% would have stayed home without the casino visit.
Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the BGC, and Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, highlighted the industry's contribution to urban commerce, while Simon Thomas of the Hippodrome emphasized its role in tourism.
Grainne Hurst
Operators are planning £200 million in investment over five years, allocating 34% to non-gaming activities. However, 78% expressed concerns about tax uncertainty.
An analysis by EY warns that doubling Machine Games Duty from 20% to 40% could put 34 casinos, 3,800 jobs, £100 million investment, and £73 million in tax revenue at risk. Projects affected include a suspended £6 million expansion at the Hippodrome, while London is considering a £50 million development at the Trocadero.
The Gambling Commission, led by Ruth Evans, oversees an industry that underwent modernization on July 22, 2025, when certain casinos were authorized to install up to 80 gaming machines, subject to regulatory requirements. The government, through HM Treasury, is expected to outline its fiscal strategy in the budget scheduled for October 28.
