Genting ready to invest in UK but warns over machine games duty rise

Genting wants to invest further in the UK casino market. Uncertainty over a potential increase in machine games duty is holding back confidence, however, industry executives have warned.

Genting’s Paul Willcock spoke at a panel discussion at London’s Hippodrome Casino on 14 October. He said the group remained keen to expand its UK investment. This was provided that the financial and regulatory environment was stable.

The discussion brought together representatives from Genting, Rank Group, the Hippodrome, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and Regulus Partners ahead of the forthcoming Autumn Budget.

Genting calls for certainty before further spending

Willcock pointed to Genting’s international investment programme as evidence of its appetite to develop casino businesses. “It is itching to invest in the United Kingdom,” he said.

However, he warned that the prospect of higher machine games duty was weighing on operators’ decisions.

“If we can get some relaxation or at least certainty on that, then investment will flow.” - Paul Wilcock

The Social Market Foundation has proposed increasing the duty on higher-risk Category B machines from 20% to 40%. The proposal has prompted opposition from gambling businesses, although an increase has not been confirmed.

Hippodrome executive chairman Simon Thomas said operators needed confidence that financial and regulatory conditions would remain stable over investment periods typically lasting three to seven years.

Casino reforms begin to unlock investment

Panellists welcomed the modernisation of land-based casino rules introduced in 2025, including provisions allowing eligible casinos to increase their gaming machine allocation from 20 to as many as 80.

Rank Group chief executive Richard Harris said the company had increased its machine estate from approximately 1,400 to 2,250 machines.

However, operators argued that the reforms needed more time to translate into stronger businesses and improved customer experiences.

Harris also highlighted the combined pressure of operating costs, taxation and regulation, telling the audience that Rank had closed four venues during his four and a half years with the company.

The panel identified approximately £200 million in planned casino investment over the coming years, warning that further tax increases could jeopardise that spending.

Operators warn of staffing and venue cuts

Research presented by the NTIA showed how businesses might respond to a duty increase.

23 operators were surveyed. Among them, 95.7% said they would reduce staffing and 91.3% would cut investment in venues. A further 60.9% indicated they might have to close a venue.

The NTIA estimated that around 3,800 direct and indirect jobs could be at risk nationally.

These figures reflect industry forecasts and survey responses rather than confirmed redundancies or closures. Nevertheless, operators urged the government to give existing reforms time to take effect and provide the certainty needed to support further investment.