High street ‘slot farms’ could avoid budget tax rise through bingo hall loophole
News Source
•Sun, 01 Nov 2026 12:04:59 GMT
📰 What Happened
Hundreds of betting shops known as slot farms may escape a tax rise announced in the budget. The chancellor, John Healey, raised duty on slot machine takings from 20% to 25%.
He also said adult gaming centres and vape shops in England would lose a discount on their business rates. But many shops run by the two biggest slot farm firms, Merkur and Admiral, hold bingo licences.
A Guardian analysis suggests those licences still qualify them for the discount. The shops appear to offer mostly slot machines, not bingo. Ministers have not said if they will close the gap.
🔍 The Backstory
Adult gaming centres are high street venues with rows of slot machines and fixed-prize games. Campaigners say they can take £100 from a player in minutes.
Bingo halls pay less in business rates because they are treated as community venues. Some operators have used that rule to cut costs at sites that look more like arcades.
The prime minister, Andy Burnham, has criticised slot farms and backed the budget measures. He says cleaner high streets are a priority for his government.
🎯 Why It Matters
Tax rules help decide which shops appear on your high street. If firms slip through a loophole, the money raised for public services falls short.
Hundreds of betting shops known as slot farms may escape a tax rise announced in the budget. The chancellor, John Healey, raised duty on slot machine takings from 20% to 25%.
He also said adult gaming centres and vape shops in England would lose a discount on their business rates. But many shops run by the two biggest slot farm firms, Merkur and Admiral, hold bingo licences.
A Guardian analysis suggests those licences still qualify them for the discount. The shops appear to offer mostly slot machines, not bingo. Ministers have not said if they will close the gap.
Adult gaming centres are high street venues with rows of slot machines and fixed-prize games. Campaigners say they can take £100 from a player in minutes.
Bingo halls pay less in business rates because they are treated as community venues. Some operators have used that rule to cut costs at sites that look more like arcades.
The prime minister, Andy Burnham, has criticised slot farms and backed the budget measures. He says cleaner high streets are a priority for his government.
Tax rules help decide which shops appear on your high street. If firms slip through a loophole, the money raised for public services falls short.