Chancellor John Healey Raises Slot Machine Tax to 25%

Chancellor John Healey raised the machine games duty tax on slot machines from 20% to 25% in his inaugural budget this week. The tax increase is expected to generate nearly £150 million annually, which the government intends to use to support growth on high streets.

Healey described the move as "raising taxes on gambling to support good growth on every high street". The policy targets a booming industry where gamblers in Great Britain lost £2.7 billion on slot machines last year. The measure specifically addresses the proliferation of "slot farms" that dominate shopping streets in cities such as Peterborough.

The gambling sector is overseen by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom.