Genting Casinos UK CEO Raises Concerns Over Proposed Machine Games Duty Increase

Paul Willcock, who serves as CEO of Genting Casinos UK, issued a detailed warning through an opinion piece published in City AM about the effects of a potential doubling in Machine Games Duty, and this proposal under review for the Autumn Budget would shift the rate from 20% to 40% on slot machines and similar equipment. The executive outlined how such a change would impose roughly £16 million in extra annual costs on the company, and he connected this figure directly to the viability of multiple venues across the country.

Details of the Proposed Tax Adjustment

The measure targets land-based gambling operations where MGD applies to gaming machines, and Willcock explained that the higher rate would push 13 out of the operator's 32 UK casinos into unprofitable territory or outright unsustainability. Observers note that this calculation stems from current revenue levels at those sites, while the remaining locations would face tighter margins that limit future investments and upgrades.

Employment figures form a central part of the warning, with more than 850 positions at the affected casinos placed at risk along with around 50 additional support roles that depend on ongoing operations. Data from the company shows these roles span dealers, technicians, hospitality staff, and management teams who maintain daily functions at the properties.

Arguments Presented on Revenue Outcomes

Willcock stated in the piece that the duty increase would ultimately shrink the overall tax base because closures would remove contributing venues entirely, and he summarized the point with the direct quote “You can’t tax a casino if it’s closed.” Economic modelling of potential MGD increases (September 2026) supports similar projections when applied to operators of comparable scale, and those projections indicate reduced collections once multiple sites cease trading.

Industry Context and Related Statements

This warning aligns with other industry feedback that has emerged during ongoing discussions about land-based gambling taxation, and several operators have submitted parallel assessments to government channels ahead of the budget decision. The pattern shows repeated emphasis on how duty rates interact with fixed costs such as property leases, staffing agreements, and regulatory compliance fees that remain unchanged even when machine revenue drops.

Company records indicate Genting Casinos UK currently operates across a network that includes major cities and regional locations, and the 13 sites identified as vulnerable represent a mix of older and newer facilities where machine income accounts for a substantial share of total takings. Those who've examined the operator's filings know that machine games contribute the majority of earnings at many of these addresses, which explains why the duty hike lands with particular force on that revenue stream.

Potential Ripple Effects on Operations

Should the rate change proceed, the company would need to evaluate closure timelines or partial downsizing at the affected properties, and such steps would trigger statutory consultation processes with employees and local authorities. Support roles in areas like central finance, marketing, and maintenance could see reductions that extend beyond the initial 50 positions once venue counts decline.

Broader supply chains that serve the casinos would also encounter adjustments, because reduced footfall at multiple sites would lower demand for food and beverage suppliers, security services, and equipment maintenance contracts. Figures released alongside the opinion piece illustrate how each casino generates secondary economic activity in its surrounding area, and those secondary flows would contract if 13 venues exit the market.

Conclusion

The statements from Paul Willcock provide a clear outline of the financial pressures that would follow the proposed Machine Games Duty adjustment, and the specific numbers on costs, venue counts, and employment risks supply a concrete basis for evaluating the measure. Industry participants continue to submit data ahead of the Autumn Budget, while the single quote about taxing closed casinos captures the core logic presented in the City AM piece.