Fred Done, the founder of Betfred, has raised concerns that nearly 495 betting shops across the UK could face closure due to increasing gambling taxes set for 2030. The company has already announced the shutdown of 132 outlets, a move that is expected to result in approximately 600 job losses. Done emphasized that additional tax burdens would further diminish the presence of betting shops in Great Britain, which has already seen a significant decline in its betting outlet numbers.
Currently, Betfred operates around 1,300 betting shops and employs nearly 7,500 people, albeit with plans to cut down on its locations. Changes introduced in the UK government’s Autumn 2025 Budget elevated the Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40%, a rate that applies to online casino games and took effect in April 2026.
Betfred is not alone in this trend; Evoke, the owner of William Hill, has indicated that it may close around 200 gaming shops as a result of rising online taxes impacting their operations. Done, who co-founded Betfred with his brother Peter in 1967, is convinced that high tax hikes could drive betting shop closures without adversely affecting the broader gambling industry. The ongoing discussion around gambling taxation focuses on striking a balance between increasing revenue and preserving the future of the UK’s retail betting landscape alongside the growing shift to online gambling.
