EXCLUSIVE: The warning comes amid concerns that higher taxes could make some betting shops unviable, with consequences for staff, neighbouring businesses and the wider betting industry.
Greyhound racing in Romford (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has been accused of “elitist snobbery” as greyhound racing chiefs warn a proposed betting shop tax raid could threaten jobs, high streets and Britain’s working-class sporting heritage. Abbie MacGregor, director of corporate affairs at the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), accused the Government of hypocrisy over reported plans to double Machine Games Duty in the upcoming Budget.
The standard rate of the tax on gaming machines could rise from 20% to 40%, putting further pressure on betting shops and the businesses and sports reliant on them. Ms MacGregor also took aim at Mr Burnham’s recent comments comparing betting shops’ impact on the high street with businesses that dodge tax.
She said: “This Government wants more jobs, fewer empty shops and stronger communities, but apparently only if those jobs and businesses meet Westminster’s approval.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)
“Indeed, Andy Burnham’s recent comments that betting shops are as damaging to the high street as tax dodging businesses is exactly the kind of elitist snobbery he purports to be against.”
The warning comes amid concerns that higher taxes could make some betting shops unviable, with consequences for staff, neighbouring businesses and the wider betting industry.
Ms MacGregor argued that although Machine Games Duty appeared to target equipment, it taxed income that helped keep shops operating and people employed.
She said: “While machines do not receive redundancy notices, people will.”
The GBGB also warned that greyhound racing could suffer if bookmakers came under greater financial pressure, arguing that the sport depended on betting businesses to support its welfare infrastructure.
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Ms MacGregor said: “Greyhound racing, Britain’s first working class sport, would be decimated – not least because we rely on bookmakers to fund the welfare infrastructure that sits at the heart of everything we do.”
She urged the Prime Minister and Chancellor to consider the wider consequences of the proposed tax changes, arguing that the industry supported many of the priorities ministers claimed to champion.
These included local employment, training opportunities for young people, part-time work and affordable leisure activities during the cost-of-living squeeze.
Ms MacGregor said: “A Government claiming to represent working people cannot pick and choose which working people deserve a future.”
She added that Britain had previously made the mistake of ranking careers by their perceived value, with university education often promoted at the expense of trades, shop work and practical skills.
She said: “We should have learned that a successful economy needs both.”
The intervention comes as greyhound racing marks its centenary, with the sport beginning in Britain at Belle Vue in Manchester in 1926. The venue is in Mr Burnham’s home city.
The industry is also seeking protection from a separate tax increase affecting remote betting.
General Betting Duty on remote bets is due to rise from 15% to 25% in April 2027, while remote betting on British horse racing will remain at 15%.
Greyhound racing is calling for an equivalent exemption, arguing that it should receive the same treatment as horse racing.
The proposals have prompted warnings from the industry that higher taxation could put further pressure on betting businesses and the sports that depend on their financial support.