Latest News
BGC Wants UK Chancellor to Rethink “Stealth Casino Tax”
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has urged the Chancellor to rethink a stealth tax on land-based casinos.
Under measures announced by the Treasury, Gaming Duty Bands applied to U.K. casinos have been frozen again and will not rise with inflation, effectively creating a £5m annual tax increase across BGC land-based casino members.
There were hopes the freeze, first announced in March, would be abandoned, providing a much-needed boost to a sector which is struggling with rising wages and energy costs plus high inflation.
Currently casinos, a vital pillar of the tourism and hospitality sector, employ more than 10,000 people catering to over 16 million customer visits every year. They contribute £300m annually in taxes and an estimated £800m a year Gross Value Added to the economy. But some have struggled to rebound from the pandemic and the current tough economic headwinds, which has seen closures and job losses.
In 2005 there were 160 casinos in the UK – now there are 117. Four casinos have closed in recent months, including Genting owned Crockfords in Mayfair, the oldest casino in the country.
In 2019 casinos employed 13,600 people, which has dropped to less than 10,200 now, a 25% reduction.
Betting and Gaming Council CEO Michael Dugher said: “Freezing Gaming Duty Bands is a stealth tax which has the potential to slow recovery and weaken future growth.
“Removing it would have provided a welcome boost for the land-based casino sector at a crucial time.
“Instead, the decision to maintain the status quo represents a missed opportunity for companies ready and able to generate jobs and investment across the country.
“Right now casinos, which play such a vital role in the tourism and hospitality sector, are waiting for the modest but mission critical policy changes announced in the White Paper.
“It seems short sighted to maintain this stealth tax while failing to make changes that will allow casinos to hire and grow. The BGC urges a re-think so Gaming Duty Bands can be moved with inflation at the next opportunity.”
Industry News
Endorphina Affiliate Hub: Huge Benefits for Affiliates
Endorphina, a leading developer of online casino games, has announced its new, groundbreaking Affiliate Hub. This centralized information base offers an improved user experience and a wide range of benefits for Endorphina’s affiliates.
Among the number of benefits, Endorphina’s Hub offers:
- Access to a wide range of downloadable materials including videos, high-resolution images, banners, brand guidelines, graphic sets, and other resources.
- Staying informed through a centralized hub for all Endorphina news, updates, and announcements.
- A fully localized affiliate page in Spanish, allowing Spanish-speaking affiliates to access all necessary resources in their native language.
Take advantage of the updated Affiliate Hub – visit endorphina to check.
The Affiliate Hub also simplifies the registration process for new affiliates and is now available for access. Endorphina promises further exciting developments in the future. Joining the Endorphina Affiliate Hub gives affiliates access to contacts of relevant people and quick support from Endorphina’s team.
Industry News
iGB Affiliate attracts registrations from 55 nations in just six weeks
iGB Affiliate which runs 20th – 23rd January alongside ICE at its new home at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona has affirmed its growing international credentials with igaming professionals from 55 nations already registering to attend, placing the show on course to break through the 100-nation landmark for the first time.
With the ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ (New Horizons) theme spearheading an international marketing campaign which went live in September the most represented nations comprise the UK, Israel, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Italy and India.
Additional insights drawn from the data confirm the growing influence of Latin America with 35% of those registering operating in the region. In important news for exhibitors seeking fresh business opportunities, 1 in 12 of the total iGB Affiliate 2025 registrations are poised to attend the expo for the first time, bringing brand new attendees and potential partnerships to iGB Affiliate 2025.
Naomi Barton, iGB Events Global Portfolio Director, believes the registration data provides a window on the industry and the trends which underpin it. She stated: “One of our stakeholders predicted that iGB Affiliate 2025 would be – to quote him – a ‘really monstrous event’ and the data is supporting that opinion.
“All of our numbers are significantly up and the geographical distribution, in particular the 35% who operate in LatAm, reflect accurately what’s happening in the sector where the region, spearheaded by Brazil, has taken over from the US as the main geographical focus for affiliates.”
She added: “The industry is responding enthusiastically to a show which will feature a record 250 industry-leading exhibitors and sponsors and host a vibrant community of 8000+ iGaming Affiliates and Tech Vendors.
“The iGB Affiliate pledge is to facilitate outstanding business networking, deliver high-quality content, and provide thought leadership that fosters trust-based partnerships and drives growth throughout the iGaming affiliate ecosystem.
“By consistently delivering on these core objectives iGB Affiliate Barcelona will deliver a critical platform and opportunity for profitable business expansion.”
For more information including access to free Affiliate passes: barcelona.igbaffiliate.com
Latest News
Former Gambling Minister the Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP to speak at Bacta’s Annual Convention
The former Gambling Minister the Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP who was named Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport in Kemi Badenoch’s top team has agreed to speak at the forthcoming Bacta Annual Convention which is taking place on Thursday 28 November.
Bacta members are on course to be at the 2024 Convention in record numbers based on the number of pre-event registrations received for the high-profile industry event.
With three weeks to go registrations are ahead of the same stage last year with members responding positively to Bacta’s ‘Going for Growth’ theme set against the new political landscape punctuated by Labour’s landslide General Election victory in July and November’s election of Kemi Badenoch as Leader of the Conservative Party. The confirmed attendance of the former Gambling Minister is likely to accelerate registrations.
Looking ahead to Convention George McGregor Bacta’s Executive Director (Government Relations) said: “First of all I am delighted that Stuart Andrew who oversaw the White Paper only to see it paused by July’s snap general election has agreed to join us at our Annual Convention. Members are responding in great numbers to both the Parliamentary Reception which is officially at full-capacity and to the Convention taking place the following day.”
He added: “Our keynote speakers which will include Stuart Andrew will feature in a panel which will explore amongst other topics the dynamics of the relationship between the industry and government, the fate of the White Paper and how we can collectively determine a future in which gaming operators are not expected to wait over a decade before they can raise their prices!”
He continued: “The Annual Convention is an important benefit of Bacta membership. It represents an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues and quiz the politicians and officials who play such an important role in determining the future of an industry which pays an estimated £270 million in tax and contributes £1.9 billion to UK GDP.
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