Public Backs Tax Hike on High-Street Slot Machines According to New Think Tank Analysis

The Social Market Foundation released polling and analysis in late June 2026 that reveals 43 percent of the public supports doubling Machine Games Duty from 20 percent to 40 percent on Category B machines offering £2 spins in adult gaming centres and casinos. This measure would apply specifically to those higher-stake devices while leaving lower-stake machines found in pubs untouched, and observers note the distinction targets what some describe as high-street slot sheds. The current yield from Machine Games Duty stands at roughly £600 million annually, and the proposed increase carries the potential to generate an additional £275 million to £458 million depending on how operators adjust their offerings and player behaviour responds.

Details of the Proposed Duty Increase

Category B machines represent the higher-stake segment permitted in licensed adult gaming centres and casinos, where players can wager up to £2 per spin on certain titles. The Social Market Foundation polling captured attitudes toward raising the duty rate on precisely these machines, and the 43 percent support figure emerges from that survey work. Those who have examined the data point out that the proposal avoids touching machines with lower maximum stakes commonly found in pub settings, which keeps the focus on venues concentrated in town centres and high streets.

Revenue Projections and Sector Impact

Current Machine Games Duty collections total around £600 million each year across all qualifying machines. The analysis from the think tank projects that lifting the rate to 40 percent on the specified Category B machines could add between £275 million and £458 million to annual receipts. Operators in adult gaming centres and casinos would face the higher levy, while the structure leaves pub-based machines at the existing rate. Figures reveal that any behavioural changes among players or adjustments in machine numbers would influence the final amount collected, and the range accounts for those variables.

Political Context and Potential Future Action

The report surfaces at a time when discussions around gambling regulation continue in political circles. Andy Burnham has previously voiced criticisms regarding the sector’s effects on vulnerable communities, and analysts have connected the polling release to scenarios where he might assume the role of prime minister and pursue related policy steps. The timing places the findings in the public domain during the summer of 2026, with ongoing commentary extending into August as stakeholders assess possible next steps. Data from the polling indicates measurable public backing for the specific tax adjustment on the targeted machines.

Scope and Limitations of the Proposal

The suggested duty rise applies only to Category B £2-a-spin machines located in adult gaming centres and casinos. Lower-stake machines operating in pubs remain outside the scope, creating a clear boundary between the two environments. The Social Market Foundation analysis emphasises this targeted approach, and researchers who reviewed the polling note that the distinction reflects differences in machine classification and venue type. Those who have studied the sector’s tax framework observe that such segmentation already exists in current duty structures, which the proposal would extend rather than overhaul.

Public Attitudes Captured in the Polling

Forty-three percent of respondents expressed support for doubling the duty rate on the specified machines. The Social Market Foundation presented this finding alongside broader analysis of revenue implications, and the polling sample covered attitudes toward gambling taxation in general as well as this particular adjustment. Observers note that the support level sits alongside other views captured in the same survey, though the report highlights the 43 percent figure as the key indicator for this measure. The data shows a segment of the public favouring higher taxation on higher-stake machines in dedicated adult venues.

Conclusion

The Social Market Foundation’s June 2026 release provides a concrete set of figures on public support and projected revenue from an increased Machine Games Duty on Category B machines. The analysis distinguishes between venue types and machine categories while linking the proposal to existing political statements. As August 2026 progresses, the polling and revenue estimates remain available for policymakers and industry participants to review against the current £600 million baseline and the additional range of £275 million to £458 million. The Guardian report covers the initial publication of these findings in further detail.