You can’t tax a casino if it’s closed

Modern casinos are regulated entertainment destinations that invest in city centres, support skilled local careers and strengthen Britain’s visitor and night-time economy. Tax policy should recognise their full contribution, says Paul Willcock Politicians of every party say they want businesses to invest in Britain, regenerate city centres, create good jobs and attract overseas visitors. Genting is doing exactly that, from Manchester to the West End. Yet a proposal to double the tax on gaming machines from 20 to 40 per cent would pull in the opposite direction. It would discourage investment, put jobs at risk and could leave the Treasury with less revenue, not more. The debate should not be framed simply as a dispute about one gambling tax. It raises a broader question: what kind of leisure, visitor and night-time economy does Britain want? If government wants private capital, thriving city centres, skilled local employment and sustainable tax revenues, it must consider the whole