Dawn Butler named Vice Chair of UK Gambling Reform APPG as Machine Games Duty lobbying intensifies

Dawn Butler, the Labour MP for Brent East, has been named the new Vice Chair of the Gambling Reform All-Party Parliamentary Group (GR APPG). The appointment comes during a period of heavy lobbying over UK gambling taxation.

Butler has been one of the most prominent parliamentary advocates for stronger government intervention in gambling, with a focus on player protection and retail gaming. She played a key part in the campaign against the 'Aim to Permit' rule, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham later scrapped, giving local authorities more control over the licensing of land-based venues in their areas. In a statement, the APPG said it was delighted to have her in the role and looked forward to working together to deliver stronger protections for individuals, families and communities across the UK.

The group is currently pressing the government on tax. Its Co-Chair, Alex Ballinger MP, has written a letter co-signed by 90 Labour MPs urging Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey to increase Machine Games Duty (MGD) in next week's Budget. The central argument is that the social impact of gambling harms should be addressed by raising revenue for public services. Reports have suggested Healey may be looking at capping MGD at 25%.

The industry has pushed back. It says it has acknowledged problem gambling, including through safer play by design, and argues that further tax rises, on top of those introduced in 2025, would hurt thousands of employees and the wider high street economy. The Betting and Gaming Council and major retail operators have been especially vocal in recent weeks.

Entain, owner of Coral and Ladbrokes, published the results of a YouGov survey of 1,475 UK adults. It found that 90% of betting shop customers also spend in other establishments when they visit, and 54% of all respondents combined a betting shop trip with other spending on most or nearly every visit. In addition, 68% agreed that betting shops are a key part of the high street. Bejay Patel, Managing Director UK and Ireland for Entain Group, said the research confirms that betting shops are a cornerstone of every high street.

The study forms part of Entain's 'What's at Stake' campaign against further tax increases, which the company says could lead to shop closures and job losses. It notes that such closures are already happening across the sector as a result of last year's Budget.