NTIA research identifies £200 million of planned investment in Britain’s casinos, as operators look to develop new hospitality, leisure and entertainment destinations.
But uncertainty over potential Autumn Budget increases to Machine Games Duty could hold back investment before the benefits of the 2025 reforms are realised.
Britain’s land-based casinos are planning approximately £200 million of capital investment over five years, with the Government’s 2025 regulatory reforms opening new opportunities to develop broader entertainment and hospitality destinations.
Research published by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) identifies plans for venue refurbishments, restaurants, bars, entertainment, events and technology.
Among 23 participating operators, 70% reported refurbishment investment or plans, 65% food and beverage investment or plans, and 78% technology investment or plans.
However, 78% identified uncertainty over future taxation as an investment barrier, raising concerns about potential Machine Games Duty (MGD) changes in the Autumn Budget.
The report highlights a £6 million rooftop expansion at London’s Hippodrome Casino that has been put on hold because of MGD uncertainty.
Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, said:
“The Government’s 2025 reforms have opened the door to a new generation of casino entertainment destinations, bringing opportunities for hospitality, jobs, local suppliers and investment in our town and city centres.
“But investment needs confidence. Uncertainty over potential Machine Games Duty increases risks holding back developments before the reforms have had time to deliver.
“The priority should be to turn modernisation into real investment and measurable community benefit.”
Simon Thomas, Hippodrome Casino :
“At the Hippodrome we had a fully developed £6 million rooftop expansion project which we put on hold because of uncertainty over Machine Games Duty.”
Richard Harris, CEO, Rank Group :
“The 2025 reforms have opened the door to significant investment in modern casino destinations, with opportunities to expand hospitality, entertainment and the overall customer experience.
“But major investment decisions require long-term confidence. Uncertainty over potential Machine Games Duty increases in the Autumn Budget risks delaying the transformation these reforms were designed to enable.”
Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council:
“The Government’s casino reforms have opened the door to significant investment in modern venues, hospitality and entertainment.
“Our members are planning more than £200 million of investment, supporting jobs and local economies across Britain. A sharp rise in Machine Games Duty would wipe out a quarter of that that investment before the reforms have had the chance to deliver.”
Link to Report: https://ntia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/10/CASINO-REPORT-DRAFT-12.pdf
The NTIA says the £200 million pipeline demonstrates the potential for the sector’s evolution beyond gaming, but stresses that the figure represents planned investment, not spending already committed or completed.
The report calls for the 2025 reforms to be given time to deliver, with future taxation assessed against its potential effects on investment, employment and the wider economy.
