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A fortnight on from the budget, Head of Brand Marketing Dominic Aldworth outlines how Kinetic Digital will evolve in light of Rachel Reeves’s tax hikes
Two weeks on from Rachel Reeves’ Autumn budget, the gambling industry is still processing and reflecting on the magnitude of the changes. The decision to almost double Remote Gaming Duty has prompted difficult conversations across boardrooms about margins and the shape of the UK market from high-profile names such as premium online casino, Genting Casino.
From 1 April 2026, the rate of Remote Gaming Duty – which applies to online casino games such as live roulette and other remote-gaming activity – will rise from 21% to 40%. Then from 1 April 2027, a new 25% “remote-betting” rate within General Betting Duty will apply to most online sports betting. For hybrid brands with a strong sportsbook and a casino with a wide-range of games like Prime Casino, the shift demands a careful reassessment of channel mix and product strategy.
Significantly, the government has chosen not to merge gaming and betting into a single tax maintaining a differential between Remote Gaming Duty and Remote Betting Duty whilst pressing ahead with plans to abolish Bingo Duty on land-based bingo businesses in 2026. For a brand such as online slots provider Slingo this throws up a unique situation as they sit between gaming and entertainment.
The UK’s new gaming tax structure represents one of the most significant shifts our industry has seen in decades. A Remote Gaming Duty rising to 40% will reshape how operators think about acquisition, retention and long-term sustainability.
Kinetic Digital’s UK online casinos such as Genting Casino, Prime Casino, Spin Genie and Slingo, are clearly affected.
A strategic turning point
We must recognise that this isn’t just a financial judgement but also a strategic turning point. It requires operators to demonstrate commercial resilience but also leadership on innovation and safety – we want Kinetic Digital to be at the forefront of that.
While these measures will undoubtedly place pressure on the entire sector, they also present a moment for innovation, diversification, and smarter value creation for players.
At Kinetic Digital we have already begun adjusting our strategy, shifting emphasis toward brand and player experience, strengthening CRM and responsible gaming frameworks, and reducing reliance on high-cost incentive models. This approach not only protects margin but encourages healthier, more sustainable customer engagement.
Globally, markets such as Spain, Ontario and Mexico continue to show strong growth and balanced regulation, offering opportunities to offset the impact of UK taxation while maintaining our commitment to safe, compliant entertainment.
We expect consolidation across the UK industry as smaller operators feel the strain, but well-capitalised, multi-market groups like ours are positioned to adapt quickly and continue delivering value responsibly.
The post Kinetic Digital Head of Brand Marketing: Our strategy for handling pressure of UK tax hikes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
