HMRC Figures Show UK Betting Duty Receipts Climbing After Remote Gaming Duty Adjustment

Provisional data released by HM Revenue & Customs indicates that total UK betting and gaming duty receipts reached £1.93 billion in the period spanning April through July 2026, marking a 19% increase compared with the same four months a year earlier. Observers note the timing coincides with the April 2026 rise in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40%, and the numbers continue to attract attention ahead of the Autumn Budget scheduled for October 28.

Breakdown of the Latest Receipts

The four-month total incorporates several revenue streams, yet Remote Gaming Duty now represents roughly half of all collections. Separate estimates place RGD receipts at £376 million for April to June alone, a 22% year-on-year rise that reflects both the higher rate and sustained operator activity. Those figures arrive as part of the broader provisional update published on September 30, 2026, and they cover the initial months following the duty change.

Monthly patterns within the data reveal consistent upward movement. April collections already incorporated the new rate, while May, June, and July maintained momentum despite the adjustment. Experts tracking the sector point out that the overall 19% lift occurred across both remote and land-based segments, although remote gaming contributed the largest share of the increase.

Context Around the Duty Rate Change

The April 2026 adjustment raised Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40%, aligning it more closely with certain other gambling duties. HMRC records show that RGD had previously accounted for a smaller proportion of total receipts; after the increase it moved to approximately 50% of the £1.93 billion total. Industry participants had previously argued that a steeper rate might shift play toward unregulated channels, yet the published numbers indicate receipts continued to grow in the measured period.

Analysts comparing the April–July window with earlier quarters note that the 19% year-on-year gain exceeds the growth recorded in the preceding 12 months. The £376 million RGD figure for the second quarter alone already surpasses the full-year RGD total from several earlier periods when the lower rate applied. Those who monitor tax receipts emphasise that the data remain provisional and may undergo later revision once final operator returns are processed.

Implications Ahead of the Autumn Budget

With the Autumn Budget set for October 28, the provisional receipts provide a data point for policymakers evaluating the effects of the rate adjustment. Reports circulating in the sector suggest the observed growth has been cited in discussions about whether higher duties necessarily reduce overall collections. The figures do not cover the full fiscal year, and further updates will arrive in subsequent months, yet the initial post-adjustment trend shows receipts moving upward rather than contracting.

HMRC publishes these statistics on a regular schedule, and the September 30 release forms part of that ongoing series. Stakeholders reviewing the numbers alongside earlier releases can track how each component—remote gaming, general betting, pool betting, and gaming duty—contributed to the £1.93 billion aggregate. The data indicate that remote gaming’s share expanded while other categories also recorded gains, although at varying percentages.

Looking at the Numbers Over Time

Year-on-year comparisons help place the latest total in perspective. The 19% overall increase and the 22% RGD rise both exceed the growth rates posted in comparable periods before the rate change. Observers note that operator compliance and player participation levels appear to have remained sufficient to generate the higher receipts even after the duty adjustment took effect.

Additional context comes from the structure of the duty itself. Remote Gaming Duty applies to operators licensed in the UK and is calculated on gross gaming revenue from remote activities. The jump from 21% to 40% therefore altered the per-unit tax burden, yet the aggregate amount collected rose during the first four months under the new regime. Those monitoring the sector continue to watch subsequent releases for signs of sustained trends or any reversal.

Conclusion

The provisional HMRC data through July 2026 record £1.93 billion in total betting and gaming duty receipts, with Remote Gaming Duty contributing an estimated £376 million in the April–June window alone. The 19% year-on-year increase follows the April rate adjustment and precedes the Autumn Budget on October 28. Further updates will clarify whether the pattern persists through the remainder of the fiscal year, supplying additional evidence for assessments of the duty change’s impact on overall collections.