Betfred says 495 UK betting shops could close within a year if machine tax rises from 20% to 40%

Betfred has put a number on what a tax change would mean in practice: 495 betting shops in the UK could be closed within a year if the duty on gaming machines is increased from 20% to 40%. The company says that would also mean 2,575 job losses.

1. The warning is tied to a specific policy move: raising the tax on gaming machines from 20% to 40% in the UK.
2. According to Betfred, that change would force 495 of its UK betting shops to close within a year.
3. The company also says the closures would result in 2,575 job losses.