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Rules and licensingEuropean regulatory updates bring tax hikes and new licences
UK machine taxes rise and Finland issues its first betting licences.
Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 1 November 2026
The betting industry faces major changes across Europe as governments adjust taxes and roll out new licensing rules. Operators must adapt to higher costs in the United Kingdom and Italy while preparing for market openings elsewhere.
Higher UK machine taxes
The United Kingdom raised the machine games duty from twenty percent to twenty five percent for higher stakes machines. This change takes effect on the first of April in twenty twenty seven. Chancellor John Healey introduced the policy to help fund business rates support on the high street.
Entain estimates this tax increase will cost its retail business in the United Kingdom and Ireland about twenty five million pounds each year. The company plans to offset these expenses through operational changes and expects no change to its overall financial targets.
Italy and Finland updates
Italy expects the gambling sector to contribute seven hundred million euros to the budget for twenty twenty seven. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed the contribution following cabinet approval, though exact details on how operators will pay remain unconfirmed.
Finland issued its first eighteen licences under the new Gambling Act through the National Police Board. These permits run from the first of July twenty twenty seven until the end of June twenty thirty two, while sixty three applications remain under review.
Punters might see slightly worse odds or fewer high street shops as operators absorb these new taxes.