Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated that upcoming Budget increases to betting taxes will severely damage retail areas across the UK, noting that additional bookmaker closures will direct more bettors toward illicit operators.

Audit firm EY conducted research indicating that increased charges on fruit, quiz, and slot machines threaten 1,000 shops and 9,000 jobs.

Horse racing could face losses amounting to £57 million as a consequence of those shutdowns.

Mr Farage stated: "One, it's more empty shops on the high street. Two, it is damage to the racing industry. And three, all you do is you drive people to the black market."

He pointed out that strict rules on standard bookmakers already pushed numerous large bets toward offshore illegal operators, insisting that the new measures push matters further in that same direction.

John Healey increased the Machine Games Duty from 20 per cent to 25 per cent.

The decision occurred despite opposition from The Sun's Save Our Bets campaign, which urged the government to halt tax increases.

Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo owners reported that the tax hike will generate a yearly cost of £9 million for their businesses.