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Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 February 2026. It was answered by Dan Tomlinson (Labour) on Thursday, 5 February 2026 on behalf of the Treasury.

Betting Shops and Casinos: Business Rates

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Non-Domestic Rating (Definition of Qualifying Retail, Hospitality or Leisure Hereditament) Regulations 2025, for what reason casinos and gambling clubs are eligible for the new business rate relief but betting shops are not.

Answer

In October 2024, the Government laid a statutory instrument defining the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties that will be eligible for new, lower business rates multipliers from April 2026.

Since they were announced at Budget 2024, the Government has been clear that scope of the RHL multipliers would broadly reflect the scope of the current RHL relief. The previous Government made the decision to exclude betting shops from the relief. This Government considered the issue in the round, and decided to continue the treatment the previous Government chose to ensure the tax cut is appropriately targeted.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
109141
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Betting shops Casinos Business rates Tax allowances
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk