ARCADE IRE

Proposed tax hike on machine games would 'decimate' towns

- BY GRAHAM HISCOTT Head of Business

EVERY single one of Britain's seaside arcades could close if gaming taxes are hiked, the gambling industry has warned.

Bosses claim all 400 venues risk being forced to shut if slot machine duty were to more than double from 20% to 50% in a move, they say, would “decimate coastal towns”.

Any such leap could also lead to the closure of high street gaming centres, plus hit the takings of pubs and working men's clubs, they say.

The warning comes as the industry stepped up efforts to prevent tax hikes in next month's Budget.