Players: winnings are tax-free
You do not pay tax on gambling winnings: the Gambling Commission states that winnings are tax-free for customers regardless of the amount won, and tax is levied on operators’ profits instead.
Operators: Remote Gaming Duty is 40% from 1 April 2026
Remote Gaming Duty, which online casinos pay on their profits, rose from 21% to 40% from 1 April 2026, according to HMRC’s guidance (it was 15% before 1 April 2019 and 21% from that date). Bingo Duty was abolished from the same date, according to the government’s note on the changes.
Operators: betting duties
General Betting Duty is 15% for fixed-odds and totalisator bets, 3% for financial spread bets, 10% for other spread bets and 15% of the commission betting exchanges charge UK users; Pool Betting Duty is 15% (HMRC guidance, last updated 1 April 2026). The government has announced a new 25% rate for general bets made remotely from 1 April 2027, with remote bets on UK horseracing staying at 15%.
Why it matters to you
None of these duties is charged to the player. They are paid by the licensed business on its profits, which is one reason operators’ bonus and odds offers change when the rates change.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare gambling winnings to HMRC?
What is Remote Gaming Duty?
Official sources
- Gambling Commission — Winnings from gambling for customers, read on 18 October 2026.
- GOV.UK — General Betting Duty, Pool Betting Duty and Remote Gaming Duty (last updated 1 April 2026), read on 18 October 2026.
- GOV.UK — Gambling duty changes (published 26 November 2025), read on 18 October 2026.
+18 National Gambling Helpline (run by GamCare): 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (as published by the NHS).