Bacta has warned that increasing Machine Games Duty would threaten the future of Britain’s seaside piers and amusement arcades, putting jobs, regional economies and the appeal of the Great British seaside holiday at risk. Undermining the viability of seaside attractions will signal the end of the hospitality infrastructure that’s been built to sustain the smile economy.
Bacta has warned how an increase in Machine Games Duty will have a devastating impact on the country’s seaside piers and arcades forcing closures and undermining the appeal of the Great British seaside holiday.
The warning comes after research conducted by VisitBritain showed an 18 percent year-on-year decline in trips to England’s coast, an alarming down-turn that has seen it launch the domestic coastal campaign – #AllOnTheCoast – which encourages the supply chain of seaside businesses and partners to share videos and social posts to inspire Brits to discover England’s seaside and coastal destinations.
Commenting on the VisitBritain campaign against the backdrop of the recent Social Market Foundation proposal to increase Machine Games Duty, Bacta President Joseph Cullis said: “Such a decline in trips to the coast, as reported by VisitBritain, is extremely concerning.
“What’s perfectly clear is that any increase in the tax burden for already under pressure destination venues such as piers and coastal arcades will directly impact the appeal of a trip to the seaside as businesses either close permanently, are forced to pass on tax increases to holiday makers or have to reduce the hospitality offering. However individual businesses respond, the outcome is inevitable – a significantly reduced and more expensive experience that will serve to either transform two or three- night breaks into a day trip, and/or encourage families to holiday abroad.”
Increasing the tax burden would also have a significant impact on regional economies. “Many seaside piers and amusement arcades rely on the income from their gaming areas to stay viable year-round” noted Cullis. “That income helps keep staff employed beyond the summer season and it helps maintain the attractions and buildings that are part of Britain’s coastal heritage. Take it away and the damage spreads throughout the broader business community of bars, cafes, newsagents, restaurants, convenience stores and B&Bs. Healthy, well-maintained piers and sea-front arcades make the difference between resort status and simply being somewhere that visitors go for a coastal walk.”
“A pier does not survive on warm words about heritage, an arcade cannot pay wages with nostalgia and games creators aren’t able to invest in new products if the market is taxed into decline. It would be painfully ironic if the government chooses to implement a destructive tax regime that will destroy the Great British seaside holiday at the same time as funding VisitBritain’s #AllOnTheCoast campaign.”
Tax is a burden
Joseph Cullis said……. “What’s perfectly clear is that any increase in the tax burden for already under pressure destination venues such as piers and coastal arcades will directly impact the appeal of a trip to the seaside as businesses either close permanently, are forced to pass on tax increases to holiday makers or have to reduce the hospitality offering……
Originally published on Coinslot on July 20, 2026. Republished with permission.