John Healey warned Budget tax grab could cut over 1,700 jobs and close 252 venues in UK seaside towns

He pointed to last year’s Budget, when the Treasury accepted the economic case against raising the duty, and argued that casinos and bingo clubs could support the government’s growth ambitions under the right conditions.

The warning from Entain and Rank follows a joint letter sent to the Chancellor by the bosses of six major betting firms.

Leaders of Entain, Flutter, Bet365, Bally’s Corporation, Evoke and Betfred wrote to Mr Healey cautioning that hundreds of bookmakers could close, with thousands of jobs at risk.

“Further tax increases risk adding to a trend that has already seen thousands of betting shops disappear from British high streets,” the executives said.

The industry is already absorbing a significant tax rise introduced in April, when remote gaming duty on online casino and slots jumped from 21 per cent to 40 per cent following changes announced in last year’s autumn Budget.