GTA 6 maker Rockstar Games have come under fire once again from politicians and unions. This time it is about their use of a tax relief program and just how much money they are taking to help offset the costs of things like GTA VI‘s development.
In a new report from The Scotsman and shared by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), financial details on Rockstar’s main GTA 6 office and more have been revealed. This has led to calls for reform of a tax program.
Rockstar’s Financials From Last Year Revealed
According to Rockstar Games’ UK company accounts, the company claimed in excess of £70m from the UK’s Video Games Tax Relief, had profits of more than £87m and a turnover of £508m in 2024/2025. £85m of dividends were also issued. Rockstar has several UK offices: International (London), North (Edinburgh), Dundee, London, Leeds and Lincoln.
It is now the fourth consecutive year Rockstar’s UK turnover has crossed over half a billion. The total profits in the past 10 years is now at over £600m. Last year’s annual profits were its second highest ever. Some will wonder how this is possible given they have not released a new game since 2018 but The Scotsman notes accounts state some of the money comes from research and development.
What Are Rockstar Using?
For those unaware, the UK government set up the Video Games Tax Relief (VGTR) in April 2014 to encourage production of the media within the region. Firms can get up to 20% back. Rockstar has claimed £504 million since its introduction following the launch of GTA V. So this covers projects such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and of course GTA VI.
It has been known for years now how Rockstar have claimed tax relief in the UK to help offset the extraordinary development costs of their games. However, their use of the system has come under more scrutiny given the recent firings over alleged union busting; an allegation Rockstar strongly denies.
Previously Tax Watch UK reported that between the financial years ending in 2014 and 2019, internal royalties stood at $2.5bn for Take-Two Interactive. In just 2017 alone, GTA V generated royalties of $583 million. 2018 saw it make $383m in royalties; most of the royalties go to the company co-founders Sam and Dan Houser. Last year, Sam and Dan Houser could be found on the UK Rich List, a collection of the most wealthy Brits. They have a combined network of over £400m as of early 2025.
Government Action
The North Edinburgh News reported back in December, Edinburgh North and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert took to UK Parliament to raise awareness about Rockstar’s tax usage and alleged union busting. The MP dubbed it a “Grand Theft Tax”. It is said the relevant ministers are investigating the situation.
In a statement to The Scotsman, Rockstar Games said “Since the introduction of VGTR in 2014, Rockstar has invested enormously in the UK, creating more than a thousand jobs in the creative sector across Scotland and England. Rockstar’s commitment to local investment has helped put the UK at the cutting edge of entertainment globally and contributed significantly to UK economic growth, skills and innovation.” They also doubled down on no wrongdoing with their firings of nearly 40 staff members last year.
What do you think of the situation? Let us know down in the comments below. Be sure to stay tuned to RockstarINTEL for all the latest news on Rockstar Games and GTA VI.
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1 Comment
Man they just need to leave rockstar alone. If I dont get to play gta 6 ill be very upset. This is why the government needs to keep there greedy a$$ hands off stuff. The governments are just bullies and lowlifes.