That question has already been answered. On November 27th 2024, the UK Government announced that a statutory level and online slot stakes limit would be introduced to help tackle potential gambling harm.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport plans to bring forward the statutory levy on gambling operators to generate £100 million for treating and preventing gambling harms. Money will also be used to research the causes and possible solutions.
The initiative is being driven by Baroness Twycross, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Gambling and Lord Minister), and the key takeaways are:
- Statutory levy as first step to strengthening harmful gambling protections
- Mandated levy to generate £100 million for the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. Half of this funding will directly benefit an NHS-led gambling treatment system
- Online slot stake limits of £5 for over 25s and £2 for young adults aged 18 to 24
The Government describe these as its first steps in strengthening gambling harm legislation and helping tackle the issue of gambling addiction. However, the trick will be to work out how to tackle the problem without killing the proverbial golden goose.
The vast majority of the public can happily gamble casually, have a flutter on the footie, indulge in a scratchy, weekly lottery or the occasional spin on the online slots. The revenues from gambling are a vital strand of the UK government’s income. In 2023/24, betting and gaming tax receipts were almost £3.4 billion, up from £3.3 billion the previous year.
Much of the UK’s creative and sporting life and infrastructure is made possible by funding from the National Lottery. The Government is looking for ways to tackle an issue that affects a few people very badly while not penalising the industry or those who love this form of entertainment. With talk of the economy flatlining and the cost of borrowing rising, the last thing the Chancellor needs is a drop in tax receipts.
Most people can make the most of the bonuses UK casinos have on offer to spread their gambling budget further, enabling them to either spend less or spend longer playing their favourite games. A vast selection of bonuses in the UK are available, from deposit matches and no-deposit bonuses to free spins and VIP offers.
Unfortunately, a significant number of people get drawn into online gambling and cannot then stop. Gambling disorder is categorised as a chronic mental health condition that can affect all aspects of someone’s life. It is described as a behavioural addiction that happens when a player loses control of their gambling behaviour.
Baroness Twycross has now outlined how a levy on gambling operators will be designed and implemented as the Government moves forward on its manifesto commitment to reduce gambling harm. It will be charged to all licensed operators, and the levies will be ringfenced to provide consistent funding for the efforts to reduce gambling harm. There is currently a voluntary system, but not all operators contribute equally, and some pay as little as £1 a year. The new mandatory levy is designed to ensure all operators pay a fair share.
The stake limits to be introduced for online slots are intended to tackle large losses, long gambling sessions and binge play.
The Gambling Minister said,
“Gambling harm can ruin people’s finances, relationships, and ultimately lives. We are absolutely committed to implementing strengthened measures for those at risk, as well as providing effective support for those affected.”
“The introduction of the first legally mandated levy will be instrumental in supporting research, raising awareness and reducing the stigma around gambling-related harm.”
“We are also helping to protect those at risk, with a particular focus on young adults, by introducing stake limits for online slots. These measures will help build an NHS fit for our future and strengthen protections whilst also allowing people to continue to gamble safely.”
The plans have been developed in response to a consultation started by the former Conservative Government which ran from October 2023 to January 2024. Advice was sought from clinicians, the industry, academics and the public at large. They all contributed to how levies should be designed and implemented. It is hoped that the necessary legislation will have the full support of MPs, the public, professionals and the industry. Inevitably, there will be some kickback, but the news has generally been welcomed.
Claire Murdoch, who is the NHS national director for mental health, said,
“I am delighted to welcome this commitment to a mandatory gambling levy which the NHS, bereaved families and the voluntary sector have been calling for so we can treat this growing problem – and we will continue to work with government to do all we can to protect problem gamblers from this billion-pound industry.”
While Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones, National Clinical Advisor on Gambling Harms at NHS England, added,
“We recognise the need for more action, which is why I am thrilled to support the Government’s new levy, which will help us address the negative impact of gambling harms on communities using treatment, prevention and research through an independent, evidence-based strategy at last.”
The levy will be mandatory for all licensed gambling activity, but levels will vary depending on the sector and nature of the gambling activity to ensure impacts are proportionate. The rate charged will take into account the difference in operating costs and the levels of harm gambling associated with different types of gambling. When the original act was drawn up, the gambling scene in the UK and across the globe was a very different beast. Online gambling was very little more than an idea.
However, tech developments paved the way for a dramatic shift in how people gamble. It has moved away from betting shops and casinos, and people can now play from anywhere whenever they want on their phones and other mobile devices. This means that many more people have access to gambling and gambling sites.
The levy and the slots limit are part of a raft of significant changes the Government and the Gambling Commission say they will be delivering to make gambling safer in an age of rapidly changing technology. Other changes in the pipeline include financial risk checks to better alert operators to risky behaviours and tighter controls on marketing.
Please play responsibly. For more information and advice visit https://www.begambleaware.org
Content is not intended for an audience under 18 years of age
