.png)
.png)
The British government has announced plans to introduce a new levy on online gambling companies to raise funds for research, prevention, and treatment of gambling addiction. This move is part of the government's ongoing efforts to address the issue of problem gambling, particularly in light of the growing use of mobile betting apps and online platforms.
The existing voluntary levy has faced criticism, as some operators have contributed as little as £1 ($1.22) toward research, prevention, and treatment of gambling addiction. To address this, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is considering a new statutory levy. Under this proposal, online gambling operators would pay 1% of their gross gambling yield, while traditional betting shops and casinos would contribute approximately 0.4%.
The government's plans, which also include potential online stake limits ranging from £2 to £15, were initially outlined in April as part of regulatory updates to address the challenges posed by digital betting.
The funds generated by this new levy would offer additional financial support to the state-run National Health Service (NHS) in England, Scotland, and Wales. The move is part of the government's efforts to ensure that gambling firms contribute their fair share.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has expressed support for the idea of a new mandatory levy, highlighting that they proposed this to the government ahead of the White Paper. The BGC also emphasized the need for the levy to apply to all operators, including the National Lottery, without affecting good causes.
While discussions about the statutory levy continue, the BGC has already made changes to advertising standards to reduce gambling-related harm, particularly among young people. These changes include dedicating 20% of advertising across various media platforms to promoting safer gambling and enforcing a minimum age of 25 years for all digital platform advertisements, effective from December 1, 2023.
By fLEXI tEAM
Comments