The UK government has announced a mandatory levy on all casino and betting operators, replacing the existing voluntary system. The levy aims to raise approximately £100 million (US$127 million) annually to fund problem gambling research and treatment.

Under the new system, operators will contribute between 0.1% and 1.1% of their revenue, with online businesses paying the higher rate due to lower operational costs. The Department of Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) also confirmed new restrictions on online slots, including:

• £5 maximum stake per spin for players over 25
• £2 maximum stake per spin for players aged 18-24

Currently, voluntary contributions vary significantly among operators. In the last financial year, major companies like Flutter Entertainment and Entain Plc contributed £18 million and £16.8 million respectively, while some operators gave minimal amounts.

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross emphasized the importance of these changes, stating that gambling harm can devastate finances, relationships, and lives. The mandatory levy aims to support research, raise awareness, and reduce stigma around gambling-related harm.

The Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), while supporting the mandatory levy, expressed concern about the government's tone. BGC chief executive Grainne Hurst noted that the majority of the 22.5 million people who gamble in the UK do so safely, with only 0.4% of adults classified as problem gamblers according to the NHS Health Survey for England.

The new measures are scheduled for implementation next year, marking a significant shift in UK gambling regulation and consumer protection.

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