"Welcomes" statutory UK industry levy from GambleAware CEO

The GSGB
The Gambling Act white paper proposes a number of reforms, one of which is a new tax on online gambling operators equal to one percent of their gross gambling yield. A proposed levy of approximately 0.4% will be paid by traditional betting shops and casinos.

Annually, the government estimates that the fee would bring in £115 million (or $121.7 million).

The Gambling Commission would receive the charge from the operators. The idea is that this will make sure that all licensed providers in the UK contribute what they should. Operators can choose how much to pay under the present voluntary levy regime.

Osmond exclaimed, "GambleAware welcomes the introduction of a statutory industry levy to fund gambling harms research, prevention and treatment (RPT)" when the consultation on the statutory levy came to a close in mid-December.

A long-overdue change in strategy to address gambling's negative effects, this is something we've been advocating for. 

"The levy will bring clarity to funding for the gambling harms sector, support long-term planning, and prevent duplication of work, following years of uncertainty."

Legislative tax: GambleAware anticipates problems
Osmond had several worries about the levy's introduction, even though GambleAware strongly supported it.

Not included in the suggestions was Osmond's demand for a national strategy to address gambling harm. The nomination of a single commissioner to oversee the treatment and prevention of gambling addiction was also proposed by Osmond.

The planned budget allocations, according to GambleAware, "do not adequately reflect the potential population-level benefits" of early intervention, thus the organisation is campaigning for a change.

The status of the white paper
In April 2023, the UK released a white paper outlining its plans to reform gaming regulation in response to the gaming Act review.

In April 2023, the much anticipated review white paper on the Gambling Act was released.
Some of the topics covered in the white paper are machine numbers, affordability checks, and sports betting. The first round of consultations, which focused on financial risk and vulnerability, ended in October after having begun in July. The overall number of submissions exceeded three thousand.

In the upcoming consultation session, seven subjects will be discussed, one of which is the option to participate in online bonuses. According to Tim Miller, the Commission's executive director of policy, it is scheduled to close in either February or March.

Already endorsing the proposed fee is the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), which provides broad support for the white paper. On the other hand, it demands that the tax be expanded to cover all operators, including the National Lottery.