Govt Reveals Due Dates for New Statutory Levy Payments
UK gambling minister Baroness Twycross has confirmed when gambling operators will have to make payments for the industry’s new statutory levy.
Key Facts:
- The new levy officially comes into effect on April 6 2025
- Money raised will be used to fund research, prevention, and treatment of gambling harm
- Gambling operators must make a first levy payment by October
- Dates for slot stake limit changes are also coming into effect
The new Labour government has made the levy a key plank of its gambling levy.
It claimed some operators were giving as little as £1 towards preventing gambling-related harm, which led to the launch of the levy.
Baroness Twycross told the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) AGM 2025 that the first payments will need to be made by operators by the start of October.
She said: “I know the BGC has been largely supportive of the introduction of a levy, and we recognise the work done by the sector through the voluntary levy previously. This is a huge step forward for the sector and will see increased investment to expand projects and services to reduce harmful gambling. I know that we have a shared aim in this area.”
Slot Stake Limits
As well as introducing a new statutory gambling levy, the government is also bringing in slot stake limits at casinos.
It was previously confirmed by the government that younger adults will not be able to gamble more than £2 on a single spin, with a higher limit of £5 per spin for older adults.
Baroness Twycross revealed that the £5 slot stake limit will come into force on April 9. She confirmed that the lower slot stake limit for under-25s will then be enforced from May 21.
The gambling minister told the BGC’s meeting: “I know that implementing these stake limits is a technical challenge, and I am grateful for all the work you have done in preparation for this moment.”
Illegal Gambling
Another area covered by the gambling minister in her speech was illegal gambling. Baroness Twycross noted how illegal gambling is “a concern for us all”.
She said the government remains committed to working closely with the Gambling Commission to address all forms of illegal gambling in the UK.
While the BGC has previously argued that overly regulating the gambling industry could push players towards the illegal sector, Baroness Twycross said this has been taken into account.
She added: “I have heard your argument that overregulation leads to, or risks, displacement to the illegal market. This is something that was carefully considered in the development of the white paper and in the decisions that have been made since.”
Baroness Twycross recently visited the Grosvenor casino in Liverpool and the Hippodrome to gather more information about how gambling venues operate.
