UК Government Appoints OHID for Gambling Levy Supervision
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has been appointed to the role of RET Levy Prevention Commissioner, the government has confirmed.
An update on the government’s new gambling levy has come through. © Anissa-Can, Pixabay
Key Facts:
- OHID will head up the new UK statutory gambling levy
- The body was formed in 2021 to replace Public Health England
- Levy is currently scheduled to launch in April 2025
- £100m is expected to be raised as a result of the new levy
Labour announced plans to raise around £100 million through the introduction of the new levy for gambling operators in the UK.
Previously, companies running online betting sites in the country made a voluntary contribution, but the government criticised the low amounts of money involved.
While the levy has proven to be controversial, with some against it claiming it could cost jobs, the government is pressing forward with its plans.
OHID, which replaced Public Health England when it was formed in 2021, will be heading up a new structure on gambling harms prevention overseen by the NHS.
Trust, Expertise And Authority
The government’s minister for sports and media, Stephanie Peacock, announced OHID’s appointment in the House of Commons this week.
She said: “To ensure that there is sufficient trust, expertise and authority in the use of the levy funding for prevention.”
“I can confirm that we have appointed the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in the Department of Health and Social Care DHSC to take on the role as lead commissioning body in this area for England, alongside appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales.”
OHID will get at least £30 million a year of funding in order to manage its new role properly, it was confirmed.
Changes to the country’s industry are gathering pace. The Gambling Commission has also recently confirmed that the way deposit limits work in the UK is set to change.
Operators will have to get new customers to set a deposit limit for their account before they are able to add funds.
Clear And Measurable Outcomes
Peacock also gave more information on the aim of the government’s new gambling levy.
She added: “OHID and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales will undertake necessary design work to determine the final scope of prevention activity, working closely with the research and treatment leads to ensure a joined-up approach.”
“We will develop and provide clear and measurable outcomes for the prevention strand of the statutory levy system, as we have already done for research and treatment.”
GambleAware has also welcomed the move to put OHID in charge of the levy’s implementation.
The body said in a statement that it would “support OHID and other commissioners’ transition into their duties”.
GambleAware added: “We believe the new system needs effective population-based prevention activity to raise awareness of the risks of gambling and ensure an integrated approach to supporting those at risk of harm.”
