On April 6, the long-awaited statutory charge on gambling companies by the UK government will go into effect. The official implementation was announced by Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross during the annual general meeting of the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC). Aiming to raise £100 million ($126 million) a year for gambling harm prevention and support programs, the fee was approved on February 12.
Operators’ contributions range from 0.1% to 1.1% of their gross gambling yield (GGY), with rates changing according to industry, kind of operation, and degree of risk. October 1st is the date of the first payments.
Twycross called it a “huge step forward for the sector,” stressing that the charge will support the expansion of programs aimed at lowering compulsive gambling. She praised the BGC’s prior assistance, pointing out that it had worked to raise funds through voluntary donations prior to the implementation of the required mechanism. Earlier this week, both houses of parliament approved the bill, which is now a law.
An impartial monitoring organization will keep an eye on expenditures and assess the levy’s efficacy to guarantee appropriate distribution. The government aims to ensure that operators contribute equitably to harm reduction initiatives while balancing the impact on the industry.
New Online Slot Limits Introduced
Alongside the levy, the UK government has also set new stake limits for online slots. Starting April 9, players aged 25 and older will face a maximum stake of £5 ($6.30) per spin. Meanwhile, younger players between 18 and 24 will have an even lower cap of £2 ($2.52) per spin, effective from May 21.
Twycross explained that the policy aligns online gambling with existing land-based regulations, aiming to curb potential harm. “In our view, a £5 ($6.30) stake limit will protect those most vulnerable to serious harm while balancing the impact that this measure will have on the industry,” she stated.
The decision follows expert consultations and harm data analysis, particularly focusing on younger players at greater risk. Currently, the average online slot stake is around 60p (76¢), highlighting the government’s concern over high-stakes betting.
With both the gambling levy and stake limits now confirmed, UK operators must adapt to these significant regulatory changes in the coming months.
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