The UK government has confirmed the implementation of a mandatory gambling levy and online slots stake limits as part of its gambling reform measures.

All UK-licensed gambling operators will be required to pay between 0.1% and 1.1% of their revenue, with online businesses paying the higher rate. This mandatory levy will generate approximately £100 million ($127 million) annually to fund problem gambling research and treatment, replacing the current voluntary system.

Key changes include:

• Introduction of a £5 maximum stake per spin for online slots (players aged 25+)
• £2 maximum stake per spin for players aged 18-24
• Mandatory levy ranging from 0.1% to 1.1% of operator revenue
• Implementation scheduled for 2025

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross emphasized the importance of these measures in addressing gambling-related harm and providing effective support for those affected. The Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), while supporting the mandatory levy, cautioned against overlooking that most of the 22.5 million UK gamblers bet responsibly, with problem gambling affecting approximately 0.4% of the adult population.

The new measures follow recommendations from the previous government's white paper on gambling reform and aim to create a more regulated and safer gambling environment in the UK.

Related Articles

Previous Articles