On Feb. 27, 2025, UK GVT issued Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 (StIn 2025/213).
Also published Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (StIn 2025/215) on online slot stake limits, see #245291.
Reg 3 imposes liability on a person who is a holder of an operating license to pay a levy in respect of the first and each subsequent levy period, as defined in reg 2(1)).
No levy payable where the amount of the levy would be £10 or less.
Reg 4 sets out how to calculate the amount of the levy; reg 5 requires the levy in respect of a levy period to be paid by Oct. 1 following the end of that levy period.
Regulations come into force on Apr. 6, 2025; extend to England, Wales and Scotland.
On Nov. 27, UK GVT confirmed statutory levy/online slot stake limits.
UK GVT announced it was bringing forward a statutory levy on gambling operators, and that online slot stake limits would be introduced, both to help tackle gambling harm.
UK GVT said this marked the first step to strengthening gambling protections and tackling addiction, generating £100mn for research, and harms prevention/treatment.
Half of the funding will go to directly benefit the NHS-led gambling treatment system.
Under current voluntary operators do not contribute equally; some pay just £1 a year.
Levy will be charged at a set rate for all holders of a given UK GC license, ranging from 1.1% to 0.1% of gross gambling yield (GGY), or equivalent, depending on the sector.
Society lottery operators to pay a proportion of proceeds after good causes/prizes paid.
Levy to be charged to all licensed operators, guaranteeing increased, ringfenced; UK GVT will review the system within 5 years of first formal review, expected by 2030.
Online Slot Machine Limits
Limit will be £5 for over 25s and £2 for young adults aged 18-24; reflecting that young adults can be particularly vulnerable to gambling related harm, and that this is a higher-risk gambling product associated with large losses, long sessions, binge play.
Proposal will work with previous game design changes in place since 2021 (e.g. slower play speed, auto-play ban) to reduce intensity, help customers know their gambling.
Feb. 2025 Statutory Levy Regulations
On Feb. 27, 2025, UK GVT issued Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 (StIn 2025/213).
Also published Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (StIn 2025/215) on online slot stake limits, see #245291.
Reg 3 imposes liability on a person who is a holder of an operating license to pay a levy in respect of the first and each subsequent levy period, as defined in reg 2(1)).
No levy payable where the amount of the levy would be £10 or less.
Reg 4 sets out how to calculate the amount of the levy; reg 5 requires the levy in respect of a levy period to be paid by Oct. 1 following the end of that levy period.
Regulations come into force on Apr. 6, 2025; extend to England, Wales and Scotland.
