Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed the Government’s introduction of a statutory levy on gambling operators, generating £100 million for the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling harms.
Gambling harms can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. 2.5% of the population are gambling in a severe and harmful way but many more are affected, whether that be family members or gamblers who are experiencing negative consequences but below the clinical threshold.
Under the current voluntary system, not all gambling companies contribute proportionately to research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms, with some operators paying as little as £1 a year. The new mandatory levy will ensure all operators contribute a fair share, and will be applied at proportionate levels depending on the sector and nature of the gambling activity.
Of the new £100m in funding, treatment will be allocated 50% the levy and will be overseen by NHS who will commission a full treatment pathway, from referral and triage through to aftercare. Prevention will be allocated 30% to develop an early intervention approach, and research will get the remaining 20% of funding.
This funding comes as part of a wider package of measures, which includes the introduction of stake limits for online slots. Stake limits will be set at £5 per spin for adults aged 25 and over and £2 per spin for 18-24 year olds.
These changes bring online slot games in line with existing restrictions on slot machines in casinos. Indeed, online slots are a higher-risk gambling product, associated with large losses, long sessions, and binge play. However, unlike land-based gaming machines which offer broadly similar games, up until now they have had no statutory stake limits.
Douglas Alexander MP said:
“Problem gambling can be devastating for those whose lives it touches, and unfortunately, those numbers are on the rise with NHS Services treating record numbers. This new statutory funding for gambling harms, paid for by gambling companies, will be an important boost to the NHS, whilst helping to address the negative impact of gambling harms on places like East Lothian through prevention and research.”