UK gambling firms face mandatory levy to fund harm reduction by October
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released details of a new statutory levy on gambling operators. The scheme replaces the previous voluntary donation system for research, education and treatment (RET) linked to gambling harm. Operators will now face mandatory payments based on their UK revenue.
The levy will range from 0.1% to 1.1% of an operator's revenue, depending on the gambling services they provide in the UK. It is expected to raise around £100 million annually. Of this, one-fifth will go to the arts and humanities division of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The first invoices will be sent out on September 1, with payments due by October 1. Failure to pay could lead to operators losing their licence, as the levy is now a legal requirement. Unlike the old system, companies will no longer need to submit voluntary RET contributions. However, concerns have been raised about the levy's structure. The *British Medical Journal* (BMJ) warned that the gambling industry might still influence how the funds are used. No specific projects or target groups within the RET sector have yet been named as beneficiaries.
The new levy marks a shift from voluntary to compulsory funding for gambling harm initiatives. Operators must comply by the October deadline or risk losing their licence. The exact allocation of funds beyond UKRI's share remains unclear.
