BGC backs UK statutory levy

The Betting and Gaming Council has reiterated its support for a statutory levy on the UK’s gambling industry.

On Tuesday, the government published its eight-week consultation on plans to firm up commitments from operators to contribute to research, education and treatment projects for problem gambling.

It proposes that online operators pay one per cent of their gross gambling yield, while betting shops and casinos should pay 0.4 per cent of their GGY.

The consultation also posits that the levy will raise £100m for RET projects, with the NHS to become the main commissioner of treatment.

A spokesperson for the BGC said: “The BGC supports a new mandatory levy – indeed we proposed this to the government ahead of the white paper.

“Our industry has been the majority funder of RET for over 20 years. However, we believe it should apply to all operators including the National Lottery, without affecting good causes, who are not immune to having problem gamblers gamble with their products like scratch cards and instant win games.

“It must also be applied on a sliding scale, with smaller percentage contributions from land-based operators, including independent betting shops on our high streets that have struggled to recover after the pandemic and incur disproportionately higher fixed costs.”

The BGC added that it wants to see “adequate oversight” to ensure levy funds are directed towards “genuine RET services.”