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Last Updated on 3 May 2025 by Casinos etc.
This is a shortened and summarised version of this page — we have included key points and important information.
UK Gambling Commission Levy Rates for Licence Holders
The UK Gambling Commission has released detailed information on the statutory gambling levy, including the rates each gambling licensee will be required to pay. This update follows the government’s April 2023 Gambling White Paper and recent public consultation aimed at overhauling the funding structure for gambling-related harm services. The statutory levy will replace the voluntary funding model and is expected to raise up to £100 million annually to support research, prevention, and treatment (RPT).
When Will the Statutory Levy Take Effect?
The statutory gambling levy officially came into effect on 6 April 2025. However, operators will not be expected to make payments until 1 October 2025, allowing time for invoicing and compliance setup. The Gambling Commission will issue the first invoices on 1 September 2025, covering the financial year starting 1 April 2025. After that, the levy will be collected annually.
Why Is the Statutory Levy Being Introduced?
The new statutory levy emerged from the findings of the Gambling White Paper and subsequent consultation, which ran from 17 October to 14 December 2023. The UK government determined that voluntary contributions were insufficient and inconsistent. The goal is to ensure stable and fair funding for initiatives targeting gambling harm, while providing a proportionate and evidence-based system.
As Baroness Fiona Twycross, Minister for Gambling, stated, “The current funding system reliant on voluntary donations is no longer fit for purpose – we are introducing a statutory levy as a priority to reduce gambling harms.”
How Much Will Operators Pay?
The Gambling Commission has outlined the following levy rates based on licence type and gross gambling yield (GGY):
- Online operators and gambling software: 1.1%
- Land-based casinos and betting operators: 0.5%
- Adult gaming centres, on-course bookmakers, bingo premises: 0.2%
- Society lotteries, External Lottery Managers (ELMs): 0.1%
The National Lottery will remain exempt from the levy. These revised rates were slightly adjusted following consultation feedback and are expected to generate £90-£100 million annually by 2027.
How Will Levy Funds Be Used?
Funds collected through the statutory levy will be distributed across Great Britain to support three core areas:
- Research: 20% will go towards a dedicated Research Programme on Gambling, focusing on evidence gaps and innovation.
- Prevention: 30% will fund a national prevention strategy, led by a newly appointed commissioning body.
- Treatment: 50% will go directly to NHS England, and relevant health bodies in Scotland and Wales, for treatment services including third-sector partnerships.
The Gambling Commission will manage the levy under government strategic direction. The approach aims to improve transparency and ensure money goes where it’s most needed.
Governance and Oversight
A new Gambling Levy Programme Board (LPB) will be established to oversee how funds are managed and distributed. This board will include key UK government departments such as DCMS, HM Treasury, DHSC, DSIT, and representation from devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
Additionally, a Gambling Levy Advisory Panel (LAP) will provide expert advice on funding allocation. This will include voices from research, public health, lived experience, criminal justice, and local authorities. A formal review of the statutory levy system is expected by 2030 to assess effectiveness and guide any necessary reforms.
How Was the Statutory Gambling Levy Designed?
To guide its policy, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned research led by Professor Heather Wardle at the University of Glasgow. Workshops were held in January 2024 with stakeholders across the gambling, health, and academic sectors. The findings, published in March 2024, informed how the statutory levy would be structured to meet the needs of the public and industry alike.
The levy calculation is based on GGY (Gross Gambling Yield) and considers the amount of revenue retained after payouts and expenses. Accuracy in regulatory returns will be essential, as misreporting may lead to miscalculations and enforcement action. Licence holders are warned that non-payment could result in licence revocation.
Other Related Gambling Regulations
The introduction of the statutory gambling levy follows other key regulatory changes proposed in the White Paper. One of these is the implementation of stake limits for online slot games. Adults aged 25 and over will be limited to £5 per spin, while those aged 18 to 24 will face a £2 cap. These limits are part of a wider effort to protect vulnerable users and curb excessive losses.
Changes to Personal Management Licences have also come into force. Operators are encouraged to review their compliance procedures to align with the updated Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).
What Comes Next?
With the levy system now confirmed and a clear timeline in place, licensed gambling operators must prepare for compliance. The government has committed to evaluating the system’s impact and reviewing it formally by 2030. In the meantime, the sector will be watched closely as it adapts to a more structured and mandatory funding regime for addressing gambling-related harm.
