SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
UK gambling stakeholders have been told to prepare for forthcoming regulatory changes that will take effect in April.
The notice comes from DCMS Gambling Minister, Baroness Twycross, in her speech at the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) 2025 AGM.
The speech confirmed that UK gambling’s new Statutory Levy for funding problem gambling research, education, and treatment (RET) will be implemented from 6 April.
Applying a new tiered scheme, all UK-licensed gambling businesses (B2C and B2B) will make their first RET Levy payment on 1 October.
The design of the RET Levy was finalised in November, when DCMS announced a new framework guaranteeing £100m+ in funding for problem gambling via a new system featuring contributions from all gambling businesses.
The RET Levy will be applied as a percentage of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) or its equivalent, with rates varying by sector and activity – 1.1% GGR from all online operators to 0.1% from pool betting licenses.
Baroness Twycross noted: “I am sure many of you will have followed the progress of the statutory gambling levy in Parliament over the last few weeks. The legislation has been affirmed by both Houses and became law on Tuesday this week. It will come into force on 6 April, and operators will be required to make their first levy payments by 1 October.”
The NHS will serve as the primary commissioner of the RET Levy, ensuring effective fund distribution. 50% of the funds will support NHS England and its counterparts in Scotland and Wales.
As agreed in February, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will serve as the “Prevention Commissioner”, overseeing 30% of funding dedicated to gambling harm prevention, including public health campaigns and frontline training.
The remaining 20% of the RET Levy will be allocated to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to advance research on gambling-related harm.
Baroness Twycross emphasised: “We are working at pace with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, UK Research and Innovation, and partners in Scotland and Wales, to build robust foundations for the future system. It is crucial we put the right commissioning, accountability, and governance arrangements in place.”
DCMS is also moving forward with key regulatory changes to online gambling and land-based casinos.
21 May has been confirmed as the application date for online slot stake limits, which will be set at £5 for adults and £2 for younger adults (18-24 years old). The government believes this measure will bring parity with retail gambling.
Changes to land-based casino regulations will modernise existing laws to enhance business opportunities and drive investment.
Reforms include allowing all casinos to offer sports betting and increasing the number of gaming machines up to 80, aligning them with small 2005 Act casinos. There will be a sliding scale for machine entitlements, ensuring proportionate benefits for smaller casinos. However, the government has yet to schedule a specific date for these upgrades.
Baroness Twycross added: “These regulatory changes will unlock investment in the casino sector, providing an economic boost for operators and manufacturers while maintaining our commitment to safer gambling.”
In further developments, Baroness Twycross acknowledged concerns about gambling advertising and sponsorship.
She continued: ”One of the biggest concerns raised with me as Gambling Minister is advertising. I understand that advertising is a key advantage licensed operators have over the illegal market, but we must ensure it remains responsible and does not exacerbate harm.”
While reformists have called for drastic changes, DCMS will task industry leaders with assessing the impact of gambling advertising, particularly in sports, to ensure it does not disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals or children.
“We know that some people feel inundated with gambling adverts, especially during sports broadcasts. It is important that the industry leads on evaluating the scale and impact of gambling advertising, using the best available evidence to guide responsible practices.”
Closing her speech, Baroness Twycross reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with the Gambling Commission to address concerns surrounding illegal gambling.
The newly introduced Crime and Policing Bill includes provisions to strengthen the Gambling Commission’s powers, enabling it to take down IP addresses and domain names linked to illicit gambling operations.
Baroness Twycross concluded: “Vigilance is vital when the illegal market threatens revenue for licensed operators and the safety of consumers. The reforms we have introduced, in collaboration with the Gambling Commission, strike a balance between industry growth and enhanced player protections.”
BGC delegates were reminded that the sector must be better engaged to realise a safer, more responsible gambling landscape—one that supports economic growth while prioritising consumer protection.
