BMJ Raises Concerns Over New Gambling RET Levy as Initial Invoices Approach
Overview of the New Gambling RET Levy
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released further information regarding the introduction of a mandatory gambling statutory levy, which applies to operators across all gambling sectors. Meanwhile, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has voiced concerns about this new financial requirement.
Upcoming RET Levy Invoices from the UKGC
The statutory levy, set out in the Gambling Act white paper, aims to ensure that funding for gambling harm treatment remains independent from the gambling industry. Under this policy, operators must contribute a fixed percentage of their revenue to support research, education, and treatment (RET) related to gambling harm.
This levy will replace the previous voluntary donation system, which allowed operators to decide the amount they contributed. Critics argued that the voluntary system was inconsistent and made the RET sector overly reliant on the gambling operators themselves.
The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 formally introduced this levy, which came into effect on April 6, 2025. The first invoices for the levy will be sent out on September 1, with payments due by October 1. Operators can make payments via GovPay or bank transfer.
Levy Payment Obligations and Licensing Consequences
Operators will be required to pay between 0.1% and 1.1% of their revenue to the RET sector, with the exact amount determined by data submitted in regulatory returns. The levy calculation varies by operator type: for most, it is based on their gambling facilities within the UK; for online platforms and software providers, it considers their total income.
The UKGC underlined that paying the levy is a condition of holding a gambling license. Operators who fail to comply risk losing their licenses. Additionally, the UKGC clarified that any voluntary RET contributions made by licensed operators will not be deducted from their statutory levy obligations.
BMJ Expresses Doubts About Levy’s Independence from Industry Influence
The BMJ has critically examined the RET levy and raised concerns about its potential negative implications. Although the levy is expected to raise approximately GBP 100 million annually, with a significant portion allocated to the arts and humanities division of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), some in the RET field question whether this funding mechanism truly safeguards the sector from industry influence.
Notably, the UKRI has reportedly encouraged representatives from the gambling industry to apply for leadership roles within the research initiatives, sparking fears that the RET sector may still be vulnerable to undue industry involvement despite the new levy.
