GambleAware calls for mandatory levy to prevent gambling harm crisis

GambleAware has reiterated its calls for the UK government to introduce a 1% levy on gross gambling yield (GGY) as a licence condition for the gambling industry.

Through this kind of levy, the charity believes it would be able to raise around £140m annually.

Due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the financial impact of the pandemic and the move towards online has meant that people are more at risk of gambling harm in the charity’s eyes.

This message comes as GambleAware launches its new six principles to combat the aforementioned issues.

The charity outlined these principles to try and achieve a transparent engagement with government and stakeholders until and after the white paper into the review of the Gambling Act 2005 is released.

In these principles, GambleAware wants greater support for those most at risk by reducing inequalities by having dedicated messaging, education and treatment for those affected.

It is not just the gambling operators themselves that the charity wants the government to address. It also wants investors in firms to be scrutinised further as in other harm-causing sectors.

Zoë Osmond, CEO at GambleAware, explained: “The ongoing impact of the pandemic, a growing cost-of-living crisis and shift to online gambling means there is a potential increased risk of people experiencing gambling harms that remains unseen until an individual reaches a crisis point.

“Without action now, many more people and families could suffer. That’s why we are calling on the government to introduce a mandatory 1% levy of GGY on the gambling industry as a licence condition,” she added.

GambleAware has also asked for “an agile, data-led, and innovation-driven approach to prevention and treatment”.

The charity asks for cohesion among experts to deliver a broader scale of research, prevention and treatment at both a local level and across the country.