UK LEGAL
lead to revocation of the operating licence, unless the Commission chooses to exercise its statutory discretion to disapply this, due to administrative error by the operator.
WILL THERE BE ANY OVERSIGHT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS?
A Gambling Levy Programme Board will be established to oversee the levy on behalf of the Government and will include members from DCMS, HM Treasury, the Department for Health and Social Care, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Scottish and Welsh Governments. The Levy Board will “monitor the health and impact of the levy system” as well as being responsible for giving the Gambling Commission formal sign-off for the distribution of funds, although following the provisions of the Gambling Act Secretary of State and HM Treasury. Alongside the Levy Board, a Gambling Levy Advisory Group will be established and chaired by DCMS, with the Gambling Commission represented through one or more
permanent members. Through this forum, it is envisaged that relevant experts will provide advice on “funding priorities and emerging issues”. These experts may include representatives from public health, lived experience, criminal justice, research, charities and local government.
HOW WILL THE FUNDS BE USED? The Government proposes that 50% of the funds raised by the levy will go to the NHS, to be used for treatment of gambling-related harm. The intention is that this will cover “the full treatment pathway from referral and triage to aftercare”. Going forward, treatment providers such as GamCare and Gordon Moody will be reliant upon the allocation of funds from the NHS.
20% of the funds will be allocated to research, split between UK Research and Innovation which will establish a Research
gaps, increase diversity of research and support evaluation, and the Gambling Commission to direct further research in line with the licensing objectives. prevention of gambling harms. These funds will be used to develop and implement an approach to prevention and early intervention. Final details of how this funding for prevention of gambling harms will be used is still under consideration and will be announced in the coming months. An Annual Report will be produced, which will set out the use of the levy funds each year.
WHEN WILL IT COME INTO FORCE?
The government’s consultation response states that the levy will come into force in April 2025, with the first payments due by 1 October 2025 (for part of the 25/26 financial year).
Melanie is a gambling regulatory lawyer with 13 years’ experience in the sector. Melanie advises on all aspects of gambling law including licence applications, compliance, advertising, licence reviews and changes of control. She has acted for a wide range of gambling operators including major online and land-based bookmakers and casinos, B2B game and software suppliers and start-ups. She also frequently advises operators of raffles, prize competitions, free draws and social gaming products. Melanie has a particular interest in the use of new technology for gambling products and novel product ideas.
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