The United Kingdom government has announced the date the upcoming online slot stake limits and the new statutory levy will come into effect.
The announcement was made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Gambling Minister, Baroness Twycross at the Betting and Gaming Council’s 2025 AGM.
Bringing Online and Retail Gambling in Line: The UK’s New Limits
The government has announced that the new stake limits for online slots will be implemented in two phases. The first will be a £5 per spin limit for adults aged 25 and over, introduced on 9 April 2025. On 21 May 2025, operators must introduce a £2 per spin limit for those between the ages of 18 and 24.
Baroness Twycross has emphasized that the measures are intended to enhance protections for those considered at high risk of gambling-adjacent harm and bring online slot play more in line with limits imposed on retail locations.
The Minister has previously noted that the £5 limit was established based on consultation responses, evidence and the data amassed on gambling-related harm.
From NHS to Research: How the UK Will Spend Its Gambling Levy
The DCMS has also revealed that the new Statutory Levy for funding problem gambling research, education and treatment (RET Levy) will be implemented on 6 April 2025.
Under government regulations, all UK-licensed businesses must make their first levy payment on 1 October 2025.
The RET Levy will simply be applied as a percentage of gross gambling yield. This rate ranges from 1.1 percent for all online operators, to 0.1 percent from those who provide pool betting services. The DCMS aims to guarantee £100 million funding for problem gambling through the levy.
“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,” she stated.
She continued: “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.”
The levy’s funding will be distributed primarily by the NHS, with 50 percent of all funds supporting the NHS across the United Kingdom. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will oversee 30 percent of funding dedicated to gambling harm prevention and public health campaigns. The final 20 percent will go towards research on the cause and prevention of gambling-related harms.
Other changes that will come into force are brick-and-mortar casino venues in the United Kingdom being allowed up to 80 gaming machines, depending on size.
Furthermore, through an expansion of the Crime and Policing Bill, the UK Gambling Commission will be granted greater power to shut down illegal gambling sites and block IP addresses and domain names associated with unauthorized operators in the UK market.
The Baroness also emphasized that the government has considered potential ‘overregulation’, commenting: “We believe the reforms are proportionate, but vigilance is vital when the illegal market threatens revenue for the licensed sector and player protections.”
Recently, the UKGC commenced an investigation into crypto casino giant Stake.com which led to the company’s exit from the market.
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