Call for levy on big betting as record number of people seeking help with problem gambling

Press release: The betting industry should be forced to give more towards support services for those experiencing problem gambling, CARE has said.

CARE issued the call after new figures showed a record 52,370 people called the National Gambling Helpline in 2023 – a 24% rise on the previous year.

CARE believes a statutory levy of five per cent on gambling industry profits is required, to go towards “treatment services that free people from the chains of addiction”

Our policy team believe money raised by this measure could also be put towards other “crucial areas of research and prevention".

The government has been consulting on the idea and has suggested that a levy of one per cent may be sufficient.

CARE and other charities raising concerns about problem gambling believe this figure is far too low.

Tim Cairns, CARE’s policy lead on gambling, said:

“These problem gambling figures are alarming but not surprising. The sad reality is that big gambling has spent 20 years making their product more addictive, easier to play, and available 24/7 whilst ignoring pleas from suffering individuals. This has led to endemic levels of problem gambling. The government has promised reform. If gamblers are to be kept safe, advertising needs to be cut and the gambling industry needs to be placed under a levy that is sufficient to properly meet the public health crisis it has inspired. At least five per cent of industry profits.

“The government propose a levy of 1% for online gambling and 0.4% for traditional high street bookies and casinos. Gambling companies make almost £15 Billion per year from British punters, so the Government’s proposed levy would bring in about £100 million. It is estimated that the average cost of treatment for a person with a gambling disorder is just over £600. Britain has around 400,000 people who need treatment, making the annual cost of treatment in excess of £240 million. It is clear this proposal falls far short of a fair share of gambling profits.

“We need a substantial compulsory levy to be placed on gambling companies. Money from this can go to treatment services that free people from the chains of addiction, but also into the crucial areas of research and prevention. The proposed levy simply isn’t enough to tackle the problem. We believe a 5% levy is required to match the scale of gambling harms. This levy would come far closer to meeting the desperate needs of vulnerable Brits affected by problem gambling. Big betting has caused the problems we are seeing in society, and it is time it was forced to take responsibility."

ENDS

About CARE

Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) is a social policy charity, bringing Christian insight to the policies and laws that affect our lives.

Contact us: press@care.org.uk