Gambling tax could raise $100 million for NHS treatment FR24 News English

The UK government is considering imposing a tax on gambling companies which would raise €100 million a year to fund NHS treatment.

He wants all operators to “pay their fair share”, instead of the current voluntary system.

The money will be invested in the treatment and support of people affected by gambling in England, Scotland and Wales, ministers said.

The body which represents the industry said it supported the new levy.

But the Betting and Gaming Council has also said that funds from this tax must only go to “genuine” charities and organizations tackling problem gambling and associated harms.

As part of the government plan:

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “The introduction of this levy will strengthen the safety net and help deliver our long-term plan to build stronger communities, while enabling millions of people to continue to play safely. »

A consultation on the plans will gather views from industry, doctors, academics as well as people with experience of harmful gambling and the general public. This will last eight weeks.

The number of people gaming online on their smartphones has increased significantly in recent years.

This means they can play at any time of the day and anywhere, increasing the risk of addiction, experts say.

Over the summer, NHS England announced that specialist gambling addiction clinics would open this year in:

There is also a national clinic in London treating gambling and gaming addiction in children and young people.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: “Harmful gambling can affect people’s savings, ruin their relationships and devastate their lives and health.

“Gambling companies should pay their fair share of the costs of processing services, but we want to hear from as many people as possible about how the new statutory levy should work.”

Claire Murdoch, director of mental health for the NHS, said it was right “that this billion-pound industry is stepping up to support people suffering from gambling addiction”.

The Betting and Gaming Council said its members had already committed €100 million over four years to fund research, education and treatment services, through a levy system voluntary.

The new levy should apply to all operators, including the National Lottery, on a sliding scale, to protect high street betting shops which have struggled during the pandemic, it adds.

The draft health guidelines are currently open for consultation.