UK gambling industry to see new changes enforced, like deposit limits and statutory levy

The gambling industry in the UK will see a shake-up as the country’s gambling commission has announced a number of regulatory changes.

One of the major implementations will be a new statutory levy which is being brought into force from April 2025 onwards.

“This will be charged to all licenced gambling activity at varying levels depending on the sector and nature of the gambling activity to ensure impacts are proportionate,” it states in an outcome report.

It’s thought that the introduction of the statutory levy will help with the government’s aim of raising the £90 – £100 million a year they believe “is needed to improve the provision of high-quality, independent research on gambling…”

As well as helping to “ensure there is a comprehensive approach to prevention activity across Great Britain to raise awareness of harms before they occur and intervene as early as possible, and align support and treatment services, ensuring those experiencing gambling-related harms are able to access the right help they need when they need it.”

While this was agreed upon in October 2023, following a public consultation, it was last week when the House of Commons debated the amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 and the Draft Gambling Levy Regulations.

The UK Gambling Commission will now be enforcing a new statutory maximum stake limit on online slot games of £5 per game cycle for adults aged 25 and over, and £2 per game cycle for young adults aged 18 to 24.

The new rules will also ensure that all licensed gambling operators require any first-time players to set a financial limit ahead of making a deposit.

These players will then be able to review and adjust these limits at any time they wish, with operators having to remind them every six months to reassess spending habits.

“From 31 October 2025 all gambling businesses must prompt their customers to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit and make it easy to review and alter this limit at any point after,” the Commission has written in a press release dated February 4.

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