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| Gambling limits for under-25s expected in new laws, reports say | Gambling limits for under-25s expected in new laws, reports say |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Online slot games are designed to mimic slot machines in betting shops | Online slot games are designed to mimic slot machines in betting shops |
| Young online gamblers will face limits on the amount they can bet under new laws reportedly being lined up by the government. | Young online gamblers will face limits on the amount they can bet under new laws reportedly being lined up by the government. |
| The Sun newspaper said ministers would consult on capping bets on online slot games to between £2 and £15, with a £2 limit for under-25s. | The Sun newspaper said ministers would consult on capping bets on online slot games to between £2 and £15, with a £2 limit for under-25s. |
| Gambling firms will also be taxed to fund addiction treatment, according to leaks seen by the newspaper. | Gambling firms will also be taxed to fund addiction treatment, according to leaks seen by the newspaper. |
| The culture department, in charge of gambling laws, declined to comment. | The culture department, in charge of gambling laws, declined to comment. |
| MPs who have been campaigning for tougher restrictions on gambling told the BBC they expected the new tax on firms and stake limits to be introduced. | MPs who have been campaigning for tougher restrictions on gambling told the BBC they expected the new tax on firms and stake limits to be introduced. |
| They added that they were also expecting tougher affordability checks - to ensure the firms' customers are not gambling beyond their financial means. | They added that they were also expecting tougher affordability checks - to ensure the firms' customers are not gambling beyond their financial means. |
| But ministers are not expected to bring in a total ban on gambling advertising, as some campaigners want. | But ministers are not expected to bring in a total ban on gambling advertising, as some campaigners want. |
| ‘I became addicted to gambling after having a baby' | ‘I became addicted to gambling after having a baby' |
| What's the answer to Britain's hidden gambling problem? | What's the answer to Britain's hidden gambling problem? |
| Proposed new laws for gambling companies are expected to be published by the government in the coming weeks. | Proposed new laws for gambling companies are expected to be published by the government in the coming weeks. |
| The so-called white paper, the biggest shake-up of the industry in over two decades, was first announced in late 2020 but has been repeatedly delayed. | The so-called white paper, the biggest shake-up of the industry in over two decades, was first announced in late 2020 but has been repeatedly delayed. |
| It is expected to introduce new curbs in England, Scotland and Wales, with gambling laws separate in Northern Ireland. The Premier League is also likely to agree a deal to ban sponsorship on the front of team shirts. | It is expected to introduce new curbs in England, Scotland and Wales, with gambling laws separate in Northern Ireland. The Premier League is also likely to agree a deal to ban sponsorship on the front of team shirts. |
| The maximum bet on fixed-odds terminals in bookmakers' shops was cut from £100 to £2 in 2018. | The maximum bet on fixed-odds terminals in bookmakers' shops was cut from £100 to £2 in 2018. |
| The Sun reported that a new tax on betting firms to fund addiction and support services would be set at around 1% of profits. | The Sun reported that a new tax on betting firms to fund addiction and support services would be set at around 1% of profits. |
| Currently firms make contributions towards research, education and treatment into gambling harm on a voluntary basis. | Currently firms make contributions towards research, education and treatment into gambling harm on a voluntary basis. |
| The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which represents gambling companies, says its largest members have pledged £100m ($125m) over four years. | |
| It recently said it was "relaxed" about the introduction of a mandatory levy, arguing contributions from its members are "already on the table". | It recently said it was "relaxed" about the introduction of a mandatory levy, arguing contributions from its members are "already on the table". |
| But it said it had concerns about a 1% blanket tax on all gambling companies, arguing it would be unfair on firms operating betting shops that face higher running costs as well as property taxes. | But it said it had concerns about a 1% blanket tax on all gambling companies, arguing it would be unfair on firms operating betting shops that face higher running costs as well as property taxes. |
| A BGC spokesperson said it had been working with the government on the issue of online slot games, and any future curbs should be "proportionate" and "carefully targeted". | A BGC spokesperson said it had been working with the government on the issue of online slot games, and any future curbs should be "proportionate" and "carefully targeted". |
| Gambling laws were liberalised by the last Labour government - but the party's current leader Sir Keir Starmer said he would support tighter regulation, as the industry had changed a lot since then. | Gambling laws were liberalised by the last Labour government - but the party's current leader Sir Keir Starmer said he would support tighter regulation, as the industry had changed a lot since then. |
| However, he added that he would have to study the new measures in detail when they are published. | However, he added that he would have to study the new measures in detail when they are published. |
| Gambling in numbers | Gambling in numbers |
| Excluding the National Lottery, the gambling industry made almost £10bn before tax in 2021/22 | Excluding the National Lottery, the gambling industry made almost £10bn before tax in 2021/22 |
| £6.4bn of that amount came from remote (mostly online) betting, bingo and casino games | £6.4bn of that amount came from remote (mostly online) betting, bingo and casino games |
| £3.5bn was made from the land based sector, also known as non-remote betting at arcades, bingo halls, casinos and betting shops | |
| According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, the gambling industry paid £3.2bn in tax in the 2021/22 financial year | According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, the gambling industry paid £3.2bn in tax in the 2021/22 financial year |
| It is estimated that there are between 250,000 and 460,000 problem gamblers in Great Britain | It is estimated that there are between 250,000 and 460,000 problem gamblers in Great Britain |
| Support for addiction issues is available via the BBC Action Line. | Support for addiction issues is available via the BBC Action Line. |
| Intense lobbying behind the scenes has gone on in recent months at Westminster, as the finishing touches were put to the planned new laws. | Intense lobbying behind the scenes has gone on in recent months at Westminster, as the finishing touches were put to the planned new laws. |
| It has raised questions about gifts and hospitality received by MPs on behalf of betting firms and industry bodies, with some MPs describing the relationship with the sector as too cosy. | It has raised questions about gifts and hospitality received by MPs on behalf of betting firms and industry bodies, with some MPs describing the relationship with the sector as too cosy. |
| Betting companies have spent tens of thousands of pounds inviting MPs from the Conservative, Labour and other parties to events in the past few years - including Ascot races, Wimbledon, football matches, music gigs and awards ceremonies. | Betting companies have spent tens of thousands of pounds inviting MPs from the Conservative, Labour and other parties to events in the past few years - including Ascot races, Wimbledon, football matches, music gigs and awards ceremonies. |
| In a statement, the culture department said it was working to finalise details of the white paper to ensure gambling laws are "fit for the digital age". | In a statement, the culture department said it was working to finalise details of the white paper to ensure gambling laws are "fit for the digital age". |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport | Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport |
| Gambling | Gambling |