CURBS on online gambling are set to be introduced as part of broader government plans to tackle addiction.
The government has announced stake limits for online slots of £5 per spin for adults aged 25 and over and £2 per spin for 18 to 24-year-olds.
It means the amount of money people can place on a single online slots bet will be restricted for the first time.
The move has been confirmed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
It is hoped that limiting online slot stakes will strengthen legislation on gambling addiction.
The government will also introduce a levy on casino and betting operators’ profits to raise £100million to tackle the problem.
Plans for reform stake limit and to introduced a mandatory levy were first published last year.
The secondary legislation will now be debated and approved in Parliament.
An exact date that the rules are set to be introduced is yet to be confirmed.
The statutory levy will be imposed on gambling operators, with half of the money to go directly to NHS-led treatment and support.
It aims to make consistent contributions from gambling operators to a ringfenced fund to prevent and tackle gambling harm.
A voluntary system is currently in place, which means some operators pay as little as £1 a year towards research, prevention and treatment.
The new system will charge a levy to all licensed gambling operators at different rates to take into account the difference in operating costs and levels of harmful gambling.
Gambling minister Baroness Twycross said: “Gambling harm can ruin people’s finances, relationships, and ultimately lives.
“We are absolutely committed to implementing strengthened measures for those at risk, as well as providing effective support for those affected.
“We are also helping to protect those at risk, with a particular focus on young adults, by introducing stake limits for online slots.
“These measures will help build an NHS fit for our future and strengthen protections whilst also allowing people to continue to gamble safely.”
Of the funding from the levy, 50% will go to NHS England and bodies in Scotland and Wales for gambling support and treatment systems, from referrals and triage through to recovery and aftercare.
Another 30% will be invested in measures such as national public health campaigns and training for frontline staff.
The remaining 20% will be used for a research programme on gambling to be developed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Some 2.5% of the population gamble in a “severe and harmful way”, Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones, national clinical adviser on gambling harms at NHS England, said.
Plus, many more people are affected, including family members and problem gamblers who are below the clinical threshold.
Claire Murdoch, NHS national director for mental health, said: “I am delighted to welcome this commitment to a mandatory gambling levy, which the NHS, bereaved families and the voluntary sector have been calling for so we can treat this growing problem – and we will continue to work with Government to do all we can to protect problem gamblers from this billion-pound industry.”
It comes after a Public Health England (PHE) study in 2021 found the rough overall cost of health harms caused by gambling was around £960million.
That includes suicide, which costs £619.2million.
The study also found an estimated 409 suicides were linked to gambling in England every year.
Will Prochaska, an independent campaigner for gambling reform, said: “We wouldn’t allow Big Tobacco to control lung cancer clinics and we mustn’t allow Big Gambling to control mental health services.
“The purpose of the statutory levy is to remove gambling industry influence, and it can’t come soon enough.”
Grainne Hurst, chief executive at the Betting and Gaming Council, said that the gambling industry body supported the plans.
But she added: “Ministers must not lose sight of the fact the vast majority of the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.
Is it possible to gamble safely?
IT is important to stay safe when you gamble and that you feel able to reach out if you are struggling.
Senior Consumer Reporter Olivia Marshall shares different ways you can keep yourself safe when gambling.
Certainly! Here is the information with bold text above the normal text:
Set a Budget
Determine how much money you can afford to lose before you start gambling and stick to that limit.
Never gamble with money that you need for essential expenses like rent, bills, or groceries.
Time Management
Set a time limit for your gambling activities.
It’s easy to lose track of time when gambling, so decide in advance how long you will play and stick to it.
Know the Odds
Understand the odds of the games you are playing.
Remember that gambling is based on chance, so be realistic about your chances of winning.
Avoid Chasing Losses
If you lose money, do not try to win it back by gambling more.
This often leads to deeper losses and can create a cycle of chasing losses that is hard to break.
Stay Sober
Avoid gambling when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
These substances can impair your judgment and lead to risky behaviour.
Take Breaks
Regular breaks can help you stay in control and make more rational decisions.
Continuous play without breaks can lead to fatigue and poor decision-making.
Self-Exclusion and Limits
Many gambling platforms offer tools to help you control your gambling, such as self-exclusion programs or setting deposit limits.
Use these tools if you feel your gambling is becoming problematic.
Seek Support
If you think you may have a gambling problem, seek help.
There are many organisations that offer support and counselling for gambling addiction, such as GamCare, Gamblers Anonymous, and the National Gambling Helpline in the UK.
Educate Yourself
Learn about responsible gambling practices and be aware of the signs of problem gambling.
Understanding these can help you maintain a healthy relationship with gambling.
Gamble for Fun, Not Profit
Treat gambling as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money.
The primary goal should be to have fun, and any wins should be considered a bonus.
What should you do if someone you know has a gambling problem?
There are a number of steps you can take if you believe someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction.
Be Gamble Aware’s website suggests ways you can help someone who might need help.
Some of the steps include: understanding what an addict is going through, knowing how to talk to someone with a gambling addiction, and avoiding rewarding gambling behaviour.
If you personally are struggling with an addiction, the NHS has a useful webpage which offers a range of helpful tips.
Some include trying cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a talking therapy that can help change the way you think and behave.
There are also treatment and support groups available for people wanting to stop gambling.
GamCare offers free information, support and counselling for problem gamblers in the UK.
It runs the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and also offers face-to-face counselling.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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