Don’t fear the levy – helpful advice from a gambling industry solicitor

The end of this month will bring the end of the requirement for the UK-based industry to make contributions to gambling-harm-related research and treatment organisations.

The new era, which is also now upon us, is the statutory levy on license holders in the sector, which the government is hoping will generate up to £100 million for the research, treatment and prevention of problem gambling.

Richard Bradley, solicitor for gambling licensing firm Poppleston Allen, has prepared helpful advice as well as a table for operators and licensees, saying:

“Operators should note that the Gambling Commission will issue invoices on 1st September 2025 with the payment due by the 1st October 2025. It is likely that invoices will be raised in the invoices and payments tab of operator’s eServices accounts.

“The 2024/2025 levy period will be based on gross gambling yield data submitted via regulatory returns from June 2024 to March 2025 (pro rata’d up for a full year).

“As the Gambling Commission will use the data provided in submitted quarterly regulatory returns to calculate the amount of the levy, operators may wish to consider the possible rise in potential payment amount — as some may now be required to pay more than they paid previously under the old RET recommended contribution requirement (the greater of 0.1% of GGY or £250).

“It is also worth noting that under the Act, payment of the levy is treated in the same way as operating licence annual fees, whereby the Gambling Commission shall revoke an operating licence for non-payment although it may accept late payment if the failure is due to an administrative error.”

The Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 confirm that the levy amounts will be: