Baroness Twycross Confirms New UK Gambling Levy Will Take Effect on April 6th – Guido Fawkes

Minister for Gambling Baroness Twycross announced at the Gaming Council’s Annual General Meeting that the new gambling levy in the UK will officially take effect on April 6th.

Additionally, Twycross discussed other related topics such as the new stake limits for online slot games, the shutdown of illegal casino sites, and concerns about a potential greyhound racing ban. The new gambling levy was first proposed in November 2024 and will require all gambling operators to pay a percentage of their gross gambling yield (GGY) to support services.

Starting April 6th, the industry will move from voluntary contributions to a fixed levy all online casino operators will have to pay. This will mark a significant change in their financial obligations and the casinos will have to adjust their business models to accommodate the levy.

It’s important to mention that this new measure will only affect casinos licensed in the UK. Offshore casinos will continue to operate under their respective local regulations. This means players can expect better payout rates and more competitive bonuses than those offered by UK-licensed operators. Either way, players can continue to enjoy playing poker and other casino games using tips from Card Player UK, while also enjoying access to news, updates, reviews, and valuable guides that help to improve gameplay.

With the new levy, the contribution rate for UK-licensed operators will vary between 0.1% and 1.1% of the gross gambling yield (GGY), based on factors such as sector, business model, and risk level.

The first payments are due in October 2025, giving casinos some time to adjust their operations accordingly. It is projected that £100 million will be generated annually to fund research and other functions across the UK.

Speaking about the new online slots stake limits, Twycross confirmed that the measure will take effect over the course of the next two months. Starting April 9th, players aged 25 and older will have a £5 cap. Those between the ages of 18 and 24 will be restricted to a £2 cap beginning May 21st.

Twycross also touched on concerns regarding illegal casino sites in the UK. She said that the government intends to shut down unauthorised platforms to support legal operators and enhance player security. Also, the government may block IP addresses and domain names that are associated with online casinos that operate without a proper license.

Any potential shutdowns won’t affect UK-licensed or properly regulated offshore casinos, which will continue to operate as usual. The move will specifically target unlicensed operators that pose risks to players and the industry. Additionally, Twycross reassured the public that there are no plans for a nationwide ban on greyhound racing.

Discussions about a potential ban came after Wales announced it would either impose more strict regulations on local track owners or completely shut down the sport. This decision follows a government consultation and a petition that received 35,000 signatures.