Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players

Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it.

1. New Stake Limits

While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the DCMS confirmed online slot stake limits of £5 for those aged over 25, and £2 for young adults between 18-24. The hope is that by lowering the amount that can be staked, players will be less likely to lose large sums of money quickly and repeatedly. 

2. The Statutory RET Levy

What is the new Remote Gambling Operator (RET) Levy? It’s a compulsory financial contribution gambling companies must make to help fund services associated with gambling addiction. The aim is to raise £100 million a year to improve treatment provisions and ensure that gambling operators who profit from player activity, contribute to the cost of gambling-related problems. 

This is how the RET funds will be allocated: 

  • 50% to NHS and Equivalent Services Across the UK

Covering services such as treatment referrals, triage, rehabilitation programs, and long-term aftercare for those affected by addiction.

  • 30% for Prevention Initiatives

Supporting public awareness campaigns and providing training for key workers to help identify and manage gambling-related problems before they escalate.

  • 20% for Gambling Research

Funding research via UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This will help develop a deeper understanding of gambling behaviours and inform future regulations.

Minister for Health Andrew Gwynne supports the levy and says: “Tackling gambling harm is a crucial part of our commitment to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

This levy will provide an important funding boost for the NHS, whilst also enabling independent research and more effective prevention initiatives. By making NHS England responsible for all treatment and support services for those experiencing gambling-related harms in England, we will ensure people are getting the most effective care possible”.

Though in support of the RET Levy, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) gave a little pushback. Grainne Hurst, BGC CEO said: “BGC members voluntarily contributed over £170m over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm, including £50m this year alone, funding an independent network of charities currently caring for 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.

Ministers must not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of the 22.5m 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 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers”.

What Does All This Mean for the Gambling Industry and Players?

The UK government is scrutinising the gambling industry more, ensuring that it operates more responsibly and complies with new regulations. For players, these changes show that their well-being is being considered. 

DCMS Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross said: “The introduction of the first legally mandated levy will be instrumental in supporting research, raising awareness, and reducing the stigma around gambling-related harm.

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”.

A Final Thought

We welcome initiatives that protect players and the changes aimed at creating a safer gambling environment.

The introduction of the statutory RET Levy ensures that gambling operators contribute to the funding of essential support services. 

The changes are expected to roll out soon, we’ll keep you updated on developments. Here’s to a new era of safer gambling.

Other Latest Industry News

5. Sep 2025 12:47
David Potts on Naughty Bingo, Panto, and 21 Quickfire Questions
At WhichBingo’s Celebrity Party at Dabbers Bingo, we caught up with TV favourite David Potts, who brought his trademark energy and cheeky humour to the night. True to form, David didn’t hold back when chatting about his love of naughty bingo, his exciting upcoming projects, and his answers to our 21 quickfire questions. “Love a Bit of Naughty Bingo” As the party was about to kick off, David couldn’t hide…
by
Killian Morris
Killian Morris
Time to read 4min
Read this news
28. Aug 2025 16:32
Leeds Gets £5.5m Bingo Club (With Ice Cream Van Inside)
Leeds bingoers will be dabbing in style after a new £5.5 million Club 3000 Bingo opened. More than 850 guests – including a Coronation Street star – packed out the venue over the weekend for the grand opening of the brand-new, state-of-the-art club in Hunslet. It was an evening of entertainment, live music, and, of course, plenty of bingo games. Ice Cream Van in a Bingo Club This is the…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 2min
Read this news
26. Aug 2025 12:37
David Potts, Nicola McLean Get Their Dab On: A Star-Studded Night
They might be reality TV royalty, but even fame doesn’t make you a bingo winner! Celebrity guests David Potts (Celebrity Big Brother), Nicola McLean (Celebrity Big Brother), Tayce (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK), Brendan Sheerin (Coach Trip) and Marc Almond aka CookingwithTubz (Tiktok) enjoyed a night of glitz, glamour, and bingo balls at WhichBingo’s inaugural Celebrity Party. Despite missing out on prizes like fish flip-flops and onion goggles, all the celebrities…
by
Charles Shakespeare
Charles Shakespeare
Time to read 3min
Read this news
16. Aug 2025 09:55
£50k Winner Celebrates With Cuppa & Biscuits in Bed
If you look up at the moon tonight, you might just spot the shadow of Sam Smitherman – because he’s jumping over it! Sam was the recent winner of a whopping £50,000 jackpot at Mecca Bingo Acocks Green in Birmingham. After realising he’d won, he skipped the celebratory pint at the club for a cuppa and biscuits in bed! Let’s find out about the moment he realised he’d won, what…
by
Esther Barnett Rubin
Esther Rubin
Time to read 4min
Read this news
Spinner
Esther Barnett Rubin
Esther Rubin
iGaming Writer
Esther Rubin is a bingo and slots specialist with years of hands-on experience in the online gaming industry. Having worked as a bingo chat host, VIP manager, and promotions strategist, she has a deep understanding of online bingo platforms, community engagement, and player rewards. At WhichBingo, Esther reviews bingo sites, game variations, and promotions, helping players find the best platforms for a fun and fair gaming experience. She also analyzes slot games, offering insights tailored for bingo players exploring slots. With a player-first approach, Esther’s reviews break down bonuses, jackpots, and game mechanics in a way that’s clear, engaging, and community-focused.

Reader comments