The UK Gambling Commission has warned operators that they could lose their licence if they miss or delay statutory levy payments.
The levy took effect on 6 April, following the 2023 Gambling Act white paper. It replaces the old voluntary system. The Commission now collects payments directly. Rates range from 0.1% for most land-based activity to 1.1% for online casinos.
Most licensees must calculate payments using regulatory returns from July 2024 to March 2025. The figure is multiplied by one and one-third. Society lotteries follow a different cycle, covering April 2024 to March 2025.
The Commission will issue invoices each year on 1 September. Operators must pay in full by 1 October. The regulator stressed that non-payment or late payment counts as a licence breach. Unless an administrative error explains the issue, the Commission may revoke the licence.
Invoices will split British and non-British activity. Operators must report calculation errors before the 1 October deadline.
Voluntary payments no longer count
The Commission confirmed that voluntary contributions no longer reduce levy bills. Operators may still donate to research, prevention, or treatment groups, but they must pay the full levy amount.
This shift aligns with GambleAware’s plan to close by March 2026. The charity will hand over its work to the government. Officials expect the levy to raise about £100m ($135m) each year for harm prevention.
Industry voices urge caution. Better Change founder Victoria Reed said regulators need a fair and transparent process to manage funds. Without this, she warned, the UK could waste public money and lose decades of progress in safer gambling.
