GamCare welcomes the UK government's announcement of a statutory gambling tax, emphasizing its importance for meeting the growing needs of gambling harm prevention, treatment, and research.
The National Gambling Helpline reports that it received 55,000 calls in the past year, a record high demand. Nearly half (45%) of the calls mentioned issues with online slot games, a significant increase from 34% in 2020-2021.
Mark Weiss, Deputy CEO of GamCare, said: "At GamCare, our primary mission is to ensure that those in need of support for gambling harms can obtain it quickly and effectively. Last year alone, a record 55,000 people called the National Gambling Helpline, and now is the best time to make important clarifications for the future system."
In addition to the tax, new betting limits for online slot games, especially targeting younger users, were also announced.
GamCare states that focusing on adolescents is an important step in mitigating future harm.
Worth noting: GamCare attributes this growth to the increased attention to online gambling during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weiss added: "In our helpline calls, more and more people are reporting difficulties with online slots. GamCare welcomes this, and we have introduced new betting limit measures for adolescents, which are crucial steps in preventing future harm."
This development is the result of recent changes within GamCare, including the decision to terminate its safer gambling standard certification program after a strategic assessment. However, services such as the National Gambling Helpline will continue unaffected.
The introduction of statutory taxation marks a critical moment in the government's efforts to reform gambling regulations and address the growing concerns about gambling's impact on individuals and communities.
