A Glasgow MP has raised questions about how the UK government's proposed mandatory gambling tax would benefit local communities, especially those severely affected by gambling-related harms.
Glasgow, second only to London in terms of the number of betting companies, also faces significant challenges related to gambling, with national data indicating that about one in every 15 residents (approximately 45,000 people) may have a gambling problem.
These issues tend to be concentrated in the city's poorest areas, such as Shettleston.
The statutory tax announced last month aims to raise £100 million ($128 million) annually for research, prevention, and treatment of gambling harms. It replaces the existing voluntary system, where the contributions from gambling operators vary significantly, with some operators paying as little as £1 per year, and seeks to ensure fairness in contributions across all operators.
Laura Doherty, Glasgow's gambling harm officer and MP, welcomed the tax but emphasized the need for clarity on how the funds will be allocated and their impact on Scottish communities.
She highlighted the importance of equitable funding, noting that 50% of the tax revenue would be used for treatment. However, the specifics of how the policy will be implemented in Scotland remain unclear.
Doherty stated, "We need to see fair funding directly flowing to Scotland and Glasgow to fund treatment and support efforts to address gambling harms.
"The UK Treasury must design and provide reasonable and fair funding, investing in local communities plagued by 'adverse environmental phenomena' such as gambling driven by poverty, and addressing its harms.
"Glasgow's record in involving researchers, stakeholders, and those with lived experience in a whole-system approach sets it apart, making it ideally suited to become a UK centre of excellence for addressing gambling harms, funding research, education, and treatment for gambling harms, as stated in the announcement."
