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| Gambling slots online to be limited to £5 per spin | Gambling slots online to be limited to £5 per spin |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| The amount of money people can place on a single online slots bet will be restricted for the first time as part of a wider government overhaul to tackle gambling addiction. | |
| A £5 per spin limit will apply to all adults aged 25 and over with a £2 per spin limit for 18 to 24-year-olds. | A £5 per spin limit will apply to all adults aged 25 and over with a £2 per spin limit for 18 to 24-year-olds. |
| The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is also set to increase taxes on gambling companies to fund addiction treatment. | The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is also set to increase taxes on gambling companies to fund addiction treatment. |
| It said the measures would allow people to "gamble safely", but the betting industry's main lobby group said the government was "at risk of losing perspective". | It said the measures would allow people to "gamble safely", but the betting industry's main lobby group said the government was "at risk of losing perspective". |
| Addiction to online gambling slots has surged since the Covid pandemic, according to data from charity GamCare. | Addiction to online gambling slots has surged since the Covid pandemic, according to data from charity GamCare. |
| Of the 6,697 callers who disclosed a form of gambling to advisers on its National Gambling Helpline in 2023-2024, 45% mentioned problems with online slot games, jumping from 34% in 2020-2021. | Of the 6,697 callers who disclosed a form of gambling to advisers on its National Gambling Helpline in 2023-2024, 45% mentioned problems with online slot games, jumping from 34% in 2020-2021. |
| Meanwhile, the NHS has said it is treating more people with gambling problems, with its latest figures showing referrals have more than doubled on the same period last year. | Meanwhile, the NHS has said it is treating more people with gambling problems, with its latest figures showing referrals have more than doubled on the same period last year. |
| Gambling minister Fiona Twycross said the aim of introducing stake limits for online slots was "to protect those at risk, with a particular focus on young adults". | Gambling minister Fiona Twycross said the aim of introducing stake limits for online slots was "to protect those at risk, with a particular focus on young adults". |
| "Gambling harm can ruin people’s finances, relationships, and ultimately lives," Baroness Twycross added. | "Gambling harm can ruin people’s finances, relationships, and ultimately lives," Baroness Twycross added. |
| She said the government would introduce "the first legally mandated" tax on the betting industry to fund gambling addiction treatment. | She said the government would introduce "the first legally mandated" tax on the betting industry to fund gambling addiction treatment. |
| The Betting and Gaming Council, the industry lobby group, said it had given £170m to fund gambling harm services over the past four years on a voluntary basis. | The Betting and Gaming Council, the industry lobby group, said it had given £170m to fund gambling harm services over the past four years on a voluntary basis. |
| However, the government said that, under the current system, not all gambling companies contributed equally, "with some operators paying as little as £1 a year towards research, prevention and treatment". | However, the government said that, under the current system, not all gambling companies contributed equally, "with some operators paying as little as £1 a year towards research, prevention and treatment". |
| Grainne Hurst, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said the body supported the government's proposals. | Grainne Hurst, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said the body supported the government's proposals. |
| However she added: "The tone of this announcement suggests government is at risk of losing perspective of these facts, while simply dancing to the tune of anti-gambling prohibitionists, which serves no one." | However she added: "The tone of this announcement suggests government is at risk of losing perspective of these facts, while simply dancing to the tune of anti-gambling prohibitionists, which serves no one." |
| DCMS said its mandatory levy would raise £100m for "the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms". | DCMS said its mandatory levy would raise £100m for "the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms". |
| Half of the money raised is to go on directly NHS care, 30% will be spent on public health campaigns and other prevention measures, and the remaining 20% will be spent on research, the government said. | Half of the money raised is to go on directly NHS care, 30% will be spent on public health campaigns and other prevention measures, and the remaining 20% will be spent on research, the government said. |
| Mark Weiss, deputy chief executive of GamCare, welcomed the government's proposals. | Mark Weiss, deputy chief executive of GamCare, welcomed the government's proposals. |
| "Having witnessed a steep rise in our helpline callers citing difficulties with online slots, GamCare further welcomes the introduction of new youth-focussed stake limits - an important step in preventing future harm," he said. | "Having witnessed a steep rise in our helpline callers citing difficulties with online slots, GamCare further welcomes the introduction of new youth-focussed stake limits - an important step in preventing future harm," he said. |
| DCMS said the levy could apply to anywhere between 0.1% and 1.1% of a firm's gross gambling yield - a standard measure of earnings in the industry - "depending on the sector". | DCMS said the levy could apply to anywhere between 0.1% and 1.1% of a firm's gross gambling yield - a standard measure of earnings in the industry - "depending on the sector". |
| The proposals are a response to a consultation run by the previous Conservative government between October 2023 and January 2024. | The proposals are a response to a consultation run by the previous Conservative government between October 2023 and January 2024. |