Baroness Twycross confirmed that regulatory changes in the UK will be implemented in April, with the first RET levy payment from operators due on 1 October.
Baroness Twycross gave her speech at the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) 2025 AGM, as safer gambling in the UK prepares to enter a new era.
She said: “I am sure many of you will have followed the progress of the statutory gambling levy in Parliament over the last few weeks. The legislation has been affirmed by both Houses and became law on Tuesday this week. It will come into force on 6 April, and operators will be required to make their first levy payments by 1 October.
“We are working at pace with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, UK Research and Innovation, and partners in Scotland and Wales, to build robust foundations for the future system. It is crucial we put the right commissioning, accountability, and governance arrangements in place.”
The new system has guaranteed £100m+ in funding for problem gambling, being sourced from both the B2B and B2C sectors.
The payments will vary from each part of the industry, depending on Gross Gambling Yield attained by each vertical.
A further significant change to safer gambling funding in the UK, will see The NHS serving as the primary commissioner of the RET Levy, ensuring effective fund distribution.
As agreed in February, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will serve as the “Prevention Commissioner”, overseeing 30% of funding dedicated to gambling harm prevention, including public health campaigns and frontline training.
The remaining 20% of the RET Levy will be allocated to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to advance research on gambling-related harm.
Baroness Twycross added: “These regulatory changes will unlock investment in the casino sector, providing an economic boost for operators and manufacturers while maintaining our commitment to safer gambling.
”One of the biggest concerns raised with me as Gambling Minister is advertising. I understand that advertising is a key advantage licensed operators have over the illegal market, but we must ensure it remains responsible and does not exacerbate harm.
“We know that some people feel inundated with gambling adverts, especially during sports broadcasts. It is important that the industry leads on evaluating the scale and impact of gambling advertising, using the best available evidence to guide responsible practices.”
She also outlined a strengthened approach to tackling the black market, through the newly introduced Crime and Policing Bill, which significantly includes an approach to strengthen the Gambling Commission’s powers, enabling it to take down IP addresses and domain names linked to illicit gambling operations.
Baroness Twycross concluded: “Vigilance is vital when the illegal market threatens revenue for licensed operators and the safety of consumers. The reforms we have introduced, in collaboration with the Gambling Commission, strike a balance between industry growth and enhanced player protections.”
