UK Government Signs Off on Problem Gambling Levy

As gambling continues to grow in popularity in the United Kingdom, so unfortunately has the number of problem gamblers in the nation which is why the UK Government has given the introduction of a new 'problem gambling levy' the green light, which will be voluntary as opposed to mandatory.

The body that has been charged with the responsibility of managing the new problem gambling levy is the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT), which is shortly expected to undergo a name change. It will be headed by CEO Geoffrey Godbold, who has warned the UK gambling industry to pay the levy.

'It is very simple, if you (the gambling operators) don't cough up, it will all end in a statutory levy,' said Godbold recently. 'The industry needs to now appreciate it needs to make it work.' The premise is that as long as the UK's gambling firms contribute willingly to the fund, it won't become enforced by government.

According to Godbold, his organization will publish a yearly 'red list' of gambling companies in the UK that have contributed to the fund, which aims to applaud those firms, while embarrassing those operators that have not yet contributed. Godbold's aim is to raise 5 million pounds a year for the next three years.

This should not be too difficult a target to meet, given that leading UK betting firms Ladbrokes and Gala Coral, have already committed to 4 millions pounds a year between the two of them for the next three years. RIGT is expecting to bring in the remaining million pounds for this year's target by as early as October.

While Godbold and his organization will bring in the problem gambling funding, a new body, the Responsible Gaming Fund (RGF), will be responsible for spending the funds. In addition, a new Responsible Gaming Strategy Board will advise the new body and as such will share an executive team with the RGF.

Said UK sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe on the problem gambling levy, 'It is right that the new fundraisers are ambitious in their plans to get over 5 million pounds per year. We need the whole industry to sign up to help support those with gambling addiction problems and to provide better preventive education.'