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A growing UK gambling sector is compatible with creating a safer industry, according to the minister in charge of gambling policy, who has announced the date for the incoming slot limits.
Barnoess Twycross, the UK minister for gambling, championed the government's focus on economic growth during her speech at the Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) annual general meeting (AGM) on February 27.
Twycross said: “I've seen the value this sector brings, not just in tax receipts and jobs created, but as a leisure activity."
She provided an update on the white paper implementation and other relevant legislation in the UK affecting the gambling industry.
The statutory levy is a “huge step forward” and became law on Tuesday (February 25), according to Twycross, who added that it will come into force on April 6, and the first payments will be due on October 1, 2025.
She flagged that it is “vital” that funding is sustained to treatment providers during this transition period, welcoming the BGC’s commitment that this will be delivered.
New online stake limits were also made into law on Tuesday.
“I can confirm the £5 limit will be enforced on the 9th of April, whilst the £2 limit for younger adults will be introduced on the 21st of May. I know implementing these stake limits is a technical challenge and I am grateful for the work you have done for the preparation for this moment,” she said.
The government is also “moving forward with casino modernisation plans”.
This will see the introduction of a raft of changes, including a sliding scale of machine entitlements, and allow sports betting in all casinos.
“The changes will unlock investment in the sector and should provide an economic boost for operators and machine manufacturers,” according to the minister.
Two other key areas flagged by the minister were advertising and the threat of the illegal market.
The Crime and Policing Bill was also passed into law on Tuesday, strengthening the ability for authorities to take down illegal websites.
Twycross praised the new law and the Gambling Commission’s commitment to increase its disruption of the black market.
When it comes to advertising, she acknowledged that it is the “key advantage licensed operators have” but there are also people that “feel inundated with gambling ads when watching sport”, and that it can have a larger impact on those already experiencing harm, children and young people.
She called for a “robust assessment” of the impact of advertising and sports sponsorships.
The speech presented a positive view of the impact of the gambling industry in the UK and repeatedly championed its future growth and commitment to continue to raise player protection standards, in contrast to much of the political debate around the sector in recent years.
Discussions Vixio had on the sidelines reflected a view among many members that the government's desire for growth will be very beneficial to the industry.
This sentiment was reflected by BGC CEO Grainne Hurst’s opening address, where she said: “We are on the cusp of a period of regulatory stability” following a “long and arduous process” to implement white paper changes.
Hurst added: “There are still some hurdles to jump in terms of frictionless affordability, AML, casino modernisation. But by the end of 2025, we will have seen a vast amount of white paper implemented.”
However, the future of greyhound racing is looking increasingly uncertain and was brought up several times, due to the recent proposal to ban the sport in Wales.
Many members stated the sports' popularity and cultural importance, warning that if bookmakers do not voice their support for it, it could end up being banned across the UK shortly.
Greg Knight, the managing director of Jenningsbet, warned on a later panel: “It will be jump racing after that. These people [gambling prohibitionists] won’t stop there. They want to spoil people's fun, that is what they're out to do.”
