The UK statutory levy
The statutory levy is a compulsory charge on every operator licensed by the Great Britain Gambling Commission, set as a percentage of gross gambling yield (GGY) that varies by sector. It was introduced by the Gambling Levy Regulations 2025 under powers in the Gambling Act 2005 and took effect on 6 April 2025. It replaces the previous voluntary system, under which operators donated to research, education and treatment (RET) charities such as GambleAware, giving government direct control over how much is raised and how it is spent.
Charged as a percentage of GGY on a sliding scale by sector: 1.1% for remote (online) operators and gambling software licences, down to 0.1% for society lotteries and external lottery managers.
Live since 6 April 2025, replacing the voluntary RET donation model that raised roughly £40m-£60m a year with operator discretion over recipients.
Collected and administered by the Gambling Commission, which invoices operators annually (first invoices issued September 2025).
Proceeds are ring-fenced and split by government: 20% to research (via UK Research and Innovation), 30% to prevention (led by the DHSC's Office for Health Improvement and Disparities), and 50% to treatment (via NHS England and the devolved health bodies).
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) is the lead department; the levy was expected to raise around £90m-£100m a year, and had raised approximately £120m by early 2026.
Every Commission-licensed operator must pay the levy as a set percentage of its GGY for its sector; there is no opt-out or discretion over the amount or recipients. Operators do not pay until invoiced by the Commission (invoices issued on 1 September, payable by 1 October each year), with a de minimis threshold exempting bills of £10 or less.
Reference, not advice. A teaching summary of the regulation — confirm current requirements against the primary regulator.