Purpose

The statutory gambling levy represents a generational change to funding
arrangements and a significant transformation in the government’s commitment to
strengthening efforts to understand, tackle and treat gambling-related harm.

Operators are required to pay into the levy by October each year. The levy is collected and administered by the Gambling Commission under the strategic direction of the UK government, and has replaced the previous system of voluntary industry contributions. Levy funding will be directed in specific proportions for the purposes of research, prevention and treatment.

The priority for the government is to increase the level of investment and strengthen the provision of projects and services to understand, tackle and treat gambling-related harm in order to improve outcomes for the public.
The funds are split into 3 elements; 20% for Research, 50% for Treatment and 30% for Prevention.

The Dept of Health and Social Care hold the funds and will distribute to Directors of Public Health via the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. This is the first time that funds have been made available to Public Health to explore and
seek how to prevent gambling harms in LA areas.

The Levy will initially be distributed in this way for 2 financial years, 2026/27 and 2027/28 and will be paid quarterly. The amount allocated to Doncaster Public Health for 2026/27 is £78512.71. The 2027/28 allocation is expected to be of the
same value.

Decision

To accept the Gambling Levy funds to further CDC’s work towards reducing gambling harms across Doncaster.

Alternative options considered

None