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The UK government is stepping up efforts to combat gambling addiction with a historic move to cap online slot betting limits. Adults aged 25 and over will face a maximum wager of £5 per spin, while those aged 18 to 24 will be restricted to £2 per spin. These measures are part of a broader overhaul by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) aimed at reducing harm in an industry that has faced mounting criticism for its role in fostering addiction.

The DCMS also announced plans to implement a statutory levy on gambling companies, with funds directed toward addiction treatment, public health campaigns, and research. Officials believe these measures will provide a safer gambling environment while holding the industry accountable for its social impact.

A Growing Crisis in Online Gambling

The pandemic era saw a dramatic rise in online gambling addiction, particularly with slot games. GamCare, a UK charity, reported that 45% of calls to its National Gambling Helpline in 2023-2024 referenced problems with online slots, compared to 34% in 2020-2021. Jon Armstrong, a spokesperson for GamCare, explained that the repetitive nature of these games made them particularly addictive, often leading players to gamble continuously through the night. He highlighted that the stricter limits for younger adults reflected their greater vulnerability to such risks.

Fiona Twycross, the UK’s Gambling Minister, emphasized that the new regulations were intended to safeguard at-risk individuals, especially young adults, who required added protections. She underscored that gambling harm could devastate personal finances, relationships, and lives, necessitating robust intervention measures.

Challenges in Enforcement

Despite the clear intent of these regulations, enforcing them poses significant hurdles. Dan Chandler, a former gambler turned therapist with the counseling service Breakeven, pointed out that many individuals found ways to bypass age verification systems. He shared examples of underage gamblers using family member details to set up accounts while linking their payment methods to fund their activities. Chandler suggested that gamblers often displayed resourcefulness when circumventing restrictions, underscoring the need for stronger technological safeguards.

The NHS has also seen a sharp rise in gambling addiction cases, with referrals more than doubling compared to the previous year. These figures highlight the urgency of addressing gambling-related harm, with the mandatory levy expected to raise £100 million annually for prevention and treatment programs.

Industry Reaction and Financial Impact

The Betting and Gaming Council, representing the gambling industry, expressed support for the government’s reforms but voiced concerns about the tone of the announcement. Grainne Hurst, the council’s CEO, noted that the industry had already contributed £170 million voluntarily to gambling harm services over the past four years. However, she warned that framing the reforms as punitive risked alienating responsible operators.

Under the new levy system, firms will contribute between 0.1% and 1.1% of their gross gambling yield, depending on their sector. Half of the funds will go directly to the NHS for treatment services, 30% will be allocated to public health initiatives, and the remaining 20% will fund research into gambling-related harm.

For the online slots industry, which previously operated without wagering limits, the introduction of these caps marks a significant shift. DCMS officials maintain that the reforms will create a safer gambling environment while addressing the broader social and economic costs associated with addiction.