Glasgow Councillor Questions Impact of UK Gambling Levy on Local Communities

A Glasgow councillor has raised concerns about how the UK Government’s proposed mandatory gambling levy will benefit communities, particularly those disproportionately affected by gambling-related harms.

Glasgow, which has the highest number of bookmakers outside London, faces significant gambling-related challenges. National estimates suggest that one in 15 residents—approximately 45,000 people—may have a gambling problem, with issues often concentrated in the city’s most deprived areas, such as Shettleston.

The statutory levy, announced last month, aims to raise £100m ($128m) annually to fund research, prevention, and treatment of gambling harms. It replaces the current voluntary system, where operator contributions vary widely, ensuring a fairer contribution from all gambling businesses.

Councillor Laura Doherty, Glasgow’s gambling harms lead, welcomed the levy but called for greater clarity on how funds would be allocated and their impact on Scottish communities. She highlighted that 50% of the levy is designated for treatment but noted that details about implementation in Scotland remain vague.

Doherty stated:

“We must see equitable funding come directly to Scotland and Glasgow in order to fund treatment and support its work on addressing gambling harms.

“The UK Treasury must design and deliver funding that is proportionate and fair and invests in those local communities where there is a proliferation of ‘environmental bads’ such as gambling fuelled by poverty and its harms addressed.

“Glasgow's track record of a whole systems approach involving researchers, stakeholders and people with lived experience sets it apart, and due to this, Glasgow is best positioned as a city to develop a UK centre of excellence in addressing gambling harms, to fund research, education and treatment of gambling harms as outlined in the announcement.”