A Drop in the Ocean
Labour MP Alex Ballinger has called for sweeping gambling reform. He argues that the government’s new statutory levy on betting firms is “a drop in the ocean”. Especially compared to the scale of gambling harm in the UK.
Ignoring Gambling Harm
Ballinger, a former Royal Marine and aid worker, says the levy, which is intended to raise £100 million a year for NHS-led treatment services, fails to address the full extent of addiction and its consequences. The consequences include debt, mental illness, and suicide. He wants a modernised Gambling Act and taxation system that places higher duties on riskier products like online casinos and slot games.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) estimates that over a million people in the UK face severe harm from gambling. Ballinger believes that several current policies do not go far enough. He warned that a Treasury consultation aiming to harmonise different remote gambling taxes could create unintended consequences as gambling companies will try to push customers towards more addictive products.
While the Treasury’s proposal could simplify the system, Ballinger insists the most harmful gambling forms must be taxed at higher rates than lower-risk activities such as betting in a bookmaker or playing bingo. He contends that treating all products equally under tax law would be a mistake.
Warnings from the Industry
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has launched its own campaign, warning that aligning racing betting with online casino tax rates could cost the industry £66 million annually and lead to job losses. The BHA argues that racing is a skill-based activity that should not be taxed like fast-paced, high-risk online gambling.
Ballinger’s reform is backed by public opinion. A Social Market Foundation report found that 74% of people support raising taxes on gambling firms. He pointed to European models. For example, Greece taxes gambling at 35% compared to the UK’s 21%. The Liberal Democrats have previously supported doubling the Remote Gaming Duty, a move estimated to generate up to £900 million.
Ballinger is also calling for stricter advertising controls, particularly to protect younger people. He noted aggressive gambling marketing during Premier League broadcasts; there were 29,145 gambling adverts during the opening weekend of the 24/25 season. He criticised the voluntary removal of logos from shirts as “tokenistic”.
Impact on Communities
He is also concerned for deprived communities. He praised Brent Council’s efforts to address the high concentration of betting venues in the area. It has the fifth highest number of betting shops per capita.
Ballinger highlighted the disproportionate impact of gambling on servicemen and veterans. He said that gaming machines were widespread in army barracks, normalising the harmful behaviour. Veterans and serving soldiers are 10 times more likely to suffer from gambling addiction than the general population.
Ballinger also condemned the “revolving door” of former MPs taking gambling industry roles. Additionally, 15 Conservative politicians and party staff face criminal charges over alleged insider betting.
