The UK gambling sector is today reeling from a new government initiative which will see the sector charged an additional levy towards research into gambling addiction. There are serious concerns that the new levy is nothing but a stealth tax on gamblers and would seem to be at odds with the government's "new gambling strategy". So what next?
While there have been no details of the planned government levy there are hopes in gambling circles that the new move will never see the light of day. There is also speculation that this is nothing but a publicity stunt to keep quiet those opposed to gambling and the growth in the UK sector in particular over the last few years. Having already increased the gambling tax over the last two years many gambling companies are bemused as to how the government think they can dump additional costs on an industry which often trades on very thin margins.
There have been signs of a backlash from the gambling sector over the last few months with the on-off on-off casino licence auction the final straw for many. Any more tax moves, such as the levy towards research into gambling addiction, will not go down well with industry leaders and ultimately consumers will pay the price.
The UK gambling sector is today reeling from a new government initiative which will see the sector charged an additional levy towards research into gambling addiction. There are serious concerns that the new levy is nothing but a stealth tax on gamblers and would seem to be at odds with the government's "new gambling strategy". So what next?