Gambling Commission Issues First Statutory Levy Invoices Ahead of September Deadline

_{Solicitor Elizabeth Varley clarifies how the levy works. (Image: Elizabeth Varley)}

Invoices for the UK’s new statutory levy on gambling operators are now live on the Gambling Commission’s eServices platform, with payments due by midnight on 30 September 2025.

Operators licensed by the Gambling Commission must log into the eServices portal to access invoices under the “Invoices and Payments” tab. According to licensing solicitor Elizabeth Varley of Poppleston Allen, anyone who hasn’t received notification should confirm their contact details are up to date.

“This year’s invoices must be paid by 30 September 2025,” Varley said. 

“Non-payment, or late payment, could result in licence revocation unless the Commission accepts there has been an administrative error.”

The levy, a legal requirement, replaces the industry’s previous voluntary contributions to research, prevention, and treatment organisations.

How the Levy Works

The statutory levy was introduced following a Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) consultation held from 17 October to 14 December 2023. The measure applies to all licensed operators, with rates varying by sector.

For the first period:
    •    Society lottery licences are measured from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
    •    All other licence types are measured from 1 July 2024 to 31 March 2025, multiplied by one and one-third.

From 2026 onward, invoices will be issued every 1 September, based on the previous year’s regulatory returns.

Licensees with a levy calculation of £10 or less are exempt from payment.

Rates by Sector

The Gambling Levy Regulations set rates between 0.1% and 1.1% depending on activity:
    •    1.1%: Remote betting, remote casino, remote bingo, gambling software.
    •    0.5%: Non-remote casinos, non-remote general betting (off-track), betting intermediaries (trading room only).
    •    0.2%: Adult gaming centres (AGCs), non-remote bingo, on-course betting.
    •    0.1%: Family entertainment centres (FECs), gaming machine technical, lotteries, and pool betting.

What Impact will the Levy Have?

The statutory levy represents the government’s first legally enforced funding system for gambling-related harm reduction. Funds will go to research, education, and treatment services, aiming to provide sustainable, long-term support.

“Payment of the statutory levy is a licence requirement,” Varley stressed. 

“Operators should take this seriously to avoid enforcement action.”

With the deadline approaching, operators must ensure compliance to maintain their licences.