New gambling rules in England with 'limits' placed on betting machines

A huge change is set to be made to gambling rules with new limits set to be placed on betting machines. Under a Labour Party government crackdown, curbs on online gambling are set to be introduced to tackle addiction.

The government has announced stake limits for online slots of £5 per spin for adults aged 25 and over and £2 per spin for 18 to 24-year-olds. The move has been confirmed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The government will also introduce a levy on casino and betting operators’ profits to raise £100million to tackle the problem. Gambling minister Baroness Twycross said: "Gambling harm can ruin people’s finances, relationships, and ultimately lives.

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"We are absolutely committed to implementing strengthened measures for those at risk, as well as providing effective support for those affected. We are also helping to protect those at risk, with a particular focus on young adults, by introducing stake limits for online slots.

"These measures will help build an NHS fit for our future and strengthen protections whilst also allowing people to continue to gamble safely." Claire Murdoch, NHS national director for mental health, said: "I am delighted to welcome this commitment to a mandatory gambling levy, which the NHS, bereaved families and the voluntary sector have been calling for so we can treat this growing problem – and we will continue to work with Government to do all we can to protect problem gamblers from this billion-pound industry."

Will Prochaska, an independent campaigner for gambling reform, said: "We wouldn’t allow Big Tobacco to control lung cancer clinics and we mustn’t allow Big Gambling to control mental health services. The purpose of the statutory levy is to remove gambling industry influence, and it can’t come soon enough."

Grainne Hurst, chief executive at the Betting and Gaming Council, said that the gambling industry body supported the plans. She added: "Ministers must not lose sight of the fact the vast majority of the 22.5 million people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.