Consultation response
Autumn 2023 consultation – Proposed changes to LCCP and RTS: Consultation Response
This response sets out our position in relation to the consultation on the proposed changes to LCCP and Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards.
Summary of the consultation on removing obsolete Commission requirements due to the government's upcoming statutory levy
In November 2023 we consulted on a proposed change to our Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP)(opens in new tab) to remove the existing requirement at paragraph 2 of Social Responsibility (SR) Code Provision 3.1.1 – Combating problem gambling. This requirement requires licensees to make an annual financial contribution to one or more organisation(s) on a list maintained by the Gambling Commission which delivers or supports research into the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms, harm prevention approaches and treatment for those harmed by gambling (sometimes referred to as the LCCP RET list).
The initial proposal to remove this requirement was as a direct result of the previous government’s commitment in the April 2023 White Paper High Stakes: gambling reform for the digital age (opens in new tab) to introduce a statutory levy as provided for in Section 123 of the Gambling Act 2005. This was followed by a consultation from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in October 2023 on the design and implementation of a statutory levy on gambling operators (opens in new tab).
The government has now confirmed in its consultation response Government response to the consultation on the structure, distribution and governance of the statutory levy on gambling operators (opens in new tab) that it intends to move ahead with the introduction of the statutory levy. The government has brought forward the necessary legislation and expects the levy to come into force in April 2025. Once the statutory levy is brought into force, the existing LCCP SR Code Provision will become obsolete as licensees will be required to make a statutory levy payment in line with government’s final design of the levy system, rather than an annual contribution under the current LCCP RET system, where the amounts are voluntary. Therefore, the existing requirement and associated LCCP RET list will no longer be relevant or needed when the statutory levy is implemented.
After considering the responses, we have decided to proceed to remove the existing requirement at paragraph 2 of Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.1.1.
The Commission typically gives 3 months’ notice before amending LCCP. However, in this case it is important that the removal of the existing requirement takes place close to the introduction of a levy to avoid any significant overlap or duplication between the 2 funding systems which would be confusing and potentially burdensome for licensees. Government has confirmed their intention to introduce the levy from April 2025 and therefore, subject to the necessary legislative processes, the Commission intends to remove the LCCP RET requirement at the end of this financial year. The Commission will notify licensees to confirm the date of removal of the LCCP RET requirement once the legislative processes are complete.
Last updated: 4 February 2025
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