Gambling Levy: Exclusion of Charity Lotteries
(Walsall North) (Con)
1. If her Department will make an assessment of the potential
merits of excluding charity lotteries from the proposed gambling
levy. (905420)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and
Sport ()
We are introducing a levy on operators to fund research,
education and treatment for gambling-related harm, and we will
consult on the details this summer, including what different
sectors pay. We recognise that society lotteries make an
important contribution to funding good causes, and that will be
taken into account in any final decision.
I am kind of hopeful about what the Minister says, but I strongly
urge him to consider exempting society lotteries from the
compulsory levy given the excellent work that they do right
across the country.
In a previous life, I set up a society lottery for the hospice
that I used to work at, so I understand the important
contribution that they make to many charities up and down the
country. The levy power applies in the original Gambling Act 2005
to all Gambling Commission licence holders, including society
lotteries, but we will, of course, take into consideration the
tremendous work that charities such as air ambulances, hospice
lotteries, Age UK, the Royal British Legion and Battersea Dogs
and Cats Home do, and their reliance on their own lotteries.
(Gower) (Lab)
The gambling review White Paper committed to introducing a
statutory levy paid by all operators and collected by the
Gambling Commission. We on the Labour Benches fully support that.
However, it appears that the national lottery, which makes up
around 30% of regulated gambling, will not have to pay the levy.
We all love the brand and the work of the national lottery, but
the most at-risk gamblers use national lottery products on top of
others, so why does it get a free pass when it comes to
contributions?
The national lottery is set up under separate legislation.
However, there is a condition under the fourth licence that the
donations that the lottery makes will go to exactly the same
areas, including research treatment for people who are suffering
gambling-related harm. That money will be going there, so the
national lottery will, in effect, be paying.
Gambling White Paper: Horse-racing Sector
(Gainsborough) (Con)
4. What assessment her Department has made of the potential
impact of the gambling White Paper on the horse-racing sector.
(905423)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and
Sport ()
The Government recognise the significant contribution that racing
makes to British sporting culture and, crucially, the economy.
The review did not look at the horserace betting levy, but we are
aware of the close relationship between racing and betting. Our
assessment was set out in the White Paper—the impact on racing
will be minimal in the context of its overall income—but we are
reviewing the levy to ensure that racing continues to be
appropriately funded.
I declare an interest, in that the wonderful Market Rasen
racecourse is in my constituency. Does the Minister accept that
there is an inextricable link between horse-racing and betting?
Both give enormous pleasure to millions. Does the Minister agree
that the sweeping blanket checks envisaged in the White Paper are
neither advisable nor appropriate, and the nanny state is just
harming the harmless punter taking a little flutter?
We took careful consideration of precisely that matter when we
developed the White Paper. The financial risk checks outlined in
that White Paper will be designed so that they are frictionless.
The majority of people who enjoy a flutter and for whom it causes
no harm whatsoever will not notice any difference, but hopefully
this will identify much earlier on those who are getting into an
area where this is causing harm, so that we can act fast. The
racing industry can be assured that the Government are on its
side.
Mr Speaker
Let’s have a tip from .
(Strangford) (DUP)
If you take my tip, I am afraid you will be in trouble, Mr
Speaker. I am not a gambler, but I do have a very active and
vibrant horse sector in my constituency. There is racing at Maze
and at Downpatrick. The sector is so important. Gambling, which
sits alongside that, is also important for the horse-racing
sector. Can the Minister assure me that whatever happens in
relation to the gambling review, the horse sector will benefit,
which will be to the benefit of my constituents in
Strangford?
I am happy to say that we are mindful of the great contribution
that horse-racing makes to this country’s economy, and it is
followed throughout the world. We are doing the review into the
levy. We are speaking to the industry and asking for its
evidence, so that we can make a considered decision.
(North Norfolk) (Con)
Omaze is a for- profit fundraising company that raises millions
and millions of pounds for charities. It spoke to me recently
about its concerns over the potential limits on prize draws in
the gambling White Paper. Does the Minister agree that prize
draws can be a very useful tool for charity fundraising, which
are relatively low risk to consumers? Will he keep that in mind
when looking at further regulation of the sector?
My hon. Friend is right to point out that prize draws and
competitions provide great opportunities for charities. They do
not fall within the definition of gambling in the Gambling Act
2005 and are exempt from regulation, which means it is very
difficult for us to get evidence on what the contribution to
charity is and on potential harm. That is why we are looking at
whether there is a need for research in this area and whether any
action is needed.
