Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gambling Levy: Exclusion of Charity Lotteries

Thursday 15 June 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister acknowledges the contribution of society lotteries and is considering exemptions for them.
  • Minister mentions setting up a society lottery in a previous role, highlighting awareness of charity work.
  • Response explains that the national lottery is governed by separate legislation but has conditions for supporting research and treatment for gambling harm.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Eddie Hughes Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Charity lotteries contribute significantly to funding good causes and are concerned about the impact of a proposed gambling levy.

Question

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of excluding charity lotteries from the proposed gambling levy. Society lotteries make an important contribution to funding good causes across the country.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

We are introducing a levy on operators to fund research, education and treatment for gambling-related harm. We recognise the contribution of society lotteries and will take this into account in any final decision. The levy power applies to all Gambling Commission license holders but we understand their importance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges charity lottery contributions without providing a specific commitment on exempting them from the levy.

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Q2 Eddie Hughes Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP is hopeful about the Minister's previous response and urges him to consider exempting society lotteries from the compulsory levy given their importance.

Question

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.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

In a previous life, I set up a society lottery for the hospice that I used to work at. The levy power applies in the original Gambling Act 2005 to all Gambling Commission license holders, including society lotteries, but we will take into consideration the tremendous work that charities do and their reliance on their own lotteries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges charity lottery contributions without providing a specific commitment on exempting them from the levy.

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Q3 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The gambling review White Paper committed to introducing a statutory levy paid by all operators, but it appears the national lottery will not have to pay. The MP is concerned about this exemption.

Question

The gambling review White Paper committed to introducing a statutory levy paid by all operators and collected by the Gambling Commission. We support that commitment. However, why does the national lottery get a free pass when it comes to contributions?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The national lottery is set up under separate legislation. However, there is a condition under the fourth licence that donations made by the lottery will go towards research and treatment for people suffering gambling-related harm.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a clear explanation as to why the national lottery is exempt from paying the levy but mentions it contributes through donations under separate legislation.

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