JenningsBet, an independent British betting operator, has weighed on the statutory levy discussions, saying that the measure would have adverse effects. According to the company, a mandatory levy would result in closed shops and mass layoffs.

For reference, the statutory levy is a much-discussed measure outlined in the United Kingdom’s Gambling Act white paper. The levy would replace the current voluntary system whereby gambling operators across the country make voluntary donations for gambling research, education and treatment.

Under the mandatory levy, all online operators will have to provide 1% of their annual revenue for such initiatives, while land-based companies will pay only 0.4% because of the higher costs associated with retail operations. This move, according to its proponents, will provide treatment organizations with the funding they need to improve their services and efficiency.

However, opponents of the measure say that it may cause more harm than good. JenningsBet, for one, is not happy with the changes.

JenningsBet Warns of Shop Closures

Vicky Knight, JenningsBet’s head of safer gambling, addressed the matter in a Betting and Gaming Council blog post, saying that the new moves might actually hinder the industry’s ability to help those in need.

According to Knight, JenningsBet has dutifully paid the voluntary levy for two decades and is proud to have supported many excellent charities. However, she argues that the 0.4% levy on retail operators is disproportional and would lead to layoffs and closed shops.

That would be devastating for operators like us, which are the beating heart of many hard-pressed high streets, offering community to customers, and bringing in much-needed investment both locally and nationally.

Vicky Knight, head of safer gambling, JenningsBet

Knight pointed out that the retail sector has already been negatively affected by the COVID pandemic and the recent economic hurdles, causing the closure of dozens of shops and businesses. In just five years, 43% of the small betting businesses have died out, she pointed out.

She added that Family Entertainment Centers in the UK are exempt from the new rules and will only have to pay 0.1% despite having similar operating costs. Knight also mentioned the National Lottery, which has only contributed 0.01% of its gross gaming yield toward the levy over the past three years.

If all independent bookies are unfairly targeted with a higher levy than our peers, it will inevitably push some shops into unprofitability. That will mean further closures and job losses.

Vicky Knight, head of safer gambling, JenningsBet

Knight concluded that her team wants to pay its fair share, as it has done for two decades now. However, she hopes that the government will keep the independent bookmakers in mind when implementing the reforms.

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Germany continues to be plagued by illegal gambling operators, resulting in lower revenues from the licensed gaming verticals. This is a serious problem that the European country has been struggling for a while with.

According to the German Sports Betting Association (Deutsche Sportwettenverband/DSWV), legal sports betting declined in 2022 in spite of the FIFA World Cup which bolstered operators’ revenues in other markets. On the contrary, German companies saw revenues plummet, causing serious concerns for the future of legal gambling in the country.

German sportsbooks earned $8.7 billion (converted from Euro, current rates) in 2022, which represents a 13% year-on-year decline from the $10 billion it earned the prior year. State revenues from sports betting tax also declined correspondingly to around $460 million.

Tight Regulations Are to Blame, the DSWV Says

The DSWV attributed the suboptimal results to Germany being knocked out of the World Cup in the early stages and the repressive market regulations. In its efforts to protect customers from gambling harm, Germany has created a rule set that makes it hard for operators to remain sustainable.

In addition, the regulations have channeled some players toward the black market. According to the DSWV, the regulations are not helping people save money. Instead, people are gambling the same amounts elsewhere. This is confirmed by recent studies that show a steep 65% rise in illegal gambling activity.

Another problem is that the legal German market is not known for its diverse products. While it offers quite a few sports betting sites, most of them offer a limited types of markets. In addition, customers do not have much choice when it comes to slots, poker and online casino games either.

Mathias Dahms, president of the DSWV, said:

For most customers, whether a provider has a permit from Germany is secondary. They are looking for the most comprehensive offer, the best odds, uncomplicated payment processes and interesting bonuses. That’s where the legal offers have a hard time.

Mathias Dahms, president, DSWV

Ads Aren’t So Bad, the Union Argues

Another thing that prevents the legal market from being successful is Germany’s strict restrictions on gambling advertisements. Gambling ads are one of the hot topics of the global regulated gambling industry, as many regions are seeking to protect non-gamblers from being bombarded with gambling content.

However, restricting ads has an adverse effect when it comes to existing gamblers, who have no qualms about picking an illegal operator, despite the related risks.

The DSWV noted that many people falsely assume that more ads equal more gamblers. However, certain markets such as the UK and Denmark have proven this notion to be wrong.

Luka Andric, CEO of the DSWV, also commented on the matter. He said that advertising is useful for telling people which sites are legal and provide player protections. Andric highlighted the importance of advertising in a responsible way and preventing self-excluded people from receiving ads.

The DSWV hopes that Germany will be able to strike a balance between protecting its customers and preventing the black market from reigning supreme.

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