Scottish Greens vow to levy tax on gambling firms and ban sponsorships

(AsiaGameHub) –   The Scottish Greens have committed to implementing a new levy on gambling establishments in their 2026 manifesto, with the goal of financing services for addiction prevention, recovery, and support.

According to the plan, a surcharge would be applied to casinos, bookmakers, and other physical betting operators via non-domestic business rates. The income raised would be allocated to public health programs that tackle harm caused by gambling.

The party stated this initiative aims to make sure companies help cover the societal expenses linked to their operations, especially concerning problem gambling and its broader effects on communities.

“A significant number of gambling firms generate profits by preying on vulnerability and addiction, while the consequences are handled by communities, families, and public services,” stated Scottish Greens Co-Leader, Gillian Mackay.

“What is frequently advertised as innocent entertainment can escalate into a much graver issue.

“For many individuals, gambling can result in addiction, leading to debt, intense stress, poor mental health, and enduring damage to family life. The harm extends beyond the person, affecting their loved ones, households, and communities.

“Our proposal is about restoring accountability. In essence, if a corporation benefits from addiction and harm, it must not evade the associated social costs. If a business profits from an activity that causes such significant harm, it should contribute to funding the solution. This is a fundamental issue of fairness.

“At a time when public services are already strained, it is unjust for the burden to land on the NHS, local communities, and families, while gambling companies keep making profits.”

While the Scottish Greens are a smaller party compared to the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) and the primary opposition Labour party, they still wield a degree of influence.

As part of a power-sharing arrangement with the SNP, two Green MSPs served as ministers from August 2021 until April 2024. The party also strongly backed a bill from an SNP MSP last year to prohibit greyhound racing, which has since been passed.

The prospect of the party directly shaping policy is quite plausible, as a recent report indicated the Scottish Greens could secure up to 17 seats and become the second-largest party in Scotland.

In addition to advocating for higher taxes on gambling, the Scottish Greens are also resolved to stop betting sponsorships in sports.

This move might be supported by some Scottish football fans – supporters throughout the UK have often voiced their opposition to gambling sponsorships – but it could also negatively impact club finances.

Mackay further commented: “Gambling addiction does claim lives, and it deserves to be addressed with the same gravity as drug addiction. This requires a genuine public health strategy, concentrating on prevention, support, and recovery instead of downplaying the extent of the harm.

“This is also why we are dedicated to eliminating gambling sponsorships in sports. When you are fighting an addiction, the last thing you need is a persistent trigger during an activity you enjoy. And for minors, they certainly do not need an entry point to problematic gambling.

“A vote for the Scottish Greens on 7 May ensures that businesses profiting from harm are compelled to contribute, so that all people in Scotland can gain, not just the wealthy betting firms.”

Which sporting organisations would feel the sting?

Several of Scotland’s most famous sports institutions have connections to gambling firms. For instance, the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has a sponsorship deal with William Hill, which is owned by evoke.

The nation’s two largest football clubs – Celtic and Rangers – both feature gambling companies as their main shirt sponsors; Celtic is partnered with Dafabet and Rangers with Unibet.

Another major sports sponsorship involving gambling in Scotland is Coral‘s association with the Scottish Grand National.

Scottish Greens to follow similar European moves

The demands from the Scottish Greens mirror numerous policies already implemented by European governments, where gambling sponsorships have been prohibited or significantly limited.

A prime example is the Netherlands, where a prohibition on gambling sponsorship and advertising for sports clubs and events was introduced in July of last year.

A focus on safer gambling is arguably more crucial now in the UK than ever before, as statistics on gambling-related harm continue to rise.

The recent introduction of a statutory levy has also sparked debate, as the government has taken over the distribution of funds to gambling prevention charities from GambleAware, which has since ceased operations.

A proposal from the Scottish Greens to use gambling revenues to support harm prevention charities would likely be met with approval from such organizations and the general public.

However, if the Scottish Greens achieve success in the upcoming 2026 Scottish Parliament Election, many sports organizations may be forced to seek alternatives to fill a potential major financial gap created by the new tax and the loss of gambling sponsorship revenue.