Tax Turmoil: UK Gamble on Levies, plus KSA’s Behavioural Control Probe

Weekend conversation corner - 26 September

Welcome back to the Weekend Conversation Corner from Focus Gaming News. This is episode 26, and Oliver and Charlotte are here to break down the flurry of events shaping the global gaming landscape.

This week, we analyse the mounting political pressure in the UK for significant gambling tax increases. We look at the 101 Labour MPs calling for a targeted levy on harmful online products, and the Liberal Democrats' proposal to double the online gambling tax rate. We also cover major regulatory shifts across Europe, including Latvia’s plans to raise tax rates and merge its current regulator with the State Revenue Service by April 1, 2026. Meanwhile, Sweden is looking to amend its Gambling Act to clarify and expand the definition of illegal gambling by removing the "directional criterion". Finally, we examine the Dutch regulator, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), which is launching an investigation into negative forms of "behavioural control" used by online providers to improve the duty of care.

Will doubling the tax rate for online gambling in the UK actually help tackle child poverty, or will it harm jobs and strengthen the black market, as the industry fears?

Join us as we deliver a condensed update on the significant developments of the week. Stay informed, stay motivated, and keep gaming on!