Scottish Greens propose new levy on gambling venues
The party has made a manifesto pledge to impose a new levy on all land-based gambling venues.
UK.- As part of their 2026 manifesto, the Scottish Greens have announced a proposal for a levy on gambling establishments. The revenue would be channelled into public health initiatives tackling gambling-related harm.
The proposal would see casinos, bookmakers and other land-based operators charged an additional fee through non-domestic rates. The party says the funds would be earmarked for addiction prevention, recovery programmes and wider support services. This would be in addition to the UK-wide gambling levy imposed on all gambling operators from April last year.
Party co-leader Gillian Mackay explained the rationale: “Far too many gambling companies make their money by exploiting vulnerability and addiction, while communities, families and public services are left to deal with the consequences.”
Mackay continued: “Our plan is about putting responsibility back where it belongs. Simply put, if a company is profiting from addiction and harm, then it should not be allowed to walk away from the social cost.”
Although smaller than the SNP and Labour, the Greens do have some influence in Scottish politics. Between 2021 and 2024, two of their MSPs served as ministers under a coalition agreement with the SNP. The party was a support of the legislation banning greyhound racing in Scotland, which passed last year. Recent polling suggests the Greens could secure up to 17 seats, potentially becoming Scotland’s second-largest party.
Beyond taxation, the Scottish Greens also want to ban gambling sponsorships in sport. Such a policy could hit some of Scotland’s most prominent sporting organisations. The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) is sponsored by William Hill, while Celtic and Rangers feature Dafabet and Unibet respectively on their shirts. Entain’s Coral sponsors the Scottish Grand National.
A voluntary ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship will come into effect in the English Premier League from the next season, but Scottish football has not made a similar agreement.
