The Scottish Greens have pledged to introduce a new tax on gambling venues as part of their 2026 manifesto, aiming to fund addiction prevention, recovery and support services.
Under the proposals, casinos, bookmakers and other land-based operators would face a surcharge through non-domestic rates. Revenue generated would be directed towards public health initiatives addressing gambling-related harm.
The party said the measure is designed to ensure businesses contribute to the social costs associated with their activities, particularly in relation to problem gambling and its wider impact on communities.
“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,” said Scottish Greens Co-Leader, Gillian Mackay.
“What is often marketed as harmless fun can become something much more serious.
“For too many people, gambling can lead to addiction, which causes debt, severe stress, poor mental health and lasting harm to family life. The damage does not stop with the individual, it spreads to their loved ones, to their households and to their communities.
“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. If a business is making money from something that causes this level of harm, then it should be helping to pay for the response. That is a matter of basic fairness.
“At a time when public services are already under pressure, it cannot be right that the burden falls on the NHS, local communities and families, while gambling companies continue to profit.”
The Scottish Greens are a minor party in Scotland in comparison to the governing Scottish National Party (SNP) and main opposition Labour, but do still have some influence.
Two Green MPs held ministerial positions between August 2021-April 2024 as part of a coalition agreement with the SNP. It also enthusiastically supported a bill proposed by an SNP MSP last year to ban greyhound racing, which has now passed.
The possibility of the party directly influencing policy is hardly unfeasible, with a recent report suggesting that the Scottish Greens may well gain up to 17 seats and become Scotland’s second largest party.
As well as calling for an increase in gambling taxes, the Scottish Greens are also determined to end betting sponsorships in sports.
This may be welcomed by some sections of Scottish football support – football supporters across the UK have expressed their dislike of gambling sponsorships on many occasions – but could also deal a blow to club revenues.
Mackay added: “Gambling addiction does cost lives, and it should be treated with the same seriousness as drug addiction. That means taking a proper public health approach, focused on prevention, support and recovery rather than ignoring the scale of the harm.
“That’s why we’re also committed to ending gambling sponsorships in sports, because the last thing you need when you’re trying to beat an addiction, is a constant reminder during something you love. And for those under-18, the last thing they need is a gateway to problematic gambling.
“On 7 May, voting Scottish Green means making sure businesses that profit from harm are finally made to give something back, so that everyone in Scotland can benefit, not just the wealthy betting companies.”
Which sporting organisations would feel the sting?
Some of Scotland’s most renowned sporting names have ties to gambling companies. This is evidenced by the fact that the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) is sponsored by evoke-owned William Hill.
The country’s two biggest footballing sides – Celtic and Rangers – also both have gambling companies as their front-of-shirt sponsors, with the former being partnered with Dafabet and the latter with Unibet.
Another prominent sports sponsorship linked to gambling in the country includes Coral’s affiliation with the Scottish Grand National.
Scottish Greens to follow similar European moves
The calls from the Scottish Greens is akin to many policies enacted by authorities across Europe, where gambling sponsorships have been banned or at least somewhat restricted.
One of the most obvious examples of this is in the Netherlands, where a ban on gambling sponsorship and promotions for sports clubs and competitions came into effect in July last year.
A focus on responsible gambling in the UK is perhaps even more of a necessity than it has ever been, with gambling related harm figures climbing.
The recent statutory levy system being introduced has also caused some controversy, with the government now being responsible for distributing funds for gambling prevention charities rather than GambleAware, which has now closed.
A push from the Scottish Greens to move gambling revenues to fund gambling harm prevention charities may well be welcomed by charities and the wider public though.
However, should the Scottish Greens be successful in their 2026 Scottish Parliament Election bid next month, many sporting organisations will be running for cover and looking for what could potentially fill what may be a large economical void with a fresh tax and without the option for a gambling sponsor.