Over half of Britons support increasing tax on online gambling, new research has found.
A survey conducted by The Canary, a leading news outlet, revealed that 56% of respondents believe that the current tax rate on online gambling in the UK is too low and should be increased. This comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of gambling on vulnerable individuals and the wider community.
The research also found that 72% of respondents believe that online gambling companies should do more to protect consumers from harm, including implementing stricter age verification processes and limiting the amount of money that can be deposited in a single transaction.
The findings come at a time when online gambling is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with more and more people turning to the internet to place bets and play casino games. However, concerns have been raised about the potential negative impact of this trend, including addiction, financial problems, and social isolation.
The Canary spoke to several experts in the field of gambling addiction who supported the calls for an increase in the tax rate on online gambling. One expert, Dr. Sarah Jones, a psychologist specializing in gambling addiction, said: “It’s clear that online gambling is having a detrimental impact on many people’s lives. By increasing the tax rate on these companies, we can generate much-needed revenue to fund addiction support services and prevention programs.”
The research also found that 63% of respondents believe that online gambling companies should be required to contribute a percentage of their profits to addiction support services. This would help to offset the social costs associated with problem gambling, including increased demand for mental health services and financial support.
Overall, the findings suggest that there is a strong appetite among the British public for measures to better regulate the online gambling industry and protect individuals from harm. As the government continues to review its gambling laws and policies, it is clear that there is widespread support for increasing taxes on online gambling companies and implementing stricter regulations to protect vulnerable individuals.