In Scotland, with parliamentary elections set for May 7, 2026, The Scottish Greens presented their electoral program with a proposal directly targeting the gambling industry: the creation of a specific tax on land-based casinos, betting shops, and other venues in the sector. The initiative proposes that the revenue generated be entirely allocated to strengthening public health services and support programs for people with gambling problems.
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The measure would be implemented through a surcharge on tax rates for non-residential commercial establishments, an existing tax figure in the Scottish fiscal system that the party seeks to expand to include gambling operators.
A tax that returns responsibility to the sector
Gillian Mackay, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, was emphatic in presenting the proposal. According to her, the initiative seeks for gambling operators to assume their share of responsibility for the harm their business models generate.
“Too many gambling companies make money by exploiting vulnerability and addiction, while communities, families, and public services have to deal with the consequences,” said Mackay, who also described the measure as “a matter of basic justice.”
The leader pointed out that problem gambling is no minor issue: it generates debt, severe stress, mental health problems, and lasting damage to the family environment of those who suffer from it.
How does the current legal levy work and what would change?
Since April 2025, authorized operators working in Scotland are already obliged to contribute to research, education, and treatment services through a legal levy. Funds are collected based on a percentage of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY), with rates ranging from 0.1% to 1.1% depending on the type of game offered, the inherent risks of the sector, and the operating costs of each licensee.
What the new tax proposes is a complementary and differentiated mechanism: instead of taxing the operator’s income, it would establish a surcharge on the commercial property of the venue, which would broaden the tax base and generate additional resources for the public health system.
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Prohibition of gambling sponsorship in sport
The tax is not the only measure that the Scottish Greens are promoting against the sector. The party’s electoral program also includes a total ban on gambling company sponsorship in sport, a widespread practice in football and other competitions in the United Kingdom.
Mackay explained the logic behind this proposal with a public health-focused perspective: “The last thing you need when you’re trying to overcome an addiction is a constant reminder during something you’re passionate about. And for under-18s, the last thing they need is a gateway to problem gambling.”
Gambling addiction, equated to drug addiction in Scottish political discourse
One of the most prominent aspects of the Greens’ stance is the explicit equating of gambling addiction with other socially more visible addictions, such as drug addiction or smoking. Mackay insisted that problem gambling must receive the same level of institutional attention: “Gambling addiction does cost lives and must be treated with the same seriousness as drug addiction. That means adopting an appropriate public health approach, focused on prevention, support, and recovery.”
This approach represents a significant discursive shift: while the debate on gambling in the United Kingdom usually focuses on the regulation of digital platforms, the Scottish Greens point to the health and social impact of physical venues.
The electoral context: a party with growing influence
In the Scottish elections of May 2021, the Scottish Greens won eight of the 129 seats in Parliament. The Scottish National Party (SNP) won 64 seats and has led Parliament for the past five years. Both forces maintain parliamentary cooperation agreements, which gives the Greens a position of influence over the legislative agenda, albeit without governing directly.
The party’s proposals on gambling are presented as part of a broader platform aimed at public health and fiscal justice, with a view to expanding their representation in the elections on May 7, 2026.
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