In his speech, the Minister said:

"As you all know, last year we published our gambling white paper, the most comprehensive review of gambling laws in 15 years. Across a 16 week call for evidence, 16000 submissions, navigating the long road to publication and now moving quickly to implement our measures, the government’s commitment to strengthening protections against gambling-related harm is the clearest it’s ever been.

"I recognise that some wanted us to go further in certain areas, and indeed others wanted us to be less restrictive. I’ve been a government Minister in a range of areas since 2018, and gambling is certainly one of the most challenging to get right.

"But we can all agree that action is needed. I am therefore pleased that we were finally able to publish a substantial set of proposals which I am confident will have a material impact on reducing gambling harm in our society."

He continued:

"We have always been clear that there is no single reform which will work on its own, and gambling harm is not just about individuals. It has to be seen as an interaction between the person, the products, the providers and the place in which people gamble.

"That is why we have taken an evidence-led approach to implement a package of reforms targeted at different levels.

"This includes action on products such as online slots. But also broader protections such as financial risk checks and further strengthening restrictions on advertising. Effective and innovative collaboration to get the right mix of interventions for the population as a whole and those with specific needs is required to tackle gambling harm.

"Central to that ambition is of course the decision to introduce the statutory levy which represents a step change for the sector. The levy is not simply about reforming the funding mechanism. It is also an opportunity to improve and expand the projects and services in place to further understand, tackle and treat gambling harms."

Speaking about the forthcoming levy, he said:

"I know all of you are particularly invested in the levy consultation, and ensuring that we introduce a system that builds an holistic approach to investment, commissioning and evaluation.

"In making this crucial transition, we want to consider the best available evidence and information to get it right. It is important to me that a wide range of views, especially those with lived experience, inform our approach to implementing this landmark reform in an effective, evidence-led and proportionate way.

"I am invested in the meaningful opportunities the levy presents. I recognise that funding is not the only requirement for an equitable and effective system but increased investment is crucial. For the first time, the levy will ensure ringfenced, trusted and sustainable funding for research to fill gaps in the evidence on gambling and gambling harm, and inform policy and regulation."

Finally, on the issue of gambling addition and treatment, he said:

"Based on the latest available estimates, fewer than 5% of those experiencing harmful gambling currently receive treatment, which is significantly lower than for alcohol issues, where around 18% of dependent drinkers are in treatment.

"We have made significant steps in the treatment space, with 13 of the planned 15 NHS specialist gambling treatment clinics currently in operation, across all regions of England.

"Of course, not all those experiencing harm need specialist treatment and the majority of those seeking support do so outside the NHS. The levy will allow the development of an integrated and comprehensive treatment system across Great Britain in the coming years to improve referral pathways between NHS and third sector provided services. I want to build a world-leading system so that there is ‘no wrong door’ for those experiencing gambling harm, and that people can access treatment, when and where they need it.

"I also recognise that gambling-related harm is not something that we can treat our way out of. We have all heard the phrase “prevention is better than cure”. We are working hard to make that idea a reality in the gambling sector.

"The suite of regulatory protections we are implementing are aimed at preventing harm before it occurs or earlier in the journey. However, the statutory levy represents a doubling of efforts in this area. Targeted investment in coordinated prevention activity on the ground, at local, regional and national level is an unprecedented move.

"Prevention is about creating a society which has a clear awareness of gambling-related harms, an understanding of the support available for those in need, and trust in the services themselves.

"It is also about more than the individual who may be experiencing harm and ensuring there is an understanding that their loved ones and wider communities have somewhere to turn to for support. It is also about building capacity on the frontlines of care so that gambling-related harms and the routes to effective support are better understood, knocking down the barriers which stigma can bring. These are some of our aims."