Scottish Greens to make bookies and casinos pay towards addiction support
The Scottish Greens have pledged to apply a new tax to casinos, bookies and other gambling venues to ensure that they contribute towards the cost of the harm linked to their industry, including addiction prevention, recovery and support services.
Under plans set out in the party’s 2026 manifesto, gambling venues that profit from some of the most vulnerable people in our communities would face a surcharge via non-domestic rates, with the money raised reinvested in public health measures and the services that help people rebuild their lives.
It is part of a package of measures to tackle the harm done by the industry, including an end on gambling companies sponsoring sporting events and teams.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said:
“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.
“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.
“We already accept that principle in other areas. Products like tobacco are taxed because of the damage they cause, and that money helps support the services dealing with the consequences. Gambling should be treated with the same seriousness.
“For too long, bookies and gambling venues have been shamefully allowed to take huge sums out of our communities while others are left to pick up the bill. The Scottish Greens want to change that by making sure these businesses contribute directly to addiction prevention, recovery and support services.
Gillian 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 7th 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.”
