Entertainment

Government overreach or necessary Reform? The UK gambling tax divide

Published

7 months ago

September 9, 2025

The UK Gambling Commission has recently released its Q1 2025-26 figures. This release covers activity through June 2025 and has landed in the middle of a heated tax and regulation row. Many are looking at this report to see where money is flowing. From the report, we can see that digital play continues to dominate, which has led to many policy questions for ministers.

The most prominent question is how the government can protect consumers without throttling a sector that supports jobs and tax receipts. Although it might seem like an abstract debate to some, the conditions around these policies affect everyday choices on stake limits, product design, and, ultimately, how operators interact with customers.

As expected, online revenue led the pack. In the report, online gross gaming yield was £1.49 billion for the quarter, which was 2% higher than in Q1 2024-25. Year on year, bets and spins climbed to 26.1 million. This was even as average monthly active accounts decreased by 10% to 12.7 billion. According to Viola D’Elia, this decrease in active accounts could be due to the increased governance over online casinos in the UK.

Operators are required to adhere to more stringent account information policies, which could be one of the reasons many online casino users are favouring reputable non-UK sites. Alongside this, many of these users are also using offshore alternatives because they offer wider payment options, better promotions, and more diverse game catalogues. Many of these sites hold licenses in Malta or Curaçao and are known for providing more freedom to players, which is why they attract users who value flexible limits and faster onboarding.

Alongside seeking more flexibility, player behaviour shifted in other ways during the quarter. Sessions on online slots lasting more than an hour fell 9% to 8.8 million and now account for 5% of total play, down from 6% a year earlier. Average session length moved to 16 minutes, a one‑minute decline. The Commission noted that several operators refined how they measure a session, which can nudge the totals. Even with that caveat, shorter sessions hint at tighter controls and more active prompts that encourage breaks or end play after periods of intensity.

New limits on stakes arrived on 21 May and will shape the coming quarters. The rules set a £2 maximum per spin for adults aged 18 to 24 and £5 for those 25 and older. Policymakers designed the cap to slow rapid losses in high‑velocity games. Operators have adjusted staking ladders, pop‑ups, and risk checks to fit the framework. It is too early to draw sweeping conclusions. For now, the headline numbers show slots revenue growing while the system absorbs the cap and customers recalibrate how they play.

High street venues faced another tough spell. Betting premises GGY fell 5% year on year to £552 million, with bets and spins in shops down 3% to 3.2 billion. Footfall costs money, so declining volume bites hard when rents, staffing, and compliance bills keep rising. Several chains have trimmed opening hours, consolidated weaker locations, and pushed customers toward account‑based play that links shop terminals with digital wallets. The winners in retail will likely be operators that turn stores into service hubs rather than pure staking points.

These numbers pour fuel on the tax and regulation debate. The Treasury wants dependable receipts. Consumer groups want limits that keep harm down. Operators warn that layered controls, higher costs, and point‑of‑consumption taxes can push heavy users to foreign platforms and reduce domestic spend. The risk is leakage: a slice of play drifts offshore, lowering taxable GGY while exposing players to uneven dispute resolution. Policymakers must weigh that leakage against the benefits of firmer guardrails.

A targeted path has supporters across the aisle. Better data sharing on markers of harm, proportionate affordability checks that focus on outliers, and faster interventions when spending patterns deteriorate can protect at‑risk customers without blanketing everyone in friction. Privacy needs respect, as does the right of adults to spend their money within the law. The Commission’s quarterly cadence helps here. It gives Parliament and industry a common set of figures to judge whether rules curb harm without distorting the market.

The months ahead will test that balance. Slots GGY and total spins hit fresh peaks in Q1, even as long sessions eased and stake caps bedded in after May. Sports betting may rebound with a stronger event calendar, yet it must compete with casino formats that deliver constant availability and quick outcomes. The tax argument will then rest on evidence, not noise.

Entertainment

Huw Edwards criticises TV drama about his downfall

Published

22 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FORMER BBC news presenter Huw Edwards has issued a strongly worded statement criticising an upcoming television drama based on his fall from grace.

Edwards, who received a suspended prison sentence after admitting offences relating to indecent images of children, said the programme was produced without properly checking its claims with him.

***Edwards claims those behind the programme failed to verify key elements of the story***

The two-part drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, features actor Martin Clunes portraying the former newsreader.

In a statement published in the national press, Edwards claimed those behind the programme failed to verify key elements of the story before filming began. He said producers only approached him for comment after production had already been completed, and even then retained editorial control over any response.

He also questioned whether contributors to the programme had been paid, suggesting the drama may not accurately reflect events.

Edwards said he had already expressed “deep regret and remorse” for his crimes during court proceedings, having pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He added that he found the offences deeply disturbing and offered a further apology, acknowledging that each image involved a real victim.

The former presenter said he is now working on his own account of the events, although progress has been slow due to ongoing health issues. He has previously spoken about long-term mental illness, which he said had worsened in the period leading up to his offences.

However, he stressed that mental health difficulties should not be used to excuse criminal behaviour.

Edwards rose to prominence as one of the UK’s most recognisable news anchors before his career collapsed following allegations of misconduct and subsequent criminal charges.

In September 2024, he was handed a six-month suspended sentence and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years. He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation programme.

Responding to his criticism, a spokesperson for Channel 5 said the drama was based on interviews with those involved, including the complainant and journalists who broke the story, as well as court reporting and message evidence.

They added that the programme was produced in line with broadcasting regulations and that allegations featured in the film had been put to Edwards through his legal representatives in advance.

Entertainment

Easter egg trails return to Pembrokeshire as National Trust launches spring events

Published

23 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES across Pembrokeshire are being invited to “hop into spring” as Easter egg trails return to National Trust sites across Wales.

The popular seasonal events will take place at thirteen locations nationwide, including Colby Woodland Garden near Amroth, offering a mix of outdoor adventure, nature exploration, and family-friendly challenges.

The National Trust Cymru says the trails are designed to keep children entertained during the Easter holidays while encouraging them to connect with nature, heritage, and the outdoors.

At Colby Woodland Garden, visitors can explore a wooded valley filled with winding paths, streams, and hidden corners while taking part in ten activity stations along the Easter trail.

Organisers say the site’s mix of natural play areas and historic features makes it an ideal location for families looking to enjoy the spring weather.

The Easter egg trail at Colby will run from Thursday (Apr 3) to Sunday (Apr 6), between 10:00am and 3:30pm.

Family-friendly activities

Across Wales, the trails include a wide range of themed activities, from wildlife spotting and creative challenges to physical games and imaginative play.

Each location features around ten activity points, with participants receiving a trail sheet, bunny ears, and a chocolate egg on completion. Vegan and allergy-friendly options are also available.

Normal admission charges apply, although National Trust members can enter for free. The Easter trail costs £3.50 per child.

Spring boost for tourism

The National Trust says the events are part of a wider effort to encourage families to make the most of outdoor spaces as the weather improves.

With gardens in bloom and longer daylight hours, organisers hope the trails will attract visitors from across west Wales and beyond.

A spokesperson said the programme offers “hours of fun, discovery and seasonal adventure for the whole family.”

More information and booking details are available via the National Trust website.

Entertainment

Action-packed Easter fun set for Carew Castle

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HOST of family-friendly adventures will bring Carew Castle to life this Easter, with a packed programme of events running from Saturday (Mar 28) to Sunday (Apr 19).

Set against the dramatic tidal reach and managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the historic castle will once again become a hub of activity, offering everything from treasure hunts and medieval weapon displays to science workshops and live storytelling.

Egg hunts and medieval action

A brand-new Great Golden Egg Hunt will challenge children to explore the castle’s winding passageways and hidden corners in search of clues. Running daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm throughout the school holidays, the activity costs £2.50 per child in addition to normal admission.

Young visitors can also step back in time with Hands-On: Weapons and Armour sessions, held daily between 10:30am and 11:30am from Monday (Mar 30) to Sunday (Apr 12). Children will have the chance to handle replica weapons, try on armour, and experience medieval combat demonstrations at no extra cost.

The popular Find the Key! treasure hunt also returns, beginning at 3:00pm from the gatehouse. Running on selected days between Monday (Mar 30) and Sunday (Apr 12), the challenge invites children to track down the correct key to unlock a treasure chest.

Magic, stories and science

Creative youngsters can enjoy Magical Makes with Whimsical Wildlings on Tuesday (Apr 14), Wednesday (Apr 15) and Thursday (Apr 16), with drop-in craft sessions held in the castle’s undercroft from 10:30am to 2:00pm.

Meanwhile, Storymaster’s Quests: Tower of Doooooom! will take place on selected dates in early April, offering an interactive multimedia adventure created by author and games designer Oliver McNeil. The audience will shape the fate of their own hero in a tale filled with dragons, traps and treasure.

Hands-on learning continues with Wild Science sessions, featuring activities such as marine exploration, fossil hunting, owl pellet investigations and beginner bird walks.

Trebuchet returns

One of the highlights of the programme will be the launch of the castle’s giant trebuchet on Tuesday (Mar 31) and Tuesday (Apr 7) at 2:30pm, as the medieval siege engine is brought roaring back into action.

Daisy Hughes, Manager at Carew Castle, said: “Carew is an extraordinary place at any time of year, but Easter gives us the opportunity to really showcase everything it has to offer. The Weapons and Armour sessions in particular are always a favourite – there’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face when they first lift a medieval sword.”

For full event details, visit the castle’s website.