AQW 45814/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 08/05/2026
Answered On Date: 22/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail any discussions his Department has had with the Department for Communities in relation to the implementation of the industry levy on licensed gambling operators.

Answer:

Officials within my Department have, on a number of occasions, engaged with colleagues in the Department for Communities (DfC) in relation to gambling policy, including consideration of a potential levy. These are set out below:

26 November 2025 – Cross Departmental Working Group on Preventing and Treating Gambling Related Harm.

10 March 2026 – DoH/DfC introductory meeting due to policy responsibility change over.

26 March 2026 – DfC and DoH gambling update meeting.

13 April 2026 – DoH and DfC gambling update meeting.

The Department of Health is committed to continuing its engagement with officials in the DfC in relation to gambling policy.