About this app
What is Gem Splitter?
The contrast with land-based gambling is striking. Casinos in Morocco and Egypt operate within recognised frameworks and, in Morocco, attract international investment. Private online betting remains outside the legal market.
The scale of that unlicensed market is unclear. MDJS’ own estimate of about MAD3.5 billion a year is the only figure available. No comparable public estimate exists for Tunisia or Egypt.
Without a licensing route, these markets remain difficult to measure, tax or supervise. Blocking and criminalisation may disrupt operators, but they do not remove demand. Governments are left trying to suppress offshore betting rather than bring it within a regulated market.
About Gem Splitter
However, the scheme has faced ongoing scrutiny and criticism. Clubs can direct the funds towards upgrading their own facilities, and there is no mandated verification for how the grant recipients must deploy the money.
The latest 2025 contribution report indicated that $127 million was awarded, with $53.3 million specifically allocated to sport-related organisations.
Caroline Lamb informed a recent review that the current responsibility of annually processing over 500 ClubGRANTS applications within a short time frame imposed significant constraints.
About Gem Splitter
AGCs in England that offer round-the-clock access to gambling machines will instead require planning approval.
The prime minister is also considering imposing an increased tax on gaming machines in the UK, based on a proposal from the Social Market Foundation. This could be seen in the upcoming autumn budget.
The National Lottery registered ticket sales of £7.9 billion, up 0.9%, while prize payouts slightly decreased by 0.6% to £4.5 billion. Contributions to good causes increased by 2.8%, estimated between £1.6 billion and £1.7 billion.
