British Government to Assume Responsibility for GambleAware Functions by 2026
In a significant shift in UK gambling regulation, GambleAware, a charity focused on tackling gambling harms, is set to close by the end of March 2026. This marks the full implementation of a statutory gambling levy of £100 million, marking a historic transition from the previous voluntary charity funding model to a mandatory public health approach funded directly by the gambling industry.
The voluntary charity model through GambleAware has been active but the government has legislated to replace this with a statutory levy collected from the gambling industry. The levy rates will vary between 0.1% and 1.1% of gross gambling yield, depending on the specific sector and type of gambling service provided.
The new statutory levy will collect a portion of industry profits and will be used to fund research, prevention, and treatment initiatives aimed at addressing gambling harms. Three new commissioners dedicated to these tasks have been appointed.
GambleAware's prevention and treatment activity has had a significant impact, supporting tens of thousands of people through national campaigns and commissioned partners, including the National Gambling Support Network. The charity's trustees have decided that the organisation will work towards a managed closure, recognising the change across the system.
The appointment of the new commissioners and the transition of responsibilities were formally announced in November 2024. The transition follows the implementation of a new statutory levy introduced earlier this year.
The closure of GambleAware and the levy implementation form an integrated policy shift toward government-controlled public health funding for gambling harm prevention, effective by early 2026. This change represents a shift in government policy to take greater control over gambling harm prevention funding, moving away from reliance on voluntary contributions from gambling operators and towards mandatory funding controlled or overseen by the government or public health bodies.
Andy Boucher, chair of trustees at GambleAware, has advocated for the introduction of a statutory system for many years. He has reaffirmed his support for the levy, stating that it will provide a more stable and consistent funding stream for gambling harm prevention initiatives.
The exact statutory mechanism or government department responsible for the levy administration after GambleAware’s closure is yet to be detailed in public information. However, it is clear that the closure of GambleAware and the levy implementation form an integrated policy shift toward government-controlled public health funding for gambling harm prevention, effective by early 2026.
GambleAware is proud of its contribution to the implementation of the statutory system and looks forward to seeing the continued progress in addressing gambling harms in the UK. The charity is set to close on 31 March 2026.
[1] BBC News, "GambleAware to wind down as UK implements £100m gambling levy", 1st December 2024, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57147467
[2] GambleAware, "About GambleAware", accessed 1st December 2024, https://www.begambleaware.org/about-us/
[3] Gambling Commission, "Gambling Act 2005", accessed 1st December 2024, https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-the-public/about-us/what-we-do/our-regulatory-framework/the-gambling-act-2005.aspx
[4] GambleAware, "Why we need a statutory levy", accessed 1st December 2024, https://www.begambleaware.org/why-we-need-a-statutory-levy/
[5] Parliament.uk, "Gambling Act 2023", accessed 1st December 2024, https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2023-24/gambling.html
- The UK government's transition from the voluntary funding model for gambling harm prevention, managed by GambleAware, to a mandatory statutory levy collected from the gambling industry is part of a comprehensive shift in the casino-and-gambling business, aiming to finance research, prevention, and treatment initiatives related to gambling trends.
- Post-GambleAware's closure, the financing of gambling harm prevention efforts will be overseen by a government-controlled public health approach, signifying a significant move in the finance sector, illustrating the government's commitment to taking a more assertive role in controlling gambling-related finances.
