Government assumes control over gambling harm services previously managed by GambleAware
In a significant shift for gambling harm services in Great Britain, the charity GambleAware will close by March 31, 2026. The transition marks a pivotal moment for gambling harm services, as responsibility for commissioning these services moves from GambleAware to government-appointed commissioners across England, Scotland, and Wales, beginning in April 2026.
GambleAware, a charity funded voluntarily by the gambling industry, has played a crucial role in commissioning and delivering effective services for people experiencing gambling-related harm for many years. The organization's work has helped tens of thousands of people, particularly through national campaigns and partnerships like the National Gambling Support Network.
Andy Boucher, chair of trustees at GambleAware, expressed that the transition is a significant step forward for gambling harm services. He emphasized that the priority is keeping people safe from gambling harm and ensuring stability and continuity for beneficiaries during the transition.
The new statutory gambling levy system, implemented in April 2025, is expected to raise around £100 million annually across Great Britain. Wales’ share is approximately £5 million per year, with research funding overseen by UKRI. The levy will fund gambling harm prevention, research, and treatment services directly under government oversight.
GambleAware will receive transitional funding from the new levy during the current financial year (2025-2026) only, to maintain system stability and support continued access to treatment services until new arrangements are in place. The charity will continue to fulfill its existing commissioning responsibilities until the new system is fully in place in April 2026.
Key effects on GambleAware and its services include closure and transition, funding shifts, and government oversight. The closure and transition mean that GambleAware will end its operations and hand over commissioning duties to public bodies, marking the end of its funding model and direct service provision under the voluntary system. The funding shifts mean that the statutory levy on the gambling industry will fund gambling harm prevention, research, and treatment services directly under government oversight. Government oversight will see new commissioners and governmental bodies taking over the commissioning and funding roles, aiming for a smoother, more stable, and better-funded system to tackle gambling harms based on public accountability rather than voluntary industry contributions.
Criticisms of the transition have been raised by Jordan Lea, CEO and founder of Deal Me Out. Lea described the cessation of GambleAware as a "stain" on the implementation of the statutory levy, predicting further job losses and closures as a result of the mismanagement of government policy. However, Lea also expressed sympathy for the GambleAware team, acknowledging their integrity throughout the process.
GambleAware expressed pride in its impact and credited its staff, leadership, and the lived experience community for shaping effective, evidence-based services. The charity's website and prevention resources will remain active during the transition, ensuring ongoing support for those affected by gambling harm.
In conclusion, the transition to the new statutory system for addressing gambling-related harm in Great Britain will lead to the managed closure of GambleAware by March 31, 2026. The government emphasizes a commitment to building on GambleAware’s previous successes to improve research, prevention, and treatment efforts across Great Britain, ensuring ongoing support and a stable transition for those experiencing gambling-related harm.
- The new business model for gambling harm services in Great Britain, which involves a statutory levy system, is expected to raise around £100 million annually, with a portion allocated to Wales for research funding.
- Despite the closure of GambleAware by March 31, 2026, the charity's website and prevention resources will remain active during the transition to ensure ongoing support for those affected by gambling harm.
- The transition to the new system marks a shift from voluntary industry contributions to government oversight for gambling harm prevention, research, and treatment services in Great Britain.
- The closure and transition of GambleAware, a charity funded voluntarily by the gambling industry, will leave a gap that critics argue will lead to further job losses and closures in the sector.
- GambleAware's work, including national campaigns and partnerships like the National Gambling Support Network, has helped tens of thousands of people experiencing gambling-related harm over the years.
- The new system aims to provide a smoother, more stable, and better-funded approach to tackling gambling harms based on public accountability rather than voluntary industry contributions.
