GambleAware Gains £11 Million Funding Amid UK’s New Gambling Levy

Introduction to UK Gambling Levy and Funding for GambleAware

In response to ongoing gambling reform efforts in the United Kingdom, the government has designated £11 million in funding to support GambleAware’s initiatives aimed at reducing gambling-related harm. This funding is sourced from the country’s recently implemented statutory levy on gambling operators.

Changes in Funding Structure for Research, Prevention, and Treatment

The statutory levy mandates that gambling operators contribute a fixed portion of their revenue to support research, prevention, and treatment (RET) programs targeting problem gambling. This marks a significant shift from the previous voluntary donation system where operators could decide the amount they wished to contribute.

While some smaller operators have voiced concerns about the levy disproportionately affecting their businesses, supporters anticipate that it will raise up to £100 million annually for RET efforts. This funding level is expected to surpass former voluntary contributions and will eliminate the problematic dependency of the RET sector on voluntary industry donations, which had drawn criticism in the past.

Introduced earlier in the year, operators were set to make their inaugural payments by October 1. The government plans to review the effectiveness of this new RET funding mechanism by 2030 to determine if any adjustments are necessary.

GambleAware’s One-Time Transitional Funding

Sarah Murphy MS, Wales’ Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, shared insights into the allocation of levy funds, highlighting that Wales will receive £5 million annually. She also emphasized the need to adjust GambleAware’s funding model to align with the new levy system.

To ease this transition from voluntary donations to the new statutory framework, GambleAware will receive a one-time payment of up to £11 million. This funding will be vital in maintaining stability and supporting ongoing treatment initiatives during this period of adjustment.

Murphy clarified that this funding is allocated solely for the current year, ensuring no disruption occurs to the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) or access to treatment services.

Additionally, she noted that the research component of the RET funding will be managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in collaboration with the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales, reflecting a coordinated approach to tackling gambling harm across the UK.