GambleAware has announced it is working towards a managed closure by March 2026, following the introduction of the statutory levy in Britain.
Chair of trustees Andy Boucher confirmed the work carried out by the gambling harm prevention charity will now “transition to the UK government and new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales”.
Boucher added that the charity remains fully committed to fulfilling its existing commissioning agreements until the new system is in place by April 2026.
The statutory levy, which sees UK operators contribute between 0.1% and 1.1% of their gross gambling yield (GGY), officially came into effect in April.
As laid out by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in November, 50% of the levy funding will be funnelled towards NHS England and its equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales.
That part of the funding is earmarked to help develop a comprehensive gambling harm support and treatment network.
A further 30% of the levy funding will go towards preventative measures to tackle gambling-related harm, with the remaining 20% ringfenced for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Gambling Commission in order to develop bespoke research programmes on gambling.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) was named as the levy commissioner in February.
The levy introduction, in addition to the appointment of the OHID as commissioner, was met with trepidation by some in the gambling charity sector over concerns about where sources of funding would come from in the future.
Boucher confirmed that GambleAware will begin to wind down as planned, as its responsibilities move under the remit of the state.
He said: “The introduction of the new statutory levy and the appointment of the three new commissioners for gambling harms research, prevention and treatment means that, as expected, the work historically delivered by GambleAware will now transition to the UK government and new commissioners across England, Scotland and Wales.
“We have advocated for the introduction of a statutory system for many years and are proud of our contribution to its implementation.
“Alongside this, we are also proud of the impact GambleAware’s prevention and treatment activity has had in supporting tens of thousands of people over the years, through our national campaigns and our commissioned partners, including the National Gambling Support Network.
“Recognising the change across the system, trustees have decided that GambleAware, the charity, will work towards a managed closure by 31 March 2026.”
Boucher went on to throw GambleAware’s support behind the new system created by the statutory levy.
He added: “We welcome this new era in which gambling harms are recognised alongside other public health issues and are funded through a statutory levy.
“As we enter the final phase of our commissioning work, we urge NHS England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, UK Research and Innovation, and the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales to build upon the current system’s achievements and insights to ensure learnings are carried forward.
“On behalf of the entire board of trustees, I would like to also recognise the unwavering commitment and drive of the GambleAware staff, leadership team and Lived Experience Council. Their collective work over the years has played a pivotal role in advancing efforts to reduce and prevent harm across Great Britain.”
Baroness Twycross, the gambling minister, added: “GambleAware and others across the third sector, including the National Gambling Support Network, have worked with tireless commitment over the years to commission and deliver effective services for people experiencing gambling-related harm.
“As the new statutory gambling levy system comes into effect, managing a smooth and stable transition is an absolute priority, and we are taking significant steps to maintain service provision.
“The new levy system will build on the successes of the current system to improve and expand efforts to further understand, tackle and treat harmful gambling.
“I want to thank GambleAware and all their staff for their efforts to support those in need across our country.”
Earlier this month, GambleAware released a new app, the GambleAware Support Tool, designed to support people of all ages who were looking to reduce or quit gambling.
This was in response to research which showed 18-24 year olds were twice as likely to want to reduce or quit gambling compared to other age groups.
The post GambleAware to cease operations by March 2026 first appeared on EGR Intel.
Chair Andy Boucher states the organisation is committed to finishing existing projects before the state assumes commissioning control, while throwing his support behind the introduction of the statutory levy
The post GambleAware to cease operations by March 2026 first appeared on EGR Intel.