Problem Gambling Charity GambleAware Based in Great Britain to Shutter in Initial 2026
In a significant shift for the gambling industry in Great Britain, GambleAware, a leading problem gambling charity, has announced its closure by March 31, 2026. The charity's Chair of Trustees, Andy Boucher, made the announcement, welcoming the new era where gambling harms are recognized alongside other public health issues.
The UK government is replacing GambleAware with a formal, statutory public health framework funded by a compulsory gambling industry levy. This new system, set to launch in April 2026, will be operated by public health bodies in England, Scotland, and Wales, with oversight by three newly appointed national commissioners for gambling harms research, prevention, and treatment.
Key features of the new system include a statutory levy on the gambling industry, a public health-led approach, the appointment of three national commissioners, and a focus on funding allocation and governance. The levy, a legally mandated charge on operators based on a percentage of their gross gambling yield (between 0.1% and 1.1%), aims to raise around £100 million annually to fund gambling harm research, prevention, and treatment.
Previously, GambleAware relied on voluntary donations from industry operators, which had critics due to uneven contributions and concerns about independence. The new levy mandates contributions from all operators, ensuring a stable, independent funding stream for harm reduction efforts.
GambleAware has had a significant impact in supporting tens of thousands of people over the years through its national campaigns and commissioned partners like the National Gambling Support Network. The organization will work to ensure a smooth transition to the new commissioners in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Minister for Gambling Baroness Fiona Twycross has thanked GambleAware's staff for their efforts and believes the new system will build and improve upon GambleAware's successes. The legislation for the new mandatory levy on gambling operators was passed in February.
Since 2017, GambleAware has been advocating for the development of a statutory, public health-led system to address gambling harm. The rate for the levy will be determined considering factors such as operating costs and type of game. It is expected that the new levy will generate at least £100m ($134m) per year.
The closure of GambleAware marks the end of its operations as a charity, but its impact will undoubtedly continue to be felt as the new government-run gambling harm system takes shape. The new system will recognize gambling harms as a public health issue and be funded through a statutory levy, ensuring a more coordinated, stable, and independent approach to addressing gambling-related harm in Great Britain.
- The new government-run gambling harm system, set to launch in April 2026, will be funded through a statutory levy on the gambling industry, a move that was advocated for by GambleAware since 2017.
- politics: The legislation for the new mandatory levy on gambling operators was passed in February, signifying a significant shift in policy-and-legislation regarding casino-and-gambling in Great Britain.
- general-news: The closure of GambleAware, a leading problem gambling charity, has sparked discussions about gambling-trends and the implications for casino-games in the UK.
