The time has come. GambleAware will close today as UK gambling transitions to a new model, which will see the Gambling Commission manage the distribution of statutory levy funds moving forward.
GambleAware has been a critical force in the UK for over 20 years and has been credited with advancing views on gambling-related harm, funding research and establishing a national framework of local resources.
As the organisation prepares to close its doors for the very last time, Global Gambling Insider looks back on the impact GambleAware has had over the last two decades.
GambleAware: What’s in a name?
In 2002, the UK Government called for a dedicated body to fund research and treatment for gambling-related harm. GambleAware rose to the challenge, although it was known as the Gambling Industry Charitable Trust at this point and was supported by voluntary, ad hoc donations from the gambling industry.
The charity would transform into the Responsibility in Gambling Trust in 2004 after the first wave of donations; it would change again in 2009 to the GREAT Foundation after the Gambling Commission established the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board to oversee how the funds. The GREAT Foundation focused on fundraising, while the newly established Responsible Gambling Fund would distribute the funds.
In 2011, it was clear this model was not working and the GREAT Foundation and the Responsible Gambling Fund would once again be merged under one organisation by 2012 known as the Responsible Gambling Trust.
This worked well, and in 2016, the organisation finally adopted the name GambleAware. By 2018, GambleAware’s entire board was officially independent of the gambling industry.
What changed?
In 2020, the five largest operators came together to pledge £100m ($132m) to GambleAware over the following four years. This was welcome news, as the charity could plan how to use the funds in advance and take a more strategic, long-term approach to research.
During this time, GambleAware played a key role in distributing funds to other organisations to use towards high-quality prevention, treatment, and research. However, GambleAware also began to draw criticism for accepting donations from the gambling industry. In response, it began to increase transparency around donor interactions and funding.
This was accelerated in 2024 when the Good Law Practice submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission regarding GambleAware accepting donations from gambling companies. The Commission would go on to find no evidence of industry influence on GambleAware’s operations or decision-making.
It's disappointing that criticism of the unfair variety ultimately undermined the massive amount of good that GambleAware has achieved during its lifespan. I'll be remembering GambleAware for all the lives they touched for the better... Duncan Garvie
Why is GambleAware closing?
The UK Government announced in April 2025 that it would introduce a statutory levy to fund research, treatment, and prevention for gambling harm. This effectively ended GambleAware’s stewardship of funds.
Andy Boucher, GambleAware Chair of Trustees, 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.”
Duncan Garvie, BetBlocker Founder, spoke to Global Gambling Insider about the impact this closure will have on the industry.
Garvie said: "GambleAware had for years had the unenviable task of deciding which projects receive funding and which do not. A mantle that the incoming funding commissioners have now taken over.
“It's impossible to execute this type of remit and keep all stakeholders happy all the time. It is a challenging position to occupy that will naturally result in criticism both fair and unfair.
“It's disappointing that criticism of the unfair variety ultimately undermined the massive amount of good that GambleAware as achieved during its lifespan. I'll be remembering GambleAware for all the lives they touched for the better."
What did GambleAware achieve?
GambleAware launched during a time when gambling was still considered normal and gambling-related harm was barely discussed.
For more than a decade, GambleAware pushed for gambling-related harm to be considered a public health issue, rather than a problem with the individual. Through this, GambleAware pushed to raise awareness and reduce stigma through dozens of high-profile media campaigns.
Following the “Let’s Open Up About Gambling” campaign, more than 90% of the behaviour change audience reported taking action in direct response to the messaging.
Since 2020, the number of adults seeking treatment, support or advice has doubled. To counter this, GambleAware created the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) in 2023 to signpost individuals to local care points.
Since its launch, the NGSN has supported over 110,000 people, with self-referrals directly into services increasing by more than 50% by 2025.
GambleAware also launched the Lived Experience Council in 2022, which played a critical role in how organisations approached new legislation, research or products.
On this, it said: “GambleAware established a Lived Experience Council in 2022 that provided expert advice and strategic direction, with its Chair sitting on the Board of Trustees in an advisory capacity.
“GambleAware’s commitment to independence was perhaps most powerfully expressed in its promotion of a public health approach – which it championed with integrity and courage, even in the face of industry resistance.”
Finally, GambleAware funded countless research opportunities, treatment centres and new initiatives to help with prevention.
However, it is difficult to put a clear number on just how many people GambleAware helped since its inception in 2002. Between its media campaigns, free hotlines, apps and the NGSN, GambleAware pushed to help as many people as possible over the last two decades.
What will happen now that GambleAware has closed?
Going forward, the Gambling Commission will be responsible for collecting and administering the funds through the statutory levy.
The organisation explained that it would continue to fulfil existing commissioning commitments until the new system becomes fully operational in April 2026, and that in doing so, “GambleAware’s final chapter reflects the same dedication, leadership, and purpose that defined its contribution to the sector for over a decade.”
The GambleAware website will continue to function after the closure, offering free advice, tools and signposting users to help, but none of the accounts will be active or monitored past this point.
Regarding the final thoughts on the closure, perhaps GambleAware said it best: “As the organisation prepares to close its doors, its legacy endures – in the systems it built, the voices it elevated, and the countless people whose lives are safer, healthier, and better supported, including those who are more aware of the risks of gambling and have been empowered to make informed choices.”
One of the last studies funded by GambleAware looked into the dangers of loneliness and isolation in people experiencing gambling harm
