National health bodies to assume full control over prevention, research, and treatment services
End of an Era: GambleAware to Cease Operations
Leading UK gambling charity GambleAware has officially confirmed it will begin a managed closure process, ending its operations by 31 March 2026. The move comes as the UK government prepares to implement a new statutory public health model for addressing gambling-related harms across England, Scotland, and Wales.
This development is part of a wider structural overhaul of the UK’s gambling harm infrastructure. By April 2026, all commissioning responsibilities for gambling harm prevention, treatment, and research will be transferred to public sector bodies, led by three newly appointed national commissioners.
Transitional Measures to Safeguard Ongoing Support
In the interim, GambleAware has committed to maintaining its essential services, including its website, support materials, and commissioned programmes through partners such as the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN).
Andy Boucher, Chair of Trustees, stated:
“Our main priority continues to be keeping people safe from gambling harm and to ensure stability and continuity for our beneficiaries as the new commissioners take over.”
Boucher emphasised the importance of preserving the evidence base and strong partnerships built over the past decade and encouraged public sector bodies to build upon this foundation.
Government Endorsement and Sector Recognition
The shift to a statutory model has been in motion since the UK Government’s Gambling Act white paper review in 2023, which called for a mandatory levy on gambling operators to fund independent treatment and prevention services.
Baroness Twycross, Minister for Gambling, acknowledged GambleAware’s vital contribution:
“GambleAware and others across the third sector, including the NGSN, have worked with tireless commitment… Their efforts have paved the way for this new model.”
Technological Innovation in Final Phase
Despite planning its closure, GambleAware has continued to evolve. Most recently, the charity launched a self-help app to support at-risk youth – an initiative backed by evidence highlighting the growing vulnerability of young people to gambling-related harm. The app provides anonymous, non-judgmental assistance, marking one of the charity’s final significant contributions.
A New Chapter for UK Gambling Harm Strategy
GambleAware’s closure marks the end of a voluntary-funded system that has operated for over two decades. While the move is seen as a step toward greater accountability and consistency, it also raises questions about how quickly and effectively public sector bodies can replicate and expand existing services.
Nonetheless, the transition promises a more sustainable, publicly accountable approach to gambling harm – one rooted in the NHS and backed by dedicated public funding through a statutory levy.
As the UK prepares for this handover, all eyes will be on how the new commissioners and health authorities scale services while honouring the groundwork laid by organisations like GambleAware.
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