UKGC to Close Advisory Board for Safer Gambling

Summary

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced it will close the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) after the board completed its original remit overseeing the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. The regulator credited the ABSG with several key achievements: helping frame gambling harms as a public health issue, promoting the involvement of people with lived experience through the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), and supporting the move to a statutory levy to fund research, education and treatment (RET) independently of the industry. The UKGC says it will now set up new arrangements, including a research-focused expert group, to support the next phase of RET-funded programmes.

The announcement included thanks from UKGC leaders. CEO Andrew Rhodes praised the ABSG’s contributions and said closing the board is timely as the regulator moves into a new phase of work. Separately, GambleAware — the charity that previously managed much of the RET activity — is being wound down, with its managed closure expected to finish by 31 March 2026 as responsibilities transfer to public bodies and three national commissioners are appointed to oversee RET initiatives.

Key Points

The UKGC will close the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling after it met its original objectives.
ABSG helped elevate gambling harms as a public health issue and backed greater inclusion of lived experience in policymaking (via LEAP).
The board supported the introduction of a statutory RET levy to fund research, education and treatment without relying on industry donations.
UKGC will form new arrangements, including a research-focused expert group to support expanded RET initiatives funded by the statutory levy.
GambleAware is being disbanded as part of the transition; its managed closure should complete by 31 March 2026, with duties shifting to public bodies and three national commissioners to be appointed.

Context and relevance

This is a material regulatory shift for the UK gambling landscape. The move from voluntary industry funding and charity-led RET activity towards a statutory levy and public-body oversight marks a clearer, more formal approach to tackling gambling harm. For operators, researchers and treatment providers the change affects funding flows, governance and how expert input is gathered for future policy and research. It also signals the UKGC’s intent to centralise and professionalise research and harm-prevention efforts.

Why should I read this?

Short version: the way the UK pays for and organises gambling-harm research and treatment is changing — and quickly. If you work in regulation, treatment, research or the gambling industry, this reshuffle will affect funding, who sits at the table and how priorities are set. Worth five minutes to get ahead of the practical implications.