Key Moments:
- The UK Gambling Commission has closed its Safer Gambling Advisory Board after meeting its objectives over six years.
- Replacement strategies now focus on the new levy, with operators required to contribute between 0.1 and 1.1 percent of gross gambling yield from April 2025.
- Future research and policy decisions will be directed by independent, levy-funded processes, maintaining a strong emphasis on evidence and lived experience.
Strategic Shift: Advisory Board Disbanded After Milestone Achievements
After six years of guiding safer gambling initiatives, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has ended the work of its Safer Gambling Advisory Board (ABSG). This development, aligned with the roll-out of the new gambling levy, marks the next phase in the UK’s approach to reducing gambling-related harm. The closure is not the result of outside pressure, but rather a planned evolution as part of the Commission’s broader strategy to protect an estimated 340,000 vulnerable players.
Advisory Board’s Legacy and Policy Impact
Established in 2019 to support the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, the ABSG’s primary contribution has been reframing gambling harm as a public health matter. Operators had to integrate stronger player protections. In addition, these measures went beyond simple recommendations. The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) ensured that first-hand experiences helped shape industry reforms, introducing milestones such as mandatory affordability checks.
Levy-Funded Research Model Launches
A new funding era begins as operators will remit a levy ranging from 0.1 to 1.1 percent of their gross gambling yields, effective from April 2025. Online operators will pay at the higher end, while lotteries contribute at the lower end. These payments, based on revenues from July 2024 to March 2025, are due quarterly, with the first installment by October 1, 2025.
Levy proceeds will directly fund research. Moreover, each study must pass an independent academic peer-review process managed by the UKGC, ensuring it stays rooted in data and expertise.
| Levy Rate | Operators | Payment Frequency | Payment Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1% – 1.1% | Lotteries (lower), Online Operators (higher) | Quarterly | First payment due by October 1, 2025, based on July 2024 – March 2025 earnings |
Leadership Reflections and Transition Planning
UKGC Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes shared:
“It shaped how we think about gambling harms and embedded lived experience in regulation.”
He noted that a successor group will be formed to guarantee that data-driven decision-making continues. Helen Child, UKGC’s governance chief, described the board’s part as “huge,” noting its influence and the valuable contributions made in challenging and shaping policy.
Operator Responsibilities Under the New Framework
The levy offers clarified, predictable costs, but the regulatory bar is rising. Operators are now expected to add levy reporting to quarterly board documents. They must also improve predictive analytics for detecting harm at an early stage. Developing comprehensive internal protocols is seen as essential so that safer gambling becomes integral to company culture rather than a compliance exercise.
Meanwhile, shifts in the broader funding environment are underway. GambleAware is set to wind down by March 2026, pending final confirmation of a successor, and LEAP continues to play a vital role in upcoming research panels.
Market Response and Calls for Transparency
Most industry participants view the closure as the fulfillment of ABSG’s mission. However, many question whether the new research group can show the same level of independence. Compliance specialists are asking for clear, transparent guidelines, enhanced data, and robust oversight as the regulatory ecosystem evolves.
The UKGC’s Model as a Global Reference Point
The disbandment of the Safer Gambling Advisory Board signals the UK’s confidence in having established foundational harm-prevention measures. Now, the regulatory framework will be continually informed by levy-supported, evidence-driven research. Internationally, other jurisdictions are monitoring the UK’s transition, seeking insight for their own regulatory reforms. The UK’s approach may influence regions ranging from Europe to North America, especially as the global debate continues over balancing industry interests with public health.
- Author
Daniel Williams
