The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will temporarily keep the GambleAware website operating for at least a year.
The decision has been made in a bid to make sure support for those experiencing gambling harm continues while the transition to the new levy system takes place.
Supporting a smooth transition is a key priority, as the OHID will be the prevention commissioner under the new levy and will take ownership of the GambleAware website, noted the UKGC in an email newsletter.
Licencees were also encouraged by the commission to continue adhering to the Betting and Gaming Council–Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (BGC-IGRG) Gambling Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising.
The UKGC stated: “To support a smooth transition to the new levy system and ensure that those at risk of or who are experiencing gambling harms can continue to access tools and support, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) – as prevention commissioner under the levy – will take ownership of the GambleAware website.
“The OHID will keep the GambleAware website temporarily live when GambleAware ceases operations on 31 March 2026. This will be for a period of at least 12 months (until at least March 2027) as OHID intends to transition from the GambleAware website to a newly developed digital prevention offer, funded via the levy, in the future.”
Managed closure
GambleAware announced last July that it would be working towards a managed closure by the end of March 2026, remaining “committed to fulfilling existing commissioning agreements until the new system is in place by April 2026”.
Andy Boucher, Chair of Trustees at GambleAware, noted at the time: “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.
“The GambleAware website and critical prevention resources continue to provide accessible support for all.”
GambleAware is currently being led by Transition CEO Anna Hargrave, who was appointed to the position in August last year to oversee the day-to-day operations of the charity and lead on the managed closure of the organisation. Hargrave took over from former CEO Zoë Osmond, who had been the charity’s CEO since 2021.
When GambleAware announced its managed closure, Osmond called on the incoming commissioners – OHID, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as research commissioner and NHS England, and Scottish and Welsh Governments as treatment commissioner – to continue branching out and supporting its work.
“As our commissioning activity winds down, we urge NHS England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, UK Research and Innovation, and the relevant authorities in Scotland and Wales to build on the infrastructure and insights of the current system as they assume their new roles.”
