In a decisive move, Great Britain’s Gambling Commission announced the closure of its Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) after successfully completing its original objectives. The board, established in 2008, has played a pivotal role for 17 years in advising the regulator on minimizing gambling-related harms and promoting safer gambling practices, aligned with the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.
The conclusion of the strategy marks a significant milestone. The commission stated that it has achieved its “key milestones” and now plans to pivot towards new strategies that are “better aligned to the next phase of research and regulation.” Over the years, the ABSG has been instrumental in various regulatory advancements, such as identifying gambling harms as a public health issue and assisting in the creation of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP).
This strategic shift comes on the heels of the statutory levy introduced in November 2024. This levy transitioned the responsibility for research and funding aimed at preventing gambling harms from GambleAware, which operated under a voluntary code, to government-appointed national healthcare bodies. As a result of securing additional funds through this new levy, the Gambling Commission aims to establish a new research-focused expert group to support an expansion in research activities.
Reflecting on the board’s impact, Gambling Commission Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes commended the ABSG’s significant contributions to gambling regulation. In a statement issued on 19 September, he acknowledged its “important” role but emphasized that it is now the “right time” to conclude its operations to align with the evolving landscape of gambling regulation. “ABSG has played an important role in shaping how we think about gambling harms, and embedding lived experience perspectives into regulation,” Rhodes noted. He added that with the new phase led by research initiatives funded by the statutory levy, ensuring the right expert input is crucial to guiding future work.
Helen Child, head of governance at the commission, echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the “huge contribution” the ABSG made to gambling regulation. She acknowledged the “insight, engagement and challenge” provided by each board member, underscoring the board’s value over its years of operation.
However, the ABSG is not the sole entity affected by the statutory levy. In July, the charity GambleAware announced that it would cease all operations and transition its responsibilities to the British government by the end of March 2026. This decision follows the introduction of the new levy, which GambleAware has supported since it was proposed in the government’s white paper. The charity’s historical contributions will now be absorbed by the government and new commissioners across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The closure of the ABSG and the transition of GambleAware’s responsibilities signal a broader shift in how gambling-related issues will be managed and researched in Great Britain. These changes reflect the government’s commitment to a more centralized and standardized approach to tackling gambling harms, ensuring that the latest research and expert advice guide regulatory practices.
Amid these developments, there exists a divergence of opinions. While some industry experts hail the consolidation and restructuring as a necessary step to enhance regulatory efficiency and effectiveness, others express concerns about the potential loss of independent oversight and the rich, nuanced insights offered by entities like the ABSG and GambleAware. Critics worry that integrating research and regulation under government-appointed bodies may dilute the diverse perspectives that have traditionally informed safer gambling strategies.
Despite differing viewpoints, the overarching goal remains the same: to reduce gambling-related harms and promote a safer gambling environment for all. The transition period will be critical in ensuring that the new structures effectively build on the foundation laid by the ABSG and GambleAware, and that the momentum in tackling gambling issues is not lost.
The evolving landscape of gambling regulation in Great Britain underscores the dynamic nature of the industry and the continuous need for adaptation and innovation in regulatory practices. As the nation moves forward with these changes, the focus will remain on harnessing the collective expertise of various stakeholders to create a more sustainable and responsible gambling environment.
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