Charity Commission Clears GambleAware in Industry Independence Inquiry

The UK’s Charity Commission has closed its investigation into GambleAware. The Commission said the charity took ‘appropriate steps’ to maintain its independence from the gambling industry after an inquiry was launched in March. 

Charity Commission Finds No Fault After Good Law Project Complaint

A campaign backed by the Good Law Project had raised concerns about GambleAware’s impartiality because of its reliance on donations from the sector. 

A Commission spokesperson noted: “In March, following an assessment of concerns raised with us, the Commission opened a regulatory compliance case into GambleAware. We have engaged with the charity’s trustees about the concerns raised.”

The Commission eventually found that GambleAware had appropriate processes in place to realize its objectives. It issued advice as part of its decision but made no criticisms or findings against the charity.

The case was welcomed by GambleAware, which called for a move away from a funding model based on voluntary donations from gambling companies set by the government to a statutory levy on operators which is currently under consultation having been recommended last year. 

Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, was pleased with the regulator’s decision. She underlined the trustees’ independence as well as the fact that the charity’s work was being done for public benefit. She further added: “We continue our work to prevent gambling harm and provide vital support to those affected. These include the commissioning of impactful gambling harm prevention programs and treatment services through the National Gambling Support Network.”

Good Law Project Questions Charity Commission’s Findings

However, the Good Law Project was not satisfied with this. According to Hannah Greer, the campaign manager of the organization, the NHS has been rejecting funds from GambleAware for treatment clinics regarding gambling addiction since 2022. This implies that there is a contradiction between what the Commission found out and what the NHS’ stance is.

She insisted that if GambleAware were really working in the public’s interest it would have criticized more strongly the tactics used by the gambling industry which she said makes large amounts of money out of few problem gamblers.

The debate about whether or not to fund GambleAware comes at a time when wider reforms on UK gambling are being considered including a statutory levy. The suggested levy discussed in an October 2023 government consultation would see some revenues from gambling directed towards treatment, research and prevention initiatives managed independently by bodies such as the NHS and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).