The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced the imminent closure of the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG). The regulator emphasized that this follows the completion of the board’s original remit.
UKGC to Move to New Arrangements
For context, the ABSG was created to oversee the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms and provide constructive criticism. With the conclusion of the strategy and the achievement of multiple key milestones, the UKGC decided that the ABSG’s services are no longer needed. As a result, the regulator will put an end to the board.
The Gambling Commission used the opportunity to highlight some of the ABSG’s most important contributions, which include contributing to the recognition of gambling harms as a public health issue, supporting the inclusion of lived experience individuals in policymaking and regulation via the creation of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), and backing the introduction of the new statutory levy to fund gambling harm research, education, and treatment (RET) without relying on the gaming industry.
The Gambling Commission added that it will turn its attention to “new arrangements better aligned to the next phase of research and regulation.” Among other things, the regulatory body explained that it will begin work on establishing a new research-focused expert group to support the expanded RET initiatives.
UKGC Leaders Thanked ABSG Members for Their Contributions
Andrew Rhodes, the UKGC’s chief executive officer, commented on the disbandment of the ABSG, acknowledging its incredible contributions in shaping how the UK perceives problem gambling. He thanked all current and former members for their hard work in making sure that problem gambling is being taken seriously.
As we move into a new phase with the implementation of research programmes funded by the statutory levy, our priority is to ensure we have the right expert input to help inform our work. This is the right time to close ABSG and establish new arrangements that reflect the future needs of our gambling regulation and research.
Andrew Rhodes, CEO, UKGC
In the meantime, Helen Child, the body’s head of governance, thanked the ABSG for its “huge contribution to gambling regulation” and the UKGC as a whole.
GambleAware to Close Too
As Britain moves toward a new dawn where RET initiatives are funded by a statutory levy rather than voluntary contributions, the country is also preparing to disband GambleAware, its leading problem gambling charity.
The organization’s managed closure should wrap up by March 31, 2026, marking the end of an era.
In addition to dismantling GambleAware, the UK government said that it will appoint three new national commissioners for gambling harm RET initiatives, while shifting GambleAware’s responsibilities to public bodies across the country.