Welsh Government to use gambling levy to tackle gambling harms
The Welsh Government has outlined plans to use Wales’ share of a new statutory levy on the gambling industry to reduce gambling-related harms across the country.
Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, updated members on the use of funds generated by the levy, which came into effect on 6 April 2025.
The levy is expected to raise around £100 million annually across Great Britain, with Wales receiving approximately £5 million each year.
The funding will support research, prevention, and treatment services related to gambling harm.
The Minister confirmed that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will oversee the research funding, working closely with Welsh Government officials and Public Health Wales to ensure Wales’ interests are well represented.
Key research initiatives under this programme were announced by UKRI on 26 June, focusing on gambling harms research and innovation partnerships.
For prevention and treatment work, the Welsh Government has appointed Public Health Wales as Lead Prevention Coordinator and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement as Lead Treatment Coordinator for Wales. Both organisations bring the necessary expertise and authority to lead these vital areas.
To maintain transparency and accountability, the UK Government has established a Gambling Levy Programme Board including representatives from the UK, Scottish, and Welsh governments. The board will oversee the levy’s health and impact, with ministers attending annual meetings and senior officials meeting quarterly.
NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, along with Public Health Wales, have begun developing treatment pathways and interventions, including prevention opportunities, as part of this work.
One consequence of the new levy system is reduced funding to GambleAware, an organisation that currently supports some Welsh groups providing services to those affected by gambling harm. To ease the transition, the Welsh, Scottish, and UK governments will allocate up to £11 million from the treatment funding across the three nations to support GambleAware in 2025-26. This is a one-year arrangement to maintain service stability and does not indicate ongoing funding.
The transitional funding will help reduce disruption to the National Gambling Support Network and ensure continued access to treatment services while new commissioning arrangements are established. NHS Wales Performance and Improvement and Public Health Wales will prioritise this transition.
Ms Murphy said a further update on the levy’s progress and impact will be provided in the autumn.
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