Statement: Response to statutory levy announcement

“I welcome this week’s announcement about the introduction of a statutory levy on gambling operators to fund research, prevention and treatment to reduce the burden of gambling harms on our society.

While we are pleased to see some clarity regarding the future direction of funding for the sector, the absence of an appointed commissioner for prevention perpetuates uncertainty for organisations like Ygam. We urge the government to act swiftly and prioritise this appointment and stand ready to contribute our expertise to the work that needs to happen to get this right. The remit of any funding distribution body must be clearly defined to ensure unbiased, evidence-based decisions about the allocation of resources aligned with population need and priorities.

We are encouraged by the government’s strong emphasis on harm prevention, however it is critical that upstream education holds a prominent role. We have consistently advocated for greater investment in upstream prevention, aiming to reduce the number of people needing treatment services in the first place. Universal education is a cornerstone of a robust public health response and must receive sustainable funding over the long term.

An effective prevention strategy must encompass providing evidence-based training and tools for the wide range of frontline professionals and trusted individuals who play a pivotal role in safeguarding young people from gambling harms. This includes teachers, parents, youth workers, and others in key positions of influence. The new levy should facilitate access to resources that equip these individuals with the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to support and safeguard children and young people as they navigate the challenges of the digital world.

For Ygam, and others working in the gambling harm prevention space, this week’s announcement does not provide any respite to the uncertainty around our future funding. We urge DCMS, the Gambling Commission and GambleAware to ensure that the system continues to be supported during this period of transition and change.”