UK Government Appoints OHID as Gambling Harm Prevention Commissioner
The UK Government has designated the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) as the new Prevention Commissioner for Gambling Harms, reinforcing a statutory approach to tackling gambling-related issues.
GambleAware Supports the Initiative
Leading gambling harm charity GambleAware welcomed the appointment, emphasizing the significance of a statutory framework in combating gambling-related harm.
Zoë Osmond OBE, CEO of GambleAware, and Prof. Siân Griffiths CBE, Chair of Trustees, reiterated the need for a structured, government-driven approach to prevention. The organization expressed pride in its contributions to harm reduction and pledged to work alongside OHID and other newly appointed commissioners to facilitate a smooth transition.
Betting and Gaming Council Raises Oversight Concerns
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) acknowledged the government’s efforts but underscored the importance of maintaining industry oversight. A spokesperson for the BGC noted:
“The BGC supported plans outlined in the White Paper to introduce a mandatory levy to fund Research, Prevention and Treatment, as long as it was independent, protects longstanding, expert providers of RPT in the third sector and is tiered to protect land-based operators.”
BGC also voiced concerns over OHID’s role, citing its previously criticized 2023 report on gambling. The council stressed the need for strict oversight, including transparency protocols, independent audits, and ongoing evaluations to ensure that allocated funds are used effectively.
BGC members and licensed operators have voluntarily contributed over £170 million in the last four years toward problem gambling initiatives, including £50 million in 2024. These funds support an independent charity network that assists 85% of problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.
The council also cautioned policymakers against generalizing gambling-related harm, pointing out that the majority of the UK’s 22.5 million monthly bettors engage in gambling safely.
It highlighted that only 0.4% of the adult population is classified as problem gamblers, according to the latest NHS Health Survey for England.
Mandatory Levy Expected to Generate £100 Million Annually
The appointment of OHID aligns with the UK Government’s introduction of a mandatory gambling levy, which is projected to generate £100 million annually for gambling harm prevention services.
While industry stakeholders acknowledge the levy as a step forward in securing long-term funding for prevention and treatment programs, debates continue over whether the measures outlined in the Government’s Gambling White Paper offer sufficient consumer protections.
Additionally, a January 2025 GambleAware report highlighted high-risk gambling products, including electronic gaming machines, online casino games, and loot boxes, adding further urgency to the regulatory discussions.
