Ep 569: GambleAware’s Departure and the Rise of NHS-Led Gambling Care

In this episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, hosts Ted Menmuir and Ted Orme-Claye, dissect the decision by GambleAware’s board of trustees to wind down operations, signaling a complete closure by March 2026.

As a long-standing pillar in the UK’s gambling harm prevention ecosystem, GambleAware’s exit marks a transformative shift in how gambling treatment and education will be handled moving forward. With the charity stepping away from roles in strategic planning, fundraising, and commissioning, the episode examines how this development reshapes the landscape of gambling harm mitigation in the UK, especially in the context of the upcoming statutory levy and NHS-led treatment models.

The discussion provides crucial insights into GambleAware’s historical role as the UK’s leading commissioner of gambling harm funding, primarily supported by voluntary one per cent contributions from major operators like Flutter, Entain, William Hill, bet365, and GAN. The hosts explore the possible reasons behind the trustees' decision to fully exit, rather than accept a diminished position under the NHS's control. They also assess how this move may reflect broader political and institutional goals, particularly the NHS’s long-standing ambition to establish a fully independent public health response, free from industry ties.

Looking to the future, the episode raises pressing concerns about the NHS’s readiness to assume full responsibility for gambling treatment, research, and support services. With mounting structural pressures, ongoing resource constraints, and a lack of clear leadership communication, questions loom over how this transition will unfold.

Host: Ted Orme-Claye
Guest: Ted Menmuir
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

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