The UK’s statutory gambling levy is now channeling funds into a new research program, with a key leadership role open to address gambling harms.
Key Takeaways
* The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is establishing a Gambling Research Programme, funded by the statutory levy, to tackle gambling harms.
* A head of department is being sought to lead this new program, with applications open until April 13.
* The statutory levy, implemented last year, has generated £120 million and allocates 20% of its funds to this research initiative.
UKRI Seeks Leader for New Gambling Research Programme
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has initiated the formation of its Gambling Research Programme, a move that follows the government’s integration of Gambling RET (research, education, and treatment) funding under its remit. This shift is a direct outcome of the gambling white paper and the broader statutory levy framework. The UKRI is currently recruiting a head of department to build out this program, which will be financed by the gambling statutory levy.
The selected individual will oversee the development of the UKRI’s Research Programme on Gambling. This initiative aims to address gambling harms through collaborative, evidence-led research. The application window for this position closes on April 13, aligning with the government’s previous announcement regarding the department’s launch in early 2026.
By the end of the first year, the head of the Gambling Research Programme is expected to establish the department as a “credible, trusted programme across the government and research community,” according to the job description. The role, published last Sunday, is a fixed-term appointment for 24 months and will operate within the UKRI’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The successful candidate will report to the AHRC’s associate director of the Research Programme on Gambling.
Statutory Levy Fuels Research and Harm Prevention
The new head of the Research Programme on Gambling will be responsible for providing “leadership, direction and momentum” to the initiative and determining how statutory levy funding should be allocated. The Research Programme on Gambling receives its funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) via the sector’s statutory levy, which became effective on April 6 last year.
Of the total levy funds, 20% is directed to the UKRI’s Research Programme on Gambling. The remaining funds are allocated with 30% designated for strengthening gambling harm prevention efforts, and the other 50% reserved for treatment and support services. Since its implementation, the statutory levy has generated a total of £120 million ($159.5 million) over nine months.
This levy applies to all UK-licensed operators, with rates varying based on the type of licence held. These rates range from 1.1% of Gross Gaming Yield (GGY) for online operators and software licensees to 0.1% for family entertainment centres, pool betting licensees, and machine technical licensees. The Gambling Commission has previously issued warnings to operators, indicating that licences could face revocation if levy payments are not made on time.
Ensuring Fair and Unbiased Funding
The transition to a statutory levy system has prompted discussions within the gambling industry regarding the allocation and oversight of these funds. In May last year, Victoria Reed, founder of Better Change, emphasized the necessity of a robust governance framework for the statutory levy to ensure its funding is utilized effectively.
Under the previous voluntary system, funds were distributed through GambleAware, which is scheduled to cease operations by the end of this month due to these changes. Researchers in the gambling harms sector had previously voiced concerns about the extent of industry influence over research conducted under the former funding model. The current framework aims to address these concerns by placing RET funding directly under government oversight.
I remember the first time I saw Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s gambling city, I thought I was in a fairy tale. All the lights blinking, the music and the monumental buildings, what 9-year-old wouldn’t think they’ve come to a magical place? It was my father who brought me, dragging me along and when inside I was hit by the smell of frying duck. As soon as I hit 21 I returned to Kai Tak, A bit nervous to see if my mind had embellished the memory, but it hadn’t. Kai Tak was still a magical place. I decided I wanted to spend as much time as I could at this place, so I did.
