Gambling Commission publishes report on research, education and treatment

Press release

Date: 21 October 2008

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) asked the Gambling Commission to carry out a review on the effectiveness and level of the existing voluntary arrangements for the gambling industry funding of gambling research, public education and treatment.  A report was sent to the Minister last week and is published today, along with his response letter. 

The report follows a lengthy consultation process with the industry and makes the case for improved voluntary arrangements to ensure that:

  • industry funding is firmly committed, sufficient and sustainable
  • the Commission, DCMS and other stakeholders have access to expert, independent and authoritative strategic advice on research education and treatment
  • the distribution of funds to projects and providers is based on clear priorities with outcomes that are properly evaluated.

The Commission's strongly preferred option in the report is for a tripartite structure involving stakeholders working together to put in place voluntary arrangements for fundraising.  This structure would include a strategy board, a fundraising body (for which the industry would be responsible) and a new distributor.

New arrangements need to be in place for April 2009 in order to avoid further uncertainty and delay.  To date the Commission has not been able to secure agreement on its proposals or to obtain satisfactory funding commitments from the industry for the next three years.  It has therefore recommended to the Minister that

  • he commences preparations for a levy from April 2009
  • he endorses the improved voluntary arrangements that the Commission has recommended and that these should remain on the table for industry and RIGT to take up
  • the Commission commences setting up a strategy board immediately in collaboration with DCMS and the industry.

Note to editors

  1. 1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to government on gambling in Britain.
  2. 2. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) respectively.
  3. 3. The Commission is based in Birmingham and has powers to undertake prosecutions under the Gambling Act 2005.
  4. 4.  The Gambling Act places on the Gambling Commission the responsibility to give advice to the Secretary of State on the incidence of gambling, the manner in which gambling is carried out, the effects of gambling, and the regulation of gambling.

Further information

Further information is available from the Commission's website.

Telephone John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, 07852 124624 or email communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.