UK Government appoints OHID as prevention commissioner for gambling harms

February 13, 2025

UK Government appoints OHID as prevention commissioner for gambling harms

The UK Government has appointed the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) as the new Prevention Commissioner for Gambling Harms. This marks a shift towards a statutory framework for tackling gambling-related issues. The move aligns with the Government’s Gambling White Paper, which introduced a mandatory levy to fund research, prevention, and treatment (RPT) of gambling harm.

GambleAware welcomes OHID’s appointment

GambleAware, a leading charity in gambling harm prevention, has welcomed the Government’s decision. CEO Zoë Osmond OBE and Chair of Trustees Prof. Siân Griffiths CBE emphasised the importance of a government-led initiative to address gambling harm, calling it a serious public health issue.

The organisation has long campaigned for a statutory model and is proud of its role in supporting prevention work. GambleAware is committed to engaging closely with OHID and the new commissioners to ensure a seamless transition to the new system.

Betting and Gaming Council calls for transparency

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) also responded to the announcement, highlighting the need for strict oversight of OHID and the new levy system.

A BGC spokesperson said, “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 raised concerns over OHID’s previous report on gambling in 2023, calling for clear protocols, transparency measures, external auditing, and a robust evaluation programme.

The spokesperson noted that BGC members and licensed operators have voluntarily contributed over £170 million in the past four years to combat gambling harm, including £50 million in 2024. This funding supports an independent network of charities, currently assisting 85 percent of problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.

Mandatory levy to fund gambling harm prevention

The UK Government’s imposition of a compulsory gambling levy will raise £100 million a year to fund harm prevention. This money will be used to fund research, treatment, and public health programs for the reduction of gambling harm.

A recent report by GambleAware, released in January 2025, recognised products with high-risk gambling like electronic gaming machines, online casino games, and loot boxes. The report urged enhanced regulatory steps to safeguard consumers.

Balancing consumer protection and industry interests

The appointment of OHID and the levy introduction follow wider debates about gambling regulation in the UK. The BGC pointed out that harm prevention is important, but the majority of people gamble responsibly. The most recent NHS Health Survey for England has found that just 0.4 percent of the adult population are problem gamblers.

With OHID taking on a central role in gambling harm prevention, the coming months will be key in shaping how the new system operates and whether it meets industry and public health expectations.