In a landmark achievement, GambleAware has announced that it has secured a staggering £49.5 million in donations for the financial year 2023-24, surpassing last year’s figures by £3.1 million. This significant boost in funding will support the organisation’s critical initiatives, including public health campaigns, education and training programs, harm prevention tools, treatment, and research, aimed at combating gambling-related harm.
A lion’s share of this funding, amounting to approximately 94%, was contributed by the UK’s four largest gambling operators: Flutter, Entain, Bet365, and William Hill. These industry giants had previously committed to gradually increasing their donations to 1% of their gross gambling yield over a four-year period, a target they achieved in 2023-24, marking the conclusion of this pledge.
However, this milestone is shadowed by uncertainty looming over funding for the 2024-25 financial year, as the industry transitions to a statutory levy as outlined in the previous year’s white paper. GambleAware’s chief executive Zoë Osmond has expressed concern over potential disruptions during this transition period and has called for measures to ensure the continuous flow of funds to the organisation.
“While we await the implementation of the new statutory levy, donations from the voluntary funding system are key to ensure GambleAware can continue to deliver the essential gambling harm prevention and treatment programmes we commission,” Osmond explained. She emphasized the importance of a seamless transition, stating, “For many years, we have been calling for the introduction of a statutory levy on the gambling industry, and we are pleased the government has committed to delivering this as part of the gambling white paper. However, during the transition period, it is vital that steps continue to be taken to ensure there is no disruption to existing services and provisions in the wider system as they adapt to the new levy funding model.”
Breaking down the donations from the prominent contributors, Flutter led the pack with a remarkable donation of £18 million on behalf of its brands, which include popular names like Paddy Power and Sky Bet. Not far behind was Entain, pledging £16.8 million to the organisation. Bet365’s operating company, Hillside, contributed a total of £5.8 million through three separate donations of £1.3 million, £1.4 million, and £3.1 million.
. William Hill rounded off the quartet with a notable £6 million donation.
Apart from these major contributions, several other notable pledges were made during the 2023-24 financial year. Camelot UK Lotteries, now under the ownership of Allwyn, donated £451,800. Petre (Gibraltar), operating as Betfred, contributed £215,595, while an additional £50,000 came from Betfred owners, the Done Brothers. Les Ambassadeurs pledged £208,920 from its club business and £49,254 from its online sector. Virgin Bet added £123,967 to the pot, while gambling centre operator Talarius donated £103,619.
Other significant pledges included £154,871 from BV Gaming/BetVictor, £106,158 from LiveScore Betting and Gaming, and £110,263 from Luxury Leisure. The Gambling Commission also directed £33.5 million from regulatory settlements reached over the past year into GambleAware. These regulatory funds, like the voluntary donations, will be channeled straight into the organisation to support its initiatives.
In addition to these contributions, GambleAware reported an extra £241,613 from unclaimed winnings and dormant accounts during 2023-24. Brands such as 888, BetVictor, and Betfred were among those that contributed these unclaimed funds.
This influx of funds comes at a critical time, with GambleAware’s CEO Zoë Osmond having recently defended the charity’s work amidst a complaint by the Good Law Project. The complaint, submitted to the Charity Commission in March, accused GambleAware trustees of failing to meet the charity’s objectives in offering adequate gambling harm education. Osmond has firmly stood by the organisation’s actions, expressing confidence that the complaint will not be upheld. The Charity Commission’s investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
As GambleAware navigates this period of transition, the organisation remains committed to its mission of reducing gambling-related harm. The remarkable donations received for 2023-24 represent a significant step forward in supporting the charity’s vital work. However, sustaining this momentum will require continued support and adaptation as the new statutory levy system comes into effect.
