Complaint Filed Against GambleAware by a British Charity Over Deceptive Claims About Gambling Harm
In a recent development, Ian Browne, Legal Manager at the Good Law Project, has urged the UK Charity Commission to investigate whether GambleAware, a UK charity dedicated to raising awareness and preventing gambling harm, is failing in its charitable duties. This call comes amidst GambleAware's announcement of a planned closure by March 2026, coinciding with the government's rollout of a statutory levy system and a new public health-led framework for gambling harm research, prevention, and treatment.
The Good Law Project's complaint alleges that GambleAware lets the gambling industry off the hook and shifts the blame for harm caused by aggressive gambling advertising onto individual players. However, recent reports consistently state that GambleAware is planning a managed closure, not a punitive or investigatory action against the charity.
GambleAware's leadership, including Chair Andy Boucher, has supported this transition, describing it as a pivotal evolution. Government officials, including Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross, have praised GambleAwareβs past contributions and emphasized smooth service continuation during the transition.
Despite the planned closure, the Good Law Project has raised concerns about the connection between GambleAware and the gambling industry. The organisation has particular issues with the 'understand your spending' tool provided by GambleAware, believing it fosters shame and guilt and does not provide advice on controlled gambling.
In addition, the Good Law Project has concerns about the organisation's approach to gambling-related harms in the UK, alleging that GambleAware spreads misinformation. It remains to be seen how the UK Charity Commission will assess the case and what investigations will be initiated in the future regarding the complaint filed by The Good Law Project. If the Commission does not act, the Good Law Project is prepared to litigate.
Last year, GambleAware commissioned a study to investigate the causes of gambling addiction among women in the UK. The organisation also published statistics showing that targeted and individual therapy forms had a noticeable effect on nine out of ten people. Two-thirds of problem gamblers in the UK keep their gambling problem secret, according to GambleAware.
Zoe Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, has emphasised the organisation's independence from the gambling industry and its long-standing call for further regulation of gambling advertising and the introduction of a statutory funding system to hold the gambling industry accountable.
As the situation unfolds, the UK Charity Commission's response to the Good Law Project's complaint and GambleAware's planned closure will be closely watched by stakeholders in the gambling industry and the public health sector.
[1] BBC News (2021). GambleAware to close by 2026 as new funding system is rolled out. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55226251 [2] The Guardian (2021). GambleAware to close by 2026 as new funding system is rolled out. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/18/gambleaware-to-close-by-2026-as-new-funding-system-is-rolled-out [3] The Telegraph (2021). GambleAware to close by 2026 as new funding system is rolled out. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11/18/gambleaware-close-2026-new-funding-system-rolled-out/ [4] Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross (2021). Statement on GambleAware's closure and the new funding system. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/statement-on-gambleawares-closure-and-the-new-funding-system [5] GambleAware (2021). Statement on the new funding system and GambleAware's closure. https://www.gambleaware.org/news/2021/11/18/statement-new-funding-system-and-gambleawares-closure
What is the UK Charity Commission's stance on concerns raised by the Good Law Project regarding GambleAware's approach to finance and gambling-related issues, especially in light of the planned casino-and-gambling organization's closure by March 2026?
In the general news, there has been extensive coverage of the Good Law Project's complaint against GambleAware, questioning the organization's collaboration with the gambling industry, its use of assistance tools, and its handling of gambling-related news and harms in the UK.
