The UK Gambling Commission recently announced that its Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) will officially cease operations after completing its set duties. The board was established in 2008 and has been providing expert advice on reducing gambling harm and ensuring safe gambling to the regulatory body for 17 years.
Background and Reasons for the Closure of the Committee
The Gambling Commission stated that ABSG has completed its original duties and "key milestones". The committee's work aligns with the UK's national strategy to reduce gambling harm, which has now been completed. The regulatory body noted that there is a need to establish new arrangements "better suited for the next phase of research and regulation".
ABSG's Historical Contributions and Achievements
During its 17 years of operation, ABSG has made significant contributions to several key developments in the gambling regulatory field. These include promoting the recognition of gambling harm as a public health issue and assisting in the establishment of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), which provided valuable practical experience for regulatory work.
Regulatory Strategy Adjustments and Future Plans
This organizational adjustment occurred after the announcement in November 2024 of the introduction of statutory taxation. According to the new policy, the responsibility for research and funding to prevent gambling harm has been transferred from the voluntary code of GambleAware to a government-designated national healthcare institution. The Gambling Commission plans to use the funds provided by the new tax to establish a new expert group focused on research to support the expansion of research scope.
Official Statements and Evaluations
On September 19, Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the Gambling Commission, acknowledged the work of ABSG in a statement. He noted that ABSG played a significant role in "shaping perceptions of gambling harm and integrating lived experience perspectives into regulation", but now is the "right time" to end its operations under the new regulatory environment. Helen Child, the governance director of the regulatory body, added that ABSG made significant contributions to gambling regulation and the committee.
Industry Impact and Related Changes
ABSG is not the only responsible gambling organization affected by statutory taxation and closing down. In July this year, GambleAware also confirmed that it would cease all activities by the end of March 2026 and transfer its work to the UK government. The organization stated that this decision was made following the new tax levy, although GambleAware has been supportive since the government's white paper proposed the tax scheme.
