The Betting and Gaming Council has responded to the news that GambleAware will undergo “managed closure” before March 2026 by urging the government to choose which body takes control of the mandatory levy provision carefully.

Warning against ceding services to a “narrow group of anti-gambling campaigners” or organisations “driven by ideology rather than evidence,” the BGC called on legislators to keep funding “independent, ringfenced and focused.”

“GambleAware has played a central role in funding and commissioning independent research, education and treatment for more than two decades, underpinned by the voluntary contributions of the betting and gaming industry,” said a spokesperson. 

“While we campaigned for and support the Government’s decision to move to mandatory contributions, this must not mean handing control to a narrow group of anti-gambling campaigners or creating a publicly funded cottage industry driven by ideology rather than evidence. What matters is that funding remains independent, ringfenced and focused on delivering real outcomes for those at risk of harm.”

Organisations such as Deal Me Out, BetBlocker and GamStop have also raised concerns over what will happen when the mandatory levy takes effect.

“The transition to a statutory levy must protect existing expertise, maintain service continuity, and ensure that decisions are based on data, not dogma.”