UK Gambling Research Levy Faces Scrutiny Over £24 Million Allocation
United Kingdom.- 4 November 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The United Kingdom’s new statutory funding system for gambling-related harm research is facing questions over how resources are allocated and whether selected projects will provide sufficient scientific value.
The debate centres on the gambling industry’s statutory levy, which allocates 20% of its funding to research, equivalent to approximately £24 million in its first year.
James Noyes, a public policy specialist who helped advocate for the system, has warned that funding must support rigorous research addressing the most important regulatory questions.
A New Funding Framework
The UK introduced a mandatory levy to finance research, prevention and treatment initiatives addressing gambling-related harm.
The system replaces the previous model based on voluntary industry contributions.
Its objective is to establish a sustainable and independent funding structure capable of producing evidence to inform public policy.
Research receives 20% of the levy proceeds.
£18 Million Available in First Funding Round
The first funding round involves approximately £18 million in research grants.
The programme is administered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The funding is intended to improve understanding of gambling’s economic, social and public health consequences.
However, the decision to appoint AHRC as programme administrator has generated questions about research priorities.
James Noyes Questions Research Quality
Noyes, who co-authored a 2022 Social Market Foundation report supporting the introduction of the statutory levy, has expressed concern about how the resources will be used.
He believes substantial funding could attract projects that do not address the industry’s most pressing regulatory questions.
Noyes also questioned why an arts and humanities council is administering a programme involving issues that frequently require economic and public health expertise.
His principal concern is that the volume of research could take precedence over scientific quality and practical relevance.
Priority Research Areas
According to Noyes, authorities should identify the most important gaps in existing evidence before allocating resources.
His proposed priorities include:
- Causal relationships between gambling advertising and harm.
- Links between gambling products and socioeconomic vulnerability.
- The impact of taxation on gambling consumption.
- Consumer demand responses to price changes.
- Evaluation of player protection policies.
He believes these subjects could provide evidence directly relevant to government decisions and the work of the UK Gambling Commission.
UKRI Defends Its Research Programme
In response to the criticism, UK Research and Innovation defended the programme’s structure.
The organisation described it as the UK’s first sustained, independent public investment specifically focused on gambling-related harm research.
UKRI explained that although AHRC administers the programme, experts from different disciplines participate in evaluating applications.
According to the organisation, proposals undergo competitive independent peer review involving specialists in economics, public health, social sciences and other fields.
It also stated that research priorities were developed through consultation with government departments and levy commissioners.
Independence and Research Priorities
The statutory levy represents an important change in the relationship between gambling businesses and scientific research.
Replacing voluntary contributions with mandatory funding aims to provide greater stability and address concerns about how research is financed.
However, the current debate demonstrates that financial independence does not eliminate questions concerning project selection, quality and practical usefulness.
Noyes continues to support the levy but believes stronger oversight is necessary to ensure resources are spent effectively.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
Funding for gambling-related harm research is becoming increasingly important as the UK develops new regulatory and taxation measures.
Research findings could contribute to future decisions concerning advertising, consumer protection and gambling taxation.
With approximately £24 million allocated to research during the levy’s first year and £18 million included in the initial funding round, the UK is debating how to ensure mandatory industry contributions produce reliable and relevant scientific evidence.
The programme’s impact will depend on the projects selected, their findings and their ability to address the evidence needs of public authorities.
Edited by: @fonta
