The UK government has appointed the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) as the new Gambling Harm Prevention Commissioner. This change marks a new move towards a State approach to dealing with gaming-related issues.
GambleAware welcomed the appointment. The chairman of the board of directors Prof. Siân Griffiths and CEO Zoë Osmond highlighted the importance of a government-led initiative to tackle gambling-related harm. Which, according to them, would be a public health problem.
However, GambleAware emphasized its long-standing advocacy for a statutory framework and expressed pride in its contributions to the UK in preventing gambling harm.
Furthermore, the organization promised to collaborate with OHID and the other newly appointed commissioners to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
What the BGC says about the new UK guidance on Preventing Harm from Gambling
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) spokesperson commented on the announcement: “The BGC supported the plans outlined in the White Paper to introduce a mandatory levy to fund Research, Prevention and Treatment, provided it was independent, protected long-standing specialist providers of RPT in the third sector and was tiered to protect land-based operators.”
“Considering OHID’s previous flawed report on gaming in 2023, it is essential that the Levy Board has rigorous oversight of OHID and these significant funds, including the application of a clear set of protocols to ensure transparency, an evaluation program, and an external audit regime.”
“BGC members and licensed operators have voluntarily contributed more than £170 million over the past four years to combat problem gambling and gambling-related harm, including £50 million in 2024, funding an independent network of charities that currently care for 85 percent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.
“Ministers must not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of the 22.5 million people who enjoy betting every month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.”
Regulation at the center of the discussion
OHID’s appointment comes amid wider discussions about gaming regulation in the UK. A recent GambleAware report, published in January 2025, identified high-risk gaming products such as gaming machines, online casino games and loot boxes.
According to GambleAware’s recent report, based on the numbers, there is greater consumer protection, including stricter regulations. Lower betting limits and additional safeguards for online gaming are among them.
This latest development comes after the UK government introduced a mandatory gambling levy, which is expected to generate £100 million annually in harm prevention.
While the tax represents progress in funding support services, there are still concerns about whether the measures outlined in the Government’s Gaming White Paper are sufficient to protect consumers.
