UK Charity Commission receives complaint against GambleAware for gambling harm misinformation

A complaint has been lodged with the UK’s Charity Commission against GambleAware, a grant-making body supported by the gambling industry, accusing the organization of disseminating inaccurate information to the British public regarding gambling-related harm.

The Charity Commission has confirmed receiving a complaint, filed by The Good Law Project, an independent non-profit, which argues GambleAware’s discourse is “promoted by the gambling industry” and aims to shift the blame from aggressive advertising and harmful products to individual gamblers.

The complainant expresses concerns about GambleAware's ties to the industry and questions the Bet Regret campaign, suggesting it places blame on individual gamblers. Similar reservations are raised about the "understand your spending" tool on GambleAware's website, contending that it fosters shame and guilt without offering advice to stop gambling.

“The Charity Commission must take action and investigate whether GambleAware is breaking charity law by failing in their duties to provide unbiased information – accepting the false narrative that gambling is a problem for individuals instead of a problem with the industry. And we’re preparing to take legal action if they refuse,” the complaint said.

Led by public policy expert Will Prochaska, The Good Law Project initiative draws parallels with a 2021 case involving the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM). In that case, the Charity Commission found no conflict of interest after investigating YGAM's links to the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).

The new complaint surfaces amid expectations of a restructuring in the UK's gambling education and treatment sector, with the government considering a mandatory levy on gambling operators to fund support. This potential change would replace voluntary donations to GambleAware, redirecting funds directly to the NHS, which is set to act as the commissioner.

The fate of GambleAware is uncertain, with discussions surrounding its role in the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN).

Responding to the challenges, GambleAware's CEO Zoë Osmond asserted its independence, dismissing the allegations as "baseless and highly damaging."

“We are robustly independent from the gambling industry, having long called for further regulation on gambling advertising and for the implementation of a statutory funding system to hold the gambling industry to account,” Osmond said.