UK Gambling Research Funding Receives a Major Boost with New Long-Term Programme

17 September 2026

UKRI launches a five-year, £100 million research programme on gambling, funded through the statutory levy.

The UK has launched a major new funding initiative to support research into gambling-related harms, with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) establishing a five-year, £100 million research programme backed by enforcement action. Under the new system, gambling operators will contribute about £60 million annually through the statutory Gambling Levy, with a 20% share directed to UKRI for independent research. This multiparty deal reflects a shift from piecemeal funding to a more formal, levy-supported research ecosystem.

What Changed?

The most significant change is the establishment of a multi-year research programme, with UKRI setting aside £20-25 million annually for the next five years. This is a substantial increase from the more fragmented funding landscape of recent years. Funding is collected through the statutory Gambling Levy, which requires gambling operators to pay towards gambling harm prevention. UKRI then oversees the funding of independent research, separate from prevention and treatment.

Where the Money is Going

Details of the ambitious new programme show a focus on building an independent UK evidence base. Core activities include the Gambling Harms Research UK (GHRUK) Evidence Centre, 19 Innovation Partnerships, and rapid evidence reviews to support policymakers. The programme is also investing in data infrastructure, capacity-building initiatives and policy engagement.

Tackling harms across diverse settings is another priority. Recent funding opportunities focus on video games and gambling, as well as AI for harm detection and automated management of problematic gambling. Research will also look at regulatory and policy interventions, alongside prevention and treatment approaches.

Why This Matters

The expansion of gambling-related research funding is crucial for several reasons. First, it delivers on the UK government's commitment to creating a sustainable funding system for the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm. Second, it enables the build-out of an independent evidence base to better understand the social, economic, and public health impacts of gambling. This evidence can then be used to inform regulation and intervention.

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Signs of Expansion

UKRI has already launched multiple funding opportunities, with several currently open. This rapid pace suggests a growing research ecosystem that will expand in the coming years. Figures show that around £120 million was collected through the statutory levy in the first year, of which 20% was allocated to UKRI—a total of £24 million. This is likely to grow in future years.

The University of Glasgow reported the availability of £22.1 million for 2025-26, and the launch of the GHR-UK Evidence Centre and 19 Innovation Partnerships under the new programme. This is a significant expansion of the UK's research capacity with considerable growth potential.

What Comes Next

The new funding landscape signals a formalised focus on gambling-related research, enabled by the regular revenue stream from the statutory levy. As the programme progresses, we can expect to see an expanding range of research topics and a growing network of researchers and projects. Recent funding rounds show a focus on online gambling, video games, AI and automated harm detection, reflecting the evolving nature of the industry.

The commitment to UK-based research is also important, enabling the build-up of a domestic evidence base to support UK-specific approaches to gambling regulation. The UK's research activity will be an important factor to watch as the industry evolves.