Funding granted to create North Central London gambling programme
The cross-London partnership aims to strengthen prevention, raise awareness and expand access to support services.
UK.- The London Borough of Islington has been awarded £250,000 to deliver a two‑year programme aimed at reducing gambling‑related harm and addressing health inequalities across North Central London. Running from January 2026 to December 2027, the initiative will unite five boroughs alongside Thrive LDN and Mind in Haringey to strengthen prevention, raise awareness and expand access to support services.
The funding comes via Greo Evidence Insights, through the Network to Reduce Gambling Harms Community Investment Programme.
Key elements of the project include establishing a North Central London partnership dedicated to tackling gambling harms, conducting a regional assessment to measure the scale and impact of gambling issues and identify effective interventions and launching a public awareness campaign during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a period expected to see heightened betting activity.
The programme will also be developing a best‑practice toolkit to help councils and partner organisations improve prevention and support services.
Islington Councillor Dr Sara Hyde, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, said there was an urgent need for the programme.
“Gambling harm is hitting people who are already under the most pressure, and that’s why this work matters so much,” she said. “By joining forces across London, we can more effectively challenge the tactics of the gambling industry, raise awareness of the risks, and make sure people get support early.
This partnership is a vital step towards reducing gambling harms and building a healthier, more equal future for our vibrant communities.”
Hyde chairs the London Gambling Harms Action Group, which coordinates efforts across 17 boroughs, bringing together councils, public health teams, and voluntary organisations.
Islington has separately strengthened local services in partnership with charity BetKnowMore. Since early 2025, the programme has delivered over 1,400 brief interventions and hosted 63 support hub sessions. Since its launch in September 2024, more than 1,800 residents have accessed support.
The announcement comes at a moment of change for gambling harm prevention in the UK. GambleAware, the national commissioner of gambling harm research, is to close at the end of this month as its responsibilities shift to government bodies following the introduction of the mandatory gambling levy last April.
The new statutory gambling levy is collected and administered by the Gambling Commission. While the Gambling Commission collects the funds, the distribution is overseen by a central Gambling Levy Programme Board and specialised commissioners for different areas
Gambling levy funds are divided into three main streams for research, prevention and treatment (RPT), receiving 20, 30 and 50 per cent of funds respectively. Funds for treatment are distributed by NHS England, along with relevant health bodies in Scotland and Wales. Funds for prevention are distributed by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), along with Scottish and Welsh government bodies.
Research funding is handled by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) which has established a new Research Programme on Gambling, while a portion goes to the Gambling Commission to fund its own research
