Glasgow to receive £3.44 million to tackle gambling-related harm 

Glasgow will receive £3.44 million over three years to prevent and reduce harm associated with gambling. This funding, drawn from the UK’s mandatory levy on gambling operators, is intended to support prevention work among young people, training for professionals and targeted initiatives in the most vulnerable neighbourhoods. 

Over £15 million in harm costs each year 

According to a report by Glasgow City Council, gambling-related harm costs the city more than £15 million a year. The £3.44 million that Glasgow will receive over the next three years is intended to enable the council to develop a programme dedicated to preventing and reducing gambling-related harm. 

Furthermore, the situation is not uniform across the city. According to the data reported, 42 per cent of Glasgow’s betting shops are located in the most deprived areas. The geographical concentration of these establishments is therefore one of the factors taken into account by the council’s strategy. 

Three neighbourhoods at the heart of the scheme 

The programme provides for targeted investment in three neighbourhoods in Glasgow that are particularly affected by the presence of betting shops. The stated aim is to strengthen preventative measures in these areas, but also to improve cooperation between the various organisations involved. 

The council does not wish to limit its involvement to helping people who are already facing serious difficulties. It also intends to take pre-emptive action, notably through information, awareness-raising and better identification of problematic situations. 

The funding is intended to bring together various types of stakeholders to tackle a common issue. Health services, public services and social organisations are all involved in the scheme. The aim is to improve their ability to recognise the harms associated with gambling and to intervene in a more appropriate manner. 

By channelling more resources towards three identified neighbourhoods, Glasgow is seeking to tailor its actions to the areas where exposure is considered to be highest. 

Young people at the heart of prevention measures 

Part of the funding will be allocated to schools and organisations working with young people. The measures are not limited to explaining the risks. The scheme also provides support for young people facing gambling-related debt. 

The programme presented by Glasgow is based on a preventative approach and on the idea that better information can help to reduce harm. The funding allocated will therefore help to strengthen initiatives aimed at raising awareness amongst young people and those who support them. 

Training professionals to better identify harm 

Part of the funding is to be used to train professionals who may encounter the consequences of gambling in their day-to-day work. 

In particular, those working in the health sector, public services and social organisations are to receive training to better recognise the signs associated with gambling-related harm and to improve the support they provide. 

Glasgow intends to address the issue beyond the gambling sector alone. Problems can indeed manifest themselves in various areas covered by the programme, notably through debt and the need for support. The city council aims to develop a multi-agency response rather than relying on isolated interventions. Strengthening cooperation between organisations, particularly in the targeted neighbourhoods, is one of the stated objectives. 

Where does the £3.44 million come from? 

The funds allocated to Glasgow come from the UK’s statutory gambling levy, which came into force on 6 April 2025. 

This scheme requires gambling operators operating in Great Britain to contribute financially to research into gambling-related behaviour, as well as to initiatives aimed at preventing and treating the harm associated with gambling. The UK Gambling Commission is responsible for collecting this levy. The revenue is then distributed amongst the designated bodies and institutions to fund the various initiatives. 

Before the statutory levy came into force, gambling operators could make voluntary financial contributions to organisations active in research, prevention and treatment. The new scheme now makes this contribution compulsory. The UK government is thus seeking to establish a structured source of funding to address the consequences of gambling. 

At the UK level, the financial target far exceeds the funding allocated to Glasgow. Through this levy, the UK authorities aim to raise around 100 million pounds sterling per year.