The UK Gambling Commission has confirmed that the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) will be officially closed, having fulfilled the objectives set out in its original mandate.
Established to provide independent advice and scrutiny around the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, the ABSG has played a key role in shaping safer gambling initiatives. Now that the strategy has reached its conclusion and major goals have been delivered, the Commission believes it is the appropriate time to wind down the board's activities and shift focus to future priorities.
Throughout its tenure, the ABSG made significant contributions to the development of gambling regulation in the UK. These include:
- Promoting recognition of gambling-related harms as a public health concern;
- Advocating for the integration of lived experience in policy development, leading to the formation of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP);
- Supporting the implementation of a statutory levy to fund independent research, education, and treatment.
Looking ahead, the Commission will begin establishing a new expert group dedicated to research, reflecting the expanded opportunities made possible through the statutory levy and aligning with the next phase of regulatory progress.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said:
"ABSG has played an important role in shaping how we think about gambling harms, and embedding lived experience perspectives into regulation. I want to thank all current and former members for their contribution and commitment.
As we move into a new phase with the implementation of research programmes funded by the statutory levy, our priority is to ensure we have the right expert input to help inform our work. This is the right time to close ABSG and establish new arrangements that reflect the future needs of our gambling regulation and research."
Helen Child, Head of Governance said:
"ABSG have made a huge contribution to gambling regulation and the Commission. I am grateful for the insight, engagement and challenge each and every member has provided."
Source:
https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/gambling-commission-to-close-advisory-board-for-safer-gambling
