The Charity Commission has closed its case into GambleAware “without criticism of, or findings against” the gambling support charity following complaints about its operations.
GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond noted that the commission was “satisfied that the charity’s reliance on industry funding does not impact on decision-making about its activities” and that steps have been taken to ensure its independence from the gambling industry.
The Charity Commission told iNews in May that it had opened its case into GambleAware after receiving a complaint about the charity from The Good Law Project, an independent non-profit organisation.
The complaint, filed in March, accused GambleAware of a conflict of interest since it receives significant funding from the gambling sector. It also claimed the charity failed in its regulatory duties as chief commissioner of gambling harm research, education and treatment (RET) projects, services and organisations in the UK.
In addition, the complaint criticised GambleAware for spreading false information on gambling-related harms and suicides and questioned how effective treatment services commissioned by the charity were.
The Good Law Project stated: “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”.
Following an investigation, the Charity Commission has closed the case into GambleAware “without criticism of, or findings against” the gambling support charity.
The commission was also “satisfied that the charity’s reliance on industry funding does not impact on decision-making about its activities”.
“The Charity Commission has written to GambleAware to confirm the case has been closed without criticism, or findings against, the organisation,” commented Osmond.
“The regulator has stated unequivocally that they are ‘assured that the trustees have taken appropriate steps to both ensure its [GambleAware’s] independence from the gambling industry and to address reputational risks arising from its current funding model’.
“Importantly, the commission has also stated it is ‘satisfied that the charity’s reliance on industry funding does not impact on decision-making about its activities’.
“We were pleased to see the commission acknowledge our robust policies and governance processes as well as the important role our Lived Experience Council plays in providing advice and direction to our activities, among others.”
GambleAware also reiterated the importance of its services in helping those who have been affected by gambling harms, whether it be the individual themselves or their family and friends.
The charity and its trustees await for the government to finalise the operating model structure of the RET Levy to fund the NHS-led National Gambling Support Network, an initiative that GambleAware supported prior to the UK government’s Gambling Review being initiated.
Osmond continued: “Gambling harms have a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities.
“GambleAware is wholly dedicated to advancing our charitable purposes for the public benefit, which is why we have long called for the introduction of a statutory levy on the gambling industry to provide long-term sustainable funding for the treatment, support and prevention of gambling harms.
“We urge anyone experiencing harm to reach out. Help and support are available through the National Gambling Support Network and the National Gambling Helpline, offering free, confidential assistance 24/7 to those in need.”