UK Research and Innovation has opened recruitment for the inaugural head of its Gambling Research Programme, marking a significant milestone in the deployment of statutory levy funds. The position, which closes on 13 April, will oversee the formation and strategic direction of a research initiative funded directly through the gambling industry’s mandatory contributions.

The 24-month fixed-term role sits within UKRI’s Arts and Humanities Research Council and carries substantial expectations. By the end of year one, the successful candidate is expected to have established the programme as a “credible, trusted programme across the government and research community”, according to the job specification published online.

Strategic Position Within Levy Framework

The Research Programme receives 20% of total statutory levy proceeds, which generated £120 million in the nine months following implementation last April. This represents a substantial research budget, particularly compared to the fragmented voluntary arrangements that preceded it.

The remaining levy allocation directs 30% toward prevention initiatives and 50% to treatment and support services. A comprehensive three-pillar approach to addressing gambling-related issues.

The new head will determine research priorities and funding allocation, providing “leadership, direction and momentum” for collaborative, evidence-led investigations. It’s a position with considerable influence over how industry contributions translate into actionable research.

Transition from Voluntary System

The UKRI programme represents a fundamental shift from the previous GambleAware-administered model. That voluntary system faced persistent criticism over perceived industry influence on research priorities, with prominent researchers expressing concerns about the independence of funded work.

GambleAware will cease operations by month’s end, bringing research, education and treatment funding entirely under government oversight. The change emerged from the gambling white paper’s broader reforms, which fundamentally restructured how the sector contributes to harm mitigation efforts.

The statutory levy applies across all UK-licensed operators, with rates varying from 1.1% of gross gaming yield for online operators down to 0.1% for family entertainment centres and certain technical licensees. The Gambling Commission has made clear that licence revocation remains a potential consequence for non-payment.

Governance Questions Remain

Better Change founder Victoria Reed highlighted last May that the statutory levy’s success would depend on robust governance frameworks ensuring effective deployment of funds. With recruitment now underway, the sector will be watching closely to see how this substantial research budget shapes the evidence base going forward.

The appointment represents more than administrative housekeeping. It signals the government’s commitment to establishing independent, academically rigorous research capability funded by industry but insulated from industry influence, addressing a longstanding point of contention in policy circles.

What the team thinks

Baz Hartley says:

About time we saw some tangible movement on the statutory levy front, though I’ll be watching closely to see whether this research programme prioritizes harm minimization or gets bogged down in academic box-ticking. The 24-month fixed term feels short for establishing meaningful research frameworks, but if they can use industry contributions to genuinely improve player protections and responsible gambling tools, that’s a win for punters who’ve been funding this through operator costs all along.