UK Launches Independent Gambling Harms Research Centre

Great shift in gambling research domain. But it is also refreshing to see research being at the forefront of tackling gambling and gambling related harms.

Proud to see the launch of the UK’s largest independent gambling harms research centre. This is a major step in building the high-quality, independent evidence base needed to inform policy, prevention and treatment across the UK — and to ensure research is grounded in integrity, public value and the realities of those affected by gambling harms. A huge amount of careful work has gone on behind the scenes to get us to this point: across UK Research and Innovation, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Department for Culture, Media and Sport and government partners, the research community, and those bringing lived and living experience into the heart of the programme. Warm congratulations to Professor Heather Wardle and the teams at University of Glasgow, The University of Sheffield, Swansea University / Prifysgol Abertawe and King's College London as they take this vital work at the Gambling Harms Research UK (GHR-UK) Evidence Centre forward. CC: Christopher Smith Ian Stanton Anita Bhalla Emma Kane Stella Power Dan O'Connor Cathy K. Kristine Zaidi, PhD Beth Purser Nathan Tuffin Lucy H.

Really pleased with this one, as it's been a huge amount of work building up to this point from the whole team in UKRI and others involved in the levy. Huge congratulations to Heather and the wider team and network, we're excited to work with you in delivering this massively important initiative. But this is just one part of what we're doing through the UKRI programme. From policy fellowships which bring academic expertise to the heart of government decision making, to grants exploring the links between video games and gambling-related harms, to data infrastructure and much more, we're building a vibrant, independent research and innovation ecosystem to build the evidence base and support work across the levy system. So watch this space for more opportunities over the coming months.

Great news here : https://lnkd.in/e9K8wF6G The Gambling Commission has arguably failed to hold the UK's gambling operators properly to account. There has been far too much reliance on gambler-set flags as sole indicators of potential harm, despite the fact that the technology already exists to predict which gamblers are most likely to develop addictive and problematic high-roller behaviours across different gambling types. In fact, five years ago it was already clear that a behaviour-based Hidden Markov Model (based on their successive behavioural, latent, states) could have provided regular industry benchmarking. The Gambling Commission should have required all operators to run such a common model, along side their own analytics (no customier details or data should leave their own environments) and report progress against a common set of behavioural segments. The the GC could then publish and moniotor regular league tables, driving problem gambling down before people even develop the habbits. This would not only have created meaningful industry-wide accountability, but also enabled proactive targeting of advice and support for gamblers who are statistically at the highest risk of developing further harmful behaviours. Instead, the focus shifted to sharing watchlists and the wild goose chase of the “Single Customer View”.

Colleagues from the School will lead on the UK’s largest independent gambling harms research centre, funded by the government's Gambling Levy. The centre will direct world-leading research on how to tackle and prevent gambling harms. The GHR-UK Evidence Centre is led by Heather Wardle, Professor of Gambling Research and Policy at the University of Glasgow, who said: "For too long, gambling research has been under-resourced and overlooked. New funding through the Levy and UKRI marks a vital reset—strengthening the quality and scale of gambling harms research and ensuring policy is driven by rigorous, independent evidence."

We are excited to be part of a new initiative - the Gambling Harms Research UK (GHR-UK) Evidence Centre - that has been launched by UK Research and Innovation to direct research on how to tackle and prevent gambling harms. For several years, researchers from our Peninsula Medical School and University of Plymouth School of Psychology have been studying the causes and wide-ranging effects of gambling harms. James Close and Ryan Statton are now leading a new GHR-UK Innovation Partnership through which gambling harms and recovery in the UK will be fully mapped out, laying the groundwork for a better understanding of what gambling harm prevention, protection, reduction, and recovery look like. Read more about the work: https://lnkd.in/ew82tAXg The Plymouth-led partnership will also involve Ara Recovery For All, Betknowmore UK, NHS Devon, Gambling Harm UK, GLEN (Gambling Lived Experience Network), Gordon Moody, National Centre for Social Research, The Primary Care Gambling Service, Ygam and Public Health Plymouth.

The UK’s largest independent centre dedicated to gambling harms research has officially launched – a major step forward in addressing and preventing harm across society. Led by the Universities of Glasgow, Sheffield, Swansea and King’s College London, the centre is a UKRI investment funded through the government’s Gambling Levy. It will drive world-leading research focused on tackling and preventing gambling-related harms. The Gambling Harms Research UK (GHR-UK) Evidence Centre will collaborate with government, health bodies, charities, individuals with lived experience of gambling, and the wider research community. Together, they will generate and apply independent, evidence-led research to strengthen policy, practice, and public understanding across the UK. 🔗 Read more of the story: https://lnkd.in/eYtqMXms -------------------------- Mae canolfan annibynnol fwyaf y DU sy’n ymchwilio i niwed gamblo wedi'i lansio'n swyddogol - gan nodi cam mawr ymlaen wrth geisio ateb sut i fynd i'r afael â gamblo niweidiol a'i atal. Bydd y ganolfan, a arweinir gan Brifysgolion Glasgow, Sheffield, Abertawe a Choleg y Brenin, Llundain yn arwain ymchwil arloesol i sut i fynd i'r afael â gamblo niweidiol a'i atal. Bydd Canolfan Tystiolaeth Ymchwil i Gamblo Niweidiol y DU (GHR-UK) yn gweithio gyda'r llywodraeth, cyrff iechyd, elusennau, pobl sydd â phrofiad byw o gamblo a'r gymuned ymchwil ehangach i greu a chymhwyso ymchwil annibynnol ar sail tystiolaeth. Bydd hyn yn cryfhau polisi, ymarfer a dealltwriaeth gyhoeddus ar draws y DU. 🔗 Dysgwch fwy: https://lnkd.in/etZc8PrR University of Glasgow, The University of Sheffield, King's College London, UK Research and Innovation #GamblingAwareness #GamblingResearch #GamblingPrevention #Research

We welcome the Government’s recognition that housing insecurity is central to the UK’s long-term economic and social security, and the commitment to increase long-term investment in social housing. The next question is how that investment is structured. If public money is used only to subsidise short-term delivery, we risk repeating the mistakes that have left councils dependent on expensive temporary accommodation and communities without lasting assets. The opportunity now is to shape a market that puts assets in the hands of the impact makers - councils, charities, community bodies and asset-locked registered providers - so that public investment creates permanent and compounding social value. While social enterprises and co-operatives were not explicitly mentioned in the King’s Speech, they should be considered central to the delivery of the government’s objectives. In housing, mission-led organisations can help unlock small sites, align public and private capital, and deliver social housing at cost, with long-term stewardship built in from the start. https://lnkd.in/ezPaQxEM

A question I keep coming back to when I’m speaking with charities and organisations already supporting survivors of domestic abuse is this: Are we only resourcing “crisis response”… or are we also resourcing “rebuild”? Because the practical support is essential — safety planning, housing, legal, finances. But rebuild is the part that often gets underfunded and under-designed: 🌼confidence returning (slowly, safely) 🌼nervous system regulation tools that work in real life 🌼connection and community without pressure 🌼a way back into the body that doesn’t require retelling the story And here’s a second truth I’ve had to learn as Be More Dandelion CIC has grown: I can’t be everywhere all the time. If this work is going to reach more women, it has to be held by more organisations — in more places — with the right training and safeguarding around it. That’s why we train teams to deliver Survivor Steps: a structured, trauma-informed programme you can run for the women you already support. For many organisations, it also becomes a funding enabler — because you’re not just offering “support”, you’re offering activity-based provision for your existing community (which can open up additional funding streams, including options like Sport England, depending on your setup and eligibility). Our next facilitator training is: 23 June | in-person | Colchester UK-wide organisations welcome (you don’t need to be local to attend) If you’d like the info pack, DM me “TRAINING” and I’ll send it over.

Well done Alan Milburn for speaking truth to power. His report highlights what many of us working with young people have known for years. Since Connexions was dismantled there has been chronic under investment in support for NEET young people, this support has become a marginal activity, often delivered by charities on a shoestring. Young people in work are not only good for the economy, it’s good for the individual’s self esteem, mental health and general well being, it’s a hugely protective factor against all sorts of disadvantage. Under investment has come at a time when entry level jobs have reduced considerably making the mountain that much harder for young people to climb. I really hope Government listen to what Alan Milburn says and act, not taking action now will cause enormous issues for society in the long term. We need to believe in our young people and support them, they are our future.