Gamban Reverts to Free Services in England After Securing OHID Funding
Gamban is restoring free access to its gambling blocking and self-exclusion services in England after OHID funding approval, having done the same in Wales. This reverses a subscription model adopted due to the statutory gambling harms levy transition from GambleAware. It points to early stabilisation for third-party prevention organisations.
SCCG Take — The levy funding is correcting initial sector disruption and removing cost barriers to self-exclusion tools. Operators and regulators now have clearer signals on sustainable prevention delivery under the NHS-led model.
Gamban has announced it will return to free services in England after receiving approved funding from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). The UK-focused gambling blocking system had shifted to a subscription model following the introduction of the statutory gambling harms levy. The same change to free access occurred in Wales earlier this year.
The platform serves as a self-exclusion tool across gambling companies. Its development draws on lived experience of problem gambling and gambling harm. The statutory levy replaced voluntary donations to the now-closed GambleAware, directing funds instead through the National Health Service (NHS) for treatment, OHID for prevention, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for research.
Sector Stabilisation After Levy Transition
The return to free services signals that the third-party sector is stabilising after initial financial disarray caused by the levy. Organisations had warned that selective funding could lead to closures or limited services, prompting model changes such as Gamban's subscription requirement. Fresh allocation from OHID and the Gambling Harms Prevention Fund has now enabled the reversal.
Gamban added: “Despite our disappointment at the initial decision, which meant Gamban could no longer be free in England, everyone in our company was heartened by the messages of support from other organisations in the gambling harm prevention sector expressing how much they value the work we do and to keep going. This funding gives us an important opportunity to work with partners across the sector to make that protection available to more people, free of charge.”
Funding Outcomes for Harm Prevention
According to reporting by SBC News, the development follows Wales' April announcement and reflects local government support for problem gambling strategies. The funding addresses early gaps in the levy framework. Operators should track how expanded free access affects tool uptake without added cost barriers.
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