Media investigationNEXT.io analysis, 3 November 2026, first of a three-part series. UKRI defends its process.
Statutory gambling levy: warning of a research 'gold rush' as £18m is commissioned
About £24m of the UK's statutory gambling levy goes to research in its first year, with £18m already commissioned through the Arts and Humanities Research Council. One of the people who argued for the levy now warns of a 'gold rush'. [1]
As players, we want this money spent well. Rules that affect every adult who gambles should rest on evidence about what actually reduces harm.
What is happening
Research receives 20% of the statutory levy for gambling harms funding, roughly £24m in the first year. The first wave of £18m in research grants was commissioned by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). [1]
The criticism
James Noyes co-authored a 2022 Social Market Foundation paper supporting the levy. He tells NEXT.io the levy "risks attracting a host of new entrants" and that "there is a real risk of this becoming a gold rush". He calls some funded projects "trivial in nature". [1]
Noyes also questions why an arts and humanities council is leading, and argues the economic and medical research councils should. His priorities are advertising and harm, product types and socioeconomic disadvantage, and tax and price elasticity. "The government needs quality, not quantity," he says. [1]
UKRI's response
UKRI says applications go through competitive peer review, that priorities were set with government departments and levy commissioners, and that the programme is administered by AHRC. [1]
Our view
We support funding for harm prevention and treatment, and research is part of that. What we want from it is simple: tests of whether the rules work.
The UK now has gross deposit limits, slot stake limits and a 10x cap on bonus wagering. In our view, the useful question is which of these measurably protect people who are at risk, and which only change the game for everyone else. The wagering cap looks good for players. Whether every other rule earns its place is what this money could help answer.
If gambling is causing you problems, the National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) is free on 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the statutory gambling levy?
It is a mandatory levy on gambling operators that funds research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. Research receives 20%, roughly £24m in the first year.
Does the levy change how I play?
Not directly. It funds research and treatment. Any effect on players would come later, if the research shapes future rules.
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Hannah Whitmore
Hannah Whitmore writes about online casinos from a player's practical point of view: who operates a site, what a bonus really requires, which payment methods appear in the cashier, and what happens between requesting a withdrawal and receiving the money. Her reviews draw on PlayFrankCasino's own account research — registrations, terms checks, deposits and withdrawals — and she keeps an operator's advertised payout target separate from a measured result. She enjoys testing slot features and bonus-buy slots in demo mode, and is currently learning blackjack basic-strategy charts and how betting systems such as Martingale and Paroli work. She also covers UK casino news and writes PlayFrankCasino's guides to wagering, withdrawals, verification, cashback and safer gambling.