Glasgow City Council has received over £3.44 million in funding to enhance its efforts in combating gambling-related harm over the next three years. This financial support, reported by GlasgowLive, will be sourced from the industry’s statutory levy and aims to expand “The Glasgow Project,” which builds on existing initiatives spearheaded by local gambling harm organizations.
The funding will enhance prevention efforts within schools and youth services, particularly for young individuals struggling with gambling-related debts. Additionally, there will be workforce training across health, community, and public service sectors, complemented by focused investments in three neighborhoods identified as having the highest density of betting establishments.
Plans for 2026-27 include hiring more staff for the prevention team, revitalizing partnerships across agencies, and establishing a specialized financial inclusion service to assist those affected by gambling issues.
A recent report from Glasgow City Council's Wellbeing, Equalities, Communities, Culture, and Engagement City Policy Committee indicated that the economic burden of gambling harm in Glasgow surpasses £15 million annually, making it the highest in Scotland. The report also revealed that approximately 42% of betting shops are located in Glasgow’s most deprived areas.
The funding initiative is part of a broader shift brought about by the statutory levy that was implemented in April 2025, which aims to generate around £100 million each year for research, prevention, and treatment related to gambling harm. This new model replaced the former voluntary funding system, with the Gambling Commission now overseeing the collection process in conjunction with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS). Furthermore, the DCMS allocated £25.4 million from the levy to 33 voluntary, community, and social enterprise organizations across England, funded via the operator levy.
Glasgow’s initiative forms part of a variety of public health initiatives that advocate for a comprehensive approach to dealing with gambling harm. In January 2025, Public Health Scotland released findings that mapped Glasgow’s support network and examined the risk factors associated with gambling issues, recognizing gambling harm as a public health concern. In a parallel effort, Public Health Wales announced a two-year funding initiative in July aimed at encouraging community-led actions to mitigate gambling-related harms in Wales. This grant will directly benefit voluntary, community, and social enterprises in Wales, overseen by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
