Public Health Wales (PHW) has launched a significant two-year initiative aimed at mitigating gambling-related harms throughout Wales. The new program, called the Gambling Harms Voluntary Sector Grant Fund, will provide up to £700,000 ($931,084) each year, with individual grants reaching a maximum of £75,000 available to organizations annually.
The funding announcement, made on July 26, marks the opening of the application process, which will run from August 31 until October 19, 2026. The initiative targets voluntary, community, and social enterprise organizations in Wales, with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) overseeing the fund's management.
PHW has specified that the funding will focus on particular public campaigns aimed at ‘de-normalising’ harmful gambling behaviors, along with prevention initiatives targeting higher-risk groups. Eligible activities include community outreach, support services for individuals affected by others' gambling, and innovative strategies for preventing gambling harm. The program particularly aims to assist vulnerable populations, such as those facing financial struggles, individuals engaged with the criminal justice system, and anyone impacted by another person's gambling activities.
Emphasizing the need for projects with long-term preventive benefits, PHW noted the importance of raising awareness, integrating personal experiences, and providing solid evidence of effective interventions. Catherine Miller, assistant director of grants and income at WCVA, underlined the organization’s goals: “We want the money to reach a wide range of voluntary sector organizations across the country and encourage groups working with at-risk populations to apply.”
The program will place a strong emphasis on organizations that closely engage with those most affected by gambling issues, aiming to bridge gaps in early intervention and prevention efforts. Helen Erswell, a public health consultant for the Gambling-Related Harms Program at PHW, remarked, “This program will support organizations closest to those most affected. It will deliver prevention and early intervention, focusing on addressing inequalities and reaching those most at risk of harm.”
Eligible applicants for this fund include registered charities, community interest companies, voluntary groups, and social enterprises, as long as all activities are carried out within Wales. Earlier this year, the UK also initiated its program with a commitment of £25.4 million dedicated to preventing gambling harms. This funding is sourced from a statutory levy imposed on gambling operators that began in April of the previous year.
