Expression Of Interest - Gambling harms prevention levy funding for the Voluntary Sector
This is an expression of interest. The VCSE Gambling Harms Prevention & Resilience Fund represents a significant step forward in establishing an independent, public health led approach to preventing gambling related harms. All voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations working to help prevent the harms caused by gambling can apply for this grant.
- Opening date: (Midday)
- Closing date: (Midday)
Contents
Summary
This is an expression of interest.
In February 2025, it was announced that under the new statutory levy on gambling operators, which took effect from 6 April 2025, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) would become the future prevention commissioner for gambling-related harms in England, working alongside appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales. The levy, which is expected to raise over £100 million, will be allocated across the 3 workstreams of research (20%), prevention (30%) and treatment (50%).
The Gambling harms prevention grant will be available to all voluntary community and social enterprise organisations working to help prevent gambling related harms. Organisations, funded by OHID, will be fundamental to the delivery of an independent and public health led approach to preventing gambling related harms for the first time. This is part of a wider prevention, treatment and research programme attached to the new levy on gambling operators and focuses on prevention work only (a separate grant is available for treatment or recovery).
Recognising the expertise and knowledge across the sector, the grant can be used by organisations to carry out interventions they know will reach and support people most at risk of gambling related harm, or to try new, innovative interventions. We are looking for organisations to play a key role in building the evidence base over time of ‘what works’ to prevent and tackle gambling–harm, that is independent of industry research bias or funding. A robust theory of change which sets out the rationale behind activities and how they seek to drive positive change will be required and through this and through better monitoring and evaluating of programmes we will build an evidence base of what works.
We expect organisations to be able to apply for three funding strands:
Core Prevention Delivery Fund: This will focus on the provision of direct prevention activities to prevent or reduce gambling harms.
Innovation & Evidence Fund: Funding for new, adapted, or emerging prevention approaches.
VCSE Resilience & Systems Capacity Fund: Funding support packages to strengthen the VCSE sector’s ability to deliver sustainable prevention activities that reach intended cohorts.
RIGHT TO CANCEL OR VARY THIS Expression of Interest
OHID does not guarantee to award any contract and reserves the right to cancel, amend, clarify, add to or withdraw all or part of this Expression of Interest at any time.
Eligibility
This is an expression of interest.
Organisations will need to demonstrate the following:
That they fall into the defined category of a third sector organisation.
That they are intending to carry out a prevention activity under the following categories;
That they can provide a theory of change to demonstrate how these services to help us build, evidence – based prevention services at scale in future.
Applicants will need to demonstrate their commitment to achieving an industry free funding status for the 4 years leading up until 2030 and will be required to sign a Declaration of Interest agreement which we will provide.
That they will share best practice and build partnerships across the sector.
How they will build ‘lived experience’ into their plans.
Prevention intervention categories
Social action
Awareness
Education
Campaign
Training
Support
Affected others
Gambling blocking tools
Other
Objectives
This is an expression of interest.
The key objectives of the Gambling harms prevention VCSE innovation grant are to:
Maintain and support sector to deliver on prevention outcomes
Build sector capacity and sustainability free of industry influence
Develop evidence & innovation
Demonstrate strategic responsiveness
Dates
This is an expression of interest.
Please note - dates are indicative
Competition window opens – 12 January
Notification of Grant Awards to successful grant applicants – 16-18 March
Payments made – from April 26
Date by which funding must be spent – 31st March 2028
How to apply
This is an expression of interest.
You will be able to apply via Find/Apply for a Grant once the call is published on 12 January 2026. You can register for an account now.
Register for an account at https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/apply/applicant.
Email for queries: ggms.ohidgamharmprev@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Supporting information
This is an expression of interest.
Background on the statutory levy on gambling operators can be found here: