Purpose

the statutory gambling levy represents a generational change to funding arrangements and a significant transformation in the government’s commitment to strengthening efforts to understand, tackle and treat gambling-related harm.
Operators are required to pay into the levy by October each year. The levy is collected and administered by the Gambling Commission under the strategic direction of the UK government and has replaced the previous system of voluntary industry contributions. Levy funding will be directed in specific proportions for the purposes of research, prevention and treatment.
The priority for the government is to increase the level of investment and strengthen the provision of projects and services to understand, tackle and treat gambling-related harm in order to improve outcomes for the public.
The funds are split into 3 elements; 20% for Research, 50% for Treatment and 30% for Prevention. The funds directed to Public Health teams is for preventative work.
The Dept of Health and Social Care receive the funds and distribute to Directors of Public Health via the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. This is the first time that funds have been made available to Public Health to explore and seek how to prevent gambling harms in LA areas.
The Levy will initially be distributed in this way for 2 financial years, 2026/27 and 2027/28 and will be paid quarterly. The amount allocated to Doncaster Public Health for 2026/27 is £78512.71. The 2027/28 allocation is expected to be of the same value.
It was agreed at the regional Association of Directors of Public Health that each local authority contribute 40% of their allocation to a regional pot held for work that can be done more efficiently and cost effectively on a regional scale. This work will be facilitated by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) with input from public health teams across the Region.
Due to the structure of OHID, it is unable to hold funds, therefore Hull City Council will be the fund holder. An MOU has been developed for each Director of Public to setting out the agreement.
The amount that we will contribute to the Regional Fund for 2026/27 is £31,405.08.

Decision

To transfer 40% of the Gambling Levy Fund allocated to Doncaster Public Health for the use of regional work.
The Regional Fund will be held by Hull City Council on behalf of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. It will be used for cross regional work that is more cost effective and efficient to be delivered at scale.

Alternative options considered

No other options considered as Public Health and Doncaster residents would miss out on additional preventative work if the contribution wasn’t made.
Regional work is likely to be more cost effective for universal prevention interventions.
The remainder of the funds will be used for more specific prevention work aligned with the needs of Doncaster.