Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Good morning, everyone!

It’s such a pleasure to be here with all of you today at GambleAware’s 12th Annual Conference. I want to extend a very warm welcome to everyone who’s joined us.

This year, we are coming together around a theme that’s both inspiring and urgent: Building the Bridge: A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Prevent Gambling Harm. I believe we are standing at a pivotal moment. This isn’t just another step forward – it’s an opportunity to fundamentally reshape how together we address gambling harm across Great Britain, and to create a system which will protect the population, particularly our most vulnerable communities, and provide services for those in need.

But before we get into the heart of today’s discussions, I want to take a moment to thank you all. I know that we usually wait until the end of events like this to offer our thanks, but I feel it’s important to start by recognising the hard work and dedication that has brought us here.

We have all been facing uncertainty, waiting for clarity about the future.

It’s been a long period of anticipation, waiting for the announcement about the statutory levy. And last week’s announcement by the Minister has given us the beginnings of the road map we’ve been waiting for. Thank you Minister.

I want to also thank those of you who have helped lay the foundations of the bridge which we will continue to build over the coming weeks, months and years – and hours, with our fantastic range of speakers, panellists and attendees, without whom today could not happen.

Of course, we couldn’t have reached this point without the tireless efforts of the fantastic people at GambleAware. I want to give a special shout-out to Zoë Osmond and her team, whose dedication, even in the face of ongoing uncertainty, continue to deliver outstanding work. Thank you, Zoë, and to everyone who works alongside you.

I also want to take a moment to thank GambleAware’s Trustees – many of whom are here today – for their strategic guidance and steadfast support at the heart of everything we do.

And, of course, to thank our Lived Experience Council – those of you who share your stories, your insights, and your lived experiences to ensure that our work remains grounded in authenticity and compassion. We simply could not do our work without you.

Working alongside partners across the National Gambling Support Network, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible work that’s being done to raise awareness of gambling harms and to offer support to people who are affected by gambling harm- offering a path ahead for the many people who have nowhere else to turn.

I was pleased to see in the Government’s response to the levy consultation a recognition of the third sector’s capacity to reach deeply into communities and support people’s diverse and often complex needs. However, we are still seeking clarity on how prevention will be commissioned.

With the announcement of the statutory levy on gambling operators, we now have a crucial tool to ensure that we can continue this work in a sustainable way. This levy, which will come into effect in April 2025, is something we at GambleAware have  been advocating for since 2017, and it marks a huge step forward in making sure the support we offer is not only consistent but also properly resourced.

Now is the time to build- to use what we know works and to make sure that the resources from this levy are used wisely, to support the life-changing work that so many of you are doing.

Let’s not forget why we’re here today. We’re here because we know that gambling harm is a real issue, affecting so many people every single day. And we’re here because we want to be part of the solution. I hope together we can build on the legacy of the work GambleAware have been engaged in.

In line with the today’s theme, we are committed to working closely with all partners across the Government, third sector, local authorities and the NHS in England Scotland and Wales, to help design and deliver a world-leading approach to the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms across Great Britain as outlined in last week’s announcement.

Using GambleAware’s expertise in strategic commissioning we will work with others to build a future system that works for everyone—one that is sustainable, effective, and driven by compassion and evidence.

So, as we look to the future, let’s celebrate all the work we’ve done so far, but let’s also keep our eyes on the incredible opportunity that lies ahead. We have the chance to make a lasting difference, to build a system that truly helps prevent gambling harm and supports those who need it most.

Together, we can build the bridge to a brighter future, and together, we can make sure that this once-in-a-generation opportunity doesn’t slip away. I look forward to the work we will continue to do together.