Public Health Wales pledges £1.4m in funding to ‘de-normalise’ gambling harms

Public Health Wales (PHW) has announced a new two-year funding initiative supporting community-led efforts, aimed at preventing gambling-related harms across Wales.

The Gambling Harms Voluntary Sector Grant Fund will allocate up to £700,000 ($931,084) annually, with grants of up to £75,000 available per organisation per year.

The funding programme, unveiled on 26 July, opens for applications from 31 August and will close on 19 October 2026. 

It will target voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations operating within Wales, with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) overseeing its administration.

Eligible activities and expected impact

PHW said it would target specific public campaigns to alocate funding to, including those aimed at the ‘de-normalisation’ of harmful gambling behaviours and targeted prevention initiatives for higher-risk groups.

Community outreach and support services for those impacted by others’ gambling and innovative approaches to gambling harm prevention, will also be eligible. PHW is also seeking groups working with higher-risk populations. These include people experiencing financial hardship, those involved with the criminal justice system and individuals affected by another person’s gambling,

PHW underscored the importance of projects that have lasting preventive effects, through raising awareness, integrating lived experience, or contributing robust evidence of effective interventions.

Catherine Miller, assistant director of grants & income at WCVA, highlighted the organisation’s aspirations for the fund: “We want the money to reach a wide range of voluntary sector organisations across the country and encourage groups working with at-risk populations to apply.”

Focus on communities most at risk

The programme is intended to prioritise organisations working closely with those most affected by gambling, bridging gaps in early intervention and prevention.

“This programme will support organisations closest to those most affected. It will deliver prevention and early intervention, focussing on addressing inequalities and reaching those most at risk of harm,”Helen Erswell, consultant in public health for the Gambling-Related Harms Programme at PHW, said.

The fund is open to registered charities, community interest companies, voluntary groups and social enterprises, provided all activities are conducted within Wales. 

The UK announced its own two-year programme earlier this year, allocating £25.4 million to support gambling-harms prevention. Funding will come from the statutory levy imposed on gambling operators from April last year.