What a regulatory settlement is
When the Commission finds failings at a licensee, such as weak anti-money laundering or social responsibility checks, the business can agree a settlement instead of facing a formal penalty. Settlements have often run to millions of pounds. Until now, most of the money went to good causes chosen for gambling harm, with GambleAware the usual recipient.
What changed and why
Since April 2025, a statutory levy on operators has paid for research, prevention and treatment of gambling harm, through the NHS, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and UK Research and Innovation. GambleAware closed on 31 March 2026, so settlement money no longer had an automatic home.
The Commission proposed treating settlements like fines and paying them into the Consolidated Fund, so that a second funding stream does not duplicate the levy. About half of the 28 responses disagreed, arguing the money would leave the gambling harm system. The Commission went ahead and confirmed the change on 22 July 2026.
What it means for players
Treatment and support do not lose their main funding, which now comes from the levy. Help stays free: the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, on 0808 8020 133, and NHS gambling clinics. Settlements will keep being published on the Commission's site, so you can still see which brands were caught out and why.