Donation Guidelines - FAQS

How will GambleAware invest my donation?

GambleAware is an independent charity (Charity No. England & Wales 1093910, Scotland SC049433) tasked to fund research, education and treatment services to help to reduce gambling harms in Great Britain.

GambleAware is a commissioning and grant-making body, not a provider of services. Guided by the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, the charity works to broaden public understanding of gambling harms as a public health issue, to advance the cause of prevention of such harms, and to help those that do develop problems get the support and help that they need quickly and effectively.

With your support, GambleAware will fund research, prevention and treatment services across Great Britain.

In July 2018, GambleAware published its Strategic Delivery Plan 2018-20, setting out how the charity proposes to broaden the range of services and activities it funds, supports and works with in the future. These will include general public awareness-raising, education and early-prevention work, particularly among young people and vulnerable communities, relapse prevention as well as exploring how to support online self-help and mutual aid initiatives.

For further information on how your donation could make a difference, please read the GambleAware Strategic Delivery Plan 2018-20.

I hold a licence from the Gambling Commission but what I do 'is not really gambling' - should I make a donation towards research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms?

We understand and acknowledge that the gambling sector is diverse. However, if you hold a gambling licence, you are a gambling operator and “must make an annual financial contribution to one or more organisation(s) which between them research into the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm, develop harm prevention approaches and identify and fund treatment to those harmed by gambling” as stated in the Gambling Commission’s Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.1.1.(2).

GambleAware does not distinguish between forms of gambling, not least because we know that all forms of gambling have the potential for generating gambling-related harms. Also, problem gamblers typically engage in multiple forms of gambling. We think it right to ask all licensed operators, across all sectors to make an appropriate and equitable contribution to our work.

Understanding how much to donate

How much should I donate to GambleAware?

GambleAware is recognised by the Gambling Commission as an independent organisation with a formal commitment to commission research, education and treatment in accordance with the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. Our commissioning plans are developed in collaboration with the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) and the Gambling Commission. These arrangements are underpinned by an 'assurance and governance framework' agreed between the three parties in 2012, and GambleAware’s central role means that we are ideally positioned to ensure that research, prevention and treatment activities are funded across Great Britain in a coordinated and effective manner according to clear priorities.

We ask all those who profit from the gambling industry in Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) directly to GambleAware.

We are mindful that some operators are under the impression that 0.1% of their annual GGY is the threshold by which they should measure their overall contribution to research, prevention/education and treatment of gambling-related harms (RET) in general, including internal investments and direct donations to other organisations and initiatives. This is a misunderstanding and serves to undermine: (i) the delivery of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms; (ii) the tripartite agreement between the ABSG, GambleAware and the Gambling Commission; and, (iii) the work of GambleAware to commission efficiently and effectively.

We do not expect those who profit from the gambling industry in Britain to direct all RET financial contributions to GambleAware, nor do we seek to restrict what donations are made to other safer gambling initiatives or organisations. We do ask all those who profit from the gambling industry in Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual GGY directly to GambleAware as this is the amount that we require to deliver our current responsibilities under the National Responsible Gambling Strategy. This suggested contribution does not, and has never been intended to, indicate the recommended overall contribution that individual operators, or the industry as a whole, should make towards RET. Indeed, future funding requirements are likely to increase significantly as we gain a better understanding of appropriate treatment provision, and of what an effective education and prevention programme looks like.

How should different licensed gambling sectors calculate their recommended contributions to GambleAware?

Arcades, betting companies, bingo operators, casinos and remote operators
We ask arcades, betting companies, bingo operators, casinos and remote operators to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

Offshore gambling operators
Since the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 came into effect, offshore gambling operators with customers based in Great Britain and those who advertise in Great Britain are also required to contribute to research, education and treatment.

We ask offshore gambling businesses with customers based in Great Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) from customers based in Great Britain directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

Society lotteries, Local Authority lotteries and External Lottery Managers (ELMs)
We ask society lotteries, Local Authority lotteries and ELMs to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) (total lottery proceeds - prizes - contributions to good causes = Gross Gambling Yield) directly to GambleAware. We ask those with an annual GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

Please be aware that GambleAware cannot guarantee that all members of the Lotteries Council will be covered by any potential donation made on their behalf by this organisation.
We encourage all society lotteries, local authority lotteries and ELMs to make a direct contribution to GambleAware, which will fully discharge them from their obligations under section 3.1.1 (2) and provide them with a clear audit trail detailing their contributions.

Please note that a donation as an ELM will discharge you, as a licensed gambling operator, from your obligations under section 3.1.1 (2). However, your donation will not necessarily discharge your clients from their obligations under section 3.1.1 (2) if these hold a licence from the Gambling Commission.

Gaming machines and gambling software providers
We ask licensed providers of gaming machines and software to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) (which includes income from sales, revenue share income and other income from gambling activities) directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

How do I calculate my Gross Gambling Yield (GGY)?

Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) means all gross gambling related income, gross win or gross gambling profit.

The annual GGY is calculated in accordance with the following formula: A+B-C

• ‘A’ is the total of any amounts that will be paid to the licensee by way of stakes in the relevant period in connection with the activities authorised by the licence
• ‘B’ is the total of any amounts (exclusive of value added tax) that will otherwise accrue to the licensee in the relevant period directly in connection with the activities authorised by the licence
• ‘C’ is the total of any amounts that will be deducted by the licensee in respect of the provision of prizes or winnings in the relevant period in connection with the activities authorised by the licence

For further information on how to calculate your GGY, please see guidance from the Gambling Commission.

Can I donate regulatory settlements, dormant accounts or unclaimed winnings?

If you are considering including a donation to GambleAware as part of a settlement offer to the Gambling Commission, or donating dormant accounts or unclaimed winnings, please contact our fundraising team for further information.

I don't hold a licence from the Gambling Commission, but I derive an income from commercial gambling in Great Britain. Should I donate to GambleAware and if so, how much?

We rely on voluntary donations from all those who derive an income from commercial gambling in Great Britain whether or not they hold a licence from the Gambling Commission.

• Gambling operators licensed outside Great Britain who advertise in Great Britain

We ask gambling operators licensed outside Great Britain who advertise in Great Britain - for example through the sponsoring of football clubs, competitions, events, or individual players and athletes – to donate 0.1% of their advertising expenditure in Great Britain directly to GambleAware. We ask those with an advertising expenditure in Great Britain of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

• Gambling suppliers

We ask suppliers to the gambling industry in Great Britain – for example payment providers, content providers, event organisers, specialized lawyers or printers – to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) in Great Britain (which includes income from sales, revenue share income and any other income derived from gambling activities) directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

• Video and social gaming companies

We ask video and social gaming companies with customers based in Great Britain and those who advertise in Great Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual gross revenue derived from ‘chance-based elements’ (e.g. loot boxes) in Great Britain directly to GambleAware. We ask those with an annual gross revenue derived from ‘chance-based elements’ of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

• Gambling affiliates

We ask gambling affiliates with customers based in Great Britain and those who advertise in Great Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) in Great Britain directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

• Gambling organisations regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (incl. spread betting companies and those offering binary options trading)

We ask gambling organisations regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with customers based in Great Britain and those who advertise in Great Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) in Great Britain directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

• Pubs and alcohol licensed premises hosting gambling machines

We ask pubs and alcohol licensed premises hosting gambling machines to donate a minimum of £5.20 per machine per annum to GambleAware. We ask those with less than 48 gaming machines to donate a minimum of £250 per annum.

• Retailers who sell National Lottery products and/or any other lottery products

We ask retailers who sell National Lottery products and/or any other lottery products (incl. lottery tickets and/or scratch cards) to donate a minimum of £10 per annum per outlet selling lottery products directly to GambleAware. We ask those with less than 25 outlets to donate a minimum of £250 per annum.

• Sports clubs and organisations

We ask sports clubs and organisations that derive an income from commercial gambling in Great Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) (which includes income from sponsorships and sales, revenue share income and any other income derived from gambling activities) directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

• Media companies, streaming sites, advertising agencies and broadcasters

We ask media companies, streaming sites, advertising agencies and broadcasters that derive an income from commercial gambling in Great Britain to donate a minimum of 0.1% of their annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) (which includes income from advertising, sponsorship and sales, revenue share income and any other income derived from gambling activities) directly to GambleAware. We ask those with a GGY of less than £250,000 per annum to donate a minimum of £250.

When should I donate?

• If you are donating less than £1,000 per annum

Please make your annual donation to GambleAware not later than 31 March 2023. The total of your donation should be calculated based on your most recent audited accounts, bearing in mind that the recommended minimum annual donation to GambleAware is £250.

There is no need for you to pledge your support in advance of making your annual donation.

• If you are donating between £1,000 and £250,000 per annum

Please pledge your support to GambleAware between 1 April 2022 and 30 September 2023, even if you plan to make your donation later in the financial year. The total of your pledge should be calculated based on your most recent audited accounts.

Please make sure that your annual donation is made to GambleAware not later than 31 March 2023.

• If you are donating more than £250,000 per annum

Please pledge your support to GambleAware between 1 April 2022 and 30 September 2023. The total of your pledge should be calculated based on your most recent audited accounts.

If you are unable or unwilling to make the payment of your donation in full before 30 September 2023, it would be very helpful if you would commit to doing so on the basis of quarterly payments. This is necessary to ensure the charity has certainty that it can meet its financial obligations to those organisations it has commissioned, and commit to future investment in research, education and treatment services and activities. Please make sure that your final payment is made to GambleAware not later than 31 March 2023.

How can I donate to GambleAware?

If you are donating less than £1,000, the best way to donate to GambleAware is online.

If you are donating over £1,000 or cannot donate online. The best way to donate is via bank transfer. To do this, please fill your donation form and email it to us at fundraising@gambleaware.org. Make your bank transfer using the following bank details:

Bank and Address	Bank of Scotland                                                                                        Pentland House, 8 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh, EH12 9DJ
Account Name	GambleAware	Account No	00577790	Sort Code	12-20-29
BIC	BOFSGB21281	IBAN	GB38 BOFS 1220 2900 5777 90
Your Reference	Gambling Commission Licence Number + Your Company Name

Will GambleAware publicly acknowledge my donation?

Details of donations received from operators licensed by the Gambling Commission (Name of the licensee, gambling commission's licence number and quantum of the donation) are published on our website, Annual Review and other published materials.

A list of our 2021/22 supporters to date can be found here.

The details of your donation could remain anonymous only if:

• the donation received is not intended to discharge you from your social responsibility obligations under the Gambling Commission’s Social Responsibility Code Provision 3.1.1.(2), AND
• you confirm in writing the donation received is not (and will not be) included in your regulatory returns to the Gambling Commission as a contribution to organisations promoting socially responsible gambling research, education and treatment, AND
• you notify GambleAware in writing (info@gambleaware.org) within 14 days of receiving the donation that the donation should remain anonymous externally.

As a contribution towards research, education and treatment is an operating licence condition we may share details of your donation, and any historical donations you have made, with the Gambling Commission.

If you are (i) a member of a relevant professional and trade association, (ii) have a parent company or (iii) make donations on behalf of other licence holders, we may also share details of your donation (and any historical donations you have made) with those parties to confirm compliance with the licence condition.

How can I certify that I am donating the recommended donation to GambleAware?

Since April 2018, we have asked all donors to self-certify that they are donating a minimum of 0.1% of their Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) to GambleAware.

You can do this by providing the declaration below in writing on your company’s headed paper:

“We declare that [name of the organisation] with gambling licence number [as indicated in the Gambling Commission’s Public Register] has donated [quantum of donation in GBP - please note that the minimum recommended donation for those with a GGY below £250,000 is £250 per annum] directly to GambleAware in 2020/21. This donation represents a minimum of 0.1% of the company’s annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) [or 'gross gambling revenue' for lotteries, ELMs, gambling machines and gambling software providers] as declared in our return(s) to the Gambling Commission and reflected in our most recent audited accounts for [time period your accounts refer to]".

The document should be submitted to GambleAware with your annual donation (or last instalment of your annual donation) and not later than 31 March 2023. This must be signed and dated by your Chair/Chief Executive/Managing Director/Owner AND Chief Financial Officer/Finance Director.

Please be aware that this document may be published on our website and other published materials, and/or be shared with the Gambling Commission and other relevant parties.

Please note that self-certification is not compulsory. Donations will be accepted from organisations that choose not to certify that they are donating the recommended contribution to GambleAware.

Can I use your logo?

Please check who can use our logos here.

Do I need to complete the donation form?

Yes. We ask all our donors to complete a Donation Form.  This helps us to ensure that your contact details are up to date and that we can provide adequate and timely assurance to the Gambling Commission that the appropriate donations towards research, prevention and treatment have been received.

I need assistance completing the donation form - can you help me?

Yes. For further information on how to fill the Donation Form, please send an email to fundraising@gambleaware.org.