GambleAware’s final “legacy report” sets out an ambitious account of its impact, yet critics say it ultimately underscores why the charity’s role has come to an end. Too much money spent on itself, some say, and the arrogance of misplaced praise for its own achievements…and a vital question: where did the money come from to fund this lavish rewriting of the GambleAware story?
In its conclusion, GambleAware states: “As the sector shifts, GambleAware’s legacy is clear: it built a sector rooted in collaboration, expertise, and innovation.”
However, the report glosses over the failures that defined its final years.
Writing in the Player Protection Hub, Steve Hoare argued GambleAware had “adopted the prohibitionist rhetoric of anti-gambling campaigners and lobbied itself out of existence”. He added: “The closure of GambleAware is, in many ways, a scandal shaped by misinformation and misjudgement.”
Others point to strategic missteps. Dan Waugh said: “At times, however, the charity appeared more focused on PR and lobbying than on evidence-based harm prevention. By the end, it had lost the trust of a wide range of stakeholder groups.”
The report itself acknowledges pressure, noting criticism from anti-gambling prohibitionists took an “emotional toll” and “affected the wellbeing” of staff.
Ah diddums: what about the emotional toll its venomous vitriol had on the industry, its employees and its players.
As GambleAware wraps up operations this month, the real lesson learned is you can never negotiate with prohibitionists. Unlike the industry, they were unwilling to compromise and were never satisfied unless their specific targets were erased from existence.
All said and done, there should be a chorus of boos as they exit their offices, and anyone looking to employ GambleAware staff, just speak to the industry; that’s the best reference you can ever get for former GambleAware operatives.
They were a cult.
Originally published on Coinslot on April 13, 2026. Republished with permission.