Donating to GambleAware - FAQS

How will GambleAware use my donation?

GambleAware’s charitable purpose is to fund research, prevention and treatment services to help reduce gambling harms in Great Britain. You can find a wealth of information on this website about our work. This page is a good starting point for an overview of our current strategy and key deliverables. 

How much should I donate to GambleAware?

For many years gambling operators have applied a ‘rule of thumb’ approach to calculating the amount of RET to donate to GambleAware; either donating a minimum 0.1% of annual Gross Gambling Yield or £250 (where the 0.1% calculation would result in a donation of less than £250.) 
 

Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) is assessed by deducting the sums paid out in prizes and winnings from the total received in stakes and other income generated through gambling activity. For detailed information please consult Gambling Commission guidance. For lottery operators, please see below for guidance on assessing GGY.
 

Operators have and continue to donate much more than 0.1% of GGY or the suggested minimum of £250 as they recognise the importance of supporting a system that effectively prevents and treats gambling-related harms based on independent research. In late 2023 the UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport consulted on proposals to introduce levies varying from 0.1% to 1% taking into account ‘the differing association of different sectors with harm and/or their differing fixed costs.’ Until such time that the levy is introduced, uncertainty around funding exists for many third sector organisations including GambleAware. 
 

Please help to ensure that services that support those who are at risk of experiencing gambling-related harm, those who currently are, and affected others, can continue to access advice, tools and support in the current transition period between the voluntary system and the levy.

Are Lotteries required to donate?

Yes. The Gambling Commission’s licensing requirement to make ‘an annual financial contribution’ applies to society lotteries, Local Authority lotteries and External Lottery Managers (ELMs). GambleAware suggests that operators in these categories donate a minimum 0.1% of annual Gross Gambling Yield using the calculation (total lottery proceeds minus prizes, minus contributions to good causes = Gross Gambling Yield). We ask those with an annual GGY of less than £250,000 pa. to donate a minimum of £250.

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

Yes, donations derived from these sources are classed as ‘Additional Donations’ and are treated separately from RET contributions by GambleAware and the Commission.  GambleAware can issue invoices and receipts for ‘Additional Donations’ to ensure a clear audit trail for all parties. Please contact fundraising@gambleaware.org for further information. 

When should I donate?

The licensing condition 3.1.1 (2) is to make ‘an annual financial contribution’ and therefore this condition can be met by contributing once every 12 months. The Gambling Commission collect data from GambleAware and all other approved organisations based on an April to March (fiscal) year in order to monitor and report on this aspect of the licensing code.

 
Therefore we recommend that donations to GambleAware are made on an annual basis at some date between 1 April and 31 March. This ensures an audit trail of receipts from GambleAware dated 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, etc. However, GambleAware recognises that operators may have different fiscal year ends and this can result in payments derived from GGY in previous periods missing the 12-month cycle. For example, a donation made to GambleAware in March 2022 would result in a receipt for the 2021-22 year; if the next donation were to be made in April 2023 it would result in a receipt for the 2023-24 year, thereby missing a receipt from GambleAware in our 2022-23 reporting year. 
 

Therefore we encourage all operators to make payments in the same month each year where possible so that the audit trail is clear and simple.  
 

How do I donate to GambleAware?

To donate less than £1,000, the quickest and easiest way is via our secure online platform here. 
Confirmation of payment by card is instant and a receipt is issued by email once the payment has been checked against the records held at GambleAware and the Commission.

To donate £1,000 or more, please make payment via bank transfer. To ensure that your payment is matched to your licence number(s) and reported to the Commission at year end, please complete and return a donation form to fundraising@gambleaware.org This also ensures that changes in address, company structure, personnel are recorded and updated for receipt purposes. 
 

GambleAware’s bank details are as follows:

To check your Commission Account Number please refer to the Commission website here.

Can I donate over the phone using a card?

GambleAware is not authorised to take card payments over the telephone. However, cards can be used to make payment via our online platform with the benefit that details input online will then be used to issue receipts to the correct name and address. 

Will GambleAware report and publish my donation?

The name of all licensees, their licence number(s) and the total annual RET contributions received by GambleAware is published on our website each quarter and reported to the Gambling Commission in April each year. Please use the links on the left of this page to access published supporter lists. 

Will I receive a receipt for my RET contribution?

Yes. Every donation that qualifies as a RET contribution will be officially receipted by GambleAware whether paid via our online platform or via Bank Transfer. GambleAware checks every donation, large and small, against HM Treasury’s Sanctions list and the licensing details held by the Gambling Commission. We work hard to generate receipts as quickly as possible but this can take a little time, particularly during busy periods.

I have a question not answered here...

Please email fundraising@gambleaware.org and we will respond as soon as possible.

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