Research Collaborations

The project focuses on helping local authorities better manage land-based gambling in their areas to reduce harm. It recognises that despite the rise in online gambling, physical gambling venues still have a strong impact on individuals, families, and communities, and that councils play a key role through licensing and regulation.

Rather than seeing this as a simple enforcement issue, the project looks at the wider system. It brings together local authorities, researchers, policymakers, and people with lived experience to understand the challenges councils face and improve how regulation works in practice.

The project’s main goals are to:

• Build capacity: Support councils to make better use of their existing powers to manage gambling premises.
• Share learning: Create opportunities for local areas to exchange knowledge, experiences, and good practice.
• Shape the future: Identify gaps in evidence and develop a clear research and policy agenda to improve regulation and reduce harm.

Funded by UKRI and led by the University of Stirling, the project aims to produce practical tools and guidance for local authorities, while strengthening collaboration across sectors to support more effective and consistent action on gambling harms.