About

About the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling

The Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling (AFSG) is a group of academic researchers dedicated to advancing the research needed to effectively prevent, reduce, and address gambling harm. The purpose of the AFSG is to act as a coordinated body to assert the importance of rigorous, independent research to prevent, reduce, and address gambling harm in the UK. To accomplish its aims, the AFSG engages in a number of activities including, but not limited to: responding to or initiating calls for evidence; providing seed grants for promising research; supporting independent gambling conferences; public engagement; providing opportunities for students; providing opportunities for international collaboration with UK researchers and institutions; increase the capacity for those with lived experience of gambling harm to be part of the research process.

Funding for the AFSG is derived from regulatory settlements for socially responsible purposes that are approved by the Gambling Commission. Monies represent a restricted payment to Greo who manages the funds on behalf of the AFSG. For further information about the funds and management of funds visit about the AFSG funds or contact afsg-funding@greo.ca

The Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling is steered by an Executive Committee of independent academics based in the UK.

FAQs about AFSG

What is the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling (AFSG)?

The Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling (AFSG) was founded in 2022. The AFSG is a group of academic researchers dedicated to advancing the research needed to effectively prevent, reduce, and address gambling harm. The purpose of the AFSG is to act as a coordinated body to assert the importance of rigorous, independent research to prevent, reduce, and address gambling harm in the UK. Its role is to facilitate independent gambling research across all scientific domains and to disseminate findings of practical and policy-level relevance to the wider public

Who are the members of AFSG Executive Committee and how are they appointed and remunerated?

The members of the AFSG Executive Committee are appointed through open nominations (including self-nomination) and voting and/or ratification by the Committee. The first AFSG Executive Committee was formed from individuals who were invited to attend preliminary meetings across approximately one-and-a-half years. These meetings were initially convened by the Academic Board for Safer Gambling and members could recommend other UK-based individuals to attend. From those meetings, a list of individuals who had attended all but one meeting was drawn up and from that the Executive Committee’s first Co-Chairs emerged. The current Executive Committee was formed in January 2022 and members agreed to serve for one year with the possibility of extension for a further year. The AFSG Executive Committee consists of Co-Chairs, Professor Amanda Roberts and Dr Jim Rogers (both University of Lincoln), Research Co-Chairs, Professor Elliot Ludvig (Warwick University) and Professor Richard Tunney (Aston University), and Outreach and Membership Co-Chairs, Professor Simon Dymond (Swansea University) and Dr Steve Sharman (King’s College London). Members of the Executive Committee receive an annual honorarium for their time.

How is AFSG funded?

Funds used for the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling (AFSG) funding opportunities originate from regulatory settlements for socially responsible purposes. Though these funds originate from the bank accounts of gambling operators, they differ significantly from other projects funded using gambling industry funds in several important ways: Regulatory settlement funds come from involuntary payments from gambling operators. They are “a payment in lieu of the financial penalty the Gambling Commission (GC) might otherwise impose for breach of a licence condition”. Further, “there is to be no publicity or benefit for the operator in connection with the regulatory settlement” and the operator has no control over, or is even permitted to communicate with, the organisation provided those funds (in this case Greo), except to carry out the necessary financial transactions. Decisions regarding the awarding of regulatory settlement funds are made by the Social Responsibility Funds Group. Once awarded, there is no influence exerted on projects funded using regulatory settlement funds by the GC other than monitoring to ensure milestones described in successful proposals are being met. Research funds awarded by the AFSG are disseminated via a transparent, peer review process. Funds originating from regulatory settlement funds are provided to the AFSG and Greo who then disseminate the funds to researchers via a transparent peer review process similar to that employed by research councils in the UK, Canada, and elsewhere. Before working in the UK, Greo, formerly known as the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre (OPGRC) oversaw the tendering of research internationally. From 2000 to 2012, the OPGRC was the largest funder of gambling research in the world. These funds came from a levy; 2% of slot machine revenue generated by most casinos in Ontario, Canada to fund research, prevention, and treatment of problem gambling. In 2012 the government of Ontario revised their approach and redirected these funds back into general provincial revenue. Greo’s processes and governance for granting research funds during this time were based on the processes used by the Canadian tri-council (three national government bodies that fund research in Canada) and later updated to incorporate policies and procedures employed by the National Institute for Health Research. Some argue funding for gambling research should be provided by UK national research councils. However, until that is manifest, there is a practicality in using funds that are currently available. The AFSG and Greo provide governance and oversee distribution of the funds to ensure they are distributed via a credible, transparent, peer-reviewed process that minimises potential bias, manages confidentiality, strengthens the integrity of the findings, and respects the intellectual property of the researchers.

Can anyone join the AFSG?

Membership to the AFSG is free-of-charge and open to anyone. Members who wish to access AFSG funding must be affiliated or working with a UK University, who is interested in conducting or co-creating independent research on gambling-related harm.

How do I join the AFSG?

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What are the advantages of joining the AFSG?

Members have exclusive access to funding opportunities. The AFSG supports rigorous independent research by providing funding for research that directly or indirectly informs efforts to address gambling-related harm. Opportunities typically include exploratory grants, post-graduate support grants, and smaller travel grants. You must be a member of the AFSG to apply for AFSG funding.

AFSG members are eligible for a discounted registration fee for CAGR conferences. The AFSG is affiliated with the Current Advances in Gambling Research (CAGR) conference, which provides a forum for academic researchers, clinicians, and others to discuss all aspects of gambling research and treatment. CAGR is multi-disciplinary and welcomes contributions from all academic perspectives to the scientific study of gambling and the treatment of gambling-related problems.

AFSG members will have exclusive access to our regular digest of research development and funded projects, as well as a listserv where those studying gambling-related harms can connect with other UK researchers doing similar work (under development).

What is the link between the AFSG and Greo?