EPSRC Network Plus

EPSRC Video Games and Gambling-Related Harms

Supports cross-disciplinary gambling harms research in the United Kingdom linking social science and technology development.

EPSRC and ESRC have issued a joint cross-council call for interdisciplinary research examining the connections between gambling mechanics and video game features. The call is funded through the UK's statutory gambling levy on operators — meaning all grant costs are sourced from the gambling industry rather than core government allocation. Awards are capped at £1 million (80% of full economic cost), and projects must last no more than 36 months with a mandatory start by 1 January 2027. The deadline for applications is 23 July 2026. The call is part of the UK Research Programme on Gambling, which uses levy revenue to fund independent, evidence-based research informing policy and regulation.

Eligible applicants are UK research organisations (universities and research institutes eligible for EPSRC/ESRC funding). Crucially, gambling industry licence holders and any organisations whose core business causes public harm are explicitly excluded from applying. UK-based businesses, third-sector organisations, and government entities may participate as project partners. International researchers may join as project co-leads under specific conditions. A UK university or eligible research body must serve as the lead organisation.

Successful proposals must produce evidence directly usable by regulators and policymakers to design safer game mechanics, strengthen regulation, and develop effective harm-reduction interventions. Interdisciplinary teams combining computer science, psychology, public health, economics, or related disciplines are encouraged. The dual-council delivery model — with EPSRC and ESRC both overseeing the call — reflects the cross-cutting nature of the research, sitting at the intersection of engineering (game design and digital systems) and social science (behaviour, harm, and policy). Applications are submitted via UKRI Funding Service.