GamCare Reports Service Disruption During Statutory Levy Transition

Hundreds of people experienced disruption to gambling harm support as Britain moved from its voluntary funding model to the new statutory levy system, GamCare has confirmed. In its annual report for the year ending 31 March 2026, the charity described the transition as the most significant period of change in its history.

Responsibility for commissioning gambling harm services moved to five separate bodies across England, Scotland and Wales, all operating at different stages without a clear overarching structure.

GamCare said some funding decisions were communicated at short notice, while service changes elsewhere forced the charity to use its own infrastructure and reserves to prevent users from being turned away. 

Statutory levy replaces previous voluntary funding arrangements

The statutory levy replaced a model under which GamCare received funding through GambleAware, Gambling Commission donations and the government-backed voluntary levy.

GambleAware ceased operations at the end of March 2026, when responsibility for funding GamCare’s Helpline, treatment and outreach services shifted to public bodies including NHS England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

“The first phase of levy-funded commissioning has generated important learning about how services can be commissioned and coordinated effectively across a complex system,” GamCare CEO Victoria Corbishley said.

Under the new structure, GamCare retained responsibility for the National Gambling Helpline and treatment services across the East Midlands, London, South East and Yorkshire and the Humber. OHID also awarded the charity more than £4m to expand outreach across those regions. 

In Scotland, GamCare secured funding for treatment and prevention services in the Highlands and Islands.

Wales change highlights uneven commissioning outcomes

GamCare did not retain its commissioned Helpline services in Wales under the new arrangements. The contract was instead awarded to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which has remained under special measures, the highest level of intervention, since 2023.

However, the National Gambling Helpline is still available to callers from Wales, but GamCare’s regional responsibilities changed directly because of the new commissioning decisions. The charity said the transition exposed how fragmented arrangements can create gaps when different public bodies move at different speeds.

Its NHS England treatment contracts currently run for only one year, meaning another commissioning process will be required before April 2027.

GamCare urges early review before further structural change

Furthermore, the government plans to abolish NHS England and transfer commissioning responsibilities to Integrated Care Boards, creating another layer of uncertainty.

GamCare has offered to work with the government on an early review of commissioning governance, arguing that lessons from the first year should be identified before further changes are introduced.

The charity reported income of £19.9m for 2025/26, down from £20.3m the previous year, while generating a £5.1m surplus. Its reserves increased from £11m to £16m, with trustees citing uncertainty around future funding as one reason for maintaining a financial cushion.

GamCare’s experience shows that replacing voluntary funding with a statutory system does not automatically create smoother services. The government must simplify commissioning and protect continuity before the next structural changes to avoid creating another period of disruption.