Gambling addicts risk losing ‘life-saving’ help due to funding overhaul, say UK charities | Gambling
Gambling addicts risk being cut off from “life-saving” benefits unless the government provides urgent support, charities have warned, following an overhaul of funds that left treatment providers facing a cash crunch.
Until this year, money for problem gambling research, education and treatment was provided voluntarily by casinos and bookmakers, which generated about 0.1% of their earnings.
Under new plans put forward by the previous government and implemented by Labor since April this year, the £12.5bn-a-year gambling industry instead pays a compulsory tax of up to 1.1%, aiming to raise around £100m a year.
The NHS will be the main channel for distributing the money to clinics and external organizations that treat addicts directly, with the charity GambleAware taking on the role of commissioning these services.
The new tax system, overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is beset by delays, according to two of the UK’s leading gambling charities, GamCare, which runs the National Gambling Helpline, and Gordon Moody, which specializes in addiction counseling and home treatment programmes.
Both warned that dozens of organizations such as specialist clinics and support groups may soon be unable to provide services unless the government provides temporary funding. The two charities blamed a lack of clarity on what the government and commissioned bodies, including the NHS, expect from charities offering funding.
Victoria Corbishley, chief executive of GamCare, which refers helpline callers to more than 30 organisations, said: “Uncertainty causes difficulties.
“We don’t know what the commissioners want from us from April onwards. This risks potentially disrupting some services, particularly the smaller organizations we rely on.”
“We need to know whether the organizations we apply for funding are able to provide support or who to turn to?”
Gordon Moody, which treats approximately 2,000 people a year and specializes in longer-term residential treatment courses, provides its services to addicts free of charge, thanks to funding from the gambling tax.
Former teacher Alex, 41, said treatment with Gordon Moody changed his life after addiction drove him to take his own life.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Gordon Moody, there’s no other service like it,” he said.
“I believe suicide rates will increase [if funding is disrupted].”
A spokesman for the charity said the funding crisis had arisen in part because the criteria for commissioning treatment services had been changed at short notice and “the targets had changed”.
“This approach leaves long-standing, specialist and proven organisations, such as Gordon Moody, uncertain about their future after March 2026 and is already impacting frontline services and people most seriously harmed by gambling,” the spokesman said.
“We call on the government to approve temporary funding for charities carrying out essential treatment and prevention activities over the next 12 months and to launch a comprehensive review of all treatment providers.”
Corbishley repeated his call for a short-term cash injection to ensure continuity of treatment.
“We need to make sure their intention to commission as soon as possible is clear. If this is to happen later, we may need interim funding arrangements to ensure there will be no disruption to services.”
A government spokesman said: “A smooth transition to the new tax system is vital, so we are working with GambleAware to ensure people can continue to access treatment while the new system is implemented.”
Support for problem gambling in the UK is available through the NHS. National Problem Gambling Clinic on 020 7381 7722 or GamCare on 0808 8020 133. In the US, call: National Council on Problem Gambling Enter 800-GAMBLER or send a message to 800GAM. in Australia, Online Gambling Help You can be reached on 1800 858 858 and the National Debt Helpline is available on 1800 007 007.
