The UK’s transition to a new statutory research, education, and treatment (RET) levy has created uncertainty for gambling harms charities, but the immediate fate of GambleAware has been clarified, with the organization receiving up to £11 million in temporary funding to ensure its stability and the continuity of its services during the initial phase of the new system.
The announcement was made by Sarah Murphy MS, the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing in Wales, who sought to reassure Welsh organizations like Adferiad and Ara, which receive crucial funding through GambleAware.
This transitional funding, which will be drawn from the 50% of the levy allocated to treatment, is a collaborative decision between the devolved Scottish and Welsh governments and NHS England. Minister Murphy emphasized the temporary nature of the support, stating, “It does not represent a continued funding commitment to GambleAware.”
The measure is designed specifically to prevent disruption to the National Gambling Support Network while NHS Wales and other related bodies establish new, long-term arrangements under the statutory framework.
The move comes as many third-sector organizations face a precarious situation. The introduction of the statutory levy is expected to reduce the voluntary donations that GambleAware has historically relied upon, which exceeded £24 million in the 2024/25 financial year.
A reduction in this funding could severely impact the smaller-scale projects that GambleAware commissions and funds. These smaller programs are often prohibited from accepting direct industry donations to maintain their independence, leaving them solely reliant on the charity.
This temporary government funding acts as a critical safety net, aiming to provide stability for these essential services as the entire sector adjusts to the new regulatory landscape for funding problem gambling initiatives.
The decision follows a Gambling Commission investigation last year that found no wrongdoing in GambleAware’s governance regarding its reliance on industry funding.
