GamCare has issued a public tribute to GambleAware following affirmation that the long-standing playing hurt prevention charity will stop operations by March 2026. Because the UK transitions to a brand new statutory playing harms framework, GamCare has reaffirmed its intention to take care of the Nationwide Playing Helpline whereas it seeks readability on its future function.
GambleAware’s choice to wind down operations aligns with the UK authorities’s rollout of a public health-led system. This shift introduces a statutory levy and new commissioners chargeable for the analysis, prevention, and therapy of playing harms throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
Andy Boucher, Chair of Trustees at GambleAware, described this second as pivotal: “We’ve got advocated for the introduction of a statutory system for a few years and are happy with our contribution to its implementation.” He highlighted that the charity would proceed to fulfill its present commissioning obligations till the transition concludes on 1 April 2026.
Tributes and Uncertainty Amid Transition
GamCare, which has traditionally obtained its funding by GambleAware as a part of the Nationwide Playing Help Community, referred to the charity’s closure as a “defining transition level for the sector.” The helpline supplier thanked GambleAware’s employees and trustees for his or her longstanding “dedication and dedication.”
Nonetheless, the way forward for providers beforehand supported by GambleAware stays unsure. GamCare indicated it would now search early conferences with NHS England, the Workplace for Well being Enchancment and Disparities, and related our bodies in Scotland and Wales to evaluate the affect of the change. It additionally emphasised the significance of continuous to work with new authorities commissioners to protect entry to important help providers.
The charity acknowledged that it stays dedicated to serving to susceptible people and hopes to “proceed working with the brand new commissioners throughout the Authorities to take care of operation of the helpline.”
A Decade of Affect and Service
GambleAware, lively for many years within the UK’s voluntary funding mannequin, has performed a distinguished function in supporting these affected by playing harms. Since 2017, the group has championed a statutory, public health-led method to addressing playing points.
In his assertion, Boucher stated, “GambleAware’s nationwide prevention programmes have additionally supplied essential recommendation, instruments and help to tens of millions of individuals as a way to cut back playing hurt.” He acknowledged the contributions of third-sector companions and people with lived expertise in shaping the charity’s success, significantly by the Nationwide Playing Help Community.
Minister for Playing, Baroness Twycross, additionally paid tribute to the group: “GambleAware and others throughout the third sector, together with the Nationwide Playing Help Community, have labored with tireless dedication through the years to fee and ship efficient providers for individuals experiencing gambling-related hurt.”
She added that guaranteeing continuity of providers throughout this transition is important: “Managing a easy and steady transition is an absolute precedence, and we’re taking important steps to take care of service provision.”
Sector Considerations Over Transition Course of
Regardless of the popularity from authorities officers and friends, GambleAware’s closure has not been met with out criticism. Jordan Lea, CEO and founding father of the charity Deal Me Out, expressed deep concern over the method: “The cessation of the UK’s most recognisable and trusted playing hurt charity is a stain on the implementation of the statutory levy.”
Lea criticized what he described as poor execution of presidency coverage, citing job losses and organizational closures: “Sadly, the announcement from GambleAware at this time was predictable, lots of of job losses within the final 12 months, with extra closures to return.”
In 2024, previous to the statutory levy’s enforcement, GambleAware obtained simply over £24 million in donations from operators – the bottom determine since 2021. Underneath the brand new system, it would obtain as much as £11 million in the course of the transition interval, with this one-off sum agreed upon by NHS England and devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
Whereas the charity prepares for closure, its web site and prevention assets will stay lively to help these looking for assist.
Supply:
GambleAware assertion on the brand new statutory playing harms system and the way forward for the charity, gambleaware.org July 25, 2025.
