GamCare Reports 114,000 Support Contacts as Gambling Harm Funding Changes

LONDON – GamCare’s helpline and online services handled more than 114,000 contacts during 2025/26 as Britain’s gambling harm treatment system entered a major funding transition.

The charity also reported that nearly 97% of people completing treatment said their circumstances had improved, while average gambling harm scores fell substantially during care.

The figures cover April 2025 through March 2026, the final financial year before GamCare began operating under new commissioning arrangements funded through Britain’s statutory gambling levy.

Helpline and Online Services Handle 114,000 Contacts

GamCare’s 2025/26 Trustees’ Annual Report shows that the National Gambling Helpline and associated online services responded to more than 114,000 contacts during the year. Those interactions resulted in more than 11,400 referrals into treatment and support and 17,700 connections to other services.

The charity’s prevention, education and outreach programs separately reached 17,100 people. That included more than 2,100 professionals trained to recognize gambling-related harm in areas including health and social care, criminal justice, financial services and the Armed Forces.

For people entering treatment, GamCare reported an average wait of 2.4 days for a full assessment. It delivered more than 10,300 treatment sessions to 2,811 clients during the financial year.

Nearly 97% Report Positive Change After Treatment

GamCare said nearly 97% of clients completing treatment reported a positive change in their circumstances. Average scores on its standard clinical measure of gambling harm fell from 14.4 when treatment began to 3.3 at completion.

A separate measure of psychological distress fell by more than half over the same period, according to the annual report. GamCare said its approach also sought to maintain continuity by keeping clients with the same practitioner where possible.

The charity highlighted independent Care Quality Commission assessments of its helpline, treatment and outreach services. It said the assessments found the services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, while also confirming that care operated free from gambling industry influence.

The National Gambling Helpline also received a new three-year certification under the Helplines Standard from the Helplines Partnership.

GamCare Moves Into Statutory Levy Funding System

The reporting period coincided with the end of the voluntary funding structure that historically supported much of Britain’s gambling harm research, prevention and treatment. The UK introduced a statutory gambling levy to replace voluntary industry contributions with mandatory payments from licensed operators.

Under the new framework, levy funding is divided between research, prevention and treatment, with government and public bodies responsible for commissioning services. GamCare said it has secured funding from new commissioners in England and Scotland as it continues providing support under the revised arrangements.

Chair of Trustees Margot Daly said maintaining service quality and continuity had been the board’s priority during the transition. Chief Executive Victoria Corbishley said the charity enters the new commissioning structure with a continued focus on providing rapid access to support and treatment.

The National Gambling Helpline remains available around the clock by telephone and through GamCare’s online support services.

RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling