NHS Wales to Launch Specialist Gambling Treatment and Helpline
A new NHS specialist gambling treatment service and national helpline will launch in Wales on April 1.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The move expands access to care for tens of thousands of people at risk of gambling-related harm and strengthens prevention efforts across the Welsh market.
Backed by £1.3 million annually from the Welsh Government, the service will be delivered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The service forms part of a broader shift detailed in the Welsh Government announcement, positioning gambling harm treatment firmly within the NHS framework.
First Dedicated NHS Service in Wales
Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy described the rollout as a landmark development. It marks the first time specialist gambling treatment and structured NHS support will be available across Wales.
The Wales Gambling Helpline will provide information, advice and emotional support to individuals experiencing harm, as well as family members affected by someone else’s gambling. Where appropriate, callers will be referred directly into treatment pathways.
Support will also be available through a secure online platform, enabling remote consultations and structured interventions. This digital access is designed to reduce barriers for people reluctant to seek face-to-face help.
Funding from the Gambling Levy
The programme is financed through the UK-wide statutory gambling levy, which came into effect in April 2025. The levy raised approximately £120 million in its first year to fund research, prevention and treatment services across Great Britain.
Welsh authorities have positioned the funding model as independent from gambling operators, ensuring sustainable long-term financing for harm reduction.
To coordinate implementation in Wales, Public Health Wales has been appointed as the national lead for prevention, while NHS Wales Performance and Improvement will oversee treatment expansion.
Integrated Treatment Pathway
Dr Faye Graver, clinical lead for gambling treatment services at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said the service will support people from referral and triage through to structured aftercare.
Research suggests tens of thousands of individuals in Wales may require support for gambling-related harm. The new pathway aims to address that need systematically rather than relying solely on third-sector organisations.
The health board already operates national helplines such as DAN 24/7 and the CALL mental health helpline, providing bilingual infrastructure in English and Welsh. Officials say this established framework will allow rapid scaling of the new gambling support system.
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Alongside treatment services, Public Health Wales will launch a prevention-focused grant scheme in April. The programme will invite applications from organisations working on education and harm reduction initiatives.
NHS Wales Performance and Improvement will also explore partnerships with voluntary and community groups to strengthen outreach. Officials believe collaboration with local organisations will improve early identification of gambling-related risks.
Minister Murphy said the approach aligns with Wales’ broader Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which prioritises evidence-led interventions and accessible support.
A Shift in Policy Direction
The introduction of a dedicated NHS gambling treatment service signals a shift in how Wales addresses gambling harm. Rather than relying primarily on external charities, the Welsh Government is embedding treatment within public health structures.
For individuals struggling in silence, the helpline represents a direct point of contact inside the NHS system. For families, it offers guidance and referral options at a time when financial and emotional strain can escalate quickly.
As the service launches in April, Welsh health authorities will monitor uptake and outcomes closely, measuring whether levy-funded intervention translates into measurable reductions in gambling-related harm.
The Welsh rollout comes as wider UK data suggests gambling harm may be more widespread than previously estimated. A recent academic analysis of anonymised open-banking data found that nearly one in four UK gamblers would meet the threshold for the Gambling Commission’s proposed light-touch affordability checks. The findings, published in a new UK study on gambling harm, indicate that a significant share of bettors could fall within financial risk parameters once the checks become mandatory.
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