New NHS-backed funding model sparks questions for gambling harms charities across the UK
£11M Pledged in First Year of RET Levy Implementation
GambleAware will receive up to £11 million in funding during the first year of the UK’s newly implemented Research, Education and Treatment (RET) levy, according to an announcement made by Sarah Murphy MS, Wales’ Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The funds will be allocated from the 50% of the £100 million levy dedicated to treatment, marking a transitional arrangement as the UK government restructures its gambling harms funding model.
This funding decision, which emerged from a joint agreement between NHS England, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government, is designed to ensure continuity in services provided through GambleAware during a potentially disruptive transition period.
GambleAware’s Transitional Role—Not a Long-Term Commitment
Murphy made it clear that the £11 million allocation to GambleAware is strictly temporary and does not constitute a long-term funding promise. The goal is to reduce disruption to existing support systems, particularly the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), as new, government-led arrangements are introduced.
The transitional support aims to safeguard the work of smaller charities and social enterprises, including Adferiad Recovery and Ara, which depend heavily on GambleAware to fund localised gambling harm reduction initiatives. These organisations have been vocal about the uncertainty posed by the RET levy’s rollout, particularly around eligibility, independence, and continuity of funding.
Concerns About Future Funding and Organisational Independence
While the Gambling Commission recently cleared GambleAware of any misconduct concerning its reliance on industry donations, concerns over perceived conflicts of interest persist. Previously, GambleAware raised over £24 million annually through voluntary donations from gambling operators, funding a diverse portfolio of research, prevention, and treatment programs.
However, with the introduction of the statutory RET levy, voluntary donations may decline, leaving many community-based projects at risk. Under current policies, organisations cannot simultaneously receive funds from both GambleAware and direct industry contributions, limiting their ability to diversify income streams.
This stipulation raises serious questions about the sustainability of third-party initiatives—particularly if GambleAware’s role is diminished or eliminated under the new NHS-led regime.
Policy Shift Reflects a Wider Gamble Harm Reform Agenda
The RET levy, introduced as part of the UK government’s gambling white paper reforms, is designed to establish a more transparent and accountable funding structure for tackling gambling-related harm. By placing the levy under NHS oversight, the goal is to depoliticise funding flows and ensure that public health priorities remain central.
Still, critics argue that the lack of clarity around the RET levy’s disbursement model and the timeline for new NHS-operated services may lead to gaps in service delivery, particularly during this interim period.
Final Thoughts: Funding in Flux
The £11 million in temporary support for GambleAware may bridge the gap in the short term, but its long-term exclusion from the RET framework could destabilise the UK’s gambling harms ecosystem. Until new NHS-led infrastructure is fully operational and alternative funding models are clearly defined, organisations currently reliant on GambleAware may face financial and operational challenges.
With the future of community-level harm reduction efforts hanging in the balance, stakeholders across the sector are urging greater transparency, stakeholder inclusion, and funding security during this period of major reform.
