As it approaches a critical funding crossroads, GamCare has been boosted by a key independent certification.
The firm hailed the results from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Following a three-day assessment of the charity’s operations, which includes the National Gambling Helpline, the CQC deemed the services to be ‘safe, effective, caring and well-led’.
In particular, GamCare noted that there was no evidence that the support and treatment it provides is influenced by the gambling industry.
This is viewed by many as a vital metric, as the fate of GamCare hinges on the level of funding it will receive as part of the shift of funding towards a statutory levy led by the NHS.
Clarity over the decision and the funding future of the group is set to be discovered in the near future. However, previous concerns have lingered around the fact that charities that have received funding from the industry would be excluded from funding due to their perceived links to the industry.
Victoria Corbishley, Chief Executive of GamCare, commented: “We welcome the CQC’s confirmation that our services operate independently of the gambling industry – that independence is fundamental to the trust people place in us.
“As we prepare for the new commissioning environment, these findings confirm that GamCare has the clinical governance, the operational track record and the quality of care to continue playing a central role in supporting those affected by gambling harm across Great Britain.”
GamCare’s services, including the National Gambling Helpline, were previously funded by GambleAware. However, the charity will be closing on 31 March ahead of the commencement of the statutory levy on 1 April.
The long-term future of GamCare now relies on receiving a share of contributions to the statutory levy by UK-licensed operators. Approximately £120m was generated during the first year of the framework.
However, according to GamCare’s latest Trustee Annual Report, the charity received £11.3m from service contracts and grant agreements from GambleAware, demonstrating the funding gap that the statutory levy will need to plug.
GamCare has acknowledged that it must diversify its income streams to reduce future uncertainty as usage of the helpline continues to rise.
In February, the charity revealed that the helpline observed a 50% increase in the number of referrals made to treatment services in January 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Overall, 996 referrals were made last month compared to 647 in January 2025. Last month also marked the fourth-largest volume of referrals in the helpline’s history, only surpassed in August (1,077), September (1,077) and October 2025 (1,165).
The lack of clarity for GamCare has been labelled ‘mystifying’ by Jordan Lea, the Founder of Deal Me Out, who described the helpline as an ‘indispensable’ service.
“GamCare’s service is simply indispensable. It should be the first act of any new funding system to add assurance and stability,” he told iGaming Expert.
“That would be the easiest thing in the world to do, and it’s mystifying as to why it is yet to happen. No charity or business can operate in uncertainty. Plastering over cracks only works so long before something breaks.”
The CQC’s assessment, which took place between 6 and 8 January, found that 84.5% of helpline contacts were answered within 30 seconds, and 96.5% of users felt they were treated with dignity and respect.
According to GamCae, the charity responded to over 100,000 contacts in the 12 months before the assessment, and in the first three quarters of 2025/26, the helpline made over 7,000 referrals and nearly 26,000 sign-posting to other services.
Corbishley added: “This independent assessment is important assurance for commissioners, partners, and above all for the people who rely on our services. What comes through most clearly is the quality and compassion of our staff, who have maintained these standards during a period of real uncertainty for the sector.”
