Backbench politicians have warned the government to ignore established UK gambling charities at their peril as the transformation of funding in the UK continues.
Following changes enacted by the government last year, operators in the UK are now required to contribute a percentage of gross gambling yield to support research, education and treatment (RET), led by the NHS.
However, the wider third sector, which traditionally has been funded by voluntary contributions from the industry, is in limbo in terms of the support levels it can expect to receive from the new levy.
“It is vital that the new system does not disrupt the existing, proven service that has been treating people for gambling-related harm for many years,” said Jim Shannon, DUP MP for Strangford in Northern Ireland, during a Westminster Hall debate on gambling harms for young people.
“[Charities] are facing a cliff edge, with no clarity as to whether they will be in receipt of funding after that time. Gordon Moody has already had to ration its service, and it faces the possibility of further limiting the people it treats. I urge the Government to move quickly and to provide the interim funding for the next 12 months, while the long-term NHS funding frameworks are finalised.”
Gordon Moody, referred to by Shannon, has previously warned that its future beyond March of this year remains uncertain, and has called on the government to provide interim funding to maintain “essential treatment and prevention activities”.
Up to £100m per year is expected to be raised by the new levy, 20% of which will go to the Research Commissioner, UK Research and Innovation, to establish a bespoke Research Programme on Gambling, as well as the UK Gambling Commission, to direct further research in line with licensing objectives.
The Prevention Commissioner, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), will receive 30% of the levy funding. OHID will develop a comprehensive approach to prevention and early intervention.
Meanwhile, 50% of the levy funding will go to the Treatment Commissioner, NHS England and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, who will commission treatment and support services in collaboration with the third sector.
Louie French, Conservative MP and Shadow Minister for Gambling, further called on the government to “get their act together and engage with the sector, so that a real, working solution can be put in place for the long term”.
“This is a real issue and concern. As a shadow Minister, I have visited a number of these charities to see the work that is happening on the ground. They do incredible work and have incredible expertise in helping people across the country, so we must ensure that gambling harm does not fall between the cracks anymore,” he told the debate.
For now, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has urged such charities to apply for funding, applications for which opened yesterday (15 January), according to the Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, Ian Murray.
However, there is currently no indication of the level of funding charities such as Gordon Moody can expect to receive, further heightening the tension between the third sector and the government.
Furthermore, given the mounting pressure facing the NHS regarding funding shortages and rising waiting times, questions remain as to whether the organisation has the capability to take over and lead the UK’s fight against combating gambling harms.
