Anxiety surrounding the future of the “indispensable” National Gambling Helpline amid the RET Levy shake-up must be immediately rectified, according to Deal Me Out’s Founder Jordan Lea.
The National Gambling Helpline, operated by GamCare, is one of the UK’s most prominent problem gambling treatment services. However, the future of the service remains in limbo as the UK transitions to an NHS-led funding model.
Lea lamented this lack of clarity, describing it as “mystifying” given the pivotal nature of the service.
“GamCare’s service is simply indispensable. It should be the first act of any new funding system to add assurance and stability,” he explained.
“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 helpline has largely been funded by GambleAware. However, the charity will be closing on 31 March ahead of the commencement of the statutory levy on 1 April.
Although GamCare has confirmed that it has funding to continue the service for at least the next 12 months, the long-term future of the service will rely on the charity receiving adequate funding from the NHS, which has led to politicians describing such organisations as being on a “cliff-edge” when it comes to funding.
As a result, GamCare has acknowledged that it must diversify its income streams to reduce future uncertainty.
“We are focusing on broadening our approach to develop our fundraising base,” said the organisation in its latest Trustee Annual Report.
“With the transition to new statutory levy arrangements and to new public sector commissioning, we are committed to developing more diverse, resilient income streams. This includes building new partnerships with businesses, trusts and foundations, and philanthropic donors who share our vision of reducing gambling harms and supporting recovery.”
The lack of clarity surrounding the helpline’s future has been brought into even sharper focus after recently released figures revealed that the helpline observed a near 50% increase in the number of referrals made to treatment support 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).
“Gamcare and its helpline are imperative to any new funding model. Gambling consumers need continuity, and a trusted, familiar face that only Gamcare can provide on the helpline,” added Lea.
“Without it, thousands of people would fall through the cracks, not knowing where to turn. It takes time to build trust.”
When questioned on the future of the Gambling Helpline in October 2025, Labour MP Ashley Dalton confirmed that organisations like GamCare will be permitted to apply for ringfenced levy funding as long as it complies with eligibility requirements.
However, Shadow Gambling Minister, Louie French MP, has called on the Government to “get their act together” and find a “real, working solution” for the long-term.
Looking ahead, the distribution of the levy funding will be a crucial first test for the NHS as it steps into the role of treatment commissioner for problem gambling.
Up to £100m per year is expected to be raised by the new levy, with 20% earmarked for research, 30% reserved for the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to lead prevention and early interventions and 50% for NHS England, and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales, who will commission treatmet and support services in collaboration with the third sector.
According to GamCare’s report, the charity received £11.3m from service contracts and grant agreements with GambleAware. Given that this figure represents over 10% of the funding expected to be derived from the RET Levy, it appears to be an uphill challenge for the charity to replace this level of funding.
“Changes in the gambling harms funding landscape, and a lack of timely clarity about future commissioning means that there is significant risk around future funding. We continue proactively to seek clarity and to model a number of potential funding scenarios with associated operating plans and staffing structures,” stated GamCare, as it prepares for what continues to be an uncertain future for the UK’s network of gambling harms charities.
