UK Statutory Levy Sparks Fears for Gambling Harm Charities

Summary

UK gambling-harm charities are warning of a funding crisis after the statutory levy for gambling research, prevention and treatment kicked in. Operators paid their first contributions in September, but many charities — particularly smaller groups — say they have yet to receive funds and are already cutting services, laying off staff or shutting down entirely. The government created a £32.8 million System Stabilisation Fund to ease the shift from voluntary donations, and GambleAware says it distributed capital to frontline services; critics call the allocation unclear and insufficient. With uncertainty over when central funds will be released (initially suggested for October), some groups fear they may not survive the transition.

Key Points

The statutory levy began in September and funnels operator contributions into a central fund overseen by bodies including NHS England and OHID.
Smaller charities are most at risk — The Alerts Group has already closed; others have reduced services or used reserves to stay afloat.
Many organisations report they have not yet received levy payments; there is little clarity on timing and some fear funding may not arrive until next year.
The £32.8m System Stabilisation Fund was intended to smooth the change; GambleAware says it distributed funds but critics dispute the transparency and adequacy of allocations.
Gaps in service provision risk harming people already struggling with gambling-related issues; the Charity Commission chair warned of ‘grave’ sustainability risks for some charities.

Context and relevance

This story matters because it sits at the intersection of regulation, public health and charity funding. The shift from voluntary industry donations to a statutory levy is meant to provide a fairer, more sustainable funding model, but the handover has left a timing and distribution gap. That gap could create immediate harms: fewer frontline services, longer waits for support and reduced capacity for research and prevention. The sector is also preparing for institutional changes — GambleAware is due to close in March 2026 — which adds to the uncertainty about who will administer and disburse longer-term funding.

Author style: Punchy — this is a live funding emergency for organisations supporting vulnerable people; read the detail if you care about the sector.

Why should I read this?

Quick and blunt: if you care about gambling-related support, charities or policy, this is a heads-up that services are at risk right now. Smaller groups could vanish, users could lose access to help, and the transition to a statutory system is proving messier than intended. Saves you time — here’s the fallout and who’s most exposed.