Charities across the UK have issued urgent warnings that gambling addiction services may be forced to close due to delays in government funding. The move to a mandatory levy was meant to strengthen financial support for treatment, but organisations now say the transition has left them dangerously exposed. They fear many people battling addiction could lose access to care entirely.
Previously, gambling firms donated voluntarily toward treatment initiatives, contributing a small fraction of their profits. The new levy replaces this model with a legally required contribution designed to raise significantly more money. However, the rollout has been slower than expected, leaving treatment providers unsure how long they can continue operations.
Responsibility for distributing funds has shifted to the NHS, which must now commission services from external organisations. Charities say they have received little guidance about what criteria they need to meet or how funding will be allocated. This lack of clarity has halted long-term planning and triggered widespread anxiety among service providers.
Those working directly with addicts say the consequences could be severe. Many people rely on long-term residential programs or regular counselling that could be disrupted if organisations lose stability. Former service users stress that treatment saved their lives and argue that any interruptions pose serious risks.
The charities are urging the government to release interim funding immediately to keep services running while new systems are implemented. They also want clearer communication about future requirements. Government officials say they are committed to maintaining access to treatment but have not promised short-term financial support.