Government awards over £25m to gambling harm prevention charities

The UK government has allocated £25.4 million to charities working to help those with gambling harms over the next two years. The money has been allocated from funds raised by the statutory levy on gambling which replaced a voluntary levy in April last year.

The money has been provisionally ear-marked by the government for 33 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations, dependant on grant agreements being finalised. The government have also allocated £24 million to local councils over the next two years to help prevent and reduce gambling-related harms. Birmingham and Kent are two councils receiving the largest shares of the money at over £300,000 each.

The largest potential grant recipient is GamCare, who will receive just over £4 million for their work supporting those suffering from gambling harm. The new funds will allow the national charity to extend its reach through community outreach and specialist support for those who have been affected by another person’s gambling.

Chief Executive of GamCare, Victoria Corbishley, said: “This provisional award, once confirmed, would help us to reduce the gap between harm and help for thousands of people across England. Whether someone is struggling themselves, or trying to support a loved one, they deserve timely, compassionate, specialist support.

“Around one in seven calls we receive to GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline come from people affected by someone else’s gambling, and we know there is vital work to be done to reach and support more in that situation. This funding would help us to do that, and to build the evidence and insight that will strengthen the sector’s response for years to come.”