GamCare said its financial position improved in the year to 31 March 2026 even as the UK’s new statutory gambling levy disrupted support services during the transition away from the old voluntary funding model. Income came in at £19.9 million, down from £20.3 million the previous year, while spending fell more sharply to £14.8 million from £16.1 million. That left a surplus of around £5 million and pushed reserves to nearly £16 million.
According to GamCare’s annual report, the shift was especially awkward because GambleAware shut down in March 2026 and responsibility for commissioning was divided among several public bodies in England, Scotland and Wales, with some decisions taken at short notice. In some cases, the charity said, it relied on its own resources and infrastructure to keep people from losing access to support.
The Gambling Commission says the statutory levy began on 6 April 2025 under the Gambling Levy Regulations 2025, replacing the old voluntary industry contributions made under licence conditions and codes of practice.
GamCare said gambling firms’ contributions fell 44% to £4.2 million during the transition. Its trustees set a target operating reserve range of £9 million to £11 million, with £2 million held back for digital development.
The charity’s services continued to see heavy use. Its National Gambling Helpline and digital channels handled more than 114,000 contacts during the year, alongside more than 11,400 treatment referrals and 17,700 referrals to other support services.
The annual report also said treatment services supported 2,811 clients through more than 10,300 sessions. Assessments were completed in an average of 2.4 days, and almost 97% of people who finished treatment said their situation improved. Average Problem Gambling Severity Index scores fell from 14.4 at treatment start to 3.3 at completion.
There were also separate figures in the chief executive’s statement, which said GamCare dealt with over 130,000 contacts through its National Gambling Helpline and online services, delivered over 8,100 treatment sessions and made over 7,100 referrals to support services. That section also said education and prevention programmes reached over 64,000 people, a broader measure than the report’s separate prevention total of 17,100 people, including more than 2,100 professionals trained to spot gambling-related harm.
The report said GamCare had also set up warm-transfer arrangements with Nationwide, Lloyds and NatWest for bank customers facing gambling-related financial harm, and aligned its referral processes with NICE guidance. Its 24/7 National Gambling Helpline remained open throughout the year, but the charity said its commissioned helpline role in Wales had not been renewed. External assessments were favourable, including a Care Quality Commission rating for safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership, and the regulator found no evidence that gambling industry interests influenced GamCare’s services.
