Gambling charities in the UK have received a crucial three month funding package, but concerns remain around the immediate future of staff and service costs.
The financial relief comes as some voice their concerns around the Gambling Levy rollout, which is a mandatory 1.1% charge on gambling operators introduced by the government to fund research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm.
Transition process of funding remains an issue
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has created a three-month transition grant scheme, which will run from April 1 to June 1. This is in place to cover the charges incurred by gambling charity staff and other service costs.
The scheme will allow eligible charities to backdate claims if decisions are issued after April 1. To qualify, applicants must have delivered relevant services in March 2026 and previously applied for, but not received, funding from the Gambling Harms Prevention or Treatment VCSE Grant Funds. Grants will not fund capital costs exceeding £2,000, with applications closing on April 30.
The Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN), which describes itself as a network for people with experience of what it means to be impacted by harmful gambling, believes some operators have been left facing difficult choices around their future.
Earlier in the month, the group said: “Any drop in funding for gambling harm prevention work will likely pose an existential threat to their continued existence. Once lost to the system, they will likely stay lost.”
GLEN Network Developer Mark Conway added on LinkedIn: “Calculators will have been working overtime, and possibly bouncing off walls a few times. Those letters already written and addressed to staff who are now unaffordable will very reluctantly be getting made ready to send out.”
Scotland begins sharing its dividend of the fund
Scotland’s devolved government has started allocating its £7.9 million share of the U.K.-wide gambling levy, distributing funds across the NHS, local authority partners and third-sector organisations, including charities.
Those charities include the RCA Trust (£1m), Public Health Scotland (£967,000), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (£926,000), Fast Forward (£561,000), Citizens Advice Scotland (£450,000)and Simon Community Scotland (£445,000).
Scotland’s Public Health Minister, Jenni Minto, reiterated the concern her government had about gambling harm and ensuring charities were adequately funded. She said: “Gambling harm is a significant issue for too many people in Scotland who are living with it. It affects not only people who gamble but also their families, relationships, communities and wider society.
“We are already working hard with partners on reducing this and these awards are a major step forward. This funding will help support a range of projects and programmes for people dealing with what is often a hidden issue.
“Data shows that over two per cent of Scottish adults, which represents over 90,000 people, could be problem gamblers. The funding provides a balance across the third sector, including the community and voluntary sector, and services provided through the NHS and local authorities.”
Recent polling to ratchet up pressure on gambling advertising
Ministers are facing renewed pressure to tighten gambling advertising rules after new polling released at the beginning of the year showed strong public support for tougher restrictions.
The findings come amid years of debate over regulation of the £12.5 billion gambling sector, which has seen tighter controls and higher taxes. Advertising, however, has largely escaped major reform despite a sharp rise since deregulation in 2005 under Tony Blair.
Survey data commissioned by advocacy groups found 70% of respondents support stricter limits on gambling promotion, while 27% favour a complete ban. Backers say the results show cross-party appetite for stronger action.
Critics argue gambling ads now saturate television, social media and influencer platforms, increasing exposure among children and young people. Campaigners are urging restrictions on digital advertising and content linked to youth audiences.
Industry figures estimate annual advertising and marketing spending at up to £2 billion, though trade body Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) disputes that figure, saying it is closer to £1.15 billion.
The government said it has no immediate plans to legislate but acknowledged concerns, adding that further work is needed to ensure advertising does not contribute to harmful gambling.
Beccy Cooper, a Labour MP, said: “While successive governments have rightly taken tentative steps towards improving regulation of the gambling sector, we need to go further.
“Current rules on gambling advertising are no longer fit for purpose. Promotions now saturate television, social media and influencer marketing, exposing children and young people as a matter of course. This must change, and stronger restrictions are now urgently needed to reduce harm.”
