Gambling addiction charities are calling for the government to underwrite all current services with emergency funding to avert a potential human tragedy. They warn that the unexpected funding gap, caused by a breakdown in the new mandatory levy distribution system, could lead to the closure of vital support centers.
The transition from voluntary funding by gambling operators to a compulsory levy was intended to secure reliable, increased financial resources for treatment and research. This stability, however, has been replaced by acute uncertainty due to bureaucratic delays in transferring the levy funds to the essential frontline providers.
The complexity is magnified by the NHS taking over the commissioning process. Organizations like GamCare and Gordon Moody are highly critical of the administrative confusion, pointing to inconsistent requirements and a frustratingly slow pace of contract finalization. This leaves small and medium-sized providers fighting for their survival.
The most severe consequences are reserved for those in recovery. Patients are anxious about the abrupt loss of their support system, which for many represents their only lifeline. Former service users are issuing stark warnings that interrupting the treatment of high-risk individuals is a severe trigger for mental breakdown, relapse, and suicide attempts.
Charities are pleading for the immediate release of bridging funds to ensure service continuity while the new commissioning process is resolved. They argue that the government has a moral obligation to protect vulnerable people from the consequences of its own administrative failure. The government has acknowledged the transition difficulties but has not yet confirmed the emergency funding needed to stabilize the sector.