Gambling Sector Stability Threatened by Slow Government Decision-Making

The stability of the gambling addiction sector is under threat due to slow government decision-making regarding the distribution of the new mandatory levy funds. Charities warn that this funding vacuum is creating an unsustainable financial crisis that risks the lives of hundreds of recovering individuals.
The compulsory levy was introduced to replace the old, unreliable voluntary system with a guaranteed, increased funding stream for addiction treatment. Despite the money being collected, the bureaucratic failure to commission services and distribute the funds has led to a catastrophic cash flow problem for providers.
The complexity is rooted in the NHS’s new commissioning role. Charities report that the health service’s transition management has been poor, characterized by unclear contract requirements, shifting timelines, and an overall lack of urgency in securing the financial future of providers.
The human cost is evident in the rising stress and anxiety among clients in recovery, who fear the abrupt cessation of their support. Former addicts emphasize that service continuity is essential, warning that interrupting care for vulnerable people is a severe trigger for mental health crises and potential loss of life.
Charities are urgently demanding the government step in with emergency financial support to stabilize the sector and protect service users. They argue that administrative delays must not be allowed to cause a human tragedy. The government has offered general reassurances but has not provided a firm guarantee of the necessary bridging finance.