GamCare handled more than 114,000 contacts through the National Gambling Helpline and its online services during 2025/26, as the charity completed its final year operating under the voluntary gambling harms funding system.
The figure was below the more than 130,000 calls and online messages reported for 2024/25. However, onward referrals into treatment increased from 7,100 to more than 11,400, while a further 17,700 connections were made to wider services.
GamCare also delivered more than 10,300 treatment sessions to 2,811 clients during the year. Full assessments were completed within an average of 2.4 days and nearly 97% of people completing treatment reported a positive change in their circumstances.
Average scores on GamCare's standard clinical measure of gambling harm declined from 14.4 at the beginning of treatment to 3.3 on completion. Its education, prevention and outreach programmes reached 17,100 people, including more than 2,100 professionals trained to recognise gambling-related harm.
The reporting period coincided with a restructuring of how gambling harm services are funded across Great Britain. The statutory gambling levy has raised just under £120m ($161.3m), replacing the previous system of voluntary industry contributions.
Half of levy funding is allocated to treatment, with NHS England and the Scottish and Welsh Governments responsible for commissioning services in their respective jurisdictions.
GamCare has subsequently secured funding under the new arrangements in England and Scotland. It was provisionally allocated more than £4m through the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities' prevention and resilience fund, while Scottish Government funding will support its National Gambling Helpline and treatment services across parts of Scotland until March 2029.
The transition also removes direct gambling industry funding from GamCare. The charity states that it can no longer accept donations from gambling businesses following the introduction of the new funding structure.
Independent assessments conducted by the Care Quality Commission found GamCare's helpline, treatment and outreach services met standards across safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership.
The assessment also found no evidence that its support or treatment services were influenced by the gambling industry.
GamCare CEO, Victoria Corbishley, said: "This year, people were assessed within days and nearly 97% told us it brought positive change in their lives."
Earlier this month, GamCare confirmed it would close its EmpowerMe self-guided platform while reviewing how its digital services connect users between initial contact, treatment and aftercare. The work includes Project Nexus, a wider technology programme covering communications, case management, safeguarding and data management.
Statutory levy rates range from 0.1% to 1.1% depending on the licensed gambling activity, with payments calculated from gambling revenue generated from customers in Great Britain
