GamCare response to UK Government Statutory Levy Announcement
Mark Weiss, Deputy CEO and Director of Communications and External Affairs at GamCare, remarked:
“We commend the Government’s announcement regarding the statutory levy and eagerly anticipate collaborating with the NHS, additional service providers, and prospective commissioners to cement the effectiveness of the revamped system for treatment, prevention, and research.
“At GamCare, our foremost commitment lies in ensuring that individuals grappling with gambling-related harm receive prompt and efficient support. With a historic 55,000 individuals reaching out to the National Gambling Helpline in the past year, this moment brings much-needed clarity about the framework of the future.
“With 27 years of unparalleled expertise operating the National Gambling Helpline, GamCare is integral to guaranteeing accessible assistance for those impacted by gambling-related difficulties when they require it most.
“While we fully endorse this renewed spotlight on treatment, we also recognize the critical necessity of shielding vulnerable populations, especially minors, from harm before it manifests. Therefore, we applaud the Government’s heightened emphasis on preventive measures. Observing a notable surge in Helpline inquiries linked to struggles with online slot machines, we are particularly encouraged by the implementation of new stake limits tailored for youth – a pivotal initiative to mitigate future harm.”
Recent Data Insights from GamCare
A significant portion of inquiries (45%) to the National Gambling Helpline now stems from issues tied to online slot machine gambling.
GamCare, a leading gambling support organization, revealed that the proportion of calls to the National Gambling Helpline citing challenges with online slot machines has surged by one-third since the pandemic.
Among the 6,697 individuals who shared details of their gambling habits with Helpline Advisers in 2023-2024, 45% reported difficulties linked to online slot games – a substantial increase from 34% recorded in 2020-2021.
