The Welsh government will open a gambling-related harm helpline funded by the new statutory levy to the tune of £1.3m per year.
The Wales Gambling Helpline will provide information to those impacted by gambling-related harm and will also signpost people towards treatment services.
The Welsh government has awarded the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board £1.3m per year to run the helpline and treatment services.
The board already operates other national helplines, including a drug and alcohol support system and a mental health line.
The funding will be derived from the statutory levy, which came into effect in April 2025.
In Wales, the Welsh government has been chosen as the funding commissioner, giving those in Cardiff the power to oversee prevention and treatment policies.
The same structure has been applied in Scotland, while in England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will oversee prevention, and NHS England will manage treatment.
The Welsh government has since appointed Public Health Wales as the lead prevention overseer and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement as the lead treatment body.
Public Health Wales is due to launch a grant scheme in April to provide funding opportunities around the prevention of gambling-related harm.
NHS Wales Performance and Improvement will work with various health boards to evaluate how the “voluntary, community and social enterprise sector” could become involved in treatment pathways.
Sarah Murphy, Wales’ minister for mental health and wellbeing, said: “This is a landmark moment, marking the first time specialist gambling treatment and support services will be available from the NHS in Wales.
“The helpline will be a form of open access support available to people who need it the most and fits into the ambitions of our ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy’.
“Guided by the evidence, we’re confident this approach is the most effective way to deliver essential support for both prevention and treatment.”
Dr Faye Graver, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board clinical lead for gambling treatment services, added: “We are establishing a specialist gambling treatment service and the Wales Gambling Helpline to provide much-needed support for people struggling with gambling addiction.
“They will provide the necessary support, advice and information not only to people experiencing gambling-related harms, but also their family members and others affected.
“Research shows tens of thousands of people in Wales need support for gambling-related harms and this treatment service will provide this from referral and triage through to aftercare.”
Following the announcement, GamCare said it would be writing to Murphy to ensure there is minimal confusion between the new helpline and GamCare’s service.
GamCare has run the National Gambling Helpline in England, Wales and Scotland since 1997.
Victoria Corbishley, GamCare CEO, said: “We wish Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board well as they build a new NHS helpline for people in Wales and we look forward to working closely together in the transition.
“GamCare’s priority has always been, and continues to be, ensuring that individuals affected by gambling harms can access confidential, non-judgemental, and effective support.
“We will be writing to Sarah Murphy about the decision and how to make the relationship between our helplines work for people who are at risk of gambling harms across England and Wales.
“The shared aim must be to minimise any confusion for those reaching out in moments of vulnerability. Our focus remains firmly on the people we serve.”
This week, EGR reported how GambleAware had laid out in its ‘Legacy Report’ the “fragmentation” concerns among stakeholders ahead of its closure.
As part of the shift from the voluntary to statutory levy, GambleAware will shutter at the end of March.
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The post Welsh government to open £1.3m gambling-related harm helpline first appeared on EGR Intel.
Statutory levy-funded project to be overseen by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, with funding opportunities for other prevention services to launch in April
The post Welsh government to open £1.3m gambling-related harm helpline first appeared on EGR Intel.