GamCare Report Paints Positive Financial Picture During Turbulent Times

^{GamCare CEO remains positive despite major changes to the way responsible gambling charities are funded. (Photo: GamCare)}

By Daniel Smyth

GamCare has reported a cash surplus of £16 million following major changes to the way UK responsible gambling charities are funded. 

GamCare’s latest Trustee report has painted a positive picture despite the recent closure of GambleAware. Along with assisting over 150,000 contacts, the charity generated £19.9 million worth of income in the year to March 31, 2026.

GamCare remains a vital resource

As a registered charity, GamCare must report on its activities annually. As well as its financial status, the report outlines the charity’s notable achievements throughout the year. Among the notable highlights are:

• More than 17,100 people were reached through GamCare’s education, prevention and outreach program.
• GamCare responded to over 114,000 inquiries to the National Gambling Helpline and its associated online services.
• The Helpline made over 28,000 referrals to onward services and connected organisations
• GamCare handled 48,800+ live chat and WhatsApp contacts.

The most significant takeaway from the report was GamCare’s current financial position. Income topped £19.9 million, which is down slightly from the £20.3 million reported in the previous financial year.

That income created a cash surplus of £5.1 million, taking GamCare’s reserves to £16 million. Of that figure, £2.4 million is restricted, and a further £2 million has been earmarked for ongoing digital developments designed to improve the charity’s services. 

Cash positive but uncertainty remains

This takes the charity’s unrestricted reserves to £11.6 million, which is just above the charity’s £9-£11 million reserve target policy. While there’s still money in the coffers to continue offering support to at-risk gamblers, there have been notable changes in the last 12 months. 

Donations are counted as part of GamCare’s income. In the year to March 31, 2026, they were down 44% to £4.2 million. Exceptional one-off donations in the previous financial year are cited as a reason for the drop, but a changing landscape means money is getting harder to come by. 

The report states that 70% of GamCare’s income came from service contracts and grant agreements with GambleAware, which ceased operations in March 2026. With a major income stream cutoff, there’s a greater need for a healthy financial buffer. 

Donations and funding have been replaced by an increased statutory levy introduced in April 2025. Online operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) are now required to contribute 1.1% of their gross gambling yield to NHS England, OHID and UKRI. 

GamCare, along with other responsible gambling charities, then have to bid for a portion of the money received. For context, land-based operators contribute between 0.1% and 0.5%. 

Current model fit for new climate says CEO

The new system generated just under £120 million in the nine months to December 2025. Despite that, a number of gambling charities have teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. 

Responding to this, GamCare CEO Victoria Corbishley said that learning how to commission and coordinate services under the new system has been a challenge. However, in her note, she offered a positive outlook.

“Looking ahead, GamCare enters a new commissioning landscape with a clear mandate and a proven model,” Corbishley wrote in the report.

With responsible gambling charities an integral part of the industry, trustees, regulatory officials and players will be hoping that GamCare’s model can hold up in the current climate.