GambleAware appointed Anna Hargrave as chief executive after Zoe Osmund stepped down, as the charity prepares to close in March 2026. The NHS is due to take over as lead commissioner for gambling harm treatment programmes under the research, education and treatment levy, the source said.
The handover will shift responsibility for commissioning gambling harm treatment programmes from GambleAware to the NHS.
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Reportedly, the New South Wales government has increased GambleAware funding by $1.3m. The money aims to strengthen peer support and frontline help, with service locations expected to increase by 44%.
New South Wales is adding $1.3 million to its GambleAware support network, with services due to expand into 15 regional locations, according to the report. The expansion will increase the network from 34 to 49 hubs, while five additional peer-support positions will bring the total to 16. The report says the funding forms part of a $20.7 million Responsible Gambling Fund commitment for 2025-26.
NHS England notified applicants of its gambling-harm treatment funding decisions on 31 March, shortly before the statutory levy began on 1 April, according to reports. Five established charities were rejected and two accepted, while a government stabilisation fund is intended to give unsuccessful applicants three additional months to continue operating or transition services.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has introduced temporary grants for charities affected by the transition to the statutory gambling levy. The scheme runs from 1 April to 1 June, with applications closing on 30 April; eligible organisations must have delivered relevant services in March 2026 and failed to secure specified grant funding.
The Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN) raised concerns about uncertainty for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations after England’s first prevention-funding decisions under the new gambling levy. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities notified applicants 13 days before the funding period begins, leaving some organisations facing decisions about continuing or closing services. GLEN said gaps could emerge if existing service capacity is not maintained.