Statutory Levy Funds GamCare Expansion to Scottish Highlands and Islands
The gambling support charity is using its government grant allocation to deliver free treatment across remote Scottish communities.
GamCare has extended its gambling harm support and treatment services into Scotland’s Highlands and Northern Isles, utilizing funding secured from the UK’s statutory levy.
The charity will provide online and telephone support across the Highlands as well as island communities including Shetland and Orkney. The program is funded to run for up to three years, ending in March 2029.
The expansion follows GamCare being named as the largest recipient of statutory levy funding by the UK government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), receiving just over £4m from a total £25.4m allocation pool. The statutory levy framework was introduced in April 2025, and previously helped fund a national gambling helpline in Wales that went live in April.
Addressing Rural Harm and Remote Workforce Risks
It is very encouraging to bring GamCare’s support into these communities, many of which may not have known there are dedicated gambling harms services available if they are struggling,
said Lorraine Hannah, outreach and engagement practitioner at GamCare.
It is clear there is a real need for free, confidential support, particularly in rural and island areas where isolation, boredom and access to online gambling can increase the risk of harm.
Hannah added that early anecdotal feedback highlighted specific risks among regional workforces: “We have already heard anecdotal insights of how people working in fishing and on oil rigs may be experiencing a high degree of gambling harm, and we want anyone affected to know that support is available.
We look forward to working closely with local organisations across the Highlands and Islands to make sure people know they can access non-judgemental support wherever they are.
Exploring Technology in Safer Gambling
The geographical expansion in Scotland coincides with broader efforts by GamCare to integrate new technologies into its service delivery.
In July, the charity initiated a market engagement process to explore how emerging tools, including artificial intelligence, can be applied to enhance gambling harm support, education and treatment services.
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