The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a formal appeal to the UK’s gambling harm treatment commissioners, urging them to maintain continuity of care and quality standards for people experiencing gambling‑related harms as commissioning responsibility shifts under the emerging statutory levy model. The call comes with the publication of the CQC’s end-of-programme assessment of gambling treatment services delivered through the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN).
The regulator highlighted that ongoing assessment and oversight will be crucial to safeguarding the quality and accessibility of treatment as structural changes to funding and commissioning arrangements are implemented.
CQC’s Assessment Highlights Quality and Access in Current Services
In an assessment commissioned by the Gambling Commission and GambleAware, the CQC reviewed gambling treatment and support services across England, Scotland and Wales. The programme examined 14 organisations within the National Gambling Support Network to determine whether they provided care that is:
- Safe
- Effective
- Caring
- Responsive
- Well‑led
The CQC’s report found that service users were generally able to access timely and person‑centred support that met their needs, with flexible delivery options across in‑person, online and helpline formats. Staff with lived experience of gambling harms were cited as a key strength in engaging people in treatment.
However, despite these positive findings, the CQC specifically urged continuity in service commissioning as arrangements transition from current models toward the statutory levy framework expected to come into effect later this year. Regulators highlighted concerns that changing commissioning structures could interrupt access or impact quality if not carefully managed.
Transitioning Commissioning Arrangements Under Statutory Levy Rollout
The CQC’s plea for continuity arises against the backdrop of a major change in how gambling harm treatment services are funded and commissioned across the UK. Under new statutory levy arrangements, responsibility for commissioning treatment and support services will increasingly shift, with implications for governance, oversight and service delivery.
Stakeholders have raised concerns about maintaining service quality and operational consistency during the transition. Ensuring that services do not experience gaps in funding or shifts in clinical oversight has been a recurring theme in recent governance discussions. This aligns with earlier concerns about the UK gambling levy rollout, where charities warned that transitional funding mechanisms could disrupt frontline services if not clearly defined and managed.
Treatment Service Standards and Practice Insights
The CQC’s assessment programme is unique in that gambling treatment is not itself a regulated activity under UK law; rather, the CQC evaluates services under a bespoke framework agreed with the Gambling Commission and GambleAware. The commission’s role is to assess, report and make recommendations, not to enforce statutory conditions on providers.
The inspected services were judged across the CQC’s five core quality domains, with findings indicating generally positive outcomes for people accessing support. Service users reported flexible and responsive support that addressed their physical, psychological and social needs.
The findings underscore the importance of maintaining access to comprehensive treatment as the broader system evolves, particularly for populations experiencing higher levels of harm or co‑occurring needs.
Broader Treatment Access Trends in UK Gambling Support
The UK’s gambling harm treatment landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with increasing use of specialist supports and helplines. Data from national healthcare reporting suggest that gambling treatment services, including specialist clinics and structured therapeutic programmes, have grown, reflecting greater recognition of gambling harms as a public health issue.
Trends in treatment usage and referral pathways have also drawn attention to shifts in demographic engagement. For example, programmes like GamStop have seen notable increases in young adult registrations, which may influence both demand for treatment services and the types of interventions required to meet people’s needs.
CQC’s Forward-Looking Recommendations
While the review highlighted good practice and effective care, the CQC’s core recommendation is clear: ensure continuity of quality care as commissioning responsibilities change. Regulators urged that new commissioners review the CQC’s findings closely and integrate them into future contracting and oversight arrangements to avoid unintended service disruption.
As the statutory levy rollout continues to reshape gambling harm funding and governance, maintaining consistent access, quality standards and comprehensive oversight will be essential to supporting people experiencing gambling‑related harm across the UK.