GamCare has launched gambling harm support and treatment services across Scotland’s Highlands and Northern Isles. The initiative operates until March 2029 and delivers sessions via phone and online platforms.
The expansion is financed through the UK statutory levy on gambling harm. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities allocated £4m of the £25.4m funding pool to GamCare, making it the largest recipient. The charity will maintain the program for a three-year period, targeting regions including Shetland and Orkney.
Lorraine Hannah, outreach and engagement practitioner at GamCare, stated that many residents were previously unaware of dedicated gambling harm services. She noted, "It is clear there is a real need for free, confidential support, particularly in rural and island areas where isolation and access to online gambling can increase the risk of harm." Local outreach has already identified elevated harm levels among workers in fishing and offshore oil operations.
Technology and Regional Development
The statutory levy simultaneously supported the launch of a national gambling helpline in Wales, which began operations in April. GamCare initiated a market engagement review in July to evaluate how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can improve harm prevention, education, and treatment frameworks.
The charity plans to coordinate with regional organizations to ensure service visibility across the Highlands and Islands.
The UK statutory levy on gambling harm entered operation in April 2025. The funding mechanism was established to support charitable organizations delivering harm prevention and treatment services across the country.