Scotland commits £7.9m to expand services tackling gambling harms

The Scottish Government has announced a £7.9 million investment to strengthen prevention, early‑intervention and treatment services for people affected by gambling harms. The funding comes from Scotland’s share of the UK‑wide statutory Gambling Levy, introduced in 2025, and follows growing concern about the scale of gambling‑related harm across the country.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said gambling harm remains “a significant issue for too many people”, noting that more than 90,000 adults in Scotland—over 2% of the population—may be problem gamblers. She said the new funding will support a mix of NHS, local authority and third‑sector organisations, with Public Health Scotland helping ensure people can access the right support at the right time.

The funding package includes £926,000 for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to expand its whole‑system approach to reducing gambling harm, and £967,000 for Public Health Scotland to strengthen national data, surveillance and prevention work. The RCA Trust will receive £1.07 million to grow its counselling, group work and rehabilitation services, including support for veterans, prisoners and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.

Several charities will also benefit. Simon Community Scotland has been awarded £445,000 to expand work on gambling harm and homelessness, while Citizens Advice Scotland will receive £450,000 to establish a dedicated Gambling Harms Advice Service. Fast Forward will use £561,000 to deliver prevention‑focused education for young people and families. Smaller awards include £124,000 for Gambling with Lives to support families affected by gambling‑related suicide, £47,000 for Space Scotland’s youth befriending service, and £45,000 for a Scottish Ambulance Service pilot enabling clinicians to identify gambling harm during 999 call‑outs and refer people to specialist support within 48 hours. Young Scot and Dundee & Angus College will also receive funding to deliver prevention programmes for children and young people.

Charities welcomed the investment. Neil Hay, Chief Executive of Space Scotland, said the support will help provide “timely, trusted relationships” for children living with instability linked to gambling harm. Andy Todd of the RCA Trust said the funding will be “fundamental” to expanding services and reducing stigma, adding that a public‑health approach is helping embed lived experience into frontline practice.

The statutory levy, introduced under the Gambling Levy Regulations 2025, requires all licensed operators across Great Britain to contribute to a national fund that can only be used for projects addressing gambling addiction and related harms.