Gordon Moody has secured NHS England funding to expand its gambling harm treatment and recovery services under the UK’s new statutory levy system.
The charity will use the funding to support its residential, online and community-based treatment programmes, building on its specialist expertise in gambling harm recovery.
Gordon Moody becomes one of the first voluntary sector providers commissioned by NHS England following its assumption of responsibility for gambling harm treatment in England earlier this year.
The new structure forms part of the government’s statutory levy framework, with third-sector providers now commissioned directly to deliver specialist support to those in need.
Gordon Moody CEO Jon Murray welcomed the development, saying: “We welcome the opportunity to continue working alongside NHS England and partners across the treatment system to ensure people can access high-quality, evidence-based support when they need it most.”
Murray added: “This agreement provides stability as we continue to strengthen and develop our services, expand access to support and build new pathways into treatment and recovery.”
Despite Gordon Moody securing backing, the rollout of the statutory levy has faced heavy criticism from several gambling harm organisations across the sector.
Concerns have been raised over delays, funding uncertainty and the long-term future of specialist third-sector providers operating within the new commissioning landscape.
The new system came into force on 1 April, replacing the previous voluntary funding model and introducing a mandatory levy expected to raise around £120m annually.
That funding is designated for gambling harm research, prevention and treatment, with responsibility for distributing it split between UK Research and Innovation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and NHS England.
The transition proved controversial after several long-established gambling harm charities missed out on NHS treatment funding entirely, with some warning they now face downsizing or possible closure.
Critics also questioned the timing of the commissioning process, with funding decisions only communicated to providers hours before the new system came into effect.
That left organisations with very little time to adapt their operations, raising serious questions about the planning and transparency behind the rollout.
Before funding decisions were announced, Gordon Moody had repeatedly warned of a potential “funding cliff edge” if specialist charities were not properly supported through the transition.
The charity had called for greater clarity over the commissioning process and stressed that specialist voluntary sector organisations must remain central to delivering effective gambling harm treatment across England.
