Commenting on the Government’s introduction of a new statutory gambling levy, Monica Shafaq, CEO of Gordon Moody – the UK’s leading charity dedicated to providing residential treatment for people severely affected by gambling-related harms – said:
“Gordon Moody supports the principle of the new statutory gambling levy on the basis that it will bring more money into the system allowing for greater support for those in need of treatment.
“The levy will fundamentally change how the UK funds and commissions gambling treatment services. It is critical that the changes brought about by the new system continue to support the work of Gordon Moody, including the funding of residential treatment, so that we can offer our unique gambling specific programmes to people.
“Gordon Moody is a small charity, but we have become a leading provider of effective gambling treatment services, including the UK’s only residential therapy for individuals with the most severe gambling addictions. Only this week we opened our new flagship residential treatment centre, but the new levy framework puts a question mark on the future funding environment for charities like ourselves.
“We welcome the government’s encouragement of collaboration between the NHS and the third sector. Putting this commitment into practice will be crucial, both during and post transition, as will ensuring that the treatment services promised by the levy framework are developed in partnership with existing providers, building on our expertise. We will be working with government, industry, and other affected third sector organisations to get much needed clarity for ourselves and, most importantly, the people we treat day in, day out.”