(AsiaGameHub) –   With the effects of the statutory levy continuing to unfold, GamCare has strengthened its team by naming Chris Thornton as the charity’s new Director of Operations.

Thornton will oversee the delivery and performance of GamCare’s national and regional services, including the National Gambling Helpline, and brings substantial experience from roles within NHS-funded organisations.

This background will be essential as GamCare adapts to a new landscape where the NHS now commissions gambling harm treatment under the statutory levy, formally taking over from GambleAware in April.

Thornton has previously worked with the British Red Cross across the North of England and the Isle of Man, where GamCare noted he managed £3 million in annual income from the NHS and local commissioning services, as well as from Primary Care Sheffield and St John Ambulance.

Victoria Corbishley, Chief Executive Officer of GamCare, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Chris to GamCare and to the Executive Leadership Team. He brings precisely the blend of strategic and operational leadership that reflects our approach, significant experience of leading complex health and community services at scale, a strong record of evidencing impact, and a deep commitment to reaching people who are often underserved.”

Complications aplenty

Thornton’s experience of working alongside the NHS will be especially valuable for GamCare, given the disruption anticipated through the implementation of the NHS Modernisation Bill.

Crucially for the gambling industry, the legislation will abolish NHS England, the body that currently oversees gambling harm treatment with its Scottish and Welsh counterparts.

As a result, funding contracts for the 2027 financial year will now have to be negotiated with an organisation yet to be named that will succeed NHS England.

GamCare described the move as arriving at a ‘crucial time’ for gambling harm treatment, as stakeholders continue to assess the effectiveness of the levy, which raised £120 million from UK licensed operators in its first year.

New revenue streams

The organisation secured over £4 million from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities as part of a wider allocation of £25.4 million to gambling harm support services under the prevention arm of the statutory levy, together with funding from NHS England.

However, amid the uncertainty created by the levy, the charity stated in its latest Trustee Annual Report that it must explore new avenues to broaden its funding approach and develop ‘more diverse, resilient income streams’.

The charity highlighted that Thornton previously co-led successful bids worth £22 million during his tenure at Primary Care Sheffield, where he led city-wide clinical services.

On his new role, Thornton said: “I’m thrilled to join GamCare at such an important moment for the organisation and for everyone working to reduce gambling harms across the UK.

“The combination of specialist expertise, integrated delivery and frontline impact is rare in any sector, and is shaping how effective support for gambling harms is understood and delivered. I’m looking forward to building on those foundations and to playing my part in ensuring GamCare’s services continue to meet growing demand as the sector evolves.”