Following the recent closure of GambleAware, the industry has been left in doubt over how the Government will administer the funds of the mandatory RET levy, with fears mounting that decades of experience could be ignored in favour of partisan allocation.

Though the change has potential to deliver an improved system of treatment, many within the sector have voiced their concerns over a lack of transparency in the decision-making process so far, which could be indicative of trouble to come.

“Industry, charities and government all have worst-case scenarios in mind, and the interregnum between the old and new is bound to amplify those fears,” reported GamblingInsider. “But within those fears is the outline of how the new system could work for the better.”

“If current industry and charities feel that decisions are being driven by thinly veiled dogma, the opposition will be vocal.”

A spokesperson for Flutter said the firm is “increasingly concerned” by the lack of transparency, warning against allocating funding “on ideological grounds,” while Novomatic added “it’s too early to assess whether the new arrangements will prove more effective than the existing framework,” however Bet Blocker’s Duncan Garvie preached patience.

“It’s important that we remain calm and provide the incoming funding commissioners the time to find their footing and take steps to address the needs of the sector.”