The UK gambling industry’s self-funded problem gambling association says it’s open to the idea of a government-imposed mandatory levy to ensure it meets its funding targets.

On Tuesday, the GambleAware charity outfit issued a release celebrating the fact that it had received £8m worth of funding in the 12 months ending March 31. However, despite this sum representing a 10% rise on the previous year, it remains 20% below the £10m target set by the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board.

GambleAware CEO Marc Etches urged “all businesses that profit from gambling to step up to the plate in the next 12 months to help us achieve our objectives.” And while GambleAware says it still sees value in a voluntary funding system, Etches says his group “would not hesitate in supporting the commencement of a statutory levy if the voluntary system fails to deliver.”

GambleAware’s statement was issued the same day that the Times reported that some less scrupulous UK gambling operators had contributed a token 1p to GambleAware in order to avoid being tagged with the scarlet letter of having contributed nothing.