Problem Gambling
This fact sheet provides an overview on how the Gambling Bill proposes to tackle problem gambling. It also provides contact details of those charities and organisations working to help problem gamblers.
Overview:
We have relatively low levels of problem gambling in Great Britain. We want to keep those levels down.
The industry has the prime responsibility to offer their products in a way that does not encourage repetitive play, and to ensure that they give strong support to research in the causes of problem gambling and its treatment.
The Gambling Bill will afford greater protection for the vulnerable minority who have problems with their gambling. We will allow more opportunities for gambling, but modernisation will be taken forward in a careful and measured way.
All gambling operators will have to act in a socially responsible way: this will no longer be optional best practice. Responsibility in Gambling Trust:
The industry has established a Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) to fund prevention and treatment of problem gambling. It will fund new programmes of research into the causes of problem gambling and effective treatment methods. The trust, even before legislation, has so far raised more than £2 million.We have set a target of £3 million each year.
RIGT has also initiated a research programme and has increased funding for GamCare with a telephone helpline and counselling as a priority.
Need help?
The following organisations are working to tackle problem gambling and might be able to help:
Counselling, support and residential care:
Gamcare
Gamblers Anonymous
Gordon House Association
Gam-Anon
Gamblers Anonymous International
Gam Anon (International)
National Debtline
Citizens Advice Bureau
Telephone Helplines Association
Research:
Responsibility in Gambling Trust
Society for the Study of Problem Gambling
European Association for the Study of Gambling
National Council on Problem Gambling
Youth Gambling International
Last updated 23 April 2004
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