News
GamCare welcomes voluntary funding route for problem gambling help
11 June 2009
GamCare welcomes the decision of the Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, to pursue voluntary arrangements for funding for research, education and treatment.
GamCare Chairman, Anthony Jennens said “We very much look forward to working with the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, the gambling industry and its trade bodies. We most sincerely hope that they will exceed the minimum target of £5M each year over three years, and are glad to note their public commitment to do so. It is only in this way that the increasing demand for our services can be met and the estimated three million people affected by problem gambling made aware of and able to access treatment and support.”
Chief Executive Andy McLellan said “We are pleased that the industry has guaranteed to raise at least £5m a year for three years and the threat of a levy has been removed. This uncertainty has meant that GamCare has had to put many plans and activities on hold. We hope that with increasing and guaranteed funding we and our partners can build on the investment we have made and help many more people for whom gambling is a serious problem.”
Press contact:
Eileen Kinghan, GamCare 020 7801 7003, eileen@gamcare.org.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS
GamCare is the national association for gambling care, educational resources and training. Established in 1997, GamCare is a registered charity providing advice, information, practical help, counselling and support to address the social impact of gambling in the UK. Its aims are to improve the understanding of the social impact of gambling; promote a responsible approach to gambling; address the needs of anyone adversely affected by a gambling dependency. GamCare’s confidential one-to-one national support services, available 8am to midnight, are the telephone HelpLine and online NetLine. An online Forum and ChatRoom facilitate self help in a moderated environment. GamCare delivers free face to face counselling at three locations in London, nationally through a network of partner agencies, and online. We train our Partners (experienced addictions counsellors) in treating problem gambling and fund them to deliver free face to face support to anyone who needs it.
The Minister’s written statement is available here: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/minister_speeches/6196.aspx
According to the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007, it is estimated that 0.6% of the UK population (around 300,000 people) are problem gamblers. Removing from the statistics those who take part in the National Lottery Draw increases this estimate to over a million people. Considering that each may have a partner, parents and dependents, those affected by problem gambling behaviour may number up to three million. The Survey, commissioned by the Gambling Commission and prepared and published by the National Centre for Social Research, provides detailed statistics at http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/UploadDocs/publications/Document/Prevalence%20Survey%20final.pdf. The statistics are available in the UK Data Archive at http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/findingData/snDescription.asp?sn=5836.