Tomorrow a UK gaming Who’s Who will be gathering at One Great George Street in Westminster for the 8th annual GamCare conference. The charitable foundation, with its commitment to promote responsible attitudes to gambling and to work for the provision of proper care for those who have been harmed by gambling dependency, will be exploring how it can move forward in response to the recently passed Gambling Act 2005.

GamCare provides information, consultancy and training to the gambling industry, regulators and the Government. It takes a pro-responsible stance on gambling, recognizing that it has become a legitimate mainstream activity. Speakers at the conference, which starts at 9:45 on Wednesday, 12th October 2005, will include Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sport at the DCMS; Lord McIntosh, GamCare President; and Tom Kavanagh, from the Gaming Board. A panel of experts will be present – Chris Bell, Ladbrokes; Tobin Prior, Kerzner International; Mark Gallagher, Camelot; Keith Smith, BACTA; Clive Hawkswood, RGA and John Kelly, Gala.

At the previous GamCare conference, held in July last year, Lord McIntosh spoke, as Minister for Media & Leisure, of the Government’s keenness to move forward with new gaming legislation. At that time the bill was in the final stages of revision before being presented to the Lower House. Since then gaming industry optimism about the new Gambling Act has abated in the face of the major changes made to the original draft bill. However, the new law that came into effect 1 October, ending the 24-hour rule and allowing casino advertising, will mean that GamCare remains a relevant part of the gaming industry.

The counselling and support that GamCare offers those affected by problem gambling together with its education and training programmes ensure that the charity has an important rôle to play in raising awareness and understanding the potential impact of irresponsible gambling. This year’s conference, entitled ‘Social Responsibility – The New Dispensation’ should have plenty to say about gambling trends in Britain. In its 2004 figures, Gamcare shows that whilst client problems with betting on fruit machines, horses and in casinos had fallen, problem betting on the Internet had risen slightly from 2003 and had doubled on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. (E-10.11.05)

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