The rate of problem gambling is over three times as high amongst young people than amongst adults in the UK and in September 2010 GamCare, the country’s leading provider of information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling, said it had recruited a Head of Education Development to plan and implement a strategy of education and prevention work aimed at young people. This month Andy McLellan, GamCare Chief Executive, has reported on the work undertaken by his organisation over the last year.

In 2010/11 GamCare received £2.5 million in funding raised by the gaming industry and granted to it by the Responsible Gambling Fund – effectively a standstill budget from the previous year. To that was added money GamCare raised through other donations and trading. This money was used to run the national helpline (incorporating NetLine live chat service and online chatrooms and forums); to provide counselling for gamblers and others affected by gambling; to work with the industry and regulators to improve player protection and to safeguard players’ interests; and to develop new initiatives particularly for young people.

Of its Counselling service GamCare asks ‘Is it worth the investment?’ Using the best available international research, the charity has estimated that every problem gambler costs the state £8,000 every year – so if there are 450,000 problem gamblers then that is an annual bill to the taxpayer of around £3.6 billion. On average it costs about £650 for GamCare to treat each individual – so taking the evidence of about a two-thirds success rate, the GamCare investment of around £1.7m in treatment produces a return on investment which is greater than 12:1. As a comparison, treatment for drug-users produces a 2.5:1 return. GamCare believes that shows that this is money well spent, and that expansion of the existing service should clearly be a priority.

On GamCare’s Prevention work, Andy McLellan states: “Our work with the industry – for which we charge to cover costs – is a major contribution to prevention, and more and more operators are applying for GamCare certification. This is particularly true of online companies who are probably not licensed by the Gambling Commission but who recognise the value of the GamCare kitemark in giving reassurance to their customers. We hope our new e-learning package will help more companies improve their standards of player protection. Taking this vital work alongside our plans for young people then our prevention strategy is well and truly launched.”

He adds: We are proud of our achievements over the last year, but it’s those who are vulnerable who benefit most from our partnership with the gambling industry. Over the last couple of years the industry has increased significantly the amount of cash it provides voluntarily for research, education and treatment. We hope that in the year to come we will be able to build on our successes, and use that money to improve education and help more people in need.” (E-04.19.11)

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