This month the Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF) has announced the launch of the first of three innovative pilot projects aimed at minimising gambling-related harm in Britain. Aquarius, a charity helping individuals and communities with problems arising from addiction, will lead the first pilot, which will cover the areas of Birmingham and Solihull. Aquarius started working in the alcohol field in the 1970’s. Since then the work has spread into other areas including gambling and drugs but has always been based on research and evidence into what works well.

Each three-year pilot is expected to contribute to significant developments in support for gambling-related harm – particularly focusing on early identification and intervention. The pilots will aim to develop the capability of local primary care, substance misuse, mental health, debt advice, and other community-based services to identify and assist people, and those close to them, who are at risk of, or are already, being negatively affected by gambling.

Based on data from the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007, between 236,500 and 284,000 people experience gambling problems directly, and many more are believed to be at risk of developing problems. High levels of substance misuse, mental health problems, financial and social issues co-occur with gambling problems. As well as the gambler being affected as an individual, the impact on families and the wider community can be significant.

RGF’s Chair, Baroness Neuberger, said, “I am delighted with this important step in expanding the sector and its contribution to the development of partnerships among voluntary, health, and social care and welfare services. Gambling-related harm is an important public health and social issue that we believe can best be addressed by a range of agencies collaborating and working in partnership to tackle gambling-related harm. The pilots are an important step in building the capability of front line workers in local communities to address this important issue.”

Annette Fleming, CEO of Aquarius said, “Aquarius is delighted to be involved in establishing a new pilot project to address the harms caused by gambling. Often people seek our help when they are in crisis – they may have huge debts, have lost their job, their home and even their family. This early intervention project will allow us to raise awareness of the potential harms and encourage people to seek help much sooner. We will work closely with a range of agencies to support them in providing gambling advice and interventions and we will ensure that the service is as accessible as possible”.

RGF is the charity responsible for funding and monitoring prevention, research and treatment services and initiatives in line with the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board’s (RGSB) priorities. The RGF itself is funded by the GREaT Foundation, which raises money mainly through donations from the gambling industry. The Responsible Gambling Strategy Board is an independent expert body that provides advice to the Gambling Commission on a strategy for responsible gambling. (E-08.25.10)

© Copyright 2010 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage