I’m delighted the Betting and Gaming Council is taking these steps to support treatment and provision for problem gamblers.
RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TREATMENT FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING
Our largest members will spend £100m improving treatment services for problem gamblers.
William Hill, bet365, Entain (formerly GVC) PaddyPower Betfair, Sky Betting and Gaming (which are both now part of Flutter Entertainment) will provide funds to the GambleAware charity which will be the main commissioning agent for ensuring funds reach people who require counselling and treatment.
PLAYER EDUCATION AND TREATMENT
INCREASED VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
Research, education and treatment for problem gamblers relies on voluntary industry contributions.
In 2018, GambleAware, formerly the Responsible Gambling Trust, recommended a contribution of 0.1% of an operators gross gambling yield (GGY).
Five of the largest members of the Betting and Gaming Council have pledged to increase the amount they spend on research, education and treatment (RET) services from 0.1 per cent to:
- 0.25 per cent of their annual revenue in 2020
- 0.5 per cent in 2021
- 0.75 per cent in 2022 and 1 per cent in 2023
This unprecedented level of financial support will have a huge impact on the range and availability of interventions available to problem gamblers.
"I’ve seen first-hand how problem gambling can damage people’s mental health and affect the lives of those around them – and I’ve been determined to help protect vulnerable people from the impacts. So I’m delighted the Betting and Gaming Council is taking these steps to support treatment and provision for problem gamblers. The Government will continue to tackle the consequences of problem gambling by rolling out specialist services on the NHS, which will offer expert care and treatment for those who need it."
Matt Hancock, Health Secretary
“We have been clear that the gambling industry has a responsibility to protect people from gambling-related harm and support those who have been affected.
“I welcome the Betting and Gaming Council now outlining how it will deliver on leading operators’ pledges to bolster research, education and treatment. We will monitor closely the progress of these new measures and continue to encourage the wider industry to step up.”
Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage
EDUCATION AND TREATMENT
BIG FIVE VOW MASSIVE FUNDING BOOST
Through the Betting and Gaming Council, the UK’s largest betting and gaming operators have pledged a massive increase in funding for problem gambling treatment services. In June, bet365, William Hill, GVC Paddy Power Betfair and Sky Betting and Gaming, agreed a multi-million pound funding boost for GambleAware which will see them increase the amount they donate to research, education and treatment every year for the next four years.
The move is expected to generate £100 million to tackle problem gambling by 2023.
“GambleAware has a long track record in commissioning treatment services and working with providers for the benefit of problem gamblers.
“Through the provision of this unprecedented level of financial support, we aim to achieve a step-change in the treatment and counselling available to those experiencing gambling-related harm.” Peter Jackson, CEO, Flutter Entertainment
£10M FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
A £10 million education programme has been launched to highlight the dangers associated with betting at a young age.
Around 1.7% of 11-16 years olds in England, Scotland and Wales are thought to be problem gamblers, higher than the equivalent figure for adults. Studies also show that young people who gamble are more likely to become problem gamblers in adulthood.
The BGC has now launched a bid to raise awareness among 11–19 year olds through a four year education programme.
Around 120,000 young people and 100,000 professionals, including teachers and youth workers, will take part in the initiative which will be delivered by independent charities YGAM and GamCare.
RECORD CONTRIBUTION TO GAMBLING TREATMENT
Support for gambling treatment services soared this year as the industry made a record contribution. For the first time, funding support for GambleAware, the UK’s largest gambling charity, exceeded £10 million, with the lion’s share contributed by BGC members. The record funding allowed GambleAware to expand its services, including the opening of the first NHS gambling clinic outside London, jointly funded by the charity and NHS England.
Betting and Gaming Council members have also backed Bet Regret, a two year GambleAware safer gambling campaign aimed at young people. In its first year, the campaign received £3.8 million.
The industry also supported this year’s Safer Gambling Week which took place at venues across the UK and online.
We are delighted to be working with GamCare and supported by the BGC and a wide range of stakeholders to deliver this ambitious programme.
£10 MILLION TO FUND GAMBLING HARM PREVENTION PROGRAMME
Through the Betting and Gaming Council, members are providing £10M to support an independently created and evidence led programme of education, training and support for 11-19-year olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The programme is the largest of its kind and will equip young people with the skills and resilience to make decisions about their participation in gambling in the future.
Delivered by YGAM and GamCare, the youth outreach programme will ensure that young people receive at least one gambling awareness session during their secondary education. Teachers, youth workers and other professionals will also have access to information about the risks of betting, how to identify betting-related harm and where to get help.
Information will also be made available to parents and families about young people’s gambling, how to keep them safe and where they can be referred for help and support.
And under-18s who are at risk of, or have, developed a problem with gambling – or are affected by gambling of someone close to them – will have access to age-appropriate treatment.
Programme outcomes are notified to the Betting and Gaming Council and linked to the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. Funding is administered by the Charities Aid Foundation. The programme will run for four years from April 2020.
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