SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
PlayItForward has spearheaded safer gambling efforts for Apricot for a number of years, leading to the initiative playing a critical part in driving forward a variety of schemes across the industry.
Over the course of a three-part SBC News special, three of these, namely Betknowmore, Gordon Moody and Beacon Counselling Trust, elaborated on their own continuing efforts, as well as the role that the partner-led CSR programme has and continues to play.
As the landscape of UK gambling gets set for drastic change via a mandated levy to generate £100m for the research, prevention and treatment of harms, each of the aforementioned trifecta offered reflections on the importance of PlayItForward funding in helping to push them forwards.
Here, Dr Liz Riley, Betknowmore UK’s Head of Research & Evaluation, noted the crucial contribution of Apricot’s scheme in helping to develop fresh, and in some instances never-before-seen, opportunities within the realm of gambling harms.
“When I joined Betknowmore UK in 2021, my first research project was funded by PlayItForward and focused on the support needs and experiences of women harmed by gambling,” she said.
“At the time, there was very little support available in the UK that was targeted just at women and the research evidence was scarce.”
In addition to leading research that formed the basis of the charity’s women-only New Beginnings service, further efforts also saw findings of additional research help to shape the peer support groups that Betknowmore UK offers.
Switching focus, and Ryan Murphy, Gordon Moody Commercial Director, honed in on the importance of treatment, as well as looking into projects and services that received a funding boost courtesy of PlayItForward.
“Without the support of Apricot, our Comfort Fund wouldn’t be able to provide much-needed respite to our service users’ affected others”
Offering additional reflections on the programme, Jon Murray, Operations Director at Gordon Moody, cites pride at the impact that the ongoing partnership continues to have.
“Donations to our Comfort Fund from PlayItForward help us assist the affected others of our service users whilst their loved ones are in treatment for severe gambling-related harms,” he comments.
“Navigating birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and school holidays can bring added pressure to families, and when one member of the family is away in treatment, that pressure increases dramatically.
“Being able to provide birthday and Christmas cards/presents, days out during the school holiday, or gifts for an anniversary can be the glue that keeps a family unit together during treatment.
“The Comfort Fund is part of our holistic treatment plan that helps not only the service user but also their affected others. Without the support of Apricot, our Comfort Fund wouldn’t be able to provide much-needed respite to our service users’ affected others.
“We would like to thank Apricot for their ongoing support of CSR and responsible gambling, and this collaboration is something we are very proud of.”
Furthermore, Beacon Counselling Trust called on the industry to adopt a much more collaborative and unified approach to foster a stronger overall position when it comes to tackling and preventing gambling related harms.
Treatment Manager Lauren Campbell previously placed a focus on how an array of projects undertaken in collaboration with PlayItForward have informed and enhanced its services.
Rounding off its own participation, Campbell details delight and enthusiasm at the education, treatment and support charity continuing to work alongside PlayItForward.
“We’ll adapt to the changing landscape and continue to prioritise the well-being of players”
“Beacon Counselling Trust are delighted to continue their longstanding partnership with PlayItForward in 2024, and have used their generous donation to help fund a soon to be completed awareness raising video looking at the link between the Armed Forces Community and gambling related harms,” she elaborates.
“The video looks at the stories of a number of veterans and family members of those affected by gambling harms and shows the impact gambling can have on the individual and those around the person experiencing harm.
“BCT have worked for a number of years supporting the Armed Forces Community and see this opportunity as a great way to reduce harm caused by gambling. Gambling alongside drugs and alcohol is an issue affecting both those currently serving in the military alongside a number of veterans.
“BCT hope this video will help organisations from the Armed Forces Community identify gambling harms and refer those in need into specialist support services. In previous years BCT have also used the support of PlayItForward to focus on providing support for vulnerable groups particularly with the creation of educational videos for suicide bereavement.
“PlayItForward have supported the creation of a number of videos to promote the brilliant work BCT’s Paul’s Place programme does in supporting those bereaved by suicide across Merseyside.”
Impending changes to the UK’s gambling landscape has certainly split opinion, with a certain case of the unknown lingering over the country. However, Apricot remains steadfast in its commitment to numerous partners across the safer gaming space.
“We remain committed to supporting initiatives that move us forward responsibly,” Sarah Campbell, Director of Compliance at Apricot, concludes.
“We’ll adapt to the changing landscape and continue to prioritise the well-being of players, and the industry. Together, we can create a safer and more responsible gambling environment for all.”
