GambleAware doubles annual spending to £16m

GambleAware has announced significant increases in its annual spending in tracking gambling related harms, as the industry charity releases its Strategic Delivery Plan for 2018-20.

Spending £32m over the next two years, representing a double of its annual spending, the figure exceeds that agreed by the Gambling Commission and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board, of a minimum £10m target in voluntary donations.

Enabling an acceleration of the delivery of core elements, including research, education and treatment across Great Britain, it also allows increased investment across its role in delivering the National Responsible Gambling Strategy.

Splitting the funding between research and evaluation (£9.8m), education (£5.6m) and treatment (£14.3m), a pledge to improve the understanding of how to prevent gambling related harm and the type and amount of treatment services available has been stressed.

Marc Etches, CEO of GambleAware, commented: “With only 2% of problem gamblers receiving treatment, it is clear more needs to be done to make sure people are able to receive the help and support they need.

“The industry has consistently failed to meet its funding target of £10 million, and it will need to step-up its contributions in the absence of state involvement, to ensure we are able to deliver this necessary expansion of services in future without relying on what are, in effect, fines for bad behaviour.

“We all have a responsibility to try and help those who may be struggling with a gambling addiction. We look forward to seeing the industry, broadcasters, advertisers and sports groups do their part to help prevent gambling related harm and work to raise awareness of the help and advice that is available at BeGambleAware.org.”

Vowing a number of new collaborations in the coming weeks to extend its reach to an even greater scale, a number of fresh initiatives are also set to be launched, including:  

• Developing a ‘knowledge hub’ which will include eLearning, digital downloads, and guidance specifically designed to help educators and others working with young audiences.
• Extending access for multi-disciplinary treatment beyond London for those with severe and/or complex needs.
• Developing focussed education campaigns and initiatives which will target vulnerable groups, operators, sports teams, social media platforms and public and third sector groups such as GPs and debt advisors

Kate Lampard CBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees, stated: “In the last two years, we have demonstrated our independence, strengthened governance arrangements, increased capacity, and sharpened our focus.

“We now have a solid foundation to deliver our commissioning plans more efficiently and more effectively. The goal is to close the gap between the number of those getting treatment and those who need it by increasing the range, quality and quantity of early interventions and treatment, and by preventing people from getting into difficulty in the first place.”