SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
GambleAware has teamed up with Central and North West London NHS Trust (CNWL) to support those affected by problem gambling within the criminal justice system.
The industry charity has provided CNWL with three years of funding worth £1.03m, to extend the work of the CNWL National Problem Gambling Clinic into prisons.
Marc Etches, Chief Executive of GambleAware, said: “The new collaboration between CNWL and GambleAware will link treatment for gambling harms with the wider healthcare provision within Surrey prison.
“This reflects our strategic aim for community services. We want to make it easier for people harmed by gambling to access the help and support that they need.”
The duo will launch a support service in October, which will offer a range of treatment options for those affected by a gambling problem, including one-to-one and group counselling and where appropriate, more intensive treatment options. The service will be the first specialist NHS treatment service for gambling harms in prisons.
Jody Lombardini, CNWL Head of Addictions added: “We are really pleased to have received this funding as we know the damaging impact that problem gambling has, not only on the individual but on their family and wider community.
“We hope this service will not only help gamblers address their addiction but also help to reduce the wider impact on the criminal justice system through the form of arrests, sentencing and incarceration.”
