GambleAware backs mandatory RG levy over operator “pet projects”
Mandatory levy would be fairer and increase “transparency and confidence” in GambleAware, according to the charity
A mandatory levy to fund problem gambling treatment would avoid operators spending money on “pet projects” to combat gambling-related harm, GambleAware trustee Dr Kate Lampard has said.
Speaking at the UK parliamentary enquiry into the social and economic effects of gambling in the UK, Lampard said such a levy would be “fairer” between those who contribute and those who do not, allowing the charity to have a “consistent and predictable” funding flow.
“We have a concern that the industry, if left to its own devices, will choose to contribute to pet projects, things that it chooses to contribute to, rather than the work that we do which is about developing a national gambling treatment service,” Lampard added.
Both DCMS and the Gambling Commission have publicly dismissed calls for a mandatory levy, however Lampard claimed that GambleAware is in regular dialogue with both entities surrounding the issue.
She claimed that mandatory funding would “increase transparency and confidence” in GambleAware.
In addition, Lampard welcomed the commitment made by GVC, bet365, William Hill, Sky Bet and Flutter to increase funding for problem gambling treatment by £100m over the next five years.
She confirmed none of the firms had given GambleAware a preferred destination for this increased funding adding that there are a “range of options” available in how this money can be spent.
Members of the committee claimed that as much as £300m would be required to provide for a proper national strategy to deal with the issue of gambling related harm.
GambleAware CEO Marc Etches, who was also giving testimony, hailed operators for playing their part in increasing the recognition that gambling is a public health-related issue but called for more to be done on this.
“Progress has been made but more is required, it is as much about policy makers and public discourse than it is about the industry,” Etches added.
Addressing the issue of where this public policy should come from, he voiced his approval for similar initiatives to the National Strategy for the reduction of gambling related harm, developed jointly by DCMS, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Gambling Commission.
Calling this strategy as a “step in the right direction”, Etches called on the government to recognize that gambling-related harm is a health issue, saying this would be a game changer for the UK.