Charities request more RET funding to treat problem gamblers
GamCare leads calls for inclusive support investment while GambleAware asks for mandatory levy
Charities including GamCare and GambleAware have called on the government to increase funding for the research, education and treatment (RET) of problem gamblers.
Responding to the Gambling Act 2005 review, GamCare cited a clear need for increased funding and highlighted the shortfall in funding between treatment for gambling-related harm and other harm-related conditions arising from alcohol and drug use.
The charity referenced the £4.5m contributed by the industry to fund treatment for gambling-related harm, compared to the £450m and £350m spent on alcohol and drug addiction treatment.
Investment in support for traditionally underserved communities such as young adults, women and the BAME community was also requested by GamCare in its submission.
GamCare has called on the government to do more to prevent online gambling harm and for the greater management of gambling advertising and sponsorships to avoid them being accessed by children, vulnerable individuals and those going through treatment.
“We would like to see operators investing more heavily in their creative marketing of safer gambling tools, messaging and signposting,” GamCare wrote.
“Analysis of ‘safer gambling materials’ has shown them to be drab and lengthy compared with other adverts such as those offering bonuses for example,” it added.
In addition, the charity called for a total ban on VIP schemes as well as the creation of a “strong, properly resourced expert regulator” to regulate the UK market.
It said: “The Gambling Commission does not appear to be resourced to regulate such a fast moving industry and their funding should reflect the scale of the sector and the challenge of regulating in such fast moving environments.”
Those sentiments were echoed by GambleAware, which called for the introduction of a mandatory industry levy to fund the treatment of at-risk gamblers to provide reassurance for those organisations currently reliant on voluntary funding.
“The voluntary nature of the current arrangements results inevitably in uncertainty of funding year to year and to significant variations in cashflow within the year,” GambleAware wrote.
“This unpredictable funding model represents a significant challenge given that a key function of GambleAware as a commissioning body,” the charity added.