Charitable Website Setup to Help Problem Gamblers in UK

With the change in law in the UK that allows Internet gambling and related activities, there has been much concern about problem gambling, underage gambling, and abuse.

In an effort to educate their youth, a new charity has been set up to help teenagers learn to gamble responsibly, and avoid addiction.

"This approach is the proper way to keep youth gambling and addiction problems at a minimum," said Gordon Price from Casino Gambling. "Charitable groups here in the USA could, and should take a lesson from this project."

Gamble Aware has set up the charitable website at www.gambleaware.co.uk which will provides free advice on gambling.

The website is managed by Responsibility in Gambling Trust, an independent charity which funds treatment, research, and education about responsible gambling.

The website was developed by a Task Force with representatives from the Gambling Commission, Angela Ruskin University, Department of Health, Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Lancaster University, University of Glasgow, University of Salford, National Lottery Commission, National Consumer Council, Bacta, and RIGT.

The site offers an education on how gambling works, attempts to teach responsible gambling, has a self assessment to see if one is at risk, and provides tips from other gamblers on how to curtail or minimize loss and recognize problems. There are links to several help groups than can assist a problem gambler.

The website site has in addition to the self diagnosis area, a fact or fiction question segment, money and time management sections.

Director Malcolm Bruce said: "Gamble Aware will be a one-stop shop for information and advice about gambling. It will help consumers manage their gambling, understand how gambling works, learn about new player protection measures being brought in under the Gambling Act, and find out where to get treatment and advice if they feel their gambling is getting out of hand.

"We aim to provide impartial and authoritative advice on all forms of gambling, from bingo to betting, gaming machines and online poker."

Culture minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "Gambling can be an enjoyable leisure activity. But what is a harmless past-time for some can lead to problems for others, and it is essential that people know how to gamble responsibly. Gamblers need to have access to the full facts about gambling, and this website is a good source of sensible information."

The above website must also be included in any advertising by industry operators as part of their commitment to responsible gambling.

If Congressman Barney Frank is reading this, he may want to include a similar regulation in HR-2046 as an added assurance that problem gambling will be addressed if the US law is considered.

A South African study concluded that if gambling expansion occurs in an area coupled with campaigns to inform the public of the perils of gambling, problem gambling in that particular area actually went down.



2007-09-07