Problem gambling
The Gambling Commission recognises that gambling can lead to a
range of problems for a small minority of individuals and their
families. We have a responsibility to measure and monitor the
proportion of adults in the UK with gambling problems. This is done
through the British Gambling Prevalence Survey. We work closely
with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the
Responsible Gambling Strategy Board
(RGSB) to ensure that:
- problem gambling is adequately understood and researched
- our policies ensure that gambling licence holders act in a
socially responsible way towards their customers.
In 2008 we undertook a review of how research, education and
treatment are funded. The
Review of research, education and treatment - October 2008 concluded that existing
voluntary arrangements for fundraising needed to be improved if the
industry were to avoid the introduction of a compulsory levy to
fund these activities, based on a firm commitment to industry
funding over a rolling three year period.
At the recommendation of the review, a new tripartite structure was
set up, made up of RGSB, Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF) and
the Gambling Research
Education and Treatment Foundation (GREaT) (which replaced the
former Responsibility in Gambling Trust, (RIGT)).
RGSB’s role is to provide independent advice to the Gambling
Commission, and via the Gambling Commission, DCMS on the strategy
and priorities for research education and treatment.
The GREaT Foundation raises the required funding to support these
programmes and passes this to the RGF. RGF’s role as an independent
funder is to develop and deliver appropriate programmes for
research, education and treatment, taking full account of the
priorities recommended by RGSB.
At present the bulk of the funding raised funds the work of
GamCare which offers telephone,
face-to-face and online counselling services, and the
Gordon Moody
Association, which provides residential treatment. Also funded
are a range of research and education initiatives including the
Gamble Aware website.
Need help?
Help and support is available for people who experience problems
with gambling and for their relatives and friends.
If you would like information about gambling, including how to
gamble safely, visit the Gamble Aware website.
If you or someone you know has been affected by gambling you can
contact Gamcare on 0845 600 0133 or by visiting the
GamCare
website.
Listed below are some of the organisations and services
available in the UK:
| Organisation |
Description |
Action for
Children
(previously the National Children's
Home) |
Helps children achieve their full potential, through services
that support some of the most vulnerable and excluded children in
the UK. |
The Christian Centre for Gambling
Rehabilitation
|
The Christian Centre for Gambling Rehabilitation is a
Chinese Christian charity (registered charity no: 1083061)
established in 1996. They help mainly Chinese-speaking
problem gamblers to stop gambling and recover from their
addiction and its adverse effects, with a Christian
approach. They provide information, advice and support
services which include counseling, money advice and group meetings
to pathological gamblers and their relatives and
friends. |
| Citizens
Advice |
Helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by
providing free information and advice, and by influencing
policymakers. |
| Count Me Out |
A not for profit social enterprise whose aim is to help
vulnerable children and adults who are addicted to, harmed or
exploited by gambling by promoting self-exclusion and social
responsibility. |
| Debt Advice
Foundation |
A UK debt advice charity offering free, confidential
support and advice to anyone worried about debt. |
| GamAid |
A not for profit online community organisation to help the
friends and families of people with gambling problems and
addictions, as well as gamblers themselves. Provides links to help
and allows users to email counsellors or chat with them online
about the problems they are experiencing, along with a forum to
give and recieve support to each other. |
Gam-Anon
National
helpline number:
08700 508880 |
Support to those affected by another person's gambling. A
fellowship of men and women who are husbands, wives, relatives or
close friends who have been affected by problem gambling. |
Gamblers
Anonymous
National helpline number:
02073 843040 |
A fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do
something about their own gambling problem and to help other
compulsive gamblers do the same. |
| Gambleaware.co.uk |
A website that gives advice on gambling responsibly.
Responsible gambling means making choices based on all the facts,
and staying in control of how much time and money you spend. |
| Gamblock |
Gamblock helps prevent gambling sites running on your PC. Once
downloaded, users will be directed to the GamBlock website when
trying to access a gambling website. The GamBlock website also
provides advice to people who have problems controlling their
gambling. |
GamCare
National helpline number:
08456 000133 |
A registered charity that takes a non-judgemental
approach to gambling, and a leading authority on the provision
of information, advice and practical help in addressing the social
impact of gambling. |
Gordon House
Association
Telephone number: 01384
241292
|
Provides residential treatment for severely addicted gamblers,
as well as providing outreach support and internet counselling
service. |
The GREaT
Foundation
Telephone: 0207 518 0023 |
The GREaT Foundation, formerly known as the
Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT), was established as a
charity in 2002 as Britain’s largest funding body responsible for
tackling problem gambling through the funding of research,
education and treatment from voluntary donations. |
National
Debtline
National helpline number: 08088
084000 |
Provides free confidential and independent advice on how to
deal with debt problems. |
| NHS Problem Gambling
ClinicTelephone: 020 7534 6699 or 020 7534 6687 |
The Clinic treats problem gamblers living in England and Wales
who are aged 16 and over. It assesses the needs of problem gamblers
as well as those of their partners and family members, and offers
evidence based treatments as well as interventions to assist with
financial, employment, social and relationship difficulties. |
| Responsible Gambling Fund
Telephone: 020 7397 8710 |
RGF exists to tackle problem gambling in Britain through
the funding of treatment, research and education programmes. |
Samaritans
UK
helpline number: 08457 909090 |
Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential
emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of
distress or despair, including those which may lead to
suicide. |
Telephone
Helplines Association
Telephone: 0845 120
3767 |
Recognised as the main source of specialist information
relating to the setting up and running of non-profit helplines in
the UK and Ireland. Provides advice, consultancy and training on
matters relating to the provision of quality helpline services for
the voluntary and statutory sectors. |