Review of gambling research, education and treatment

The gambling industry funds research, education and treatment for problem gambling on a voluntary basis and mainly through donations.

Until 1 April 2012 these contributions were to the Gambling Research Education and Treatment Foundation (GREaT), formerly known as the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT). Contributions are now made to the Responsible Gambling Trust.

In October 2007 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) asked the Gambling Commission to carry out a review of the effectiveness and level of the existing voluntary arrangements.

In carrying out the review we considered funding levels, how the money is spent and whether a statutory levy (allowed for in the Gambling Act 2005) should be considered to support these activities.

Conclusions of the review

The review concluded that the current arrangements were not working effectively.  It made the case for improved voluntary arrangements to make sure that:

  • industry funding is firmly committed, sufficient and sustainable
  • ourselves, the DCMS and other stakeholders have access to expert, independent and authoritative strategic advice on research education and treatment
  • the distribution of funds to projects and providers is based on clear priorities with outcomes that are properly evaluated.

Our preferred option was for a tripartite structure involving stakeholders working together to put in place voluntary arrangements for fundraising.

After a consultation by the DCMS on whether a statutory levy was needed to raise the required funds, an improved voluntary structure was put in place.  The structure consisted of:

  • Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB)
    The independent RGSB was set up in early 2009 and advises on a national responsible gambling strategy and sets priorities for research, education and treatment.
  • Fundraising body
    GREaT are acting as a fundraising body, collecting contributions from licensed operators and other organisations associated with gambling.
  • Distributor
    The Responsible Gambling Fund has been set up as a new distributor, to ensure the money raised by the GREaT is spent on the priorities determined by RGSB.

 

From 1 April 2012 the Responsible Gambling Fund and GREaT merged to form a new body. The Responsible Gambling Trust is responsible for both raising the funds and funding programmes of research, education and treatment.

Page last reviewed: April 2012