About Us

History

RIGT is a charity that was established in response to recommendations made by the independent Gambling Review Body in the Budd Report, commissioned by the Government in 2001. It recommended that an independent Trust should be set up, and provided with voluntary funding by the gambling industry, to research and limit problem gambling. This recommendation was made as part of proposals for major changes to the legal framework for gambling, which became the Gambling Act 2005. The Trust was initially known as the Gambling Industry Charitable Trust (GICT) but changed its name to Responsibility In Gambling Trust in 2004 to reflect its independence.

Our charitable objectives

• The relief of those who are vulnerable or otherwise in need as a result of gambling, by providing counselling and advice
• The advancement of education for the benefit of the public by research into the types of addictive gambling, the causes of gambling and the effectiveness of treatments, and the publication of the results of such research

What this means in practice

These objectives are achieved though the raising and distribution of funds for the treatment of, education about, and research into problem gambling.  RIGT co-ordinates public awareness and educational work on responsible gambling and contributes to the on-going policy debate about gambling in Britain.

Our expertise

Our staff, trustees and sub-committee members have a wealth of knowledge on problem gambling and contribute in a variety of ways to the development of public policy on problem gambling in Britain. We are committed to evidence-based policy making and commissioning. This means that the work we commission is informed by the best scientific and research evidence available.

Our work

Our work involves us providing grants to organisations like Gordon House and GamCare, who can provide advice on problem gambling and counselling opportunities for those affected by it. We fund educational initiatives about problem gambling for young people in schools and youth clubs. In 2007 we began work coordinating a national public awareness campaign about gambling which focuses on the basic information about how to gamble responsibly and which help services are available for those who find they cannot. The evidence base for all this work is provided through our research initiatives. We also contribute to the policy debate about gambling in Britain, with our views being sought by the Gambling Commission, Government and the media.

For more details on the programmes funded by RIGT visit the Treatment and Advice, Education and Research pages.