Prevention is the key to tackling problem gambling

19 September 2007 - For immediate release

A new study on the prevalence of gambling in Britain has prompted a call from Britain’s largest problem gambling charity for an even greater emphasis to be placed on prevention, education and public awareness programmes.

Responding to the National Gambling Prevalence Study, RIGT Chairman John Greenway MP said: “Although thankfully the number of problem gamblers has not increased, I believe the figure is still too high. The challenge we now face is to prevent people becoming problem gamblers in the first place.  The study shows that young single men are a particularly vulnerable group, and we are determined to work with the industry, the Gambling Commission and government to find radical, effective solutions to this issue. 

“Whilst we remain committed to providing a comprehensive, nationwide counselling and treatment service for problem gamblers through charities such as GamCare, that on its own is not enough.  We need to educate people about the risks of gambling and how to gamble responsibly, especially younger people.

“Through increased public awareness, I believe we can also address the concern that so few people with a problem come forward for treatment, and encourage more people to seek help.

“Last year, the gambling industry donated £3 million to treating and preventing of problem gambling – ten times more than in 2000. Our funding to GamCare is now a record £2.2 million a year. Most operators take social responsibility very seriously, and I am confident that the industry will provide the funding we require for our work. 

“We will know in a few years’ time whether the social responsibility measures included in the new Gambling Act have any impact. In the meantime, today’s study sends a clear message that we, government, the regulator and the industry all need to join forces and take action to prevent any rise in problem gambling in the future.”

Notes to editors

For further information or to request an interview with John Greenway, please call 020 7219 5483 email fitchs@parliament.uk, or Ron Finlay at Fishburn Hedges on 020 7544 3011, email ron.finlay@fishburn-hedges.com.

The Responsibility in Gambling Trust (www.rigt.org.uk) is Britain’s largest funding body for treatment, research and education about problem gambling. In the last five years it has spent £6 million on tackling problem gambling.

The Trust is neither for nor against gambling, instead it focuses on preventing and treating the harms caused by problem gambling. It is funded mostly by the gambling industry but is completely independent and has a majority of trustees who come from academia, faith groups, the gambling regulator and parliament.