RGT issues public tender for gambling-related harm research

The Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) has issued an open invitation to tender for a new programme of research into ’Gambling-related harm: what does this term involve and how best to measure and account for it in Great Britain?’

The programme provides total funding for relevant research projects of up to £80,000 to be delivered over a period of 12 months.

There are two principle objectives. The first is an examination of what is meant by gambling-related harm, what kinds of harms people experience and who experiences them. This is likely to include both secondary and primary research. The second is to understand how these harms can be measured and monitored in Great Britain in order that attempts to minimise gambling-related harm might be more accurately evaluated.

This invitation to tender has been issued publicly to ensure that all capable parties are given the opportunity to participate in the programme of research.  Tenders will be reviewed and funding awarded by the RGT’s Research Committee, chaired by its senior independent trustee, Professor Jonathan Wolff. The two-stage research programme is expected to begin in January 2016 with completion expected by December 2016.

Marc Etches, Chief Executive of the Responsible Gambling Trust, said:

“Recent thinking in this field has turned attention from problem gambling to the wider question of gambling-related harm.  In line with the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board’s interest in this concept, RGT is keen to enable ground-breaking research into this important question.  We also expect this work will help to inform discussions around gambling-related harm as a public health issue.”

Professor Jonathan Wolff, Chair of the Responsible Gambling Trust’s Research Committee, said:

“All research is commissioned by Independent Trustees sitting on the Responsible Gambling Trust’s Research Committee in order to ensure that it is free from the potential for industry influence. The Research Committee is keen to receive proposals from anyone with relevant expertise and has issued this public tender to ensure we reach the widest possible audience.”