The Sheffield Coroner’s Court has begun its inquest into the death of Jack Ritchie (24), a ‘chronic gambling addict’ who in November 2017 took his own life. The scheduled two-week hearing will examine the role of UK gambling in his death, with regards to industry regulation and the support structures available to those suffering from gambling addiction and mental health …
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Local councillors and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have joined calls for stricter regulatory oversight of the betting and gaming industry, ahead of the 2005 Gambling Act review White Paper. Releasing a joint statement, the Local Government Association (LGA) and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), cited research that 21% of gambling premises were based within the most deprived …
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After identifying an increased demand for gambling addiction treatment, the NHS has announced the opening of two new clinics specialising in the area. Located in Southampton and Stoke-on-Trent, the two centres will open in May, complementing the NHS’ five existing clinics in London, Leeds, Manchester and Sunderland along with the pilot children’s and young person’s clinic. Additionally, the service also …
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The NHS has confirmed that it will no longer accept grants from the gambling sector to help co-fund its UK-wide problem gambling clinics and research, education and treatment (RET) programmes. NHS England published an open letter from Mental Health Director Claire Murdoch to GambleAware Chief Executive Zoë Osmond, confirming the decision that had been previously anticipated by stakeholders. GambleAware was …
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GambleAware has published the list of operators which made financial contributions to the responsible gambling charity during the first three quarters of the 2021/22 fiscal year. A total of £16 million was donated to the organisation by UK betting operators, which are requested to contribute 0.1% of their gross gaming yield to the group. Overall, bet365 led the donations list …
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Zoe Osmond Chief Executive of GambleAware has restated that UK gambling’s existing voluntary agreement to fund problem gambling research, education and treatment (RET) programmes is no longer fit for purpose. GambleAware’s CEO has issued a response to weekend news reports that the NHS will announce that it will no longer accept funds/donations from gambling-associated charities. A decision taken to protect …
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GambleAware has initiated a new campaign warning women about the dangers of problem betting, after identifying how up to one million could be at risk of experiencing gambling-related harm. The campaign focuses on promoting three key warning signs to female bettors – losing track of time; spending more than can be afforded; and keeping gambling secret from friends and family. …
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The funding of problem gambling’s research, education and treatment (RET) programme faces a radical shake-up as the NHS is expected to declare that it will no longer accept donations/funds from charities associated with the UK gambling sector. According to The Sunday Times, NHS governors will ‘rubber-stamp the decision this week, so ties are cut for the new financial year’ – …
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The issue of black market operators has been raised once again as John Whittingdale, the former DCMS Minister tasked with overseeing the 2005 Gambling Act review, addressed the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC)’s AGM yesterday. Speaking to the assembled BGC delegates, Whittingdale – who served as Minister of State for Media and Data between February 2020 and September 2021 – …
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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has raised concerns regarding a recent YouGov poll of bettors on the subject of affordability checks, describing the results as a ‘wake up call’ for legislators. According to the poll, 16% of bettors stated that they would welcome affordability checks, the wider implementation of which is under consideration as part of the 2005 Gambling …
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