GambleAware have been saying it for years. Indeed, it’s in their very name. If we’re going to gamble, it is vital that we gamble responsibly, within financial and mental limits which match our personal circumstances. Further, as a society, it’s vital that we provide support for the problems that can develop in gambling, and this is what GambleAware and other charities in the sector such as GamCare are working on.
It was revealed back in May that the recommended voluntary industry contribution of 0.1% towards GambleAware was not being reached by sufficient operators to allow them to even reach their most recent funding targets, and in fact that they are now operating with a £2 million (20%) shortfall on that goal. This week, the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) added their voice to a growing call to transform that contribution into a statutory levy, a tax, the proceeds from which would be used to provide support for problem gambling and programmes towards its avoidance.
Departing CEO of the UK Gambling Commission Sarah Harrison has contributed to the discussion, warning the industry that if operators didn’t up their game with regard to voluntary contributions, the UKCG would back the proposed levy. Labour has also already pledged to put into place a similar compulsory process if and when they come to power. Shadow Sports Minister Rosena Allin-Khan raised the issue at GambleAware’s annual Harm Minimisation conference held in early December, commenting on how “unacceptable” the £8 million industry contribution looked when viewed alongside its record-breaking £13.8 billion in takings.
The UK government has also been accused of underperforming in its awareness on these issues, having recently admitted that they do not know how many problem gamblers are being treating by the NHS, nor the cost of this treatment.
Some steps have been taken recently to regulate the extent to which the industry must inform the public about the risk of problem gambling. Legislation on this matter is expected to pass in the Spring of 2018. Further, Harrison has led an overhaul of the society lottery in terms of transparency. There are now plans afoot to put new requirements in place, such that consumers are better informed as to how much of their ticket value goes to charity, and to which charities it contributes.
The definition of problem gambling bears repeating, and it is gambling to a “degree that compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal, or recreational pursuits”. If the industry does not want to be further regulated and have its hand forced into action, then it must find ways to be more proactive, creative and conscious in its own approach to problem gambling. The industry is not doing enough, nor innovating enough at the current time. As things stand, the centre cannot hold.
