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CHAPTER SIX: RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING POLICIES

6.1 In Chapter Four, we saw how problem gambling in New Zealand, Australia and some states in the U.S. appeared to have been reduced through the implementation of various public health and treatment strategies. In this Chapter, we turn to look at such strategies in more detail. In particular, the material discussed here will provide a review of the public health approach to problem gambling and an outline of the development of responsible gambling strategies that have been utilised internationally to combat the incidence of gambling problems.

Public Health and Harm Reduction

6.2 In recent years, problem gambling has increasingly come to be seen as a public health issue, and a variety of policies and strategies have been developed to deal with it. Such strategies operate primarily at a local level, and often involve a range of stakeholders, including government, treatment agencies, local community groups, academic researchers and the gambling industry itself.

6.3 This public health perspective lends itself to policies designed to prevent and/or reduce the adverse social, economic and health consequences of gambling for individuals, communities and society, which are generally categorised under the umbrella term of 'harm reduction'. This approach is favoured more in Australasia, Canada and Europe than in the U.S., which tends to favour policies based on abstinence. Even in the U.S. however, attempts to prevent harm among the population are undertaken by various stakeholders.

6.4 In Australia, the Productivity Commission highlighted the importance of 'informed consent' as a key principle of harm reduction, and noted a "lack of basic information about the price and nature of some gambling products, let alone the dangers from 'excessive consumption'" ( PC 1999, 39).

6.5 Unlike other products, gamblers often do not know the true cost or 'price' of the product they are buying. Many players have little practical understanding of, for example, the return on a slot machine, or the likelihood of a payout on a roulette wheel, taking into account all previous stakes and losses. Although EGMs may provide mathematical information on payout ratios, they provide little advice about actual spending rates: ie what it would actually take to win a certain amount of money. In this respect, the Commission recommended the provision of meaningful price information to consumers, such as the fact, that, for example, on certain machines, the chances of hitting the jackpot are only one in ten million - less than winning the Australian lottery.

6.6 Better information about odds and costs of gambling could also help reduce some of the false perceptions that underlie problem gambling, such as, for example, the idea that the outcomes of games of chance can be influenced by the player, and the idea that a win becomes more likely after an increasingly long string of losses. Such basic, but vital, information, is lacking in most casinos. However, the provision of it could improve decision-making in consumers, and prevent the development of habits and attitudes that lead to gambling problems. The Commission pointed out that this could be done easily by providing pamphlets and signs in casinos, in a similar fashion to the ways that materials explaining the rules of games are distributed.

6.7 They also emphasised the importance of distributing 'health (or wealth) warnings' regarding gambling, similar to the public health messages for other forms of consumption, such as drinking or smoking. It stressed that these messages needed to be disseminated amongst the general public, not simply within gambling venues, and needed to be far more direct than current messages, which the Commission noted were much less explicit than the health warnings for other products. As an example, they compared warnings for gambling with those for other areas of public health, and these are highlighted below.

Health (and wealth) warnings compared
Used in other areas of public health
Speed kills
Hot water burns like fire
A Road Safety Campaign TV ad shows a weeping man who has run over a child while drunk
Australian National Tobacco TV ad shows pictures of blackened lungs and a damaged heart oozing yellow fluids
Gambling warnings
Have fun, but play it safe (Tattershall's)
Bet with your head, not above it (Star City Casino)
Responsible Gambling TV ad shows a group of quirky people having fun gambling, ending with the slogan, 'if it's no longer fun, walk away'
If you play with real dollars, play with real sense (awarded best slogan, American Gaming Association)

Source: Productivity Commission (1999: 44)

6.8 It should be noted that even mild warnings about gambling such as these do not exist in Scotland or in the rest of Britain.

6.9 The location of cash and credit machines was also highlighted as an area of policy concern. Problem gamblers are more likely to withdraw more money than they intended if an ATM is located near where they are playing. In this sense, restrictions on ATM location and targeted withdrawal limits were highlighted as some of the most important issues for effective harm minimisation. The Commission also noted the use of exclusion policies, as well as the modification of game features and design, should be utilised in preventing the development of gambling problems.

6.10 Collectively, implementing these basic principles of consumer protection should make a significant contribution to ameliorating social costs associated with excessive gambling.

Responsible Gambling Policies

6.11 In this section the few explicit attempts that have been made at government level to formulate responsible gambling policies will be considered. The range of stakeholders who are involved in this process will also be noted, including, for example, government, industry, treatment providers and local voluntary organisations, before some of the specific initiatives they are engaged in are reviewed. To begin with, however, it should be noted that such policies vary quite significantly across different jurisdictions, and are generally most advanced in Australia and Canada.

6.12 Despite broad agreement over the general need to reduce the potential harms of gambling, common strategies and principles have not yet been formulated, and so the approach to date is somewhat piecemeal, with different states and governments utilising different strategies and policy frameworks.

6.13 Since the 1990s, governments have increasingly begun to require various sections of the gambling industry to address problem gambling, whether by instituting 'responsible gambling' measures, and/or by contributing a percentage of their revenues to provide funds for the treatment of problem gambling.

6.14 In addition, a growing number of gambling operators - most notably, the casino industry - have begun to develop 'responsible gaming' guidelines, policies and procedures themselves. Given that parts of the industry are (at least partly) owned and regulated by government, such as lotteries and, in Canada, casinos, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between industry and government-led initiatives here. In addition, there exists some variation in whether these initiatives are mandated or voluntary.

6.15 In the U.S. there are examples of mandatory initiatives where states have required lotteries to print helpline numbers on tickets and develop 'point of sale' materials about problem gambling to be posted in lottery retail outlets. In several U.S.. jurisdictions, a portion of lottery revenue or advertising budget must been channelled into problem gambling services.

6.16 Elsewhere in the U.S., gaming operators have been required to take active steps towards raising awareness of problem gambling among players and industry employees. This has been applied particularly to casinos in Mississippi and Nevada, which have been required to post helpline numbers and brochures around their properties and to provide staff with training about problem gambling (Palermo, 1999).

6.17 In Australia, the New South Wales Government passed the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Responsible Gambling) Act in 1999, which included a range of initiatives intended to minimise harms of EGMs in the state. It required clubs to provide information on counselling services and self-exclusion programmes, limit cheque cashing and cash payment of prizes, locate ATMs away from gaming machine areas, limit gambling-related advertising and provide training for staff in responsible gambling (Hing 2003).

6.18 In Manitoba, Canada, the state government has developed a long term strategy to address harm reduction. It is working with the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation ( MLC), which operates several casinos, as well as a lottery, in the province. Together they have developed a five-year "Responsible Gaming Strategic Plan" with three goals, including: (1) advocating responsible gambling through media, education and awareness campaigns, (2) reducing the potential for harm from gambling through a range of measures including casino advertising guidelines and the introduction of responsible gaming features on electronic gaming machines, and (3) promoting the availability of problem gambling services in the region. The state government and the MLC have established partnerships with the Manitoba Gaming Control Commission, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and other stakeholders and have conducted an evaluation of its first public awareness advertising campaign (Olynik 2004).

6.19 Given the variation in implementation of responsible gambling policies and strategies, some researchers have noted that "there is a significant absence of credible research data on the effectiveness of specific interventions to guide and inform policy decision-making" (Blaszczynski 2001:7). In light of this, in Australia, a team of researches recently outlined a set of principles that they argue should be used to guide industry operators, health service providers, community groups, consumers and governments in the adoption and implementation of responsible gambling initiatives (Blaszczynski et al 2004). This framework, known as the 'Reno model', consists of five principles:

1. The key stakeholders will commit to reducing the incidence and ultimately the prevalence of gambling-related harms
2. The key stakeholders will work collaboratively to inform and evaluate public policy aimed at reducing the incidence of gambling-related harms
3. Key stakeholders will identify short- and long-term priorities thereby establishing an action plan to address these priorities within a recognised time frame
4. Key stakeholders will use scientific research to guide the development of public policies. In addition, the gambling industry will use this research as a guide to the development of industry-based strategic policies that will reduce the incidence and prevalence of gambling-related harms
5. Once established, the action plan will be monitored and evaluated using scientific methods

Prevention Strategies

6.20 In recent years, a range of stakeholders have begun to develop a range of prevention efforts that can be divided into primary, secondary and tertiary strategies. While primary prevention is intended to prevent the development of problems, and is directed towards all sectors of the population, secondary is directed towards particular groups who are at risk from developing problems, such as specific groups of gamblers, and tertiary is focused on those who already display signs of a problem, usually involving treatment. Although provision is uneven, and research on effectiveness relatively sparse, these are reviewed in the following sections of this chapter.

Primary Prevention

6.21 From a public health perspective, it makes sense to target the larger group of individuals who are not classed as full blown 'problem' or 'pathological' gamblers, but may be 'at risk' from developing the disorder. While this group represents a much larger proportion of the population than pathological gamblers alone, it is also likely that their behaviour can be more easily influenced by changes in social attitudes and public awareness (Castellani 2000; Shaffer et al 1999).

6.22 Preventing the development of problems among this group can save costs in the long term, since, across a range of behavioural / mental health disorders, severe problem gambling is one of the most difficult and expensive to treat. The most problematic players are unlikely to complete treatment and/or change their behaviour (Volberg 2006). Furthermore, as researchers have noted with regard to alcohol and drugs, it is the case that

"the preponderance of social costs in the general population results from individuals with low- and intermediate-level symptom patterns. As a result, small improvements among these individuals can result in greater overall improvements in public health than larger improvements among those with the most severe symptoms" (Shaffer, Hall & Vander Bilt 1999: 1373).

6.23 A range of policies and strategies have been developed to deal with this potentially larger group, the idea being that effective interventions at an early stage could help to reduce possible increases in problem gambling throughout the population, even when new forms of gambling are introduced.

Public Education

6.24 A range of primary prevention strategies exists, of which the most relevant is public education and information campaigns. Given that many gambling problems are related to not keeping to a limit on the amount of time or money spent playing, to believing that games can be controlled and that losses can be won back, there is scope to limit increases in the development of problematic behaviour by public education - especially when this can be targeted at groups who are known to be at risk.

6.25 Such strategies are conducted through, for example, local media, to warn individuals of the risks of excessive gambling and alert them to where to find help if they should need it. Research has shown that these measures can lead to increases in the awareness of services, in the number of calls to helplines and in the number of clients seeking help, especially when targeted at the groups most at risk from developing gambling problems.

6.26 In many cases, across the U.S., Canada and Australasia, the gambling industry has provided funding for public awareness campaigns directed at employees, customers and the general public. Partnerships between the industry and specialist non-governmental organisations as well as government health and social service agencies have benefited not only from this funding but also from the creative input of industry-oriented marketing and advertising agencies.

6.27 The largest and longest running problem gambling prevention programme is probably the community education campaign developed by the Victoria Department of Human Services, Australia. The programme began in 1995, and essentially 'brands' its problem gambling services to increase visibility and recognition throughout the state. It involves a state-wide media campaign, as well as a community education component conducted by local social service employees.

6.28 In 1995, it included a five-week multi-language radio, newspaper and billboard advertisement phase; in 1996, a 14-week television advertisement phase, and a 30-week radio and television advertisement phase between 1997 and 1998. Evaluations found dramatic increases in community awareness of support for problem gamblers, and immediate, sustained increases in the number of calls to the gambling helpline (Jackson et al. 2002). Subsequent campaigns have targeted specific groups, such as older men and younger people (Victoria Department of Human Services 2003).

6.29 In the U.S. and Canada, 'awareness weeks' are organised every year. These involve large scale campaigns that essentially run as week-long public information exercises. During the week, state governments focus public attention on the issue of responsible gambling and casinos distribute information to employees and customers, and run awareness-raising activities about underage and problem gambling and the importance of responsible gaming practices for employees.

6.30 In the U.S., one such scheme is organised by the American Gaming Association ( AGA) while another is run by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Association of State Problem Gambling Service Providers. The campaigns aim to educate the general public and medical professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and to raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally.

6.31 In Canada, a range of stakeholders including the Canadian Department of Health, Casino Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, organise Nova Scotia's awareness week. The organisations utilise a range of techniques, including advertising on local and national media, and distributing brochures and posters in selected sites throughout the community. All report increased awareness, attributed specifically to the campaigns ( Responsible Gaming Quarterly, Winter 2003).

Gaming Venue Information Centres

6.32 Various gaming providers, particularly in casinos, provide information kiosks or centres on their premises. These provide advice on responsible gambling, and can make referrals to specialist agencies if they feel a player's behaviour has become out of control.

6.33 For example, the Crown Casino Customer Support Centre in Melbourne is a facility inside the casino where players can obtain information and referrals as well as professional counselling and access to a self-exclusion programme (Crown Casino, 2004). Similar programmes exist in Canada, and some are complemented by specialist counsellors who provide general training sessions for customers on how gambling works and how to play safely. In some places, including many British casinos, cash dispensers are linked to telephone helplines and to STEP - Self Transaction Exclusion Program - a programme that blocks access to cash advances.

6.34 In Britain, the Gala group display the STEP phone number beside cash facilities in their casinos, and also display the number for GamCare, a national problem gambling helpline and advice agency at various points throughout the casino.

Secondary Prevention

6.36 Other prevention strategies exist, many of which are conducted jointly with casino operators and local authorities in 'responsible gambling programmes'. These include, for example, specialist training for gambling venue employees, voluntary exclusion policies whereby individuals can elect to have themselves banned from a casino, with staff then enforcing the decision and the development of 'responsible gambling features' which are designed to curb excessive play. In some cases, these strategies have been adopted voluntarily by casinos, while in others they have been mandated by government as strategies of consumer protection.

Exclusion programmes

6.37 A growing number of state governments have sanctioned voluntary exclusion programmes in which gamblers, or members of their family, request that they be banned from the gaming establishment, removed from its mailing list and sanctioned if they re-enter the premises. These operate in all of the Canadian provinces, several U.S. states, New Zealand and in some states in Australia, most notably Victoria. In addition, some European governments, particularly the Netherlands and Switzerland, have demanded that casinos operate a system of 'imposed exclusion', whereby players with problems are identified by casino staff and banned from entering the premises (Sani et al 2002; Sani 2003).

Staff awareness and training

6.38 The idea of 'host responsibility' that has been applied to the provision of alcohol in licensed premises is gradually being adapted to gambling. Specialised staff training programmes have been developed to allow staff to recognise the signs of problematic behaviour in customers, and enable them to take the necessary steps to intervene. These also include training to help employees recognise the risks of developing gambling problems themselves, so countering the possible effects of their environment.

6.39 These industry-based programmes are often organised in conjunction with practitioners, and emphasise the importance for senior staff to be knowledgeable about, and have a working relationship with, treatment providers in their community. Staff training generally focuses on increasing understanding of problem gambling, identifying problematic behaviour in customers, increasing knowledge of resources for problem players and adopting strategies to assist those who show signs of problems. Increasingly, training in problem gambling prevention is being built into broader training and certification programmes for gaming management.

6.40 A recent initiative in Manitoba, for example, was designed with input from GA members. It aimed to increase understanding of problem gambling, identify the signs of problems in players, and develop ways of helping them, whether within the casino, or by referring them to counsellors (Smitheringale 2001). In the U.K., GamCare organises training seminars for gambling industry staff and provides certification for those who successfully complete the course.

Responsible Gambling Features

6.41 Finally, 'responsible gambling features' ( RGFs) designed to curb excessive play have been adopted by many sectors of the gambling industry in some countries, and are increasingly being mandated by governments. RGFs are devices built into electronic gaming devices that are intended to reduce the likelihood of players losing control over their gambling. Features include reductions in the speed of games, the intervals between games and the size of bets, as well as automatic 'cash-outs' after a set period of playing time. Information about the amount of time and money a player has spent on a machine can also be programmed to pop up on the screen, along with messages about responsible play.

6.42 To date, the governments of the Australian state of New South Wales and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Québec have mandated the implementation of RGFs. In New South Wales, the 1999 Responsible Gambling Act explicitly stipulates the implementation of RGFs in machines in casinos and clubs throughout the state.

6.43 While research shows that it is desirable to limit the amounts of time and money spent gambling and to provide gamblers with information that will allow them to make informed decisions about their gambling involvement, it has not been established how effective these features are.

6.44 In the UK in 2003, a voluntary Code of Practice was adopted by the Association of British Bookmakers with respect to FOBTs. In the face of mounting criticism of the 'addictive' potential of these machines, the industry implemented a variety of features, such as maximum stakes and prizes, and minimum time interval between games. However, a recent survey has shown a three-fold increase in the use of these machines by problem gamblers in the year since the Code was introduced, casting doubt on the efficacy of these features (Europe Economics 2006).

Tertiary Prevention

6.45 A large number of programmes exist for the treatment of problem gambling worldwide. Given that this is one area which does have some representation in the U.K., only a brief outline of the general nature of this provision will be made here, before moving on to discuss the situation in this country.

International Provision

6.46 In general, treatment for problem gamblers problems consists of self-help and individual and group counselling in outpatient settings, and via telephone helplines. Services tend to be provided by addiction and/or mental health professionals who have received specialised training, and are delivered within larger addiction or mental health treatment programmes. It should be noted that the majority of individuals who experience gambling problems never seek treatment; of those who do, many do not complete their programmes; indeed severe problem gambling is difficult to treat successfully. All these factors point to the advantages of prevention as a primary mode of intervention.

Self help

6.47 The earliest and most well known treatment for problem gamblers is Gamblers Anonymous (G.A.), which now includes thousands of chapters around the world. It is modelled on Alcoholics Anonymous and, like this organisation, is not associated with any political organisation or institution, does not accept outside donations and does not engage in lobbying. A related organisation, GamAnon, is a fellowship for friends and families of problem gamblers.

Counselling

6.48 The most widely used technique for counselling is cognitive-behavioural therapy ( CBT). Based on the social learning model of problem gambling, cognitive treatments attempt to re-educate problem and pathological gamblers to understand their irrational expectations about gambling as well as core beliefs about illusions of control (Ladouceur et al 1994). Cognitive treatment is usually supplemented with behavioural strategies including training in problem solving, social skills and self-control (Rugle et al,2001).

Telephone counseling

6.49 Telephone counselling, via free helplines, has become increasingly common, and is widely used across the U.S., Canada and Austalasia. In Britain, the organisation also offers a helpline. It is often the first point of contact for those with gambling problems, is particularly effective in providing immediate help in a crisis, and is crucial in rural areas for those without access to land based services.

Brief interventions

6.50 Given that many gamblers do not attend regular counselling sessions, short, intensive treatments have been developed in order to maximize the impact of treatment. Single session consultations, for example, last approximately two hours, and are believed to be effective for those with less severe problems who may be able to stop gambling with only minimal interventions (Jackson et al 2003).

Tertiary Strategies in Britain and Scotland

6.51 Compared with the international scene, Britain is marked by a severe shortage of treatment options for problem gamblers. In addition, it appears that few problem gamblers in this country ever actually seek help. The British prevalence study found that less than one in five of the problem gamblers surveyed had ever sought help, and whilst around half of the sample had heard of Gamblers Anonymous, other treatment providers including GamCare and GamAnon were virtually unknown (Sproston et al, 2000).

6.52 There are three main problem gambling service providers in Britain: GamCare, the national organisation for education, treatment and prevention of problem gambling; the self-help group Gamblers Anonymous, along with its sister organisation, GamAnon; and the residential facility of Gordon House. On top of this, a range of voluntary counselling agencies offer advice to individuals who present with other problems related to, for example, drug and alcohol consumption, and mental health and financial issues, and these may also include problem gamblers.

Gamblers Anonymous

6.53 Gamblers Anonymous is a self-help organisation run by, and for, problem gamblers. It was founded in the U.K. in 1962 and now organises meetings in approximately 150 locations, making it the largest and longest running provider of treatment for problem gamblers in the country. Its sister organisation, GamAnon, provides a similar service for those affected by problem gamblers. Both operate a 24-hour telephone helpline service and a website and organise weekly meetings staffed by volunteers, which provide advice and information for problem gamblers and the public. Appointed members with responsibility for prison liaison and public relations also exist in most regions.

6.54 Gamblers Anonymous has around 600 members in Scotland, with around 450 in Glasgow. There is anecdotal evidence of growing demand for new organisations in more rural areas, such as the Highland region (Rooney 2006: personal communication). Members with debt problems are referred to specialist organisations, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux or Money Advice Centres.

6.55 G.A. report that approximately a quarter of their membership suffers from problems with fruit machines and that this is frequently the only type of gambling with which they have any experience or problems. Membership is mainly male, with women identified overwhelmingly with GamAnon. G.A. follows a 'twelve-step' approach, modelled on Alcoholics Anonymous, which is based on the premise that problem gambling is an incurable disease that can only be controlled through total abstinence from all forms of gambling activity.

6.56 GamAnon provides mutual support and encouragement for the friends and families of problem gamblers, although membership tends to be mainly wives.

The Gordon House Association

6.57 The Gordon House Association is the only dedicated residential facility for severe problem gamblers in the U.K. It has strong links with the judiciary, and often provides treatment and accommodation for problem gamblers on release from prison and/or who are homeless (Bellringer 1999).

6.58 The Association has 39 beds in residential programmes in Dudley and Beckenham, which are restricted to males only. In 2002, a four-bedroom house was established in Dudley for use by women. The treatment programme is based on high levels of support and intensive counselling during a nine-month period of residency, In addition to its residential programme, the Association operates a telephone counselling service, an outreach service and an internet counselling service.

GamCare

6.59 The organisation GamCare, which formed in 1997, has perhaps the highest profile of the U.K.. treatment agencies and is actively involved in the provision of a range of services for problem gamblers as well as in raising public awareness of gambling and problem gambling in the U.K. The organisation runs a counselling telephone helpline which provides crisis intervention, information delivery and counselling for anyone affected by problem gambling. In addition, it provides a free counselling service from its London-based offices. The helpline receives around 30,000 calls each year, while during 2003, 1,351 counselling sessions were provided to 204 clients. Small scale evaluations appear to show that the services are effective in treating problem gamblers (GamCare 2004).

Service Provision in Scotland

6.60 As its London location limits access to the counselling service, GamCare has developed partnerships with voluntary organisations in the field of drug and alcohol counselling in order to expand provision for problem gamblers throughout the country. There are currently seven of these partners (known as the Breakeven Project) in the U.K. including The Renfrew Council on Alcohol ( RCA Trust) in Scotland.

6.61 The RCA Trust is the only agency in Scotland that provides a dedicated counselling service for problem gamblers. Located in Paisley, it provides one-to-one counselling for gamblers, their partners and families as well as a telephone counselling helpline. The demographic profile of its clients is of young males, whose predominant problem is horse race betting (McLaughlin 2006: personal communication).

6.62 The trust has seen numbers of clients with gambling-related problems rise steadily in the six years since it opened, although it should be noted that this is likely to reflect growing awareness of its services, rather than an increase in the absolute numbers of problem gamblers. In 2004, the RCA Trust introduced a residential facility, which currently has three clients who will live in supported accomodation for 9-12 months. The service is funded by local council benefits, and the Trust is currently seeking funding from Responsibility in Gambling Trust ( RIGT) to expand it.

RCA Trust Client Numbers 2000 - 2005

Source: RCA Trust

Barriers to treatment

6.63 Many discussions of effective treatment have focused on why some individuals do, and others do not, access help for their gambling problems. Responses have focused on factors such as stigma, shame and lack of information about the existence of help. However, another significant factor is access to services. Put simply, if treatment is not easily accessible, problem gamblers are less likely to attempt to seek help. A recent Canadian study found that problem gamblers living in close proximity to a major gambling venue were more likely to be in treatment if they were also also close to a treatment program, and vice versa.

"The data suggest that if gambling venues expand in a given jurisdiction, careful consideration should be given to expanding treatment accessibility in equal proportion, and as close in proximity to the gambling venues as is feasible and practical" (Rush et al 2005).

Stakeholder Alliances

6.64 As will be evident from the preceding sections, a wide range of stakeholders are involved in both the provision of gambling products, the provision of treatment for gambling problems and the formation of policies to deal these issues. In addition, most countries have dedicated, formal organisations that oversee a range of gambling related strategies and projects.

6.65 For example, in South Africa, the National Responsible Gambling Programme coordinates efforts by relevant government agencies, including the Department of Social Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Finance to raise awareness of problem gambling at public events, such as health and school fairs.

6.66 In the U.S., the National Council on Problem Gambling engages in a variety of activities to raise public awareness of gambling issues, promote research, and encourage industry to adopt responsible gambling policies. These activities include operating a national helpline, sponsoring a specialist academic Journal of Gambling Studies, organising conferences and training events and administering a counsellor certification programme.

6.67 It also organises 'speakers bureaus', which are made up of professionals from the fields of medicine, mental health, education, public policy and industry as well as lay people with personal experience of gambling issues, to disseminate information about problem gambling through their various organisations. The programme is designed to reach out into the community with resources appropriate to different audiences including the media, businesses, professional organisations, community organisations, schools and institutions of higher education.

6.68 In New Zealand, the non-profit Problem Gambling Foundation which is primarily a problem gambling counselling service, also provides presentations and resources to health professionals including general practitioners, alcohol and drug workers and mental health workers, helping organisations, schools and law enforcement personnel. The Foundation's 'local government' and health promotion teams work directly with community groups to mobilise interest in problem gambling issues, help organise action groups, and assist in presenting petitions and information to local governments.

Great Britain

6.69 In Britain, two organisations exist deal with the development of initiatives to address problem gambling, the Responsibility in Gambling Trust ( RIGT) and GamCare

The Responsibility in Gambling Trust

6.70 The Trust was established in response to the recommendations of the independent Gambling Review Body (the Budd Report), commissioned by the government in 2001. Its main purpose is to raise awareness about problem gambling, commission education and treatment services, and to fund research into problem gambling for the U.K.. It funds the services provided by GamCare and the Gordon House Association, and has recently engaged with an academic research organisation (the Economic and Social Research Council) to fund a research programme on problem gambling.

6.71 The Trust itself is funded by a voluntary levy on the gambling industry, from which it hopes to receive some £3 million per annum. It also liaises with treatment providers, researchers, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Gambling Commission and various sectors of the gambling industry on a range of gambling-related issues.

GamCare

6.72 As well as providing treatment for problem gamblers, GamCare also attempts to raise public awareness of the social impact of excessive gambling. It has a number of strategies with which to undertake this, including the training of youth workers and industry representatives and the provision of educational materials.

6.73 GamCare is also engaged in raising awareness of problem gambling within the industry, developing codes of practice, training staff and designing certification of responsibility. In conjunction with the industry, GamCare distributes posters and leaflets in gambling-related venues throughout the country, such as in betting shops, which warn of the risks of excessive play, provide advice on responsible gambling techniques and debt management, display a check-list of danger signs and offer information about where to find help.

6.74 Despite these efforts, the impact of such strategies has not been evaluated, although it is clear from the prevalence study that awareness of GamCare itself is quite limited throughout the general population.

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