GambleAware increases funding for GamCare
GambleAware, the gambling industry-backed UK charity, will help to fund the National Gambling Helpline after announcing an increase in its support for GamCare in a new three-year agreement that will run until 2021.
The £14m (€16.0m/$18.7m) pledged to the organisation that supports problem gamblers will help to fund the National Gambling Helpline and a national network of treatment services for adults experiencing gambling-related harms.
According to a statement, the funding agreement is designed to enable GamCare to continue to develop its delivery capabilities, efficiency and effectiveness of treatment across a broad range of interventions.
Sir Ian Prosser, chair of GamCare, said: “GamCare is delighted to have signed a new Grant Agreement with GambleAware.
“The extra money will enable us to help more people to recover from problem gambling, and to help those who are affected by the gambling of a family member or friend. We will use the grant to develop further our range of services and to deliver a new model of care, so that individuals get help which is tailored to their needs.
“The assurance of a three-year agreement gives us the certainty about funding which means that we can push forward with our plans to develop and deliver an integrated treatment system, which people rightly expect.”
GambleAware said it intends to commission new aftercare services to prevent relapse, as well as services that offer help for the families of problem gamblers, including bereavement counselling.
The two organisations said an estimated 430,000 people are gambling problematically, with approximately two million at risk of developing gambling problems.
Kate Lampard, chair of GambleAware, said: “GambleAware is pleased to make this renewed three-year commitment to GamCare. The fact that less than 2% of problem gamblers were receiving treatment represents a significant gap in the provision of specialist services.
“Our goal is to close the gap between the number of those getting treatment and those who need it by increasing the range, quality and quantity of early interventions and treatment while helping people to avoid gambling problems in the first place.”
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