GambleAware has promoted Siân Griffiths OBE to chair of trustees amid the impending departure of Baroness Lampard from the gambling harm awareness and prevention charity.
Griffiths, who was previously deputy chair of trustees since 2018, said she is looking to build on the charity’s recent efforts as it builds towards a statutory funding model as outlined in the UK’s white paper on gambling reform.
“I am delighted to accept this appointment and to continue working with GambleAware to ensure gambling harms are viewed as a serious public health issue,” she said.
“Due to the deeply stigmatised nature of gambling harm, it can be difficult for people to reach out for help. This is why it is so important we take a public health approach, one which recognises the wider societal influences while focusing on early intervention and prevention activity.”
GambleAware’s independence from industry remains “paramount,” Griffiths added.
The UK’s white paper has proposed that the NHS should be the new commissioner of gambling harm awareness, prevention and education as opposed to charities like GambleAware.
Debate has subsequently ensued over what impact such a model will have on other, smaller charities in the community whose work with people affected by gambling harms will be taken over by the NHS.
Baroness Lampard CBE, who joined GambleAware in 2016 and is leaving on July 18, has led the charity to work more closely with the NHS, the government and others in the third sector to recommission the National Gambling Support Network.
Baroness Lampard has also helped allow NHS leaders to have a say on gambling harm by transitioning GambleAware to an entirely independent board of trustees.
She said it is “fundamental that statutory funding is provided to address the issue” of preventing gambling harm.
The consultation on a statutory levy on operators to fund gambling harm prevention, education and treatment, is currently with the new Labour government having been announced by the Conservatives before July’s general election.
It is unclear at what stage Labour will pick the issue up again.
“I am proud of what we have achieved, and it has been a pleasure to see how the charity and wider gambling harms system has grown over the past eight years. I wish GambleAware and Siân all the best for the future.”
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