In the UK, the Responsible Gambling Trust and GamCare have signed a new three-year funding agreement to secure the provision of treatment services for problem gamblers.
The agreement is expected to see GamCare improve and expand the services that it has put in place over the last 15 years with the potential of a £500,000 (26 per cent) increase by 2014/15.
“The Responsible Gambling Trust is delighted to have secured this funding agreement with GamCare, and is particularly pleased to have done so in a spirit of partnership and co-operation allied to a mutual understanding of the need for transparency,” said Marc Etches, chief executive of the Responsible Gambling Trust. "We welcome GamCare’s willingness to work with us on improving its own performance and that of each of its partners, thereby enhancing value for money.
“GamCare has already commissioned external reviews looking at its existing services around the country and it is committed to a major evaluation programme designed to evidence the impact its treatment services are having for those people harmed by gambling.”
GamCare chairman Anthony Jennens added: “It is so good, at last, to see the realisation of what GamCare's trustees have worked hard for over many years.
“With security of funding both for the national gambling helpline and now our network of treatment services, we can concentrate on making sure that we provide a standard of help, advice and treatment across the country that is second to none in the world.”
