GambleAware is to get a funding boost courtesy of the UK’s land based casino operators, who are to guarantee that 0.1% of their annual gross gaming yield (GGY) will go directly to the charity.
Funded by all sectors of the gambling industry, GambleAware, who promote education, harm prevention and treatment services related to gambling addiction, was set a £10m target in 2016/17 by the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board, who in turn are responsible for advising both the Gambling Commission and UK government.
Marc Etches, GambleAware chief executive, said: “It is imperative that all businesses deriving a profit from commercial gambling in Britain support GambleAware in the delivery of the National Responsible Gambling Strategy.
“This initiative by NCF’s members will ensure transparency in relation to the casino sector’s funding of research, education and treatment, and sets an important bench-mark for others”.
The National Casino Forum (NCF) is to change the terms of its membership, making it clear to operators that they will be expected to make the required donation of their GGY.
It will also be highlighted that donations to other charities will be in addition to GambleAware, and documented separately.
Tracy Damestani, chief executive of the NCF, added: “This is an historic commitment by casino operators. They are guaranteeing that the casino sector will donate 0.1% of Gross Gambling Yield to GambleAware, in addition to making other charitable donations. They are underpinning this pledge by introducing a transparent new payment system.
“The casino sector has always supported fundraising for research, education and treatment, and casino operators are determined to go beyond both the letter and the spirit of the Act in their support for responsible and safer gambling.
“They want to ensure that research, education, prevention and treatment programmes are fully funded across the gambling industry”.
The charity has recently announced a record number of donations totalling £8m, however, that figure still falls 20% short of its annual target.
