GambleAware is a group that offers free and confidential support to anyone who thinks or knows they have a gambling addiction. Taking advantage of this free support can make all the difference to your personal finances and emotional wellbeing. They are the UK’s lead RET grant-making group and strive to develop a whole system to combat and treat gambling addiction which is implemented nationwide.
In the first half of 2021, figures show that GambleAware received £10.6 million in safer gambling pledge monies and donations from gambling companies. The group published its figures for the first six months of the year, disclosing that Bet365 was the group’s most significant contributor in the first half of the year. The group was closely followed by Entain PLC, owner of huge names in the global sports betting and gaming, as well as lesser-known online casino brand, Casino Club – among others.
The data shows that the top three donators accounted for around 90% of all contributions within the six-month period, equating to £8 million. This money goes towards funding the help and support to people suffering from gambling addiction in the UK and is one way that gambling operators can help protect their consumers.
GambleAware’s Safer Gambling RET pledges equalled £2.6 million, which was attributed to a £2 million further donation from Entain. Other notable RET pledge contributors include Camelot UK, otherwise known as the National Lottery provider. They fronted £450,000 to the cause.
In the UK, any licensed gambling operator is asked to voluntary donate 0.1% from their gross gambling yield (GGY). Any operator with annual gross gambling revenue below £250,000 per annum is encouraged to donate £250 as a minimum. But just last year, the four biggest operators have pledged to increase their voluntary donations x10 to 1% by 2023.
The industry donations received will assist in expanding the group’s flagship directives, namely the National Gambling Treatment Service, the Annual Great Britain Treatment and Support Survey, the Gambling Education Hub and an array of national prevention and awareness campaigns.
The group ensures the broader public that donations have no influence on decisions made by GambleAware, and the group adopts accountable governance processes.
Alicia Saville did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health and well-being.
