The Gambling Act 2005 gives greater protection for the vulnerable minority of people who have problems with their gambling.
One of the objectives of the Act is protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
Social Responsibility and Player Protection
The new Act, which comes into full force from September 2007, will for the first time require as a condition of licences that operators demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and protection of players.
The Gambling Commission's licensing conditions and codes of practice require the industry to take particular measures to protect children and the vulnerable.
The gambling industry has a responsibility to provide gambling products in a way that does not encourage repetitive play.
The industry has established the Responsibility in Gambling Trust to fund prevention and treatment of problem gambling. It has also increased funding for the charity GamCare, with a telephone helpline and counselling as a priority.
Education and Public Awareness
The Responsibility in Gambling Trust has produced educational materials for schools and is developing a public awareness campaign during 2007.
The objectives of the national campaign will be:
- to let the public know where it can access help services
- to let the public have well publicized access to information on how to make informed consumer choices and avoid developing gambling addictions
Locally, the council has produced a web section Gambling Advice for the Public, in the Health and Lifestyle area of this site, including advice for young people and links to organisations providing support for problem gamblers.
