Scotland launches responsible gambling

A campaign that targets a community in Scotland has been launched in order to promote responsible gambling.

Scotland.- Merkinch Gamble Support Week has been launched in Scotland, in order to promote responsible gaming. The territory has suffered disputes over the last few years for the opening of a high number of betting outlets.

The group is conformed by a partnership between a local charity called For the Right Reasons, which fights against problem gambling, and the Association of British Bookmakers in Scotland (ABB Scotland), as reported by Highland News. The campaign is kicking off on June 19 and will finish four days latter, with the help of bookmakers William Hill and Ladbrokes and the charity RCA Trust. Spokesman for ABB Scotland Donald Morrison, said that problem gambling in Scotland is low  at 0.7 percent, and according to the Scottish and according to the Government’s own figures, in decline as well. Nevertheless, the spokesman said that when For the Right Reasons suggested Merkinch, they were happy to fund an initiative to show their continuing commitment to promote responsible gambling.

“ABB Scotland has been at the forefront of nationwide campaigns to tackle problem gambling and provide counselling support for people worried about their gambling activity but this is the first time we have run a campaign in Scotland centred on a specific community. Hopefully it will serve as a model for other area,” he said.

Richard Burkitt, director of For the Right Reasons, said that the territory is needs for a new legislation that establishes that only one betting shop can be placed in a single street: “While the majority of people gamble for fun, a small number experience problems and it’s important that the gambling industry does more to support those who get into difficulty. I think this campaign is better than nothing. Let’s see how many people turn up and let’s hear people’s stories. I hope people will go and talk to the counsellors.”