The Charity Commission in Britain may open an investigation on the RGT
The Responsible Gambling Trust is facing an inquiry by the regulator for its links with the gambling industry.
UK.- The Charity Commission, the body that regulates administration and affairs of registered UK charities, is currently considering to open an investigation on a British charity created with the aim of minimasing gambling addiction.
The Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) describes itself on its website as a “the leading charity in Britain committed to minimising gambling-related harm,” and it is also openly declares the charity is funded by “donations from the gambling industry.” On January 15th, Neil Goulden, the trust’s chairman, released a press release announcing his retirement after it was reported that he had lobbied in favour of the industry. Goulden’s links with gambling related companies and organisations include chairing both the RGT and the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) from 2012 through mid-2014 and holding positions in Gala Coral and Ladbrokes.
Now the bookmakers-funded charity is under scrutiny for taking a sympathetic approach and working too close to the industry. The Responsible Gambling Trust commissioned a company with a commercial interest in gambling, to conduct a research regarding betting machines and according to its critics, the fact that the RGT is funded through donations from the very same industry, inevitably raises questions about the independence of its research programme.
Campaigners are determined to expose the charity and with this purpose they are preparing a dossier of evidence to present to the commission, which will review the findings before deciding whether to investigate.
