UK gambling addiction centre claims world first

Leon House says it has developed the world’s first 24/7 online platform for problem gambling treatment.

UK.- Specialist residential gambling addiction centre Leon House says it has developed what is the world’s first online problem gambling treatment platform available around the clock.

It has launched a service called AnonyMind, which it says will provide anonymous, impartial psychiatric assessment and identify co-existing conditions in players who suffer from online gambling problems.

The platform was developed together with EPIC Risk Management, the independent gambling harm consultancy, and Cognacity, a mental health and addiction treatment provider.

Users will be assigned a personalised treatment pathway, either in-house as an outpatient at the Leon House residential clinic, or directly online through the AnonyMind platform.

Leon House says it will work with more than 120 consultants in an expanding network of psychiatrists and psychologists. It said it will also host mental health and resilience workshops for in-house player protection and marketing teams.

Chief Operating Officer, Chris Metcalf, said: “The recent £100million pledge to GambleAware from five BGC member operators shows that there is a real commitment from the UK gaming industry to help and support problem gamblers. 

“Now, with the launch of AnonyMind by Leon House, these same operators will be able to offer free, anonymous, 24/7 professional counselling to their players via video calls for the first time ever and residential treatment at Leon House should it be required.”

Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, has praised the scheme.

She said: “It’s vital that people who are stuck in this vicious cycle are able to access support when they need it. AnonyMind’s new 24-hour service allows users to get confidential, secure support whenever they might need it.”