UKGC launches new strategy

The commission has launched its three-year National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.

UK.- The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) officially launched on Thursday the new National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. This three-year strategy will drive and coordinate work to bring a lasting impact on reducing gambling harms.

For the first time, health bodies, charities, regulators and businesses will come together in partnership to effectively tackle the issue. The commission calls for action and combined efforts to deliver two strategic priority areas. The first one is prevention and education. The plan is to make significant progress towards a clear public health prevention plan which includes the right mix of interventions. The second one is treatment and support, which intends to deliver truly national treatment and support options that meet the needs of users.

As part of the new strategy, the Commission will continue to take a firm regulatory enforcement approach whilst also further improving gambling harms research and evaluation so that there is widespread adoption of what works. The Commission will also explore the establishment of a new National Research Centre and work is being undertaken to build a National Data Repository for research purposes.

William Moyes, chairman of the Gambling Commission, said: “This new strategy will provide us and our partners the opportunity to make faster progress to reduce gambling harms. It will not just benefit the health and wellbeing of those directly affected and in need of support, but also those such as friends, families, communities and wider society.

“The success of this strategy relies on everyone working together to reduce gambling harms through prevention and education, and treatment and support. Everyone has a role to play to combat gambling harms and I’m delighted that the health sector, charities and businesses are showing their commitment to get behind the strategy and make it a success.

“We all need to better understand the harms that can be caused by gambling, moving away from simply counting problem gamblers and instead build a greater understanding of the harms experienced. Over the lifetime of the strategy, we will better understand the full range of harms and how to protect against them.”

Minister for Sport and Civil Society Mims Davies, said: “Protecting people from harm should be at the heart of every gambling business. Addiction can ruin lives and it is vital that those who need help are given the right treatment at the right time.

“The Gambling Commission’s strategy reflects our clear expectation that the whole sector must come together to reduce problem gambling and the harm it does to people and their families. Through increased research, education and treatment I want to see faster progress made in tackling this issue.”