GambleAware from Great Britain is one of the most well-known aid organizations in the gaming industry. At the same time, it can be said that few organizations are as active as one of the two great British figureheads. This is exactly what the GambleAware proves once again. With an investment of around 1.2 million euros to set up a new problem player service. This consists of a clinical treatment service, at the same time a support team should take care of the problems and needs of the players.
Opening planned for 2021
In the last few weeks and months, the British organizations and authorities have drawn attention to themselves, above all, by the fact that the gambling provider has been spoiled a little. Of course, mainly rules were implemented, but at the same time the effect on the player should have been very small. Now, however, this is changing, because GambleAware has taken a whopping sum of 1.2 million euros and invested in a problem game service . This consists of a clinical facility and support for gamers, with the clinic to open under the name NHL Northern Gambling Clinic (NGC) in Leeds in 2021.
Although the massive investment of 1.2 million euros is of course causing a stir, the general approach of a special clinic is not new. A similar clinic has been in operation in London for a good ten years , which was also set up in cooperation with GambleAware. Great successes have been celebrated here since it opened in 2008, so this clinic should serve as a model for the new facility.
Fast and effective treatment for problem gamblers
GambleAware's CEO, Marc Etches, commented on the project: “The partnership between and takes an integrative approach - from training and support, through primary care, to identification and treatment in a seamless care area, we carry, supported by the City council, shared responsibility for case management. ”Etches also added that the aim of the facility was to provide“ quick and effective ”treatment for problem gamblers in the north of England . A support team will be set up especially for this purpose, which can support the players in all matters. In general, they are therefore very satisfied with the plans and also consider the annual investment of around 1.2 million euros to be appropriate.
The planning was communicated by GambleAware as part of Gambling Week 2018 , which was held in the British capital, London. All of the major companies in the gaming industry that unanimously supported the project were also represented here. What is certainly interesting is the statement by Etches that such facilities could possibly also be set up in other regions of the country . However, the CEO emphasized that this would require the aid organizations to work together.
Plans met with open ears at the NHL
A look at the future head of the clinic in Leeds shows that an extremely suitable partner could be found with the NHL for the implementation of the problem game service. Matt Gaskell is a psychologist and, according to his own statements, has been active in the fight against the spread of gambling addiction for several years. Gaskell said in a recent interview how important clinical care is in this context: “Gambling addiction has devastating effects on the lives of individuals and the social environment, especially on relatives. Those predicted to have gambling disorder need help with a whole range of difficulties, including massive mental health issues. Gambling addiction can lead to debt and a family breakdown. Also about job loss, crime and even suicide. "
The importance of extensive support is of course already known at GambleAware. So it is not surprising that the Problem Game Service is by no means the only front the organization is fighting on. Instead, a sum of 1.7 million euros was only recently invested in order to, among other things, launch a training program on all aspects of gambling addiction. At the same time, the participants in the program are shown ways of getting out of a possible debt . In addition, a tool called Gamban, which is used as a lock for online casino reviews, is always in discussion-Sites on the Internet should be used. This software can be used, for example, to prevent schoolchildren or young people from visiting these websites. The problem gamblers at the new Leeds clinic will also receive the tool for free. In summary, it can be said that the GambleAware shows in an impressive way that player protection and protection against gambling addiction can also be pursued from the other direction: not through penalties for the mobile casinos, but through effective help for the players.