GamCare highlights ‘unique challenges’ of betting over Christmas

GamCare has published advice from its helpline which highlights some of the key concerns of gambling during the Christmas period.

Emphasising how the festive month can be a difficult time for those who have experienced gambling harms, Ben – one of the charity’s helpline Night Managers – raised some key issues frequently spoken about throughout on his calls at this time of the year.

Firstly, with Payday coming early in December, this leaves a longer gap without income in January, schedules change, and it might become more difficult to access some of the support or activities that you rely on.

Ben provided practical advice for addressing such problems, and explained that even if someone does not celebrate, the period can still present some ‘unique challenges’.

He said: “A common strategy you might already use is to set up a Direct Debit for bills on the day you are paid, to avoid money sitting in the bank.

“With an early payday, you might want to send this money to family or friend..

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Spillemyndigheden takes on ‘fresh approach’ to educate Danish youth on gambling harms

Spillemyndigheden, The Gambling Authority of Denmark, has launched its first-ever nationwide advertising campaign for audiences under 18, educating “Denmark’s youth on the negative consequences of compulsive gambling”.

The campaign sees Spillemyndigheden address concerns over youth gambling in Denmark, as recent research conducted by the Authority shows that “a significant number of young people (15% of those aged 15-17) have gambled online”.

In 2023, Spillemyndigheden revamped its marketing to develop high-impact campaigns warning the public of gambling harms, addiction, intervention, and the promotion of the ROFUS self-exclusion register.

Focusing on educating younger audiences, the new campaign introduces the character of the ‘One-Armed Bandit,’ who lures young people into gambling, framing it as a harmless social activity.

Spillemyndigheden will promote the ‘One-Armed Bandit‘ campaign on YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and other media platforms popular with Danish youth.

The camp..

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Entain Foundation achieves key milestones for SportsAid & Pitching-In

Entain Plc has declared that it has achieved two high-impact milestones funded by its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, The Entain Foundation.

Publishing its latest Social Impact Report, Entain announced that it had supported over 200 aspiring athletes aiming for the Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth and World Championships through SportsAid.

The FTSE100 firm’s collaboration with SportsAid began in 2020, developing direct funding initiatives to back young British athletes’ training and development to compete in elite global competitions.

Each year, the Entain Foundation announces the recipients of SportsAid grants, which will reach around £500,000 by the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Further grassroots sports initiatives have seen Entain providing grants to over 100 non-league football clubs through the Pitching In programme backed by the Entain Foundation.

Pitching In was launched in 2020 as Entain became a principal partner of the three Trident League..

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OHID informs on increase need for specialised treatment of gambling harms

New Public Health figures for England estimate that 1.6 million adults would benefit from specialist-led treatment for gambling harms.

The estimated figure forms part of a prevalence update on “gambling treatment need and support” undertaken by the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (OHID), reporting to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Providing a breakdown of treatment needs, the update cites that a majority of 970,000 adults (60%) may require ‘level 2 intensity’ treatment, involving two to three sessions of motivational interviewing by specialist practitioners.

Deeper care is required for 243,000 adults who require ‘level 4 intensity’ treatment, involving between eight and 14 sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) led by psychologists.

Intensive treatment is recommended for 40,000 adults, overseen by a 12-week residential programme with one-to-one therapy and group sessions.

A breakdown of regional estimates sees London index the highest prevalence for..

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Flutter and its betting brands commit £8m to charity in 2023

Flutter has revealed that its UK and Ireland division has contributed up to £8m in charitable initiatives this year.

The news follows its three betting brands, Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming (SBG) and Betfair, each forming new partnerships in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, a further £250,000 has been raised through fundraising events for its two Charities of the Year. The activities form part of Flutter’s wider global pledge to Do More for the communities in which it operates as part of the Group’s sustainability strategy – the Positive Impact Plan.

Ian Brown, CEO of Flutter UKI, commented: “I am really proud of the progress the UKI division has made this year to Do More for our communities as part of Flutter Group’s Positive Impact Plan.

“Our market-leading brands have each launched creative and impactful campaigns that directly support the causes that are close to our customers and our colleagues.”

In detail, Paddy Power announced that it will be donating up to £1m to Prostate C..

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GambleAware: Discrimination a barrier for minorities seeking help on gambling harms

GambleAware has published new insights into the lived experience of gambling harms suffered by members of minority communities across Great Britain.

New findings have been published in the ‘Minority Communities & Gambling Harms: Qualitative and Synthesis Report‘ authored by the research teams of Ipsos UK and Clearview.

Research was conducted as GambleAware recognises that “gambling harms need to be understood in the context of inequalities present in British society. Racism and discrimination impact the opportunities and affect the life experiences of people from Minority groups in complex ways.”

Insights were provided by ethnic and religious minority groups, alongside participants from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds, as well as non-native English speakers.

Key findings detail that adults from minority communities with gambling issues are 50% more likely to have experienced racism or discrimination in public compared to those from non-minority backgrounds.

Researchers are c..

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Denmark launches new public information website for gambling

Spillemyndigheden, the Gambling Authority of Denmark, has launched the new website StyrPåSpillet.dk to provide the Danish public with information related to gambling and compulsive gaming.

StyrPåSpillet.dk will serve as the Danish gambling public information portal, gathering all information related to Denmark’s land-based, lottery, and online gambling sectors.

Additionally, the website will feature informative content designed for parents, teachers, and caregivers to inform young audiences about safer gambling practices and how to spot compulsive behaviours.

Spillemyndigheden detailed, “Primary and lower secondary school teachers can also find teaching materials that can be used directly from the website. The material is aimed at students aged 13-15.”

StyrPåSpillet.dk will also host the podcast “Vi snakker om spillet” (“We talk about the game”), developed by Spillemyndigheden, to provide audiences with the lived experience of people who have suffered from gambling addiction and it..

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GambleAware: NGTS efficiencies must be protected in RET Levy transition

GambleAware has called on the UK government to ensure the protection of essential treatment support services for gambling harms commissioned by the partners of the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS).

The demand follows GambleAware’s publication of the annual statistics of the NGTS, detailing that “Gambling harm support delivered by third-sector partners helped nine out of ten improve their conditions.”

Recognised as the frontline in the treatment of gambling harms across England, Scotland, and Wales, the NGTS comprises 10 organisations qualified to provide free and confidential treatment, intervention, and prevention services developed by the GamCare Network.

Publishing the NGTS annual statistics, GambleAware highlighted the effectiveness of services provided “with nine in 10 patients seeing an improvement after completing treatment” and the efficiency of the network as “half of the users are seen within five days or less of referral, and 75% within nine days.”

Anna Hargrav..

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Canadian Gaming Association working to advance responsible play

Canadian Gaming Association CEO and President Paul Burns discusses why operators need to step up and take ownership of promoting responsible gambling in advance of the CGA’s symposium on the subject in Toronto next week.

The last two years have seen an important and exciting evolution in the Canadian gaming space – with global implications. As artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things have pushed electronic globalization forward, Ontario and Canada have been on the cutting edge in the gaming world as we seek to become global leaders in gaming platforms and innovation.

At a time when Canada has fallen behind in other strategic industries, we are finding a niche in online gambling – helping to deliver jobs and economic growth. Recent progress has been dramatic, and has included:

The legalization of single-event sports betting, allowing for effective, transparent regulation and ensuring proper player protection,
The opening up of a fully regulated online gaming market in Ontar..

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NCPG issues warning to parents over lottery Christmas gifts

The National Council on Problem Gambling has linked with 66 lottery corporations to warn Americans about the dangers of problem gambling for minors.

Each year, the NCPG and lotteries team up for the Gift Responsibly campaign, trying to reduce the number of lottery products bought as gifts for minors over the holiday season.

Throughout December, the organizations will work to educate communities on the risks associated with minors engaging with lottery products and raise awareness of the importance of responsible gaming among those of legal age.

The campaign also collaborates with the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, which provides research and statistics to support the efforts.

Jeffrey Derevensky, Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours, said: “With the growing social acceptability and opportunities available for gambling on an international level, it is important to ..

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