Anna Hemmings, Chief Executive of GamCare, has criticised gambling operators, citing a poll that indicates the public believes they do not play their part in helping keep players safe whilst gambling.
Publishing her statement to commemorate Safer Gambling Week, Hemmings noted that in a YouGov survey, just 28% of people believe gambling operators are doing enough to prevent gambling harms and keep players safe.
YouGov and GamCare surveyed 1510 people who gamble at least once a year with a variety of questions on the industry and the protective measures against problem gambling it deploys.
The results revealed that 39% of respondents maintained spending limits, 23% said they avoid betting on fixed-odds machines and 52% stated that they would only gamble on specific sports or events.
Hemmings noted that ‘for people that we’re in touch with through our services, safer will often mean not at all’.
Furthermore, the survey revealed just 28% of respondents felt that operators kept their players safe; Hemmings wants to see the upcoming Gambling Act 2005 review bring about “changes that people want to see.”
Marking Safer Gambling Week, which runs until November 7, Hemmings stressed that GamCare must do more to raise awareness about the charity’s work.
She noted that just 3% of Brits who have gambling problems ever receive access to support. Though GamCare saw a 9% increase in calls last year and a 14% increase in treatment given, Hemmings stressed that GamCare will aim to reach more people who need support related to gambling harms.
“There is still work to be done to ensure GamCare is known as the first port of call, the charity’s CEO remarked. “If you think someone you know needs support, please get in touch. We urge anyone who is struggling with gambling to contact us, whether it’s their own or someone else’s gambling.”