Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive, GambleAware said: “We are deeply concerned by the risk of further delays to the gambling White Paper. Failure to act now puts more people at risk of gambling harms and only exacerbates what is an increasingly serious public health issue. We are concerned that the combination of the growing cost of living, ongoing impact of the pandemic and rise of online gambling may be creating a perfect storm, meaning more people are at risk of suffering gambling harm.
“We, and other third sector organisations need a committed and consistent approach to funding. This would ensure future certainty and stability to provide support and treatment, prevent further gambling harm and make more people aware of the risks of gambling."
GambleAware is the leading charity working to reduce gambling harms. As an independent charity, accountable to the Charity Commission, we are the lead commissioner of prevention and treatment services to help those experiencing gambling harms across Great Britain.
Zoë Osmond, CEO, GambleAware and others will be available for media comment and interviews in response to the news the White Paper has been delayed, focusing on these areas:
- Funding – It is crucial that the White Paper proposes a long-term and sustainable funding model to provide future certainty of necessary prevention and treatment services.
- Gambling as a public health issue, including a national gambling harms strategy.
- Advertising and sponsorship
- Stigma related to gambling
- Children and young people
- Building community resilience
Millions of people experience gambling harms and each year GambleAware enables thousands of people to access free, confidential support services through the National Gambling Treatment Service. Anyone concerned about their gambling, or that of a someone close to them, should go to BeGambleAware.org.
Spokespeople
Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware - Zoë Osmond will be able to talk about GambleAware's wide remit in working with partners to tackle gambling harms and the need for a government led national gambling harms strategy. Zoë has appeared on a range of national and broadcast media outlets as a regular spokesperson for GambleAware and gambling harms.
Owen Baily - Owen Baily, a Lived Experience Consultant has 10 years Gambling Sector Experience and has spent 16 years combatting Gambling Disorder. Owen represents Lived Experience at NHS England's Gambling Harms Network and as a Lay Member at the NICE Gambling Harms Committee aiming to co create the first ever evidence-based Gambling Guidelines for the NHS. Owen sees first-hand the effects of gambling disorder and helps others in his other role as the first ever Gambling Peer Support Worker for the NHS CNWL London Gambling Clinic. Other roles include working with GambleAware through the lived experienced networks GLEN and ALERTS. Owen is passionate about the development of the Lived Experience Workforce in the gambling space, aftercare, recovery capital, commissioning and systems change.
Stacey Goodwin
Stacey, 28, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, first began gambling aged 18 when she got hooked on slot machine at her place of work after placing a £1 bet. Overtime, her gambling habit lead to significant financial and emotional consequences. Stacey has now been in recovery for almost two years after undergoing treatment at a residential facility. She is now bravely sharing her story on social media to encourage other women in her situation who are suffering in silence to speak out and seek help - using the handle The Girl Gambler.
