Majority of UK gambling firms 'failing to help addicts'
Saturday, 26 Apr 2008 18:11
Gaming firms accused of not helping addicts
Two-thirds of all UK gambling companies have so far failed to contribute to a fund set up to offer help for addicts, it has been revealed.
Of the 3,200 firms analysed, just 1,000 have given money to the
Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RITG), with smaller operators particularly guilty, the organisation has revealed to the BBC.
While RITG has managed to reach its target of raising £3.6 million through voluntary donations, these latest revelations are likely to prompt further calls for the government to introduce a compulsory levy.
According to Don Foster, culture spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, the amount contributed amounts to just £14 per problem gambler, far less than the £44 raised in New Zealand and £40 in Canada.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's the online gamblers on the whole who are not contributing.
"We've got to say once and for all, 'Here is the amount we want - £7m plus, in a couple of years'.
"Let's use that as the threat to the industry. Cough up double what's being paid now or else we have a compulsory levy to raise that amount of money."
The comments come as the Gambling Commission undertakes a review into the effectiveness of the current levels of voluntary contributions, though RITG chairman has recently expressed his confidence that the body will be able to reach its target of £7 million by 2010.