The UKGC approves funding for a new programme to reduce problem gambling

The UK Gambling Commission announced Monday the approval of a funding for a new regional three-year public health programme, which will be led by Public Health directors, to reduce gambling harms in Yorkshire and the Humber.  

The program is supported by an $109,400 regulatory settlement approved by the UKGC, and will focus on education and prevention, whilst providing access to support and treatment for individuals and their families experiencing problem gambling. 

The program will improve identification of problem gambling through training in workplaces, direct gamblers to self-management and support, protect high risk and vulnerable groups from gambling-related harm, and work with individuals and communities to raise awareness and reduce stigma. 

In an official statement, Executive Director at the Gambling Commission, Tim Miller, spoke about this new program and said: “We welcome this ambitious project across Yorkshire and Humber. A well-planned, cohesive public health approach to tackling gambling harms is exactly what the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms was designed to stimulate. We are pleased to be able to approve the funding, which was agreed through regulatory settlements, as part of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.”

Greg Fell, Chair of the Yorkshire & Humber harmful gambling working group, added: “We aim to deliver a gold standard programme that can be replicated across the UK. We are in the unique position of having a diverse population across city, town, rural and coastal environments, which offers the potential for an effective activity blueprint that could be used by other regions. We know high deprivation areas and low income workers are disproportionately negatively affected by gambling, so this will be our focus.”