The Responsibility in Gambling Trust: Gambling Industry Welcomes Continued Voluntary Funding To Help Problem Gamblers

Jun 09, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- WIMHF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) is delighted with the news released today by the Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe, that the funding for research, education and treatment of problem gamblers would continue to be provided by the gambling and betting industry on a voluntary basis. This removes the prospect of a further levy on all gambling licence holders which would restrict those who might donate, and leave those operators who do with no choice as to how much they wish to provide.

In the past RIGT has raised funds, developed strategy and commissioned research, education and treatment. However, following a restructuring of the organisation, RIGT will now concentrate solely on fundraising with a target in excess of GBP5million for this year and increasing over the next two years. To assist with this aim a new Board of Trustees has been appointed which includes Chris Bell (Chief Executive of Ladbrokes), Ralph Topping (Chief Executive of William Hill), Dominic Harrison (Chief Executive of Gala Coral), Derek Lloyd (Chief Executive of Danoptra), Mark Davies (Managing Director of Betfair) and Ian Burke (Chief Executive of the Rank Group).

Andrew Tottenham, Managing Director of Harrahs and recently appointed as the new Chairman of RIGT, says: "There has been a huge amount of work over the last few months to maintain the voluntary system which is totally supported by the responsible operators in the Industry. They willingly recognise their duty to look after those who are put at risk by providing gambling as entertainment for the overwhelming majority. What we now need to do is spread that message to everyone involved in gambling so that the constituency from which we are receiving donations is much broader".

RIGT has also appointed Geoffrey Godbold OBE as its new Director. Until recently he was the Chief Executive of GamCare, the charity which provides most of the treatment for problem gamblers and is funded by RIGT. Asked how he feels about continuing the voluntary system, Geoffrey Godbold OBE says "It is a great relief that eighteen months of discussions on how funds should be raised has resulted in this decision. Now, with a clear direction given, it is up to the Industry and all those who earn income from gambling to show their support by making their donation without delay. We have been challenged to show that we can raise the funds and we need to prove that we can do this and more!"

Note to Editors

For further information or to request an interview with Andrew Tottenham, RIGT's Chairman, or Geoffrey Godbold OBE, RIGT's Director, please contact KarenChurches

The Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT) was established as a charity in 2002 as Britain's largest funding body responsible for tackling problem gambling through the funding of treatment, research and education programmes from voluntary donations. Since May 2009, following a restructuring of the organisation, RIGT has concentrated solely on fundraising. In addition to receiving voluntary funding from gambling licence holders, RIGT now also seeks to obtain donations from all industries that profit from gambling - but who do not currently make any contribution to helping problem gamblers - such as the finance, media and professional services industries.

CONTACT: Karen Churches, for The Responsibility in Gambling Trust Tel: +44 (0)20 7518 0023 e-mail: churchesk@thegreatfoundation.org.uk

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