I have not directly commissioned research that looks into the relationship between problem and internet gambling specifically. However, the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, a charitable organisation which commissions research into problem gambling, is currently funding a number of research projects that look into internet gambling, such as Oxford University’s web-based survey of the clinical and psychological characteristics of internet gamblers. This study looks at the psychological characteristics of internet gamblers, the extent and range of their gambling activities, and examines clinical and psychological features that might be relevant to the development of problem gambling.
Any person who seeks help from the NHS for a gambling problem will be offered support and, if necessary, treatment to help them overcome their addiction, regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity. There are also a number of specialised addiction services outside the NHS, some of which are dedicated to the prevention of problem gambling and treatment of problem gamblers. The charity GamCare runs a 24-hour helpline and provides face-to-face counselling. Its services are open to all problem gamblers, and it makes special provision for women, such as female only group counselling.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, I commissioned the Gambling Commission to undertake a major UK gambling prevalence study. The last prevalence study was commissioned by GamCare in 1999. The current study is now under way and will report in September 2007. It will measure the prevalence of participation in all forms of gambling, estimate the prevalence of problem gambling and investigate the socio-demographic factors associated with gambling and with problem gambling. The Gambling Commission has undertaken to carry out a prevalence study every three years. They also work closely with a number of other organisations which carry out research into gambling and problem gambling. For example, last financial year (2005-06) the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT), commissioned research to the value of £163,796.
The Gambling Act 2005 puts the protection of vulnerable people at the heart of gambling regulation for the first time. There are a number of measures under the Act designed to help prevent problem gambling.
For example, from September 2007, abiding by a social responsibility code of practice will be an explicit licence condition for all remote operators. Breaches will trigger penalties including unlimited fines or even loss of licence.
These social responsibility measures include: age verification systems to prevent children from gambling; self-exclusion procedures; positive intervention to help problem gamblers; and conditions on the provision of credit by operators and the use of credit cards.
No assessment has been made of any impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on gambling addiction.
We have set the industry a target of raising £3 million each year for problem gambling treatment, education, public awareness and research, from when the Gambling Act 2005 is fully implemented in September 2007. I have reserve powers to impose and set the level of a statutory levy on gambling operators and I will consider using these powers if there is evidence that they are failing to meet their social responsibility duties under the Act.