Following the RGF’s decision to terminate its funding agreement with GREaT as of 31st March 2012, the industry-led fund raising body, The GREaT Foundation, has reached an agreement with the Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF) to step in and conclude negotiations with GamCare regarding a National Gambling Helpline and has committed to reaching a minimum two-year agreement with GamCare by the end of September.
Marc W. Etches, Chief Executive of The GREaT Foundation said in the press release: “Given the current circumstances, we have agreed with RGF to take over the negotiations with GamCare regarding a National Gambling Helpline directly, and have committed to reaching agreement for a minimum two-year contract by 30th September 2011. In conducting these negotiations we will consider carefully all the conditions RGF has previously stipulated and all the available evidence.”
Neil Goulden, Chairman of The GREaT Foundation said in the release:”GREaT’s trustees are pleased that our offer to intervene in the negotiations has been accepted by RGF. A National Gambling Helpline is an important element of the support infrastructure for those that experience problems with their gambling. However, it is equally important that the industry that volunteers to fund it should be satisfied that their donations are spent wisely, deliver value for money and maximise effective outcomes for those who require care and support.”
The Gambling Commission’s 2008 Review of gambling-related research, education and treatment noted the need for a better known and more widely used phone line, and the idea was developed in the RGSB’s Strategy 2009.
“We welcome GREaT’s decision to take over negotiations about the helpline from RGF,” said GamCare in a news release statement. “We will cooperate fully with them in order to reach agreement by the end of September and so provide a firm basis for planning and developing the helpline for the long term in the interests of problem gamblers and those affected by problem gambling.”
