GamCare’s response to Brighton and Hove County Council – Consultation on the revision of statement of principles under the Gambling Act 2005 

About GamCare: 

GamCare is an independent charity and the leading provider of information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. We operate the National Gambling Helpline, provide structured support for anyone harmed by gambling, and create awareness about safer gambling and treatments. For 26 years, our confidential, non-judgemental services, have supported more than half a million people to get their lives back on track.  

 

We hold data locally and nationally through our National Gambling Helpline. We also work closely with those who have lived experience in shaping and delivering our services and programmes, ensuring that all our work is coproduced with our lived experience community at its heart.  

GamCare’s comments on the revision of the statement of principles:

· We welcome the position Brighton and Hove County Council is taking to go beyond the mandatory and default conditions of the Gambling Act 2005 in its statement of principles. 

· Local authorities can play a greater role in reducing gambling harm, particularly for those of our clients who experience harm in land-based gambling venues, due to council’s licensing responsibilities. 

· It is vital that Brighton and Hove County Council develops a local picture of the level of gambling harms, in order to best target resources and tailor service provision. This could be achieved by gathering data from the National Gambling Helpline, as well as those already providing services in the area.

· Building on the proactive approach the council is already taking, we would like to see Brighton and Hove County Council commit in its statement of principles to a public health approach to gambling. 

· This commitment should include training frontline and primary care staff to recognise the signs of gambling harm and develop referral pathways to the National Gambling Helpline or local treatment providers. GamCare has worked with Haringey Council to implement a similar system, that has received widespread support. 

· In the absence of Cumulative Impact Assessments as a method by which the “aim to permit” approach can be challenged, Brighton and Hove County Council should continue to pursue a Local Area Profile  approach that specifically analyses gambling risk, and use this data as a basis from which to scrutinise and possibly oppose a licensing application. 

· The changes to Brighton and Hove County Council’s statement of principles should be viewed in the context of the Gambling Act Review and subsequent process of white paper consultations, so take account of the rapidly changing regulatory environment.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss in more detail, please contact Pollyanna Hopkins, Senior External Affairs Officer: pollyanna.hopkins@gamcare.org.uk