22 October 2008
Methodists call for the gambling industry to support problem gamblers
The Methodist Church has welcomed yesterday's Gambling
Commission report and its recommendations. The report underlines
the responsibility of the gambling industry to provide enough money
to help people who are harmed by gambling.
David Bradwell, Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church in
Britain, said; 'There are around a quarter of a million problem
gamblers in the UK. We need more money to make sure that these
people receive sufficient support and advice and that vulnerable
people don't develop a problem with gambling.
'We support the 'polluter pays' principle. If not enough money is
raised through the current voluntary system, we want to see the
Government introducing compulsory payments by gambling
businesses.
'In Britain we are way behind other countries, including Canada,
South Africa and New Zealand in terms of dealing adequately with
problem gambling. The Government and the Gambling Commission must
look again at the international context and find out what more can
be done in the UK to help people who are at risk of being exploited
by gambling.'