The GREaT Foundation Reaches £5 Million Target

June 01, 2010 | News Category: Online Casinos

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The GREaT Foundation (Gambling Research, Education and Treatment of problem gambling) has reached their 2009/2010 target of £5 million. The money raised is to be used for research and treatment of problem gambling.

The online gambling industry based in the United Kingdom have donated the £5 million that the GREaT Foundation wanted to raise in order to aid those with gambling problems. The target was reached in about 10 months of fundraising.

The Responsible Gambling Strategy Board, and the government set the ambitious target of £5 million, which many believed would not be achieved. The voluntary donation to this important cause may help the UK-licensed gambling operations to avoid having a levy fixed by the government.

Even though the target was reached within the allotted amount of time, only a little over one third of the companies holding gambling licenses actually made donations to The GREaT Foundation. The director of the foundation, Geoffrey Godbold, OBE, said that he hoped that now that this milestone has been achieved, that others in the industry, who have not yet noted would now be encouraged to do so.

Mr. Godbold commented, “We're hoping that as we've raised £5m, those within the industry that did not contribute will see that it's not a hopeless cause and it can be done.” Regarding the possibility of a mandatory levy, he said: “It's in the best interest of the industry to avoid the question of a mandatory levy so I hope in the future it will be viewed as the 'in thing to do'."

With a change of government in the UK, there is often a feeling of uncertainty whether things will remain as they were or not. The gambling industry is concerned as to whether the voluntary funding system will remain in place, or whether a levy will take its place. One also hopes that the treatment programs that have been promised will be delivered on.

“We've made it very obvious that the money is being used wisely but maybe there will be a point where a different way of providing treatment and support, through the NHS (National Health Service) for example, may be pursued. From our point of view, a radical change would be the introduction of a levy and it's pretty clear that the industry does not want that," said Mr. Godbold.

Mr. Godbold feels that the change in government is simply a chance for a “fresh start,” and that the industry will be seen in a responsible light because of its voluntary contributions to the cause of problem gambling treatment.