ViewIt to analyse GambleAware treatment services
GambleAware has agreed a deal for data and analytics company ViewIt UK to operate and manage the information system for the National Gambling Treatment Service as part of a wider effort to tackle gambling-related harm in the UK.
ViewIt UK will assume responsibility for collating, handling and analysing the data of consumers who either seek or are referred for treatment via services funded by GambleAware, such as the National Gambling Helpline.
The information system will produce detailed feedback, which will then be used to analyse the effectiveness of treatment.
GambleAware has said that this will help it better understand and monitor the number of people seeking help, as well as the characteristics of individuals in treatment, and the benefits and outcomes for those who access these services.
In 2018-19, around 30,000 people received help from the National Gambling Helpline while some 10,000 were given face-to-face treatment.
“The capacity to review data across the whole treatment network is vital to the commissioning and delivery of the National Gambling Treatment Service,” GambleAware chief executive, Marc Etches, said.
“This development will pave the way for additional improvements for people who use the services and for those who work in it.”
Andrew Jones, Yousef Taktak and Michael Donmall, the directors of ViewIt UK, added: “ViewIt UK data management, analysis and visualisation technology will generate vital information that will help GambleAware provide comprehensive treatment and support services across the country for people with Gambling-related problems.”
The partnership comes amid wider movement in the UK in terms of heightened efforts to promote responsible gambling.
This week, GVC Holdings, bet365, Flutter Entertainment, William Hill and Sky Betting and Gaming followed up plans to increase funding for problem gambling treatment by setting out a plan of action to create a safer gambling environment.
The operators have agreed to raise the current voluntary contribution towards funding problem gambling from 0.1% to 1% of gross gambling yield by 2023, boosting their annual contribution to around £60m (€66.9m/$75.5m) by 2023.
However, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Jeremy Wright has warned that the government could introduce a mandatory levy if the gambling sector's voluntary funding plans do not raise enough cash to support both the treatment and prevention of gambling harm.
The House of Lords’ Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry has also published a call for evidence to support its inquiry into problem gambling in the UK.
This will focus on issues such as the current state of the industry, developments in gambling habits – in particular online gambling – and the “gamblification” of sport.
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