GameAware Donations Hit £9.4 Million

Responsible gaming group GambleAware has revealed that the group reached £9.4 million in donations for the year, which is a new record for the organization.

The company specializes in providing information on associated online and land betting sites for minimizing the harm caused by gambling addiction. Punters betting online at UK licensed sites can usually find the organization's logo, and clicking that logo sends you to the group's website. The group had initially set a goal of £10 million in donations, and although they never hit the mark, they still did very well in terms of hauling in dough.

Commenting on their mission GambleAware CEO Marc Etches said, "In Great Britain, it is estimated that 430,000 people have a gambling problem and another two million are at risk of developing one.

"This is a public health issue that requires all organizations that have an interest to step up to the plate in the next 12 months to work positively and collaboratively to help reduce gambling-related harms, so we are looking beyond licence-holders for further sources of income and support.

"Less than 2% of 'problem gamblers' are receiving treatment, representing a significant gap in services.

"With two million adults 'at risk' and nearly half a million 11 to 15-year-old children gambling every week in England and Wales (including 9,000 defined as 'problem gamblers'), there is a need for significant investment in education and harm-prevention activity."