GambleAware Commits £4m to UK’s Premier Gambling Research Hub

Independent, grant-making charity organisation, GambleAware, has this week announced an eight-month grant award process to set up the UK's first academic research facility specialising in gambling harms research.

The process will see one university receive £4 million from the organisation to develop the hub, which is expected to bring a fresh approach into the gambling harms research field.

According to GambleAware, the new facility will have the autonomy to decide its own research focus, which will look at gambling harms from a public health perspective.

In its official statement about the proposed research hub, GambleAware said:

‘’In Great Britain at present, most gambling research is from a social science perspective, and is delivered by a small number of academics. However, the new Hub seeks to broaden out the range of academic disciplines engaged with gambling harms research in Great Britain. With the application of a public health lens, the successful institution will dictate its own research focus and will support and inform the wider system of treatment providers, organisations, and agencies working to prevent and reduce gambling harms.’’

The announcement reinforces the charity’s commitment to helping those suffering from problem gambling by supporting and funding treatment services, education, and research.

Top UK Universities Invited to Apply

In the statement released on Tuesday, the organisation revealed that it has invited a select number of top universities in Great Britain to apply for the grant.

According to the charity, the chosen institutions were selected based on strict criteria that involved multiple rankings. Among the top considerations was ongoing research in areas related to gambling behaviour and prevention of harms caused by addiction.

Also, applicants are required to demonstrate a strong academic track in related disciplines like public health, epidemiology, mental health, psychology, health inequalities, and health economics.

The grant will go to a single university, but the successful institution is also expected to work together with both local and international academics and partners in their chosen research area.

‘’Our main criteria is that universities apply a multi-disciplinary, public health lens in setting out the rationale for their chosen research area. From our early discussions with selected universities, we’re expecting some very creative and innovative proposals at the initial Expression of Interest stage,’’ said GambleAware’s Interim Research Director, Alison Claire.

GambleAware Revives Bet Regret Campaign as New EPL Season Kicks Off

In other news, GambleAware has announced the return of its flagship responsible gambling campaign, Bet Regret, to coincide with the start of the 2021/2022 English football season.

The nationwide campaign, which was first launched in September last year, seeks to promote safer gambling awareness by advising bettors to take a moment and log out of digital betting platforms to think through their gambling decisions before placing a bet.

According to the Charity, those targeted in the Bet Regret ad campaign are mostly males aged between 18 and 34 years as they are most vulnerable to making gambling choices on impulse.

The ads will air across various media channels including national television, radio, and digital sports platforms. The marketing campaign is also expected to return to football stadiums across the country.