The British Horseracing Board is contributing £10,000 towards the cost of a major new research project on gambling behaviour.
The National Gambling Prevalence Study is to be undertaken later this year co-ordinated by the charity, Gamcare, and with the backing of the Home Office.
Gamcare has become a leading authority on the social impact of gambling in the UK, providing information, advice and practical help. It aims to promote a responsible approach to gambling and to address the needs of those adversely affected by gambling dependency.
The aim of the new research will be to study the degree to which people aged 16 and over take part in recognised forms of gambling, and the extent of problem gambling.
Faced with calls for changes to gambling legislation, the Home Office has made it clear that Ministers are unlikely to consider a review of the law without the benefit of extensive research, particularly into the causes of problem gambling.
BHB Chief Executive, Tristram Ricketts, said: “”The BHB is pleased to offer tangible support to such an important research project. Betting on horseracing provides a form of leisure activity which is welcomed by many thousands of enthusiasts, as well as an important source of income for the sport. But it is recognised that excessive gambling can cause social problems and it is vital to all in the racing and betting industries -as well as Government – that there is a full understanding of how such problems arise and how best they can be counteracted.””
The Director of Gamcare, Paul Bellringer said: “”We greatly welcome this support from the BHB which is a further indication of the extent to which the gambling industry and those associated with it recognise the value of reliable research on which to base future gambling policy and practice.””