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<p>The Gambling Commission requires all operators licensed under the Gambling Act
2005 to make a contribution towards the research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related
harm. Most operators donate to GambleAware, a charity which commissions dedicated
support for problem gamblers, as well as research and awareness-raising on gambling-related
harm. For the 2018-19 financial year, operators donated £9.6<ins class="ministerial">m</ins><del
class="ministerial">bn</del> to GambleAware, and industry body the Betting and Gaming
Council estimates that operators gave a further £9.7m to other charities. For that
same financial year, the gambling sector paid around £3bn to the exchequer in gambling
taxes.</p><p>GambleAware commission support and treatment services for those suffering
through gambling problems, including the National Gambling Helpline and counselling
services provided by GamCare. GambleAware commissioned services complement those of
NHS England who are scaling up treatment provision for problem gambling as part of
the NHS Long-term plan. This will see up to 14 new specialist clinics open in the
next 5 years, 2 of which have opened already. The Health Secretary has also announced
that a cross-government addiction strategy, to include gambling, will be published
in 2020.</p><p>In May 2018 the government published its response to the consultation
on gaming machines and social responsibility measures, which made clear that if industry
failed to provide the funding needed to meet current and future needs, government
would consider all options, including a mandatory levy. Following this, in July 2019,
five large gambling operators announced that they will increase the amount they give
tenfold, from 0.1% to 1% of their gross profits over the next four years, and as part
of this have committed to spend £100 million on treatment.</p><p> </p>
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