Gambling with Lives’ Chapter One site removes controversial caveat on National Gambling Helpline
Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s joint pilot scheme with Gambling with Lives has removed any mention of operator donations in regard to GamCare-run helpline five months after public backlash
A controversial caveat placed on a National Gambling Helpline referral by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has been removed, five months after complaints were first raised by Deal Me Out CEO Jordan Lea.
In 2023, the GMCA partnered Gambling with Lives to create Chapter One in an attempt to ensure the public had access to evidence-based information on the causes and effects of gambling addiction, alongside self-protection tools, all of which was advertised as “free from the influence of the gambling industry”.
The Chapter One site includes signposts on how users can access help and support, one of which being the National Gambling Helpline.
A note included in a pop-up advertising the helpline previously read: “The National Gambling Helpline and support network is commissioned by the charity GambleAware, which receives voluntary donations from the gambling industry.”
Lea’s original complaint centred around the caveat mentioning operator donations go towards the funding of the helpline, as is an LCCP requirement under the existing research, education and treatment (RET) framework.
The Deal Me Out CEO had previously argued that a vulnerable individual could be deterred from using the helpline given the lack of context within the caveat.
Five months after Lea first publicly criticised the GMCA’s caveat, the wording of the pop-up message has now changed.
The updated wording reads: “National services which operate across England and Wales can help, this includes the National Gambling Helpline and Support Network which provides advice and counselling therapy to people affected by gambling.”
There was no official comment from the GMCA or Gambling with Lives announcing the wording change, but Lea took to LinkedIn to express his backing of the amendment and confirm that he will not be pursuing any further action.
“I am extremely pleased the GMCA and Gambling with Lives have removed the caveats placed upon the National Gambling helpline and the Gambling Support Network on its Chapter One website,” he wrote.
“This ensures the need for any further action is negated. I believe the current language is acceptable. Whilst services aren’t promoted to the same level as others, it is encouraging to see a more collaborative approach taken by all parties. Hopefully this can continue as a levy framework is administered.”
Speaking exclusively to EGR last August, Lea shed further light on his concern regarding the original caveat.
The Deal Me Out CEO said:“The caveat they [the GMCA] have placed upon only GamCare, which runs the National Gambling Helpline, almost infers, or is used to infer, that it is in some way the industry that is running these things, which is just completely not true.
“We believe that it is designed that way, and is designed to discredit and harm GamCare, GambleAware and, by proxy, all of the organisations on the RET list.”
However, a letter signed by Manchester mayor Andy Burnham addressed to Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell last summer outlined why the GMCA felt it necessary to mention donations from operators to the helpline.
The letter stated: “In relation to specific comments about information provided about services for people experiencing gambling harms, [the] GMCA has a commitment to be open and transparent about the source of funding and encourages organisations to take a similarly transparent approach.
“This is something recommended by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities’ (OHID) assessment of England’s gambling treatment system to help residents and potential partners decide with whom they engage.”
EGR has approached both the GMCA and Gambling with Lives for comment.